Best Places to Elope in Colorado
From the San Juans to the Front Range. Here's where to go.
This is why everyone and their dog wants to elope in Colorado
Because you can marry yourselves, eat snacks, have your dog sign your marriage license, and disappear into the mountains without a 4 hour hike.
The best places to elope in Colorado aren’t hard to find, but picking the right one is where things can get overwhelming. You can self solemnize here (no officiant or witnesses needed!), but Colorado is popular, permits are real, and some locations go from peaceful to OH NO very fast.
This guide breaks down the best elopement locations in Colorado and links out to specific towns and areas so you can figure out what actually fits your day, your comfort level, and how far you feel like walking before you need a snack. So let’s find your spot. Your vibe. Your, “oh yeah, this is the place” place.
And if you need a primer on how eloping in Colorado actually works before you pick a spot, here's everything you need to know.
How to Choose Where to Elope in Colorado
a few things to think about before you just throw a dart at a map and call it good
Accessibility vs. Hiking
Some spots are a short drive and a quick walk and then bam, mountains. Others are a 4 hour uphill hike. I specialize in the first one, so know how much hiking you actually want!
Privacy
Colorado is popular. Some lakes and vistas are basically Instagram highways. Others? Ghost town vibes. Decide if you want just you two, or you and a buncha tourists.
Dogs (the best)
Yes your dog can sign your marriage license and Colorado is packed with off leash trails, alpine lakes, and fields where your pup can run wild (and photo bomb). Some spots are dog friendly, some aren’t!
Best Places to Elope in Colorado (By Location)
Below are my favorite areas to elope in Colorado!
Aspen
Equal parts adventure and alotta bit fancy
Aspen is for couples who want an alpine lake at sunrise and a tasting menu by 8pm. Say your vows with the Maroon Bells behind you, the most photographed mountains in North America, then clean up and go drink fancy champagne downtown. Wild day outside. Very nice sheets at the end of it.
Boulder
Adventurous, but without going totally off grid
Boulder is vows at a Flatirons overlook and dinner on a patio twenty minutes later. Your guests fly into Denver, drive 40 minutes, and don't need altitude meds or a rental Jeep. Morning on a trail, evening under string lights with food that's actually good. If your people are coming with you, this is the easiest yes in Colorado.
Real Boulder Elopements
Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Mountain peaks close to the city without the crazy mountain drive.
If you want mountain drama without having to hike 20 miles or drive 5 hours, welcome to Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Glassy lakes, jagged peaks, tundra air, moose literally everywhere. This place is pure Colorado where you can say your vows on a lakeshore with the mountains looming behind you and be back in town for pizza and beer before your legs realize they were even outside.
A very important logistical heads up (because Brainard is beautiful but also popular): From July to October you need a parking permit to access the area. These are timed entry reservations and they go fast! In the winter, the parking lots are closed and access is via a winter trailhead which requires hiking. So basically this is a place where logistics matter a lot more, but the payoff is very worth it.
Real Elopements at Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Breckenridge
A mountain town that does most of the work for you
Breck has alpine lakes ten minutes from an actual downtown, historic cabins, and food that isn't just "lodge burger." Elope on a lake shoreline in the morning, do absolutely whatever all afternoon, end with dinner on Main Street. Easy to get to. Easy to love. Genuinely hard to screw up.
Wedding Galleries From Breckenridge Elopements
Buena Vista
If towering peaks, river views, and small town vibes sound like your dream location, let me introduce you to Buena Vista (or as the locals call it, BV).
BV sits at the foot of the Sawatch Range and has the highest concentration of 14,000 foot mountains (aka, very tall). Vows in a meadow or along the Arkansas River, hot springs down the road, and a drive up Cottonwood Pass that's been paved the whole way for years now (so your Camry is fine).
Real Buena Vista Elopement
Crested Butte
What Colorado wedding dreams are made of. Wildflowers, alpine lakes, and untouched mountain landscapes.
The Wildflower Capital of Colorado and one of my personal favorites to shoot in the entire state. Small weird charming town, drive up alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows in July that genuinely look fake. If you're comparing CB to Telluride or Breckenridge, the full guide will help you decide.
Best Real Crested Butte Elopements
Gateway
Want to feel like you’re eloping in a wild west movie, minus the cowboys, plus epic red rock scenery?
Gateway is what Moab looks like in your head before you get to Moab and find the crowds. Towering canyon walls, one winding byway, the Dolores River, and almost nobody. If you want desert drama without sharing it with a UTV convoy, this is it. Sunset turns the cliffs creamsicle orange and you will absolutely blow past your dinner plans staring at it. There’s literally one place to stay and one restaurant in town and they are one in the same.
Gateway Colorado Elopement Galleries
Grand Junction
Where vineyards meet canyons and the desert meets the mountains.
Grand Junction is where the Rockies hand off to the desert, and the handoff is dramatic. Colorado National Monument's rock monoliths on one side, Palisade's vineyards and peach orchards on the other, the Colorado River running between them. Elope among canyon towers in the morning and be at a wine tasting by 3pm. Nowhere else in the state fits "canyon ceremony" and "orchard dinner" into the same day.
Grand Junction Elopement Locations
Guanella Pass
Easy drive, gorgeous view, and close to Denver.
Guanella Pass is that “oh wow we’re tiny specks on a giant mountain” kind of spot. Just outside Georgetown and about 45 minutes from Denver, it’s perfect for couples who want stunning views, and enough mountains to make you feel like you just wandered into a postcard. You can get married at sunrise or sunset, snap some epic photos by wildflowers or peaks, or just pull over and soak in the alpenglow. And still be back in Denver for lunch.
Real Guanella Pass Elopements
Lake City
True “middle of nowhere” 4X4 adventure.
Lake City is five hours from Denver and feels like it. In the best way. It's the quietest part of the San Juans mountains: one tiny town, a pile of 14ers, American Basin's wildflowers, and the Alpine Loop sketchily climbing over the passes. You can say your vows at an alpine lake and see zero other humans. Not "a few”. Zero. I think it's the most underrated spot in Colorado, and when couples ask me where to elope for actual privacy, this is my answer. Every time.
Helpful Info for Eloping in Lake City Colorado
Leadville
Historic streets, lakes, and solitude.
If you’re chasing big sky views, quirky old mining town charm, and a vibe that’s part high altitude wilderness and part dusty backroad magic, Leadville’s got it. You can paddle on a lake at sunrise, drive up to your ceremony spot with a coffee in hand, and say your vows with your dog curled up next to you - all without spending Aspen prices (or hiking 9 miles uphill).
Tips for Eloping in Leadville, Colorado
Ouray
The lovechild of Colorado, Switzerland, and a far too many 4x4 trails (just kidding, that’s not a thing).
Ouray’s nickname is the "Switzerland of America," and they aren’t wrong. It's rugged, it’s remote, and the perfect playground for an elopement. Explore waterfall before lunch, off road up a cliff in the afternoon, saying your vows in front of a glacial amphitheater, then soak in a hot spring by sunset, beer in hand, staring at the stars.
If you vibe with Ouray, you’ll probs also vibe with Silverton which is just a short drive away and easy to include in the day.
Real Ouray, Colorado Elopement Locations
Ridgway
Best for couples who want a quiet mountain escape with a Wild West feel.
Ridgway is the San Juans' front porch. Ten minutes from Ouray, thirty from Telluride, somehow calmer than both. They filmed True Grit here and the town has not let it go (respect). You get the jagged mountain views, quiet backroads, aspen groves, and a state park reservoir that faces the whole skyline. End the day in a hot spring. This is base camp energy: sleep here, elope everywhere.
Ridgway, Colorado Elopement Places
Rocky Mountain National Park is for couples who want the full Colorado experience. Towering peaks, alpine lake after alpine lake after alpine lake, and wildlife casually wandering by like they own the place (because they do). With drive up overlooks, easy hikes, and views that range from “is this real” to “okay I might poop my pants”, RMNP is perfect. If you want a classic mountain wedding day filled with jaw dropping scenery, elope here. Bonus tip: this is the best place to elope in the winter in Colorado as everything stays accessible year round.
Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Locations
San Juan Mountains
Remote and high altitude adventure with access by 4x4.
Six hours from Denver and a completely different planet. The San Juans are the most dramatic scenery in Colorado. Jagged peaks, neon blue lakes, wildflower meadows, hot springs, and 4WD roads that take you above the clouds. Most of the best spots are drive up accessible.
Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, Ridgway, and Lake City are all in the San Juans and each has its own personality. If you're trying to decide between them or want the full breakdown of locations, seasons, and logistics:
Best San Juan Mountain Elopement Locations
Silverton
Remote and high altitude adventure with access by 4x4.
Silverton is one street of Victorian buildings at 9,318 feet, surrounded by the most unhinged terrain in Colorado. This is where I eloped, so I'm biased. But I'm also right. If "off the grid, but with coffee in the morning" is your thing, Silverton delivers.
If you vibe with Silverton, you’ll probs also vibe with Ouray which is just a short drive away and easy to include in the day.
Best Silverton, Colorado Elopement Locations
Telluride
Jaw dropping and easily accessible views with a touch of luxury.
Telluride sits in a box canyon, which means the mountains aren't near town, they're around it, on three sides, comically large. The free gondola gets you up to overlooks with zero effort, Bridal Veil Falls tumbles down at the end of the canyon, and downtown has the best food in the area. Ceremony above the clouds, martini by seven. Yes, it costs Telluride prices. That's the one catch.
Real Telluride Elopement and Wedding Locations
Winter Park
The mountain town for couples who want epic views without the ego.
Winter Park is the cool black sheep of the Colorado mountain towns. It’s got endless trails, cozy cabins, and a super relaxed energy where nobody is trying too hard. The whole place is a vibe for elopements. You can sneak off to 4WD roads for a private ceremony, wander through pine forests, ski the backcountry, and still end the day with comfort food in front of a fireplace. This place is cozy AF and commonly slept on.
Best Places to Elope in Winter Park
Free Places to Elope in Colorado
Yessssss we have free places to elope in Colorado! But sadly no that doesn’t mean YOLO, vows anywhere, zero rules.
Most National Forest and BLM land now fall under the Explore Act, which basically means you can get married without a permit if you keep it under 6 people and chill. No big setups, no arches, rugs, chairs, bumpin’ music. Just you and your person.
National Parks are different. Those always need permits. Some State Parks too.
So yeah, free is absolutely doable. You just need to know where it’s actually allowed, what counts as simple, and how to not accidentally plan something that turns into OH NO. That’s where I come in.
How to Book
Reach out
Let’s chat
We can hop on a call and talk through ideas, seasons, locations, dogs, all of it.
Fill out the form and tell me what you’re dreaming up. I’ll send you a pricing guide and we’ll go from there.
I take it from here
We make a plan
You get to stop worrying about logistics and go back to being excited. I’ll take it from here.
If we’re both feeling it, I’ll send over a contract and all the details. Once the contract is signed and your retainer is in, your date is officially booked.
Ready to Plan Your Colorado Elopement?
I've photographed elopements all over the state and I still get unreasonably excited every time someone reaches out. Tell me everything. Where you're leaning, when you're thinking, whether your dog is coming. I'll have a full pricing guide and way too much other information in your inbox within 48 hours.
What Happens After Booking
Welcome & Planning
Once you’re booked, I send your planning guide + questionnaire so I can get a feel for your vision, your vibe, and what you’re dreaming up.
From there, I scout locations and we hop on a call to walk through options! Places, timing, ideas, and everything that starts turning this into a real day.
Pre-Wedding Prep
As your date gets closer, I send helpful guides for vows, marriage licenses, timelines, and all the “wait… how does this work?” questions.
I build a flexible timeline around light and location so you’re never stuck wondering what comes next.
You just show up and follow the plan we already made.
Your Wedding day
It shows up fast, and somehow goes by even faster.
Your only job is to be in it. Laugh, cry, drink champagne at inappropriate times. All fully encouraged.
I’ll handle everything else and keep things moving without it ever feeling rushed.
Sneak peek shortly after, full gallery in 6-8 weeks.
Howdy!
I’m Kimberly.
Never dreamed of your big beautiful wedding day?
Neither Did I.
In fact, I never wanted to get married at all. But life happens, and sometimes you meet someone off a dating app that you can (finally!) imagine spending the rest of your life with.
That’s why I’m here. To help you craft an elopement experience that you can look back on and know you wouldn't change a single thing about it.
Based in Colorado, wandering across the west.