Where to Elope in Colorado | Adventure Elopement Photographer
I’ve had the pleasure of calling Colorado home for almost a decade now and I will never tire of exploring its many beautiful places. As an elopement photographer who loves to hike and spend time outdoors, Colorado is the perfect playground to explore. And I absolutely love sharing what I find with clients.
From the Foothills near Denver to the majestic peaks in the San Juans to the ever popular Rocky Mountain National Park and the less visited (but no lesser for it) Black Canyon and a million places in between, Colorado is full to bursting with beautiful elopement destinations. It’s almost difficult to choose! So here’s a little guide to getting started finding the best place to elope in Colorado.
The Best Places to Elope in Colorado (Updated for 2024)
Crested Butte
Wildlfower season elopement in Crested Butte.
I’m not sure what can really beat this mountain town tucked into Western Colorado. With stunning views of unique peaks, a quaint and colorful main street filled with mouthwatering restaurants and fun shops, and some of the best displays of wildflowers I’ve personally laid my eyes on, Crested Butte is a paradise for any occasion—especially of the elopement variety. There are plenty of hikes to choose from in Crested Butte as well as plenty of fun outdoor activities to partake in either during your elopement or during any part of your stay in this glorious mountain town.
Here’s a gorgeous boutique hotel right in the town of Crested Butte that would make for a lovely stay.
Check out the second half of this blog post for photos from a Crested Butte summer anniversary shoot.
And don’t miss this summer elopement at an amazing alpine lake in Crested Butte.
Maroon Bells in Aspen
The iconic Maroon Bells in the background of this elopement.
When people think of the mountains of Colorado, I imagine most see the Maroon Bells standing tall in their minds. A glorious place escape in Aspen, the Maroon Bells are a must on this list. But with a caveat! As this place is so popular (and for good reason, of course) eloping here is recommended during times where fewer people might be visiting. Think sunrise, weekdays, the beginning of the visiting season, etc. And most importantly, reservations are required for even visiting the Bells, let alone eloping. You can even reserve the small amphitheater if you’re looking to include some friends or family.
Maroon Bells is best for anyone looking for that easily recognizable scenic view, but also has wiggle room when it comes to picking a date and time that wouldn’t put them smack dab in the middle of a crowd of visitors.
Rocky Mountain National Park
A wedding couple on Trail Ridge Road at sunrise.
A list of places to elope in Colorado wouldn’t be complete without Rocky Mountain National Park. A household name, this park is popular for a reason. Its stunning vistas, alpine lakes, and abundance of wildlife make for a truly breathtaking experience. But with any popular location , there are some strict guidelines to how exactly you can elope in Rocky Mountain National Park. For instance, you are restricted to a dozen specific sites in the park where you can actually have your ceremony. There are no exceptions. Some of my favorite sites are Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and Upper Beaver Meadows. You have to reserve a site in advance (way in advance usually; you can apply up to one year in advance of your desired date).
Once your ceremony is done (or even before!) then you can take some time to explore the park and get photos elsewhere. One of my absolute favorite places in the park for photos is Trail Ridge Road (pictured above). This is only open during the summer and early fall months.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
A couple overlooking Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Another National Park? Yep! Though this one is a little different than RMNP. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is absolutely breathtaking. This is such an awe-inspiring spot and an absolutely amazing place for an elopement, as long as you aren’t afraid of heights! This destination requires less hiking and more driving around from viewpoint to viewpoint but you can walk at the viewpoints and explore a bit, some more than others. National Parks can be very busy places, but every time I’ve found myself at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, it’s never been crowded. And you don’t have to worry about securing tons of permits or paying a lot of money when you elope at the Black Canyon. This is such a unique landscape, one you won’t find anywhere else in Colorado nor many other places in the US. The closest town to the park is Montrose.
Check out this blog post for more photos from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
The San Juans: Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway and Telluride
Mount Sneffels in Ridgeway, Colorado.
The San Juan Mountains. What a LANDSCAPE. This part of Colorado is truly a treasure to behold. Nestled between towering peaks, the towns that reside in these mountains are full of western character and charm. Pictured above is a view of Mount Sneffels and the valley near Ridgway. There’s an array of breathtaking—literally and figuratively—hikes in this area, including the famous Blue Lakes.
Silverton, one of my favorite western towns, truly feels like going back in time. Silverton has so many gorgeous spots for photos. This would be a good place for smaller hikes/short walks and possibly driving to multiple locations. There’s a bunch of winding mountain passes to drive and explore. Some require 4x4, so renting a Jeep or something of the sort would be a great option to get as much out of the area, but it’s not absolutely necessary.
The Wyman Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel in the town of Silverton that would make such a lovely place to stay for an elopement.
The Foothills and Front Range
A couple on top of rock stacks in Evergreen, Colorado.
If you’re looking to stay close to Denver or Boulder or any of the Front Range cities, you still have plenty of places to choose from! Views of the Foothills can be just as lovely as the mountain peaks you may be used to further into the mountains. And because snow melts sooner at lower elevations, you’re free to elope in places like Evergreen or Golden or Boulder sooner in the year—if you’re looking to avoid snow—than most places in the mountains.
Check out this elopement in one of my favorite parks in the Front Range. We had a beautiful spring evening while most of the mountains were still covered in feet of snow.
Elope in the Foothills for easier access and the ability to stay close to the metro area.
Lake Isabelle and Brainard Lake Recreation Area
A bridge and groom at Lake Isabelle during their elopement.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area and Lake Isabelle are another stunning elopement destination. Think awe-inspiring views with only a relatively easy hike. Located near the quirky town of Nederland, Brainard Lake is known for its moose and amazing trails. Lake Isabelle is one of those trails. A somewhat easygoing hike takes you to this gorgeous lake with brilliant peaks rising above the water. This is a very popular place to be, especially in the summer months, so I only recommend it on weekdays and sunrise/sunset times. It does require a reservation that needs to be booked a couple months in advance.
The payoffs of an early hike to Lake Isabelle are absolutely worth the wake up call.
In the winter, Brainard Lake can be accessed via walking or snowshoeing from the overflow lot.
Check out this Lake Isabelle elopement to get an idea of what eloping in this area looks like.
Bread Bar and Loveland Pass
A couple on the patio of Bread Bar in winter.
If you’re looking for a two-for-one elopement idea, here’s a favorite of mine: eloping atop the breathtaking Loveland Pass and then heading down to the tiny town of Silver Plume for delicious cocktails at Bread Bar. This is a great option within an hour drive of Denver (though I’d recommend spending the night at Bread House to make the most of the occasion) that still includes stunning views of the mountains.
Loveland Pass requires hardly any hiking at all. You can simply drive to the top of the pass and find many a beautiful spot to say your vows. Check out this couple’s session atop Loveland Pass to get an idea of its potential as an elopement location.
Once you’ve said your vows, explored the pass, and gotten all the amazing photos, head on down to Bread Bar! Just keep in mind, Bread Bar is only open Friday through Sunday.
A wedding couple atop Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.
All of the above is simply a small taste of where you might elope in Colorful Colorado. There really is no shortage of beautiful destinations for a backdrop to your “I do”s. One of my favorites things to do as an elopement photographer living in Colorado is finding the perfect spot for my clients and their wants and needs. So get in touch and let’s plan your stunning Colorado elopement asap!