Best Places to Elope in Colorado in 2024
We’ve spent the past decade exploring and photographing elopements to create this list of the best places to elope in Colorado in 2024! For each location, you will find descriptions, permit info, distance from Denver’s airport, and pro tips. Any given location varies season by season and even from weekdays to weekends. Most importantly, it is everyone’s duty to preserve our land by doing our part to Leave No Trace. Also, double check with the local ranger district about hosting an elopement.
San Juan Mountains
There’s a reason the San Juan Mountains are called the “Switzerland of America.” This mountain range is much steeper than others in the state so they feel even taller than other peaks of the same height. You will find the San Juan Mountains in Ouray, Ridgway, and Telluride, among others. Luxurious hot springs, majestic waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and off-road rugged 4×4 adventures await in this charming space!
Permit: Typically yes for most locations. Be sure to contact the local ranger district to ask about permits for your group size and/or photographer.
Click Here for Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
Click Here for San Juan National Forrest.
Distance From Denver International Airport: 350-384 miles, approximately 6-7 hours.
Pro Tips: The towns of Ouray, Ridgway, and especially Telluride are pricey. If your budget for food and lodging is limited, there are many other places in Colorado that are less expensive.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park offers great diversity with roads that can quickly take you from one breathtaking scene to another. With many lakes, expansive mountain ridges, hiking trails, waterfalls, overlooks, and more, RMNP has a little bit of everything. Ascending Trail Ridge Road will give you the feeling of being on top of the world.
Permit: Yes (12 ceremony sites). Equipment such as tables, chairs, carpets, tents, floral displays, generators, banners, and streamers cannot be used in the park. Scattering of rice, birdseed, flower petals or other materials is prohibited. See RMNP Permits + Rules.
Distance From DIA: 80 miles, approximately 1 hour 43 minutes.
Pro Tips: RMNP is very popular and summer evenings and weekends can lack the feeling of privacy. Most restaurants close around 9 or even earlier depending on the day. Keep food in your lodge or prepare accordingly. The town of Estes Park is just outside the East entrance into RMNP and offers gourmet coffee, salt water taffy, rock shops, and more. Visit the historic Stanley Hotel for a bite to eat and an unforgettable adventure.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
These giant sand dunes are an incredible experience. Pictures simply do not do this place justice. If you visit at the right time, you’ll feel like you are in a melting pot of all four seasons. From distant snow capped mountains to warm sand in between your toes, lush green terrain to colorful wildflowers, this place is absolutely one-of-a-kind! Waterfalls and hot springs are in the area.
Permit: Yes, a special use permit is required. Ceremonies are allowed to take place outside the wilderness boundary of the dunefield, on the close side of Medano Creek.
Click Here for Great Sand Dunes permit application + rules.
Distance From DIA: 249 miles, approximately 4 hours 3 minutes
Pro Tips: This location is so spread out that there are plenty of wide open spaces where you could be in complete privacy. Rent an AWD vehicle so that you can access all that the Great Sand Dunes has to offer.
Crested Butte
Filled with your new favorite restaurants as well unique shops, art, and aesthetics, this small mountain town is absolutely adorable! The surrounding landscapes include lakes, hiking trails, wildlife, and stunning mountain views. Quaint and quiet, Crested Butte may be the romantic destination of your dreams!
Permit: No, permits are not required for the Gunnison National Forrest Areas. Guest count is limited to 25 people or less.
Permit reservations are required for the following areas: Woods Walk, Peanut Lake, and Gunsight Bridge. These permits cost $2000.
Distance From DIA: 251 miles, approximately 4 hours 43 minutes
Pro Tips: From Gunnison to Crested Butte, the fall colors ignite unlike anywhere else.
Breckenridge
Lake Dillon, Sapphire Point, ski slopes, and waterfalls are just some of what Breckenridge has to offer. Motorized boats, jet skis, and sailboats are all welcome on Lake Dillon. Come sail away with us!
Permit: Permits are not required for many of the White River National Forrest Areas in the Dillon Ranger District. You are not allowed to set up chairs, tents, arches, tables, or anything that affects the natural landscape.
Sapphire Point requires reservations and a fee of $120, and groups are limited to 35 people.
Distance From DIA: 112 miles, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
Pro Tip: The elevation is high, and the weather can change in a hurry. Swirling, cold winds are frequent. Wear layers and expect a significant temperature drop as the sun tucks below the horizon. Do not approach or feed the wildlife.
Brainard Lake Recreational Area
This is just a stunning location filled with natural beauty! In the summer, the wildflowers bloom loudly and add bright colors along the trail. Lake Isabelle backs up to Rocky Mountain National Park and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado.
Distance From DIA: 68 miles, approximately 1 hour 43 minutes.
Pro Tips: There is a second, smaller parking lot at Long Lake, which is located almost a mile up from Brainard’s parking lot. If you’re interested in hiking less, you can start at the second lot. Naturally, these parking spaces are harder to come by. This location is popular, especially in the summertime.
Buena Vista
Buena Vista is a great place for water activities with easy access to big lakes and rivers. Whitewater rafting, standup paddle boarding, and kayaking are all options during the warmer months here. The area also features a ghost town that’s more than 120 years old and provides a unique adventure in an abandoned mining town. There are two paved high elevations passes, Independence Pass and Cottonwood Pass, which will take you to near the tops of the Collegiate Peaks without much physical exertion.
Permit: Yes. Special Use Permits for photography are required for most of the Pike + San Isabelle National Forrest.
For Twin Lakes, make reservations at Rocky Mountain Recreation Co.
Distance From DIA: 145 miles, approximately 2 hours 37 minutes.
Pro Tips: Mount Princeton hot springs is a great place to warm up after a Rocky Mountain adventure.
Garden of the Gods
Located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a playground with towering red rock sandstone formations. Lush green trees and vegetation complement the red landscape. You can enjoy the rock formations up close while also having space to sit back and look from afar.
Permit: No, but there are 6 designated ceremony sites that are first come, first serve. Each site varies in its guest count capacity.
Distance From DIA: 86 miles, approximately 1 hour 38 minutes.
Pro Tips: Like other public spaces, Garden of the Gods can be very popular on nights and weekends, especially in the summertime. If you want to elope here, we recommend bringing no more than 10 guests. If you like whiskey, be sure to visit this delicious whiskey distillery afterward!
Denver (RiNo/LoDo)
The artistry within the River North section of downtown Denver is plentiful and extraordinarily colorful. Obviously, you will get a true urban vibe when eloping here. With the Rocky Mountain foothills only a short drive away, you can easily supplement the urban vibes with the natural beauty of the mountains. Can’t get enough art? Visit the Museum of Contemporary Arts for immersive installations.
Permit: Varies dependent on location. A photography permit may be required for groups larger than 5 or for exclusive use of an area.
Distance From DIA: 25 miles, approximately 31 minutes
Pro Tips: We have a combined 20+ years living in Denver. From museums, live music & comedy, restaurants, bars, shows & entertainment, we can recommend a plethora of things for you to incorporate into your elopement depending on your preferences. Your gallery is certain to be well-rounded and diverse by choosing an elopement adventure that spans downtown Denver and the nearby mountainsides.
Such an informative blog with so much great information! I love the variety of locations from urban to mountains to sand dunes, as well as the links to permits and other information. Thanks for sharing!
Ok this blog is gold. There is so much information in here. Seriously everyone looking to elope in Colorado needs to find this blog. I’m already married, but am legite going to refer back to this when I travel to Colorado! Thanks for being so specific and thinking ahead. PS: Your blue tones are everything.
Oh my goodness what a fun list of places to elope. I love your vibrate editing too!
So many gorgeous locations to elope in Colorado! The San Juan’s are my favorite!
Colorado is such an insanely beautiful state! There are so many incredible spots to elope, this is such a helpful post!!
I absolutely adore the way you document the beauty of Colorado! Those landscapes are stunning! Thanks for such a comprehensive article!
I absolutely love your guide! So informative, great tips for couples. Your images are gorgeous!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the locations that you chose! I am partial to CB (I went to college in Gunnison) but each and every one of these locations are drop dead gorgeous!
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thanks for providing these details.