Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Photographer

I’m Lucy – Rocky Mountain National Park elopement photographer. This incredible park is one of the most well known in the west. It’s iconic, distinctive, and so full of mountains you will need weeks to explore all the incredible trails. Whether you’ve lived your whole life in Colorado or are traveling in to experience all our state has to offer, the park should be high on your list of must-sees. Rocky Mountain is understandably crowded with tourists, but there are several ways to avoid the biggest crowds so your elopement can still be intimate, special, and deeply personal. In this guide I’ll share all the how-tos and go over all 11 of the Rocky Mountain National Park elopement locations.

How to elope at Dream Lake: You can’t.

Getting Married in Rocky Mountain National Park

You can only elope, get married, exchange vows, or have any kind of ceremony at one of the 11 designated sites within the park and nowhere else. Dream Lake and Trail Ridge Road are super popular spots for portraits, engagements and proposals, as they should be – they’re amazing! But having an elopement ceremony in either spot is illegal. Luckily, the legal Rocky Mountain National Park elopement locations are incredible and each offer something different. Elopements and intimate weddings are best when they are deeply personal, so keep reading to determine which spot might be right for you!

How to Elope at Rocky Mountain National Park

While there are some rules here, planning an elopement at Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t tough. I’ll break it down for you into 5 easy steps.

1. Pick your season and date range.
2. Hire a local Rocky Mountain National Park elopement photographer.
3. With the help of your photographer, select a ceremony location and time and apply for your ceremony permit
4. Book your accommodation, rental car, flights, officiant or flowers if desired.
5. Pickup your Colorado Marriage License and approved permit and ELOPE!

2024 Rocky Mountain National Park Ceremony Locations

NOTE: ALL May to October permits are SOLD OUT for 2024!

Updated Feb 10 2024

The fact that this National Park has a framework for allowing elopements means the process is relatively simple compared to other national parks – it’s $300 to apply and all their rules and regulations are laid out on the website.  And YES, you can travel to any other location in the park to take photos before or after your ceremony. RMNP only allows 2 elopements per site per day, 6 elopements per day in the entire park, and only 250 for the entire year, so these sites do book up months in advance. Reach out early to secure your elopement spot! If all the dates are booked up, contact me for my list of ceremony locations outside the park. Here is an in-depth guide to all 11 of the approved ceremony locations:

Alluvial Fan Bridge Ceremony Location

The Alluvial Fan Bridge ceremony location is the only place to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park that features a waterfall, so it’s best in Spring like May and June. A short but uphill path from the parking lot winds through the rocks to a narrow bridge overlooking the cascades. People will be walking all over the shore of the river, so this spot isn’t as private.

• Bathrooms: Nearby pit toilet
• Dogs allowed: NO
• Max people: 20
• Max cars: 5

Elopement Locations outside the Park

If you were unable to snag one of the coveted ceremony permits for one of the 11 ceremony sites, fear not! There are several locations outside of the park’s borders that may serve as a great elopement location for you. Before or after your ceremony, you may enter the park for photographs and adventure. This is a great compromise! Some of my favorite locations outside the park are:

• The O’Connor Pavilion
• Mary’s Lake
• Cherokee Draw
• Black Canyon Inn Pavilion
• Wild Basin Lodge
• Dao House
• Knoll-Willows
• Storm Mountain
• Indian Peaks Wilderness
• The St Vrain River

See a Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement

Tina & Stuart eloped in Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall of 2021. It was a crisp October day, but the herds of elk and fall colors made up for the cold temperatures. They had an amazing day exploring my favorite places in the park!

When to Elope in Rocky Mountain National Park

This is a high elevation mountain park. Winter’s icy grip lasts from mid October to the end of April & May at some elevations. Be prepared with layers and lots of water, no matter the season! I’ve been to Rocky in every month, and here’s a summary of what you can expect in each season!

• Winter: Highs of 45 degrees, wind, blizzards, and icy road conditions. Low temps down to -35.
• Spring: Highs in the 50’s and it may snow. Trails and roads may still be snowpacked, icy, or inaccessible. Lows around 32.
• Summer: High temperatures in the 70’s, but 20-30 degrees cooler in the alpine elevations. Trail Ridge Road will be open! Lows down to 45 or 50 at night. Expect roadwork and crowded trails.
• Fall: 50s and 60s for the daily high, low chance of rain, and some meadows may be closed during the Elk Rut. Lows in the 30s and 40s and a chance of snow comes around as early as October.

Eloping on a weekday

After choosing which season fits your goals, look at a calendar of weekdays! Like most National Parks, visitation and queues to get into the entrance stations are at their peak on weekends and especially holidays. Independence Day and Labor day are insanely busy. Avoid those weekends at all costs!

Other Great Photo Locations in RMNP

This park has so much to offer! Let me show you around. The pristine lakes are definitely a highlight, and hiking to them is on almost everyone’s to do list. The most popular hike in the park starts at Bear Lake and passes Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and ends at Emerald Lake. Helene, Cub, Gem and Haiyaha lakes are also incredible. Seek out Adam’s or Ouzel Falls for the waterfall lover. Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park have gorgeous glacial valley views.

Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road is one of the highlights of any visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the highest paved route in the lower 48 at over 12,100 feet in elevation at the summit. You will get to experience true tundra here, and it will be windy and 20 to 30 degrees colder than the lower areas of the park. There are NO ceremony locations on Trail Ridge Road, but you can come here for photos before or after your ceremony or on another day.

• You cannot drive here from mid September to June as the road is closed under deep snow for the entire winter
• Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long with 11 miles above treeline
• The road rises over 4,000 feet from the start to the summit
• You will see wildlife: Moose, Elk, Pika, and Marmots are common.

What to do during your elopement in RMNP

While it’s not required that you hike to elope here, many couples want to. Head out on one of the many world class hikes that Rocky has to offer. You can pack a picnic of all your favorite cheeses and charcuterie. Fire up your camp stove in a picnic area. Play your favorite song on your phone and share your first dance in a meadow. You can see the sunrise on an alpine lake. Watch your shadows grow long as you watch the sun set on the tundra, then stargaze with a blanket. Not to mention all the experiences Estes Park has to offer (tram ride anyone?). The point is – it’s not about making pretty photos for hours – it’s about celebrating your relationship and the things you love doing together for a full day of awesome experiences.  

Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Timeline

Here’s a sample timeline for a full day Rocky Mountain National Park elopement! Don’t short change yourself by choosing a 1 or 2 hour elopement when your day should be packed with all your favorite things!

10:30 Getting ready at your cabin in Estes Park
11:30 First Look in the forest and Lunch together
12:30 Estes Park tramway ride & watch video messages from loved ones together
2:00 Tram down and enter Rocky Mountain National Park
3:00 Swing in hammocks in an aspen grove
4:00 Ceremony at 3m Curve
4:30 Family Photos & Toasts
5:00 Shared Cake and First Dance
6:30 Romantic portraits on Trail Ridge Road
8:30 Cook pancakes for dinner on a camp stove

How much does it cost to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park?

The answer of course is that it depends! Aside from the $30 Colorado Marriage License, great photography and a ceremony permit from the National Park, the rest of your expenses will vary greatly. Here is a breakdown of a hypothetical elopement in Rocky for just 2 people:

$30 Colorado Marriage License
$300 Ceremony Permit
$700 to $2500 Accommodation – cabin, condo or chalet
$5,000 to 10,000 Rocky Mountain National Park elopement photographer
$500 to $5,000 your elopement clothes
$400 Florist (optional)
$800 to $1200 Officiant (optional)

= $7,000 to 20,000 depending on your preferences and needs.

Does a photographer need a permit in Rocky Mountain National Park?

As of January 1, 2024, RMNP removed its requirement for portrait photographers to have permit or Commercial Use Authorization. This means that photographers shooting families, engagement sessions, pre or post wedding portraits or any other portrait photos do not need a permit, and they must get timed entry.

Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry – 2024

With constantly changing regulations and closures, the value of having a local Rocky Mountain National Park elopement photographer is huge. In 2024, the park administrators have again implemented a timed-entry system for visitors from May 24th 2024 to October 20 2024. In addition to your National Parks pass, you will need a Timed Entry Pass during those dates – UNLESS you have an approved ceremony permit, which exempts you from needing timed entry. If you are getting married outside the park and going into the park for portraits, you will need timed entry.

Types of Timed Entry:

1. The Bear Lake corridor Pass
This is for the Bear Lake road area AND the entire recent of the park. Only the Bear Lake, Moraine Park Amphitheater and Sprague Lake elopement locations are up this road. In addition, the trailheads for Glacier Gorge, Bear Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Hiayaha, and others are up this road. You will need a timed entry permit for going up this road from 5am to 6pm.
2. The Rest of the Park WITHOUT Bear Lake road
Just what is sounds like! You can access every other part of the park. The grand lake side, the lumpy ridge area, the wild basin entrance, Lily lake, trail ridge road and everything else. You will need a timed entry permit for these areas from 9am to 3pm.

Getting into RMNP in 2024

You will need a National Park Pass or daily pass to enter at every entrance to RMNP. This is in addition to a Timed Entry ticket, which is sometimes required. See above.

Construction! Avoid the fall river entrance on the Estes Park side in 2024 as major renovation is causing long backups. Choose the Beaver Meadows entrance lane instead.

Where to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park is the gateway town on the East side, and it is packed with cabins to rent! Search google maps for ‘cabin’ ‘yurt’, ‘glamping’ or ‘bungalow’. On the west side of the park, near the Timber Creek and Harbison Meadows elopement locations, look in the towns of Grand Lake and Granby. For some unique stays, check out my list of unique Airbnbs near Rocky Mountain National Park.

Do we need an officiant to elope in Rocky Mountain?

No, an officiant is not required to make your marriage legal here in Colorado! Because Colorado recognizes your power to declare yourselves married, or, ‘self-solemnize’, you can sign your marriage license as your own officiant. It’s not difficult – I did it myself in 2019! This applied to all Colorado locations including Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want a friend or minister to officiate your ceremony, by all means do it, but it is optional! Additionally, witnesses are not required.

Getting your Colorado Marriage License

You can obtain a Colorado Marriage License from any county courthouse in Colorado. Some courthouses require an appointment to be made in advance, so check in carefully to ensure availability. You can take that Marriage license anywhere in the state within 32 days of picking it up. Once it’s signed, you send it back to the courthouse you got it from. And yes, the rumors are true – Colorado allows dogs to “sign” the back of the marriage license with an ink-pad paw print. So your dogs can be your witnesses if you want!

Ready to make RMNP your elopement location? Get in touch!

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