All the Accessible Elopement Locations
Eloping is truly for EVERYONE, no matter your mobility! If your dream is to elope in the wild, but you need a spot that’s mobility friendly, behold: my long awaited list of the best ADA Accessible Elopement Locations! Whether you, your partner, or a dear loved one is a wheelchair user, assisted by a cane, walker, crutches or anything else- I’ve got you!
10 Best Ada Accessible Elopement Locations for Wheelchair Users
Ability, Mobility, and disability exist on a sliding scale. People suffering with chronic pain may use a wheelchair on some days, and other days they may be more ambulatory. Your use of a wheelchair might be everyday, or temporary. These sites are 100% Wheelchair accessible – I’ve personally been to each one to check it out.
-Acknowledgement-
Disability rights in the USA are a disgrace. If you are unable to legally marry due to losing your disability of other benefits, know that I stand with you against this inequal and damaging policy.
#1 Glacier National Park’s Swiftcurrent Lake Accessible Location
This is one of several ADA Accessible Elopement Locations in Glacier National Park in Montana. Swiftcurrent Lakeshore is about 1/3 mile down a paved trail from the parking area, but it is flat and full of wildlife. Big Bend, The Green at Many Glacier, and the nearby Blackfeet Memorial are also Accessible.
#2 ADA Accessible Elopement Locations: Organ Mountains, New Mexico
Another great desert ADA Accessible Elopement Location is a packed gravel picnic area nestled against the Organ Mountains in southwest New Mexico. You can reserve the whole picnic shelter and the views and privacy are 10/10.
#3 Accessible Elopement Location: Convict Lake Dock, Mammoth Lakes California
This newly built dock is sturdy, flat, and is accessed by a paved trail along the edge of Convict Lake in Mammoth Lakes, California. You won’t get a better lake + mountain view!
#4 Ada Accessible Elopement Locations – Mountain View Turnout, Grand Tetons
Grand Teton National Park has some of the best wedding sites in the entire NPS system. Both Glacier View and Mountain View turnouts are paved and offer incredible mountain views. Schwabacher’s Landing, Snake River and Mormon row are accessible for most, but not paved.
#5 Crescent Beach Overlook – Redwoods National Park Ada Accessible Location
While the redwoods are most known for their towering trees, The Crescent Beach overlook offers sweeping views of the California coast without the sandy, inaccessible beach. Additionally, the Lost Man Gate location in Redwoods National Park is ADA Accessible.
#6 Accessible Elopement Location: Sunset Point at Bryce Canyon National Park
This ADA Accessible Elopement Location is a smooth, paved trail just a short distance from the parking lot. However, the elevation is over 8,000 feet, so if there are respiratory or cardiac restrictions in your squad, you should look elsewhere.
#7 Accessible Elopement Location: Washburn Point at Yosemite National Park
Washburn Point is very similar to the iconic Glacier Point, but with fewer visitors and easier access for people who use wheelchairs. The view will absolutely take your breath away! Groups under 12 people can apply to elope here. The Olmstead Point or Hetch Hetchy reservoir location are also ADA friendly.
#8 Accessible Elopement Location: Kolob Canyon at Zion National Park
This paved lookout is right off a parking lot in one of the least visited corners of Zion National Park in southern Utah. Access could not be any easier, and the towering red rocks are stunning! Note: This location is closed in winter. Also in Zion, the Nature Center is ADA – friendly.
#9 Garden of the Gods, Colorado, an Accessible Elopement Location
Many of the trails are paved and ready for you to explore! Check out the Chuckwagon Pavilion and the Three Sisters circle. While this is a very busy park, choosing a weekday morning will allow you to have an intimate elopement at Garden of the Gods.
#10 Pima Point at the Grand Canyon Accessible Elopement Location
This paved, ramped access viewpoint is almost at the end of the road from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, near Hermit’s rest. You may have to take the shuttle, and it is closed in winter. Additionally, Moran point is mostly Paved with 1 small step that can be avoided.
Additional ADA Friendly Elopement Locations in the west
- Lower Galoot Picnic Area, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
- Desert Discovery & Desert Ecology Nature Trails in Saguaro National Park, Arizona
- Kealia Coastal Boardwalk, Maui, Hawaii
- Maroon Bells Amphitheater, Aspen, Colorado
- Interdune boardwalk, White Sands National Park
- Panoramic Point in Kings Canyon National Park – Steep uphill, but paved
- Giant Forest Plaza & Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park, California
Photographing a person using a wheelchair
My approach to photographing people who are using a wheelchair is the same as people without wheelchairs – after considering a mobility friendly location, of course! I simply want to capture how you two naturally show love and affection to each other.
Wheelchair Poses for Wedding Photos
- Holding hands while wheeling & walking
- Sitting next to each other on a bench or chair
- Seated at a table together
- Hugging or smooching from wheelchair level
- Leaning in for a smooch
- Embracing the wheelchair user from behind
- Hand Kiss
- Lap Cuddle
ADA Accessible Elopement Locations in Colorado
Colorado may be one of the most mountainous states, but it still has plenty of ADA accessible elopement locations. You just have to know where to look – or have already been there, like I have. In no particular order, here are some of the most scenic yet accessible elopement locations in Colorado. Not all of these locations are usable year round due to the mountain terrain and high elevation, so be in touch if you have questions.
Point Park, Grand Lake Independence Pass Summit, Aspen Rifle Falls, Rifle Independence Monument, Grand Junction 
Tomichi Point, Black Canyon of the Gunnison Brainard Lake, Ward Maroon Bells Amphitheater, Aspen Halfway House, Boulder Chuckwagon Pavilion, Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
Flat, easy trails for elopements in Colorado
There are tons of Accessible friendly locations too, for those who can walk for a while but don’t want a challenging hike. Or for people who use wheelchairs that don’t mind a dirt trail. These locations are awesome, but not paved. I’d still consider them very ADA friendly, because they are flat, wide, well maintained and lack stairs, tree roots, and other obstacles.
- Sprague Lake & Lily Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
- Sunrise Amphitheater, Boulder
- Sapphire Point Overlook, Breckenridge
- Julia’s Deck & Giberson Bay Fishing Area
- Echo Lake, Mt Blue Sky, Evergreen
- Officer’s Gulch, Breckenridge
- Beaver Pond, Marble
- Dillon Marina Pavilion & Windy Point Campground, Dillon
- Pass Lake, Keystone
- Cherokee Draw & O’ Connor Pavilion, Estes Park
- Fowler Trail, Eldorado Canyon State Park, Boulder
- Ditch Trail, Aspen-Snowmass
Echo Lake, Evergreen Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park Sunrise Amphitheater, Boulder San Juans Mountain View, Ridgeway Lily Lake Dock in Rocky Mountain National Park Beaver Pond, Marble Officer’s Gulch, Breckenridge 
Sapphire Point, Breckenrid
About Me – Elopement Photographer for ALL
Hi! I’m Lucy – a colorful elopement photographer & full service planner with a passion for sharing the outdoors with others. Eloping is for everyone. You don’t have to hike to have an incredible elopement in the wild or in a National Park. Making elopements accessible is my mission. Let me show you around!
ADA accessible locations for engagement sessions and proposals
All of the above locations would work just as well for an Ada Accessible Proposal or Engagement session. If you don’t need to move around as much as you would for an elopement, you can also consider jeeping or off-roading. Having an off-road capable vehicle will take you to mind blowing views where you can step right out of the vehicle and be there.
Great Offroading Elopement Locations for Mobility Impaired People in Colorado
- The Amphitheater, Ouray
- Loch Lomond, St Mary’s Glacier
- Peru Creek, Montezuma
- Shrine Pass, Vail
- Clear Lake, Ouray
- Imogene Pass, Telluride
- Ptarmigan Pass, Leadville
Mobility Chairs in Colorado
There are three locations in Colorado where you can rent an all terrain wheelchair or track chair to go further into the backcountry. These aids are free to rent, but must be reserved in advance.
- Rocky Mountain National Park All Terrain Wheelchair
- Great Sand Dunes National Park’s Balloon Tire Chairs
- Staunton State Park’s Track Chair
Find out more about these accessible locations
Got more questions about any of these spots? Don’t be a stranger – I’d love to help you out! I answer all messages within 48 hours, even on weekends. I’ve built detailed maps of every western state, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, I may be able to still connect you to the perfect spot.
That’s the number of ADA Accessible and Mobility Friendly Elopement Locations on my map.
Thanks to Sarah Goff Photography for additional photographs.