Are you considering eloping in Colorado? There is an incredible variety of locations to elope in Colorado. There are epic mountains, red rock formations, alpine lakes, canyons, overlooks, sand dunes, and so much more. This guide will help you pick a location for your Colorado elopement. Even if you’re not eloping and just want photos in Colorado, this guide will be helpful for you too!

If I’m your photographer, I’ll work with you to pick a location that is perfect for you. I put together personalized location lists for each of my couples with specific spots you won’t find on this list. I’ll also help you with permits, timelines, planning, and logistics.

Here are some locations to inspire you and get you started in your planning process!

Boulder

Boulder, Colorado is a beautiful city located about 40 minutes from Denver at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a fun and vibrant place that mixes mountain views with a city feel. Boulder is named one of the best places to live in the U.S. and is known for amazing views of the Flatirons and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation.

Boulder has a variety of locations for elopements. You can elope on a trail or overlook in one of the open space & mountain parks, or you can reserve a pavilion or shelter area.

Check out this blog for specific information and location suggestions for Boulder.

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Located about an hour from Boulder, this area offers epic mountain views and a variety of location options.

• Brainard Lake itself is very easily accessible. The parking lot is about a 10 minute walk from the lake shore. This is a good option if you want a mountain lake that is easily accessible. 
  
• Lake Isabelle (pictured below) is one of my absolute favorite hikes and locations. The hike is 5.5 miles total round trip (2.75 there and 2.75 back). The trail is not especially difficult or steep, but keep in mind that is it at altitude

Nearby towns in this area for accommodations, shops, and restaurants:

• Boulder
• Longmont
• Broomfield
• Arvada

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain is one of the most popular places in Colorado, but for good reason! The park is amazing and had so many epic locations within the rockies. Especially in the summer months, I highly recommend picking a weekday instead of a weekend. The park gets extremely crowded and you will have a must better experience on a weekday. 

Permits are a little complicated for the park, but don’t let that discourage you! If you want to get married in the park, there are only specific locations where you can have a ceremony and a limited number of wedding permits are issued each year. Wedding and elopement permits become available on a first-come first-served basis one year in advance.

If you do not want the ceremony in the park, you have the option to just take photos in the park. The park does not limit the number of individual session permits, and you have more freedom for locations as well.

In addition to these special use permits, you will also need to pay park entrance and reserve timed entry tickets for any guests. 

Single session permit info

Wedding and elopement permit info

Current list of wedding locations in Rocky Mountain National Park

Nearby Towns in this area for accommodations, shops, and restaurants:

• Estes Park
• Lyons
• Boulder
• Loveland

Ski Towns: Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone

Breckenridge and Vail are around the same area-the mountains ski resort region near Denver. Both Breckenridge and Vail are both only about 1.5-2 hours from Denver, making them both accessible from the city. These ski towns all have cool mountain town vibes with restaurants, shops, and accommodations that are open year-round.  This area is great for winter ski elopements, but it’s also a great spot in the summer.

Good locations in this area include:

• Sapphire Point Overlook
• Loveland Pass
• Lake Dillon
• Shrine Pass

Nearby towns in this area:

• Keystone
• Breckenridge
• Dillon
• Frisco
• Silverthorne

Close to Denver

Denver is one of the largest cities in Colorado, and is home to Denver International Airport. The city itself is big, but there are several locations within a short distance from the city!

Here are a few locations that are less than an hour from Denver:

• Mount Falcon Park (pictured below)
• Red Rocks Amphitheater
• St. Mary’s Glacier 

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a pretty major  city in Colorado, and is located about 1.5 hours south of Denver. It’s known for being close to Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and accommodations in town. 

Locations in Colorado Springs:

• Garden of the Gods
• Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Other Regions of Colorado

Colorado is a big state with awesome locations throughout. Here are some locations that are farther than 2 hours from Denver/Boulder and require a bit more time and planning.

Regions & Locations

• Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Crested Butte
• Ouray
• Telluride

Colorado Elopement Photography

I’m a wedding and elopement photographer based in Boulder, Colorado. If you are ready to start planning your elopement, view my elopement pricing and then contact me!