Planning a Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement

If you’re a nature lover and want to tie the knot in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, you can’t go wrong with a Rocky Mountain National Park elopement. Romantic, intimate, and unforgettable — as a Colorado elopement photographer, I have shot so many beautiful weddings and elopements in the Rockies, and they always result in breathtaking images and the most carefree, living-the-best-life moments for my couples.

Without a doubt, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most iconic and versatile places to get married or take photos in Colorado! If you’re planning to get hitched in this gorgeous destination, here’s what you need to know:

• You MUST have reserved a permit to get married in the park.
• Applications for permit are accepted one year in advance, with May-October filling up the quickest.
• You can ONLY get married/say vows at one of the 12 designated areas listed here.
• None of the listed sites guarantee exclusivity, no park operations are to be stopped or interfered with due to your reservation.
• If your application is approved, the special use permit to hold a wedding requires a non-refundable fee of $300.
• Dogs are NOT permitted at the majority of these locations.

9+ Top Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Locations

Ready to start planning? Keep reading for a few of my favorite Rocky Mountain National Park elopement locations to set the perfect backdrop for your I do’s.

3M Curve

Pros: 3M acts as one of my personal favorites due to it being a little off the beaten path. This location offers a sense of privacy even on some of the busiest days in the park. You get sprawling mountain views, some trees and some meadow.

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity: 15 people and 3 cars, including vendors
• Accessibility: One of the more accessible sites in the park. Beware that in Winter, the 5 minute walk to the ceremony site may be icy and good footwear is needed, but is mostly flat and non strenuous.
• Best Season: Great option all year round!!

Lily Lake

Pros: Easy access. While still park of RMNP, you do not have to go through a traditional entrance to the park. This is big time saving stuff in peak season.

Cons: Because of how easily accessible this area is, that means it can be largely trafficked.

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity:
  • Dock: 10 People, 10 Vehicles
  • Picnic Area: 30 People, 10 Vehicles
• Accessibility: The dock location is thee most accessible in the park, a 1-2 minute walk from the nearest parking lot. The picnic area takes more like 15-20 minutes, but is mostly flat.
• Best Season: Great option all year round, but absolutely magical at sunrise when the reflections in the water are best.

Upper Beaver Meadows

Pros: Vast meadow with sprawling mountain views, while this may be a popular spot to walk around for tourists, there’s a lot of areas to separate yourselves from park guests.

Cons: Road closures typically from mid-Oct to mid-May, no vehicles allowed when road closed

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity:
  • Dock: 10 People, 10 Vehicles
  • Picnic Area: 30 People, 10 Vehicles
• Accessibility: Easy walk from parking lot. Flat.
• Best Season: End of May-Early October

Hidden Valley

Pros: Vast meadow with dense trees, peeking mountain views. Lots of parking.

Cons: Tough accessibility in Winter. Not much mountain views.

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity: 30 People, 10 Vehicles
• Accessibility: While there are some spots that are closer to the parking lot, the most popular spots for ceremonies are a little bit of a trek. While this site allows for larger groups, it’s often harder to coordinate due to its layout.
• Best Season: End of May-Early October

Sprague Lake

Pros: This is one of the top picks for couples getting married in the park! It’s hard to been the stunning mountain views while pressed up against the lake. There’s forested area that provides a bit of contrast from the blue of the water, sky and mountains.

Cons: In busy tourist months, this spot is booming. It can be extremely challenging to find a parking spot.

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity: 15 summer, 30 Winter
• Accessibility: Moderate. While the path is flat, the dock can take about 10 minutes to reach, and longer for those with different abilities. In the Winter, the path can be very icy and snowed over.
• Best Season: Great all year round, but because popularity of the trail, it’s best to avoid summers.

Bear Lake

Pros: Sitting at the highest elevation of wedding sites in the park, this cold and snow during off season allows a couple months that you can walk on the lake (at your own risk, of course) but, how cool is the ability to get married on a frozen lake?

Cons: No weddings permitted from the Friday before Memorial Day weekend through 2nd Tuesday of October and No weekends year-round (Saturday/Sunday). Winter months and high elevation are a recipe for COLD here.

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity: 20
• Accessibility: Moderate. While the path is flat, the snow builds up greatly. In most seasons you will need tracks/spikes.
• Best Season: Late Fall-Early Spring

Copeland Lake

Pros: While part of Rocky Mountain National Park, you do not need to go through a traditional park entrance, which is big time saving stuff during peak season! This area is generally less trafficked than the other lake sites in RMNP.

Cons: Cold and wind hit this area pretty hard during off season.

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity: 30
• Accessibility: Moderate. Not a far walk from parking area, but no paved trail to shore. In warmer months, the lake can be very shallow or non existent.
• Best Season: A great spot in the snowier months for a winter wonderland feel.

Timber Creek Campground Amphitheater

Pros: Wheelchair accessible, seating, restrooms and nearby campground

Cons: More man-made structures, and obstructed view, westside of park so further away from Estes Park

• Dogs: No
• Site Capacity: 20, 5 Vehicles Max due to limited parking
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
• Best Season: All year

Moraine Park Discovery Center Amphitheater

Pros: Seating, larger occupancy allowed

Cons: This is a great place to feel nestled away, but lacks mountain views

• Dogs: On Leash
• Site Capacity: Off Season: 30 People, 10 Vehicles * Ceremony size and vehicle limit of 10 applies from the Friday before Memorial Day weekend through 2nd Tuesday of October.
• Accessibility: Easy
• Best Season: All year

Other Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Locations

Although where you can get wed is restricted, there are plenty of options for taking photos for your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement. Let’s chat about if we can add any of these into your timeline.

Looking for more ideas for your Colorado elopement?

Rocky Mountain National Park is just one of my top choices for Colorado elopement locations. Check out this list of all my favorite places to elope in Colorado, including Lookout Mountain, Sunrise Amphitheater, Garden of the Gods, and more!