The Ultimate Great Sand Dunes Elopement Guide

Table of Contents

How to have a Great Sand Dunes Elopement

One of the most unique spaces we’ve ever explored in Colorado is the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve! This space is incredibly fun to explore, and the scale of these dunes is just massive. It’s impossible to truly tell from photographs, and the experience that awaits will leave you with a greater understanding of just how big our world is. Whether you’re seeking an adventure-filled getaway or planning your dream Great Sand Dunes elopement, this majestic landscape promises to captivate your senses and stir your soul.

Bride and groom walking at the Great sand dunes in colorado.

A bride and groom walking through the sand dunes at sunset.

A bride and groom standing in front of a tree in the snow smiling at one another.

A bride and groom embracing on top of a yellow tower.

A bride and groom kissing on top of a yellow building.

Moreover, the Great Sand Dunes are located near Alamosa, CO, and are a part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the park is that the overnight winds wipe away nearly all footprints every single day. You will feel as though you are the first person to discover these gorgeous formations and can blaze your own trail throughout the park. Just as sand measures time in an hourglass, let these sweet grains be the canvas for the most wildly romantic adventure of your lives!

A bride and groom walking in the sand during their Great Sand Dunes elopement

A bride and groom standing next to a waterfall in a canyon.

A bride and groom walking through the sand dunes.

A man and a woman walking in the sand dunes at the Great Sand Dunes

Reach out & We can help you plan your Great Sand Dunes Elopement!

Best Times to Elope in the Great Sand Dunes

One of the best times to visit the Sand Dunes is in late May and early June. This is because the seasonal snowmelt causes Medano Creek to rise. Medano Creek is most certainly a seasonal stream and provides unique adventures for a brief period each year. In wet seasons, the creek can see waves cascading over the base of the dunes that are one foot tall! It even gets deep enough to allow you to float along the surface of the dunes. It’s a unique experience with a wild blend of water, waves, sand, and mountains!

One of our favorite times to elope in the Sand Dunes is fall when you can often experience all four seasons in the same day. Occasional snowfall, intermittent sunshine, and vibrant leaves combine for quite the unique display of nature.

A bride and groom standing in front of a sand dune.

A bride and groom standing on a sand dune at sunset.

A bride and groom holding hands at sunset in the sand dunes.

Two people are throwing sand into each other's hands at sunset at the Great Sand Dunes.

Getting to Great Sand Dunes National Park

It is approximately a 4-hour drive from Denver to the Great Sand Dunes. The closest airport is a very small one in Alamosa, CO with the next closest airport being in Colorado Springs. The drive from Colorado Springs to the Great Sand Dunes is approximately 2.5 hours.

A bride and groom walking across a sand dune at the Great Sand Dunes

Where to Stay near the Great Sand Dunes

There are several unique and really adorable places to stay in the area and surrounding areas for your Great Sand Dunes elopement. Below are just some of the cozy places available to you!

Check out this drive-in turned Inn: Frontier Drive-Inn
Relax in a hot springs & spa sanctuary: Joyful Journey
Glamping done right: Rustic Rook Resort
Adventure-filled outdoor space: Dunes Experiences

See how to Have a Camping Elopement!

Camping at the Great Sand Dunes

There is a campground conveniently located inside the National Park called Piñon Flats Campground which consists of 88 sites in total. Any given site is reserved up to 6 months in advance, and popular dates (especially on weekends and during the summer) fill up fairly quickly. Each site allows up to 8 people at a time and has a fire grate and picnic table. RVs are allowed up to 25 feet, and there are no hookups or electricity. Follow the link above for all other details of Piñon Flats Campground. For alternative camping areas around the Great Sand Dunes, check out these options.

A bride and groom walking through the sand dunes at great sand dunes national park.

How to Prepare for Your Great Sand Dunes Elopement

First, know that traversing the dunes requires effort and energy. It’s truly a pretty solid workout going up and down these rolling slopes. Your feet will slide backwards at times and the dunes themselves can become quite steep. On a windy day, it can become even more challenging. Always watch where you are going because the wind constantly changes the shapes of the dunes. Approach any dip in the terrain with caution, as there are some very steep drop-offs. Keep in mind that the elevation begins around 7,500 and goes up above 13,500 feet so oxygen comes at a premium!

Moreover, wearing layers and bringing water is vital. You may find it enjoyable to go barefoot in the dunes, but a pair of hiking boots is useful for getting to the base of the dunes. On hotter days, the sand can actually burn the bottoms of your feet because it absorbs so much heat. Boots might even make it easier to hike the dunes depending on your skill level. Of course, water is also an absolute must-have, especially at these high elevations!

A pair of shoes sitting on top of a sand dune at the Great Sand Dunes.

A bride and groom holding hands in the desert.

A woman in a white dress walking in the water with a backpack.

Things to do in the Great Sand Dunes National Park

Zapata Falls is a natural waterfall that is located just outside of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It is located atop a fairly short trail that is just under one mile in length. There is a rocky creek bed to traverse that is supplied with water from Zapata Falls. Finally, hidden in a cave-like entrance, Zapata Falls flows and reverberates through the boulders and stone. The timbre, perpetual echo, and experience are mesmerizing and pleasing to all senses!

A bride and groom sitting on rocks near a waterfall.

A bride and groom standing next to a stream in a canyon.

Other fun ways to spend your time at the Great Sand Dunes include sandboarding and sand sledding! The Great Sand Dunes Oasis is located minutes from the park, and they offer sandboards and sand sleds for $20 per rental per day. You can also visit this shop (Kristi Mountain Sports) which is located about 35 minutes from the park.

Bride and groom walking down a sandy hill at the Great Sand Dunes with mountains in the background.

Alternatively, horseback riding is another great way to explore the dunes and surrounding areas. Ranchlands is a wonderful place to rent horses and even offer lodging and other activities. You can even get weird and learn about alien abduction at the UFO Watchtower just north of Hooper, CO (roughly 25 minutes from the Great Sand Dunes).

How Much Does it Cost to Get Married in the Great Sand Dunes?

You will need to purchase a Special Use Permit for $200 to have a Great Sand Dunes elopement. This process can take up to two or three weeks to complete. If you hire us as your elopement photographer team, we will cover this cost and help apply on your behalf. Ceremonies consisting of less than 14 people can get married out in the dune fields. If your group consists of 15 people or more, you will need to utilize the park’s amphitheater.

Bride and groom exchanging vows and rings during their Great sand dunes elopement.

A bride and groom standing in front of a snow covered mountain.

A bride in a white dress standing on a sand dune at sunset.

A man in a suit standing in a sand dune.

A man and woman kissing in the desert at the Great Sand Dunes

Pets are allowed in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

You may even bring your pets with you on your Great Sand Dunes adventures! If you want to include your dog in your elopement, then it doesn’t get much better than this! Of course, pets need to be leashed at all times, and please pick up after them as needed.

Why should you have a Great Sand Dunes Elopement?

There is truly nowhere quite like the Great Sand Dunes! The combination of large, curvy landscapes with majestic mountains and running streams provides a deeply inspiring perspective of our world. The landscapes are also interactive in a way that most places are not.

A person standing in a desert at the Great Sand Dunes

A man and woman holding hands in the sand at sunset at the Great Sand Dunes.

A bride and groom sitting on the ledge of a yellow building.

A bride and groom standing on the steps of a yellow building.

A bride and groom walking through the sand dunes at sunset during their Great Sand Dunes elopement

A groom in a suit checking his watch in the desert.

A bride in a white dress standing in the sand with mountains in the background.

Having the ability to dig your toes into the dunes, observe the grains of sand sliding through your fingers, surf the ridges, and traverse up to nearly any point you see makes the connection to this space so rich and profound, especially when envisioning your Great Sand Dunes elopement. With so many incredible experiences awaiting you combined with unique lodging options, you really can’t go wrong getting married in this one-of-a-kind space! If you want more information or have any questions, please feel free to reach out.