Brainard Lake Recreation Area Spring Elopement
a moose at first light, hiked past snow patches, vows at long lake
There’s something about June at Brainard Lake Recreation Area that feels like a season all it’s own. It’s warm and toasty but there’s often times still tons of snow on the trails, especially at higher elevations and in shaded areas. It’s kind of chaotic and confusing when it’s 80 degrees out, you’re hiking in shorts, and then all of a sudden you’re postholing through 3 foot snowbanks. But that’s just the fun of eloping in Colorado in the spring.
Sunrise Elopement at Brainard Lake: Jolie + Jacob’s June Solstice Vibes
So when Jolie and Jacob wanted to elope at Brainard Lake in June on the Summer Solstice (aka the longest day of daylight), it was a yes yes yes from me with a touch of, “there will likely be snow”. And snow there was!
We met at Brainard Lake for their sunrise first look - they braved the cold to see each other in their wedding clothes for the first time super early in the morning. And of course because it’s Colorado, and because if you ever go, “hey Kimberly, where TF do I go if I want to see a moose in Colorado?”, I’m gonna say Brainard Lake Recreation Area. And sure enough, a moose sauntered over. Just another weekday in the rockies!
After that we got to hang with their moms because moms are always welcome at your elopement. We took photos right there at Brainard while alpenglow happened on the mountains with me geeking out like normal (I’m not chill at all, it’s cool). Then came a little adeventure.
Even though it feels like summer, the upper parking lots aren’t usually opened until July. So here we are in late June wanting to go to Long Lake so we hoofed it from the regular Brainard Lake lot over muddle puddles, icy snow patches, and steep little climbs that felt like we should just slide down on our butts. But we made it! And no one fell. And Jolie’s dress only got a little dirty. So worth it.
At Long Lake, surrounded by spring melt Jolie and Jacob read their vows. Because the parking lot was closed, there was no one else around. Just them, the wild. They celebrated with champagne and signed their marriage license right there before we hiked back down to Brainard.
It was emotional, gorgeous, muddy, and entirely them.
Planning Tips for your Spring Brainard Lake Recreation Area Elopement (or Sunrise Adventure)
Reservations are required!
Brainard Lake now uses a timed entry reservation system to control crowds. You MUST have a parking lot reservation to drive into the park. It is a 6 mile round trip hike in without one.
If you stay at the campground in Brainard Lake Recreation Area (called Pawnee Campground) you do still need a parking reservation for each parking lot! Brainard Lake is relatively close and within walking distance but some of the later loops (C, D) are further away.
There are multiple parking lots!
And you need a parking reservation for each one you plan on stopping at. Long Lake is the most popular and will sell out the quickest. Brainard lake is the largest. Mitchell Lake is the most underrated (IMO) because the trail to Blue Lake is stunning if you’re looking for a relatively easy hike.
The Upper parking lots (Long Lake, Mitchell Lake, Niwot) do not open until July 1st. So if you want to elope or take photos at Long Lake in June like Jolie + Jacob, be prepared for a short 20 to 30 minute hike!
Reservations for this year open up May 31, 2026…
and will be continually released on a 15 day rolling window throughout the 2026 season (June 12 - October 10). AKA, we are in set your alarm territory. If you are a client I will get your parking pass for you because I’m kind of a pro at getting them before they sell out.
Time slots are sold in 2 hour intervals and AM slots will sell out first!
If you’re planning a Brainard Lake Recreation Area Spring elopement, drop me a line. Or better yet, let’s chat about what snacks we’re gonna bring.
Ready to elope in Boulder? Here’s everything you need to know.
Thinking about your own Colorado elopement and want something private, flexible, and not exhausting? Start here → How to elope in Colorado
Want to see pricing and what's included? → Colorado elopement pricing
Hi, I'm Kimberly!
I'm a Colorado elopement photographer based in Denver, but I'm usually somewhere in the mountains with a camera and way too many things in my backpack "just in case."
I've been photographing elopements out here for 10 years and 100+ couples, and I eloped in Colorado too, so most of what I write about here comes from actually doing it.
You can learn more about me, or if you're planning your own elopement, start with my pricing & experience page.
More elopement & microwedding planning help:
A two part elopement day that started with vows at Lost Gulch Overlook in Boulder and ended with a hike to a still snowy Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.