Best Places to Elope in Colorado

Without a doubt, Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. With a hugely diverse landscape—from sand dunes to desert vibes to evergreen forests and white peaks—there’s something for just about every adventure-eloping couple. But when it comes time to pinpoint the exact location you want, your mind can come up blank! 

With a crazy amount of options for insanely beautiful elopement locations in Colorado, it can feel impossible to narrow it down to just one! But to make things a little easier on you, I put together a list of my favorite places to elope in Colorado for a dreamy, unforgettable experience. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

The iconic Rocky Mountain National Park is what most people think of when they hear the word Colorado. It’s a destination highly sought out by nature and adventure lovers. The incredible landscapes the park has to offer just can’t be beat. From magical evergreens to fields of wildflowers to some of the most magnificent mountains you’ve ever laid eyes on, RMNP is one-of-a-kind. 

However, to elope in RMNP there are some rules you must follow. A permit and ceremony location reservation are required—there are only a few select locations within the park that allow weddings and elopements. You can check out which ceremony sites they allow on the park’s website. It’s wise to start planning your RMNP elopement early because permits fill up quickly!

San Juan Mountains

The San Juan Range is the southern part of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. They’re the less popular part of the Rockies but still possess earth-shattering views. The San Juan mountains are made up of jagged volcanic summits—home to meadows of wildflowers in the summer, pristine alpine lakes, magical waterfalls, and plenty of trails for the adventure enthusiast. 

Even better, the famous towns of Telluride, Durango, Ouray, and Silverton are the perfect base for eloping couples. Let’s be honest, you could spend a whole lifetime here and never get bored of the bewildering and magical essence of Southwestern Colorado. It doesn’t get much better!

Vail

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and White River National Forest sits the famous ski town of Vail. The town is perfectly situated for adventurous couples looking for a hiking, skiing, or snowboarding elopement experience! But even if a wintery wonderland elopement isn’t for you, summer, spring, and fall in Vail are just as spectacular. From canoeing and a picnic at Piney River Ranch to hiking through the most beautiful fall-colored forests, there’s nothing quite like a Vail elopement.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is another famous ski town with a more laid-back nature, perfect for couples looking for a more relaxed, yet adventure-filled elopement. The options are endless here—including hundreds of hikes, off-roading in a Jeep, and top-notch food (for all my foodies out there). Plus, Breckenridge wears every season spectacularly, so you can’t go wrong any time of year. There’s something for everyone in this little town and there are some pretty incredible views to go along with it. 

Here are a few of my favorite spots:

• Sapphire Point—the only location in Breckenridge you can reserve for a fully private experience.
• Lake Dillon—an alpine-lake with glittering waters, perfect for canoeing or camping.
• Boreas Pass—a high mountain pass over 20 miles long boasting some jaw-dropping views along the continental divide. 

Aspen

If you’re looking for THE spot in Colorado, it’s likely in Aspen. One of the most photographed mountains in all of North America, the Maroon Bells, are simply magical. I highly recommend going at sunrise to capture the unique hues draped across the twin peaks. Aspen trees paint the hillsides and Maroon Lake glitters in elegant fashion making the whole view something off of a postcard. The breathtaking beauty of this area is best experienced by hiking through meadows in the summer filled with an abundance of wildflowers or through the Aspen trees changing colors in the fall. Seriously, count me in! 

Boulder 

Last, but certainly not least, is Boulder. With over 45,000 acres of open land and 300 miles of hiking trails, Boulder has been named one of the best places for outdoors enthusiasts. This one is for my ultimate adventurous couples! Some locations in Boulder will require a permit, but the views, the experience, and the memories are worth it just about anywhere in this incredible location.

I highly recommend sunrise elopements, however, because of the popularity of some trails! Eloping at sunrise is absolutely magical and there will be way fewer crowds. Some amazing spots in Boulder include Lost Gulch Overlook, Chautauqua Park, Sunrise Amphitheater, and Brainard Lake.

Plan Your Colorado Elopement

You can’t go wrong choosing to elope in Colorado. With some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the country, there’s no corner of this state that won’t give you the most memorable, intimate, magical elopement experience you could imagine. Oh and I’d love to be by your side, capturing the whole day. And if you don’t see a location you’ve fallen for on this list, I am more than happy to help you scout out a different one! So what are you waiting for?! Fill out my contact form today and let’s get planning your perfect Colorado elopement!