Places to elope in Colorado can be super accessible, wildly remote, perfect in any season, and above all absolutely stunning.
Hey friend, we’re Lumalia (Emmy), Sam, and Kyle: elopement photographers and guides here at Celebrate Again, where we believe in living your best life now. With our decade of experience as elopement wedding photographers in Colorado, we’ve gathered the best places to elope in Colorado just for you!
From the stunning mountain peaks that take your breath away to the winter wonderland locations that make you want to snuggle up with your beloved while you day dream about the best Colorado elopement locations we want to help you find the best places to elope Colorado!
Best Places to elope in Colorado: Colorado Elopement Locations Snapshot
Colorado as no lack in finding the best elopement locations so we’ve broken down the different scenery you may be looking for your Colorado elopement!
With epic lookouts, these are some of the best places to elope in Colorado:
- Mount Evans
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Telluride, Colorado
- Loveland Pass
- Sapphire Point Overlook
- Golden, Colorado
- Boulder, Colorado
While these Colorado elopement locations have that valley feel where the mountains hug you in 365 degrees.
Why Elope in Colorado?
If you’re looking for the best elopement spots in Colorado is the spot! Colorado is such a diverse beautiful state, we have 14,000 ft mountains, desert sand dunes, red rocks, alpine lakes, rivers, hot springs, cute little mountain towns and a bustling cities.
We think the only thing we don’t truly have is the ocean, but we do have a few alpine lakes and reservoirs that can help all you water lovers enjoy the water.
Did you know? Colorado as 300 days of sunshine per yer! Okay, that may include days that have a random rain storm for two seconds, but it usually just means we see the sun that many days per year, which is amazing! It really is one of the best places to elope!
Not only that but Colorado elopement laws also allow you to marry yourselves! Check out how to elope in Colorado guide to help you learn more include the best time to elope in Colorado!
Let's Think Outside The Popular Spots
When people know they want to have a Colorado elopement, and find best elopement locations in colorado whether you’re having a small wedding, get married or plan an adventurous photo shoot here in Colorado, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin to narrow down locations. Most everyone thinks rocky mountain national park, but let’s be real friends, its crowded and Colorado has so many epic locations outside of the park.
That being said, Rocky Mountain National park is freaking gorgeous and we do love photographing elopements there too. But, we’d love to broaden your horizons and share with you a handful of my favorite “Best of Colorado” locations.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, especially since we reserve our super special spots for our couples. (Ready to get access to our special locations? Schedule your free consult!)
Keep Accessibility In Mind
Some of these Colroado elopement locations are only accessible during certain seasons, so keep that in mind when looking through this list!
We’ve been intentional to make sure that all of these locations are accessible even if you’re not a hardcore hiker. All of these locations are less than a mile walk or hike from a parking area to the location itself!
So, if you’re planning even an adventurous Colorado elopement or small wedding with someone who cannot hike many miles or who is subject to the very real hindrance of altitude sickness, these are great ideas!
Ready to hire your Colorado elopement photographer or Adventure wedding photographers we’d love to chat with you!
More Colorado Landscapes
For the sake of not making this Colorado elopement list ridiculously long we’ve created three other blog posts that can give you more ideas if you love different landscapes in Colorado.
This post is specifically centered around mountain locations. But if you’re a water, desert or winter lover I have these blog posts below to help you find the perfect place for you!.
- *Mountain*—-this post!
- Mountain Lake (aka water with mountain views)
- Desert Feel
- Winter Wonderland
This blog post will focus on the Mountain locations that feature sweeping views, mountain vistas, or immersion in beautiful evergreen or aspen trees!
Where to elope in colorado
Best places to elope in Colorado
#1 Sapphire Point Overlook Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
Summit County of Colorado is a very iconic ski area and one of the must bustling areas in the mountains of Colorado. It is one of my personal favorite mountain elopement colorado locations because it has so many features from alpine lakes where you can go sailing (yep sailing in Colorado) SUP and many other fun water activities, but also because of this beautiful ceremony location.
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic on I-70
Accessibility: .5 mile walk to view point. Not wheelchair accessible. Trail is not paved.
Sapphire Point has breath taking views of the Breckenridge and Summit County area. Its a small walk from the trail parking lot, less than a quarter of a mile that is easily accessible by anyone with any hiking skill levels. It has a designated ceremony circle that is perfect for sitting out a small amount of chairs or having your family/friends gather around you. Its near some beautiful places so you can easily have your ceremony there and then drive 15-30 minutes around the area to some different epic locations.
Its is a beautiful location no matter the season which is a hard find especially in the winter months of Colorado.
Reservations for this wedding ceremony location can only be made six months in advanced.
Visit Recreation.gov to reserve your wedding at Sapphire Point.
Want to know more about how to have a Sapphire Point Small Wedding or Elopement? Check out our complete guide!
P.S. Love other spots around Summit County? Learn how you can have a commitment ceremony instead by checking out this Lake Dillon elopement!
#2 Mount Evans Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
We LOVE the Mount Evans area. If you want a Mount Evan’s elopement first make sure the area is open.
We love this because not only because it’s one of the national parks that many Colorado visitors don’t know about. Yes, Rocky Mountain National Park is amazing, but it is often SO busy and crowded. Mount Evans is a bit of a hidden gem in Colorado and is one of my personal favorites.
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 1.5 hours
Accessibility: Many pull offs and a few larger parking lots. This road is intense to drive on so be confident in your mountain driving!
Near the entrance of the national park are a few of our favorite hidden spots we like to share with couples once they book with us! Full of epic views of the surround peaks, evergreen trees that have magical evening light making you feel like you stepped into a story book and non of the crazy crowds.
See more photos we’ve taken at Mount Evans
#3 Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
While a Rocky Mountain National Park is crowded it is because its just unbelievably beautiful. It is a very popular spot to have a Colorado elopement with a handful of things you should know about it before you do elope there.
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 2 hours
Accessibility: Some wheelchair friendly locations. Check out our Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding guide for full details!
We cannot write this resource without including Rocky Mountain National Park! One of the most iconic places in Colorado and rightfully so, it is a place unlike any other. Its so popular its the second most popular national park outside the Grand Canyon! Can you believe it?!
Even though its busy it truly is a magical place for sure. I would recommend having your Colorado elopement here in the fall, winter or spring which is still a winter environment. Or if you’re up for an early morning adventure you can skip the crowds and catch the most breath taking views bright and early!
Despite how busy it is its just such a magical place you’ll forget the crowds and get lost in the majesty of the place.
Make sure to check out our Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding guide
#4 Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
While we believe there are so many places to get married outside of Rocky Mountain National Park we cannot go without mentioning this beautiful location.
We love this spot because its accessible, near a lot of other beautiful areas in the park and one of the places you can actually have your wedding ceremony.
Make sure to read our How to Have A Sprague Lake Wedding guide to know all the rules and details!
#5 Golden Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
We absolutely love Golden because its a hop and skip from Denver, so if you’re not up for driving very far from all the fun of the “big” city of Denver, Colorado then Golden may be the place for you! It has more rolling hills than the sweeping mountain views but if you come from flat lands it still is absolutely magical.
Pro Tip! Wee know about all the best kept secret spots that only locals know about! Once you hire us for your elopement we’ll help you find the right place!
Click on the photos below to see some real elopement and or sessions we’ve done in Golden!
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 30-40 minutes
Accessibility: Few paved trails and some river side parks. Most locations do require walking through a rock trail for .2 miles or less.
There are SO many amazing diverse locations around the Golden area. Cute little river areas with bridges, LOTS of rock climbing, and many sweeping mountaintop views. It’s actually one of Lumalia (Emmy)’s favorite spots to go visit with her daughter during the summer. It’s our little mountain “beach area.” Downtown Golden is also super cute and home to Coors Brewing!
Golden is also a great place in the fall because there are great groves of aspens all around.
See more Golden Colorado elopements.
With photos taken at Lookout mountain Golden elopement!
#6 Boulder, CO Elopement
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
Boulder is one of those locations that has so many beautiful spots and a nice venue if you want to have a nice sit down dinner after. Boulder has sweeping vistas, pine trees and the beautiful Flat Irons. It is a quirky fun town too!
This is one of our favorite Boulder elopement locations but you truly need a guide to help you find the perfect spot for your wedding day.
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 1-1.5 hours
Accessibility: There are some great small wedding venues here to have your ceremony and stunning overlooks that are best for couple photos. (Hire us to be your elopement guides to help you learn of these places and navigate them!
Boulder, like Golden, has so many amazing locations, again with cool streams, sweeping mountain vistas and more. Additionally, Boulder is such a fun town to hang in, although it is a lot more touristy and busy so its not my suggested place if you want something super intimate.
See more of this Boulder Colorado elopement. Or this Lost Gulch overlook elopement where we also visited chautauqua park elopement!
#7 Telluride Colorado Elopements
Places To Elope in Colorado
While its not super close to Denver it is one of our favorite places in Colorado. The whole San Juan mountain range is an area of Colorado that is way less touristy and just absolutely gorgeous. A place you’ll never regret visiting in your life and definitely one that should be on your bucket list if not your elopement spot!
TELLURIDE, COLORADO OR OURAY, COLORADO
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 5-6 hours
Accessibility: If you work with some small venues here you can have a very accessible spot for family and friends, although some spots may not be wheel chair friendly.
If you want to visit some of the most breathtaking spots in Colorado, Telluride or is your spot. Waterfalls, four-wheel riding, kayaking, white water river rafting, hot springs, epic hikes. These places are just a gem for these activities and more! We’d LOVE to work with a couple four wheeling to one of the epic trails around Ouray!
The only downfall of these two locations is that they are somewhat difficult, or at least time-consuming, to get to. You can fly into Montorose, Colorado or Durango, Colorado. If you’re on a tighter budget, visit these places in April/May or late August/September. Keep in mind that some of the shops in town may be shut down during these times, but prices will also tend to be lower. This is commonly known as “mud season” since it’s not quite winter or summer and you’re not able to do a lot of the adventures. But if you MUST go there even just for hiking and to see the place to get married or celebrate it’s a great option.
I’ll have to fully admit this is one of the most beautiful places to elope in Colorado!
You can see a spring Telluride Elopement we photographed here. Then check out our wedding in Telluride guide for some tips about the area!
#8 Twin Lakes Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
To be honest this is one of our absolute favorite locations Colorado mountain lake wedding locations because its a lot less well known and absolutely gorgeous view of mountains near an alpine lake you can actually swim in during the summer time. It also has a camp site so its perfect if you’re more adventurous and want to camp or dry RV it after you elope!
Distance from Denver, Colorado: 2.5-3 hours
Accessibility: Trails aren’t paved but you can park close and get access to amazing views within a few steps!
Just outside of the highest town in Colorado, Leadville this gorgeous lake area is tucked away from the hustle of the city life and away from where most tourist go. Its our favorite hidden gem of Colorado and a perfect lake elopement! We love that you can swim here during the summer. So if you’re torn between a Colorado elopement and a beach side location look no further, Twin Lakes may just be your spot! You can see more from this swimming elopement we did here.
This part of Colorado has so many Colorado elopement spots that we just couldn’t share them all in this post! One idea is to have your reception like this couple did at the Surf Hotel Buena Vista Wedding
#9 Loveland Pass Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
Loveland Pass Elopements are one for the books near the continental divide and straddles two epic look out points. Here you’ll have panorama views unlike any other place in Colorado. You’ll have vista for days!
Distance from Denver: 1 hour
Accessibility: At the popular spot of Loveland pass is a great spot to park and walk a few steps but you’ll have to hire us as your Colorado elopement photographers to learn about this secret spot pictured above!
We love Loveland Pass because of how close it is to Denver! Its super accessible and a place you may find other tourist stopping to look out. You cannot have your ceremony at or secret spot because its part of Summit County without special permission but you can have your ceremony at the divide then have a first look at this place pictured above or take more photos there too.
See more of this Loveland pass elopements here.
#10 Mount Princeton Colorado Elopements
Best Places To Elope in Colorado
This place is another little hidden gem of Colorado. It’s actually a venue, so if you’re looking for a full wedding or small wedding you’ll want to plan in advance. But if you’re eloping or celebrating your marriage on the middle of the week this is a great spot! Mount Princeton Hot Springs is personally one of my favorite wedding venues, because of their little stream, amazing mountain views, and it’s a little off the beaten path.
Distance from Denver: 2.5 hours
Accessibility: Paved area at venue.
If you love all inclusive resorts where you have your stay, catering and fun this is your spot. Tucked away outside of Buena Vista Colorado we love Mount Princeton Hot Springs. While its a traditional wedding venue it doesn’t mean that you cannot also have your small wedding or elopement there too! Especially if you hit them up on a week day they may have better rates and or availability!
If you’re a fan of hot springs too this is a must go to spot. Their river side pools and on site spa are awesome!
See more Mount Princeton Hot Springs weddings here.
#11 Client Only Locations
Can I tell you a secret? Most of our couples go some place we hand pick for them. Many of our locations are a secret, because they aren’t crowded with tourists and are hidden gems we’ve found over the years exploring Colorado.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you find that gorgeous spot, just for you.
Ready to start planning your Colorado elopement? Check out our elopement packages colorado or free Elopement Checklist!
For more of the best elopement spots Colorado you can hire us to be your Colorado Elopement Photographers and guides we’ll help you find the perfect place for you!
Other Colorado Elopement Locations Not Mentioned Above
There are so many amazing Colorado adventure wedding locations! Here are a few more best places to elope in Colorado ideas!
Private Jeep Tours
Imagine: Driving up a road in your own 4×4 jeep rental with a guide ahead of you showing you the ropes. Arriving to a breath takingly beautiful location un touched by crowds ready to exchange your vows in a truly magical places. No hiking required.
Contact us to learn more about our partnership with Native Jeeps outside of Idaho Springs, Colorado.
Other locations we love:
- Panorama Point, Colorado 30 min from Denver
- Breckenridge Elopement Locations
- Steamboat Springs elopement, Colorado 3hrs from Denver
- Fish Creek Falls Elopement, 3 hours from Denver
- Crested Butte, Colorado 4.5hrs from Denver
- Aspen, Colorado 3.5hrs from Denver
- Marron Bells Elopement (Ok but this must be done on a week day and off season because its SO overcrowded) 3.5hrs from Denver plus bus ride in.
- Julia’s Deck 1.5hrs from Denver
- Mitchel Lake 1.5hrs from Denver
- Lake Isabelle Elopement 1.5hrs from Denver
- Ward, Colorado 1.5hrs from Denver
- Bear Lake for a Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding and enjoy a Dream Lake Hike after!
- Sprague Lake Wedding
- Hanging Lake elope Colorado
- Evergreen Colorado
- Lost Gulch Elopement
- Lake Isabelle Elopement
- Vail Elopement
- Garden of the God’s elopement
- Elopement evergreen colorado
- Tennessee Pass Cookhouse (a really cool Yurt with a stunning mountain view great for small weddings!)
Not sure if the mountains are for yOU?
Check out our places to get married in Hawaii, or the Oregon coast, specifically consider having a Cannon Beach Elopementor Airbnb wedding venues in Oregon!
Denver Elopement Locations
While we don’t specialize in Denver elopements there are many gorgeous places to elope within the city if you cannot make it outside. We truly believe though if you’re adventures hearts like us its worth the extra drive time to get to these epic mountain views!
- Wash Park Boat House
- Downtown
- A Hotel Elopement
- Cheeseman Park
- Sloans Lake
- Jackass Hill (in Littleton)
- Ruby Hill Park
- Golden
- Backyard Airbnb Backyard Wedding
Things To Know About Colorado Mountain Elopement Locations
- All outdoor weddings/events still require a permit with most areas. So once you do your research of where you want to go make sure you know the rules of the area. No one wants to get a fine on their wedding or celebration day.
- Altitude sickness is a true reality at these (as we Coloradans call “14ers”) or high altitude so research it and make sure to pack the right supplies or have alternative plans.
- Weather is variable up in the mountains, but the great part of Colorado is that it could down pour for an hour and one hour later be sunshine with not a cloud in sight.
- Afternoon thunder storms are a true reality. Consider an am celebration to capture the morning alpine glow or have a plan B for the afternoon. While you can wait out rain, thunderstorms especially at high altitudes shouldn’t be mess with. Check out our real elopement timeline samples to help you!
- Consider renting an Airbnb wedding venue in Colorado as a back up plan!
- Ready to pack your bags? Make sure you have everything you need with our Colorado Packing List
Wondering if eloping is for you? Check out our blog post on Should I Elope?
For more ideas on how to make your elopement special check out our guide!
Schedule Your Free Elopement Consult
We would adore coming alongside you to help you navigate all the rules, permits and locations around your wedding experience as your guides and photographers.
We believe that your wedding day is meant to be cherished as an experience and not just an event. We’d love to help guide you in crafting a wedding day experience that you’ll never forget. Learn more about hiring us as your Colorado elopement photographers.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Need an Elopement Checklist?
We’ve got you covered, friend. Head to our Elopement Checklist and download your free PDF to use digitally or print out!
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