During their Twin Lakes elopement, a bride and groom walk along a rocky lakeshore with mountains and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

The Ultimate Twin Lakes Elopement Guide

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Twin Lakes Elopement Guide

Nestled in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista, Colorado, you’ll find Twin Lakes – Colorado’s largest glacial lakes. It is one of the most staggeringly gorgeous and easily accessible mountain lakes in all of Colorado. Just 15 miles south of Leadville, 25 miles north of Buena Vista, and about a 2 hour drive from Denver. This Twin Lakes Elopement Guide has everything you need to know about planning your elopement or micro-wedding here—when to visit, where to hold your ceremony, permits, rules, travel tips, & more!

A bride and groom stand side by side on a sandy shore, facing a lake with snow-capped mountains during their Twin Lakes elopement.
During their Twin Lakes elopement, a bride and groom walk along a rocky lakeshore with mountains and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A bride and groom stand facing each other on a snowy landscape with mountains in the background, exchanging vows during an outdoor winter wedding at Twin Lakes.
A bride and groom embrace in a field of yellow wildflowers with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky during their Twin Lakes Elopement
A couple, getting married, stands holding hands atop a dock on Twin Lakes, Colorado.
A couple exchanges vows outdoors in front of seated guests, with a lake and large mountains in the background during their Twin lakes Elopement

Why Elope at Twin Lakes, Colorado?

Twin Lakes is one of the most serene and accessible alpine locations in Colorado. Twin Lakes truly feels like a world away, while still being accessible for your guests. Here’s why couples love it:

A bride and groom stand together on a rocky lakeshore with forested mountains in the background during their Twin Lakes Wedding.
  • Secluded & Peaceful – Tucked far from any major city, you’ll feel completely immersed in nature.
  • Incredible Stargazing – With no light pollution, you can exchange vows beneath one of the darkest, starriest skies in Colorado.
  • Year-Round Adventure – Paddleboarding, canoeing, hiking, or snowshoeing—the lakes change with every season.
  • Ceremony-Friendly – Small arches, chairs, or decor are allowed as long as nothing is placed on any vegetation and is completely cleaned up when you are done.
  • Epic Nearby Views – Independence Pass is just up the road, offering jaw-dropping mountaintop vistas perfect for portraits.

Twin Lakes Wedding Ceremony Permits

No matter the size, you will need to check with the Forest Service before planning your elopement or wedding, as rules, regulations, and conditions can change. You’ll also need to purchase a $10 day-use parking pass per vehicle. Permit availability is limited during warmer months, so plan ahead!

Small ceremonies (under 15 people, no decor): There is no permit required.

Larger groups or decor (with arches, chairs, etc.): A permit is required through the U.S. Forest Service.

💡 When you book with us, we’ll handle the permits and logistics for you—so you can relax and focus on your vows.

⛰️ The Complete Buena Vista Guide ⛰️

Where to get married at Twin Lakes

There are several ceremony spaces available around Twin Lakes for your vow exchange. The options include:

  • Shoreline Vows – Rocky beaches along the shoreline, with the peaks reflected in the water.
  • Overlook Hills – Gentle ridges that rise above the lake for panoramic views.
  • Riverside Forests – Find a quiet spot along the river streams surrounded by lush aspen + pine forests.

Group size and parking availability are the biggest considerations, which is why working with a local expert (👋 hi, that’s us!) ensures you find the perfect ceremony location for your vision.

A bride and groom stand on rocky terrain by a river beneath a wooden bridge, framed by yellow-green leaves in the foreground during their Twin Lakes elopement.
A small group gathers on a rocky lakeshore for an outdoor wedding ceremony at Twin Lakes, with mountains and a bright sun in the background.
During their Twin Lakes elopement, a bride and groom walk towards two people standing beside a lake, with snow-capped mountains and clear blue sky in the background.

Twin Lakes Elopement & Wedding Rules

A bride in a white dress stands on a rock while the groom in a gray suit sits beside her, with snowy mountains and a frozen lake in the background.

Like many Colorado wilderness areas, Twin Lakes has guidelines to protect its beauty:

  • Follow Leave No Trace (pack in, pack out).
  • No amplified sound.
  • No scattering confetti, seeds, rice, or anything non-natural.
  • Don’t block trails or public access points.
  • In order to align with LNT, we suggest keeping your celebration under 30 people.

We’ll walk you through all the rules and make sure your celebration is both magical and respectful of the land. Pro Tip: A permit does not grant you exclusive access to the area. Other visitors are still allowed to explore the area.

How to Get to Twin Lakes

From Buena Vista: Take US-24 W to CO-82.

From Leadville: Take US-24 E to CO-82.

From Aspen: Drive over scenic Independence Pass (only open from May–October).

The drive itself is breathtaking, and it’s part of what makes a Twin Lakes elopement feel like a true adventure.

A couple in wedding attire stands holding hands on a rocky lakeshore near a stack of ice sheets, with the sun setting behind distant mountains.

When to get Married at Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes is a gorgeous place to get married all year long depending on what seasonal features you’d like to experience. Whether you want colorful wildflowers, orange & yellow aspen trees, a frozen lake to explore, or water activities & swimming – there is a perfect time for you to get married at Twin Lakes! It’s important to hire a local expert who knows the area well because some areas are closed at different times of the year.

A groom carries his bride on a rocky lakeshore at sunset, with mountains and ice in the background during their Twin Lakes Elopement.

Spring

A bride and groom embrace in a field of yellow wildflowers with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Summer

A bride and groom stand on a rocky lakeshore of Twin Lakes, Colorado with mountains in the background at sunset; the bride holds a bouquet and rests her arm on the groom’s shoulder.

Fall

A bride and groom hold hands while walking on snow in front of a lake and snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky during their Colorado elopement at Twin Lakes.

Winter

Each season offers something different:

  • Summer – warm days, wildflowers, & water activities
  • Fall – fiery aspen groves surrounding the lakes
  • Winter – frozen lakes, snow-covered peaks, and a peaceful quiet
  • Spring – melting ice, rising water levels, and fewer crowds

💡 Tip: Early summer means high water from snowmelt, which can shrink ceremony spots along the shore. Some ceremony spots are unavailable when the water is high.

Twin Lakes Elopement Packages

When you choose us for your Twin Lakes elopement, you get so much more than photographs; you will be led by highly experienced guides, planners, and two unique creatives.

A bride and groom embrace closely outdoors at sunset, touching foreheads, with a scenic landscape and pastel sky in the background.

All of our Twin Lakes elopement packages include:

  • Permit guidance + handling
  • Vow Writing Workshop
  • Personalized timeline + activity suggestions
  • Trusted vendor recommendations
  • Coverage of Twin Lakes + nearby Independence Pass
  • Documentary-style photography that tells your love story authentically
 💕 Reach out + tell us about your Elopement Dreams 💕

Places to Stay near Twin Lakes, Colorado

The town of Twin lakes is extremely small with just a coffee shop, a general store, and some houses. For lodging, we recommend staying in a nearby airbnb in Twin Lakes. If you want to sleep under the stars, there are also a few campgrounds near Twin Lakes. Here are a list of several cute places you could stay during your Twin Lakes Elopement:

A couple stands on the balcony of a modern cabin at dusk, surrounded by rocks and trees, with lights glowing warmly inside the building for their Twin Lakes elopement.

Lodges + Cabins

Camping

A couple in wedding attire walks up stone steps outdoors at dusk, surrounded by trees and rocks under a clear sky at the end of their Twin Lakes wedding.


For more options, you can also stay in Leadville (15 minutes away) or Buena Vista (25 minutes away).

Twin Lakes Elopement Photos

Alpenglow sunsets and mirror-like reflections of the Sawatch Range are just the start of why Twin Lakes Colorado is such a dream. You can even include a side quest up Independence Pass to have two unique experiences on your wedding day with crystal-clear lakes & soaring mountain passes!

A group of people celebrate in front of the mountains, with someone spraying champagne while others raise their glasses and smile - the perfect end to a Twin Lakes micro wedding.
A couple dressed in wedding attire sits on a rocky riverbank, facing a flowing blue stream surrounded by rocks and trees during their Twin Lakes Elopement.
A bride and groom get married at Twin Lakes, Colorado. They stand on a snowy landscape with mountains in the background, the bride touching the groom's face.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand along a rocky lakeshore with mountains in the background; a black dog walks ahead of them. The perfect way to spend their Twin Lakes elopement.
A bride and groom sit together by a lake with mountains in the background and yellow flowers in the foreground. The bride leans her head on the groom's shoulder.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet and rides piggyback on a groom in a suit, standing on a lakeshore with snow-capped mountains in the background. Happily they celebrate getting married at Twin Lakes, Colorado.
During their Twin Lakes Wedding, a couple in wedding attire exchange rings by a lakeshore, with mountains in the background and a dog lying on a cushion in the foreground.
During their Twin Lakes elopement, a couple, dressed in wedding attire, embraces by a lake with mountains in the background.
A bride and groom sit on a rock by a lake, surrounded by mountains, holding a bouquet and looking into the distance under bright sunlight.
A close-up of a couple holding hands near a lake, with mountains in the background during their Twin Lakes elopement.
A couple in wedding attire stands by a Twin Lakes, Colorado with mountains in the background, holding a large piece of ice that obscures their faces.
A bride and groom in formal attire stand together on a sandy lakeshore, with a bouquet placed on the ground and hills in the background during their Twin Lakes elopement.
A couple in formal attire stands on a rock by a river beneath a metal footbridge, surrounded by trees and mountains in Twin Lakes, Colorado
A couple, dressed in wedding attire, draws in the sand on the shore of one of the two lakes at Twin Lakes, Colorado.
A bride and groom stand on a mountain overlook, kissing, with snow-capped peaks and a cloudy sky during their elopement on Independence Pass, Colorado.
During sunrise of their Twin Lakes elopement, a couple in wedding attire embraces on a sandy lakeshore with mountains and a clear sky in the background; the bride holds a bouquet of flowers.
A bride and groom stand on rocky terrain beside a river, surrounded by trees and sunlight, sharing a moment on their wedding day in Colorado.
A bride and groom stand together on snow, facing a frozen lake with snowy mountains in the background. The perfect way to end their Twin Lakes elopement.
During their Colorado elopement, a bride and groom stand beside an off-road vehicle decorated with flowers, with snowy mountains and a frozen lake in the background.
During their Twin Lakes elopement, a couple sits on a rocky shore beside a frozen lake, with snow-capped mountains and the sun setting in the background.
A bride and groom hold hands while walking on snow in front of a lake and snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky during their Colorado elopement at Twin Lakes.
A bride and groom kiss by a lake with mountains in the background in Colorado. The bride holds a bouquet and a dog stands near them. A romantic ceremony at Twin Lakes.
A Twin Lakes wedding unfolds, as guests and couple sit at tables with green tablecloths, dining outdoors by a lake with mountains and cloudy skies in the background.
A groom in a suit holds a bride in a white dress by a lake, with green mountains and a cloudy sky during their Twin Lakes elopement.
A bride and groom stand together on a dock extending into a lake, at Twin Lakes Colorado. There are forested hills visible - as the ways roll along.
A bride and groom stand on rocky ground under a blue sky with clouds; the bride holds her dress and bouquet as they share a kiss.
A bride and groom stand holding hands on a rocky mountain top ledge overlooking a green mountain landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

Twin Lakes Elopement Photographer

Ready to start planning your Twin Lakes elopement? 🌲✨

We’re Meg + Kevin – Colorado elopement photographers & planners who specialize in helping couples create intentional, adventurous wedding experiences. With nearly a decade of experience, we’ll handle the logistics and capture your heartfelt, candid moments that you’ll treasure forever.

👉 Reach out, and let’s create your Twin Lakes elopement!

Contact Us

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