Best Places to Elope in Colorado

So you’ve decided you want to elope in Colorado! But now you’re realizing Colorado is a huge state with way too many options to choose from. If you want a comprehensive guide of the best places to elope in Colorado, then this guide is for you!

Living and photographing elopements in Colorado, I have found the best hidden gems around the state from boots-on-the-ground scouting so that you can have a unique, crowd-free elopement experience! From hidden waterfalls and alpine lakes to stunning meadows that you can’t find on Google, I’ve got you covered!

Need help planning your elopement? Contact me!

Boulder

Boulder is one of the best places to elope, especially if you don’t want to roadtrip if you plan on flying into Colorado. Although it’s apart of Colorado’s front range, the town itself has a cute downtown, endless stays, and is only around an hour drive from hidden high alpine hiking trails!

Boulder is where boutique hotels and rooftop dinners meet endless hiking trails just minutes from downtown. Boulder is also a great location if you plan to bring guests! With easy to rent outdoor venues like Sunrise Ampitheater, you can spend the first half of your day hiking to alpine lakes, and the second half saying your vows with family and friends in an accessible location!

Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular elopement locations in Colorado. But, with the difficult permit lottery couples often opt to hike and adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park, and to plan a more private ceremony right outside of RMNP, in Estes Park!

If you are prepared for the crowds, or have been dreaming of a sunrise elopement Rocky Mountain is hard to beat. If you want to learn more about eloping in RMNP, check out my Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement guide!

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is by far the most popular mountain town in Colorado, and for good reasons. It’s the closest mountain town to Denver (only an hour and a half drive!) and has an expansive downtown filled with restaurants, shopping, and breweries. Not to mention it has a ton of great vacation rentals – everything from right in the town to modern and secluded cabins overlooking the mountains. It’s always a fan favorite and one of the best places to elope in Colorado.

Learn more about how to plan your Breckenridge elopement photography experience here!

Telluride

With a similar sized town to Breckenridge, Telluride is home to world class restaurants, skiing, and is one of the only places in Colorado where you can hike to waterfalls (and I’m talking epic 30 foot waterfalls) and high alpine lakes all within the same day!

Telluride is a 6 hour drive from Denver, or oftentimes couples will opt to fly into Montrose (1.5 hour drive from Telluride) or Telluride Regional airports instead. Another fan favorite with a town that boasts rooftop bars and fancy restaurants with backdrops of the mountains.

Learn more about how to plan a Telluride elopement photography experience here!

Ouray & Silverton

Often mistaken for Telluride, the Ouray area is home to the best off roading in all of Colorado. Most of which requires a 4×4 rental to access, but will take you to the most hidden, secluded, and bright blue alpine lakes. These off roading trails are typically all day adventures.

Buena Vista

One of the most underrated elopement locations in all of Colorado. With world-class rafting, epic off roading trails, hot springs, easy to access alpine lakes, and typically free of crowds – it’s everything that other mountain towns have to offer with a more rugged and less touristy take. If intimacy and hiking are your top priorities, Buena Vista is the place to go!

Learn more about planning your Buena Vista elopement here!

Crested Butte

The “wildflower capital” of Colorado! Crested Butte is a smaller town that is well known but not too touristy yet. It’s around a four hour drive from Denver with no airport closer, which makes more “off the beaten path” keeping its local feel. The town itself is smaller and quieter than places like Breckenridge or Telluride, but is still home to some epic alpine lakes, and the largest aspen grove in Colorado! (Pro-tip: elope here in the fall to drive through tunnels of bright orange and yellow aspens!)

Learn more about planning your Crested Butte Elopement here!

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat springs is a mountain town in Yampa Valley that’s known for its hot springs and ski resort. It’s 3 hours from Denver, but you can fly into the Yampa Valley Regional Airport as well! Steamboat is also a great summer elopement destination, with waterfalls and hiking trails along with a town that’s filled with food, breweries, and activities! My favorite time to photograph elopements in Steamboat is September – the leaves start to change and the tourism slows down.

Denver

Georgetown and Idaho Springs typically fall into the category of Denver elopements, and you’re able to not only hike out to some awesome trails, but be back in time for a celebratory dinner in Denver at local favorites such as Barcelona Wine Bar and Sushi Den!

If you’re torn between mountains and city, Denver and the surrounding Georgetown and Idaho Springs area are the perfect compromise for your day!

Colorado Springs

A

Vail

Next Steps