A couple embraces and kisses on a rock by Bear Lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and forest, under a bright blue sky—capturing the essence of a magical winter elopement.

Bear Lake Elopement + Wedding Guide

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Bear Lake Elopement + Wedding Guide

An enchanting alpine mountain lake surrounded by pine trees awaits you for your Bear Lake elopement. Located at 9,450 feet above sea level, Bear Lake is the highest wedding ceremony site in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hallett Peak is perched directly above the lake and can be seen from several lookouts along the main path that loops Bear Lake. In this blog, learn how to obtain ceremony permits, ceremony rules, when to get married, and more information on how to plan your own Bear Lake elopement and wedding.

A couple in formal attire, with the man donning a cowboy hat, stands outdoors at Bear Lake, facing a scenic view of snowy mountains, a pine forest, and a clear blue sky—perfect for their winter elopement.
A couple in wedding attire embraces in a snowy Bear Lake landscape, surrounded by majestic mountains and pine trees. Red snowshoes lie on the ground nearby, capturing the essence of a whimsical winter elopement.
A couple stands on a rocky ledge by a mountain Lake, surrounded by pine trees. The woman, crowned with flowers, holds a bouquet while the man adjusts his tie. A majestic mountain looms in the background, creating a perfect setting for their Bear Lake elopement
Bride in a white dress holds a bouquet while groom in a suit stands beside her on a rock, capturing their Bear Lake winter elopement. They are by the lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and trees under a clear sky.
A couple in wedding attire poses on a rock by the serene Bear Lake, surrounded by forested mountains under a clear sky, capturing the essence of a winter elopement.
A couple in wedding attire stands by Bear Lake, surrounded by forested mountains that promise the serenity of a winter elopement, smiling lovingly at each other.
A couple stands hand in hand, overlooking Bear Lake, its tranquil waters framed by dense green forest and a vibrant patch of yellow autumn trees—a serene spot perfect for a winter elopement.

Bear Lake Wedding Ceremony Permits

To get married here in Rocky Mountain National Park, you must obtain a permit for a Bear Lake wedding. Bear Lake permits cost $300 and can be reserved by filling out a Special Use Permit online, which open 1 year in advance.

Weddings at Bear Lake are not allowed on weekends. There are also no weddings allowed at Bear Lake from the Friday before Memorial Day through the 2nd Monday in October.

A Bear Lake ceremony allows up to 20 people to join your group as well as a total allotment of 5 vehicles. Your permit allows you to have 2 hours at Bear Lake. Read more details about obtaining a permit at the official Rocky Mountain National Park site.

⛰️ The Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Guide ⛰️
A blurred couple embraces tenderly in the foreground, set against the breathtaking backdrop of a snowy mountain landscape. It's as though they're in their own world, capturing the intimate magic of a Bear Lake winter elopement.

20

people

5

vehicles

$300

permit fee

Available

Now – May 23rd, 2025 & October 13th, 2025 – May 22nd, 2026 (excludes weekends)

Bear Lake Wedding Rules

In a serene Bear Lake setting, a couple exchanges vows with an officiant. Sunlight filters through the winter trees, illuminating the scene and highlighting the shimmering water in the background.

To get married at Bear Lake, you must agree to follow all of the RMNP ceremony rules. These rules align with the Leave No Trace guidelines such as:

  • no decorations such as arches or chairs
  • no amplified sound
  • no dogs
  • no scattering of confetti/seeds/rice/lavender/bubbles etc.

Pro Tip: A permit does not grant you exclusive access to the area. Other park visitors are still allowed to explore the area.

Tips For Getting Married at Bear Lake

  • Weather be crazy so come prepared
  • Restrooms have non-flushing vault toilets
  • If you plan on taking photos at Bear Lake in the summer months, choose sunrise for a quieter experience
  • Sprague Lake is a great alternative ceremony site if you’d like to get married during the summer months and still visit Bear Lake
A couple dressed in wedding attire share a kiss by Bear Lake at sunset, surrounded by dark mountains and a cloudy sky, capturing the essence of a winter elopement.

Bear Lake Wedding Ceremony Site Accessibility

The shore of Bear Lake is just a short walk from the paved parking lot. There is also a gravel trail that loops around the lake. The Bear Lake loop is 0.7 miles around and relatively easy to traverse. For a Bear Lake wedding ceremony, you have the option to host it at any of the lookouts along the trail as you are not blocking other visitors.

In winter months, we recommend snowshoes so that you can easily walk onto the lake and have your ceremony further away from the main trail. Please note that this can only be done when the lake is completely frozen.

Pro-tip: rent snowshoes for a winter ceremony in the middle of the frozen lake!

A group of people walks along a snowy path beside the frozen Bear Lake, surrounded by trees and distant mountains under a clear blue sky, as if in a serene winter elopement scene.
A couple in wedding attire walks on a trail by Bear Lake, surrounded by snow-dusted rocks and trees, with majestic mountains in the background—a perfect winter elopement setting.
A group of people in winter clothing stands on snow with snowshoes, surrounded by snowy trees and mountains, capturing the serene beauty of a Bear Lake Winter Elopement.
A bride and groom stroll through the snowy forest of Bear Lake, dressed in formal attire for their winter elopement. The bride clutches a bouquet, while both beam with happiness amidst snow-laden trees.
A couple stands on snow in winter attire, holding hands, as they celebrate their Bear Lake winter elopement. A snowy mountain landscape and a clear blue sky form the backdrop.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand across the snow-covered landscape of Bear Lake, with forested mountains providing a stunning backdrop to their winter elopement.
A couple in formal attire stands on rocky terrain by Bear Lake, surrounded by a serene forest, with mountains in the background. The woman playfully holds her dress as the man holds her hand, capturing the enchanting essence of a winter elopement.
A couple embraces on a forest path beside a large puddle, surrounded by tall trees and rocks, evoking the romance of a Bear Lake winter elopement.
A bride in a white dress walks on a snow-covered path towards a small group at an outdoor winter ceremony, surrounded by the majestic trees and mountains of Bear Lake, capturing the enchanting essence of a winter elopement.
A bride and groom sit on a wooden bench near Bear Lake, surrounded by snow-kissed trees and majestic mountains. The bride, elegant in her white dress, leans gently against the groom in his suit, capturing the serene beauty of their Bear Lake elopement.

Best Times to get married at Bear Lake

Bear Lake is one of the most visited areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, which is why ceremony permits are only allowed between late fall to early spring. Naturally, the colder months are less busy so if you appreciate more privacy & peacefulness, you will love this time. Moreover, sunrise and sunset offer the best lighting with fewer visitors than the midday sunshine.

⛰️ Check Out this Dream Lake Adventure ⛰️
At Bear Lake, a couple embraces on snow-dusted rocks by a frozen lake, surrounded by pine trees and mountains under a partly cloudy sky. In this winter elopement scene, the woman holds a bouquet of flowers.

Spring

In April – May, Bear Lake begins to thaw, and the landscape is a charming mix of wild weather. From blizzards to warm & sunny, it can do just about anything.

Bride and groom pose on rocks by a serene lake surrounded by trees and mountains at sunset, capturing the magic of a Bear Lake elopement.

Summer

While you can’t have a ceremony in the summer, you can still visit for photos.

A couple in wedding attire stands on rocks by a reflective lake, enveloped by trees and mountains under a dusk sky, capturing the magic of a Bear Lake winter elopement.

Fall

In October – November, Bear Lake begins to freeze. Fall colors fade away.

Amidst the serene beauty of a Bear Lake winter elopement, a couple stands in wedding attire on a snowy landscape, their snowshoes softly crunching underfoot. An officiant in a turquoise hat completes the picturesque scene, framed by snow-draped trees and majestic mountains.

Winter

In January – March, the lake is frozen beneath tons of snow and is a perfect winter wonderland! If you seek more privacy to explore, this is your time. Keep in mind it will be much colder so come prepared & dressed for the weather.

Pro-tip: Bear Lake is the perfect ceremony site for adventurers wanting to hike to Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, or any of the other epic Rocky Mountain trails accessible from Bear Lake.

Bear Lake Wedding Photos

Your Bear Lake wedding photos are as important as your experience. That’s why we’ve been helping couples plan, create, and capture their wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park for nearly a decade. Please contact if you want to get married in one of the most magical places!

 💕 Reach Out + Tell us about Your Elopement  💕
A couple in formal attire stands on a snowy path, embracing the enchanting scene of Bear Lake, where winter's touch paints a serene landscape with mountains and pine trees as witnesses to their intimate elopement.
A couple in wedding attire embraces in a snowy landscape at Bear Lake, with a forest and hills in the background. The groom lifts the bride during their enchanting winter elopement, as they stand on a snow-covered field.
A blue bird perched in a snow-covered tree, surrounded by bare branches, captures the serene beauty of a Bear Lake winter.
A couple stands holding hands in the snow-covered terrain of Bear Lake, surrounded by towering, snow-dusted evergreen trees, capturing the essence of a magical winter elopement.
A couple in wedding attire stands by Bear Lake, surrounded by forested mountains that promise the serenity of a winter elopement, smiling lovingly at each other.
In a serene Bear Lake forest setting, the couple dances gracefully. The woman, ethereal in her white dress, and the man, dapper in his suit, embrace nature's beauty amidst the whispering trees and scattered rocks—a perfect scene for a winter elopement.
Amidst the serene beauty of Bear Lake, the bride and groom stand in a snowy landscape, smiling as snowflakes gently fall around them. The bride wears a white dress with a fur wrap; the groom, equipped with snowshoes, sports a blue suit for this magical winter elopement.
A couple in formal attire shares a playful moment amidst the snowy landscape of Bear Lake, with winter trees and a majestic mountain backdrop. Both are joyfully navigating the scene on snowshoes, embodying the spirit of an intimate winter elopement.
At Bear Lake, a bride and groom embrace on a rock by the shimmering water, framed by snow-dusted mountains and serene forests—a picturesque winter elopement.
A couple embraces and laughs at Bear Lake, surrounded by a blurred mountain landscape. The woman wears a light-colored dress that dances in the winter breeze, while the man complements her in a blue suit, capturing the essence of an intimate elopement.
Bride and groom in formal attire stand embraced in a snowy Bear Lake winter elopement setting, surrounded by pine trees and mountains.
A couple in wedding attire shares a kiss outdoors against a mossy rock backdrop, capturing the serene essence of their Bear Lake winter elopement. The bride wears a lace dress, while the groom sports a light shirt and vest.

Bear Lake Elopement Packages

Ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime and have your own Bear Lake elopement? We’re here to help you make it happen! With nearly a decade of experience, our elopement packages offer exceptional photography as well as planning support throughout. Included in all of our Bear Lake elopement packages is easy step-by-step planning, permit obtaining, vendor suggestions, timeline creation, & more. Let’s turn your dream’s into reality!

Adventure Elopement Photographer Camping in Fall

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14 Comments

  3. This is a stunning elopement featuring how beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park can be in the winter! I love that this couple rolled with the weather because those snow flurries give that first look and ceremony a beautiful extra touch of whimsy!

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