Ouray Elopement Locations Guide

Lucy’s Ouray Elopement Locations Guide

There are so many great Ouray elopement locations, I had to make a guide! Ouray is a small mountain town in the southwest corner of Colorado. It’s nestled into the San Juan mountains, just over the mountain crest from Telluride. Unlike many Colorado mountain towns, it doesn’t have a ski resort. This contributes to a unique feeling in Ouray that is unlike anywhere else. There are cute cabins, huge mountain peaks, big waterfalls, off roading galore, peaks to bag, alpine lakes, canyons, tundra and so much more. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker, or do 5+ miles to reach an epic location. In fact, my favorite spot in Ouray is an easy, flat walk to magical 360 degree views. Yes, please!

Here is my Ouray Elopement Locations Map:

This map is like a virtual tour of the Ouray area with color photos I’ve taken of each place. So you can see all the great spots without leaving your living room. If you’re planning from afar, this is a visual key to picking out the elopement spot that works for you. Details like what seasons and time of day are best for each location are included. It will help you plan your activities, accommodations, and your day’s itinerary. Lastly, it’s easy to have a great backup location picked out with this map in front of you. Having that Plan B in your back pocket will keep your planning stress-free!

Start planning your Ouray Elopement Photography with me! Booked clients get the interactive map.

Real Ouray Elopement Photos

S&C’s June Elopement in Ouray was incredible! See the full blog post of their summer ouray elopement photos here.

Off Roading Elopements

Ouray is best known for it’s amazing off roading opportunities. If you’ve got a good rig with 4WD and high clearance, look no further. If you’re coming to Colorado from out of state, no worries! There are plenty of Jeeping tours and drivers that can take you to amazing spots without you having to lift a finger. Just buckle up and get ready for a totally unique elopement experience! The high alpine views surrounding Ouray will have your jaws on the dirt. Yankee boy basin, Governer’s basin, Silver basin and The Amphitheater in Ouray are all 11/10. The mountain passes will take you to tundra or red-sided mountains.

When to Elope in Ouray

Picking your Ouray elopement location is just as important as picking your date! Winter conditions are so different from Summer that it may as well be a different place! Any of the locations that require jeeping and off-roading are simply not possible from November to at least April or May. But don’t be intimidated by winter’s grip. A snowy elopement in Ouray would be unforgettable and there are still many beautiful spots with big mountain views. It will remind you of Scotland or the Alps. Plus, there’s no better time to visit the Ouray hot springs. May will bring unpredictable weather and temperate daytime temps, or it could snow. June, July and August are the best months to consider if you want wildflowers, color, and high altitude experiences. September and October will bring that crisp fall air and aspens turning gold.

What’s not to love?

Planning an amazing Ouray elopement isn’t hard. For the most part, you can relax and know that you’ll be surrounded by mountains and adventure. Just like Garden of the Gods, you don’t need a permit to have an intimate elopement in the San Juan mountains. However, planning a short-notice elopement here might be challenging for one reason: accommodation. Ouray is a very small town and the hotels and cabins there fill up quickly during the warm months. One way around this is to camp, rent an RV, or to stay in Montrose or Silverton, CO. Don’t worry, the drive along the Million Dollar Highway is about as scenic as it gets.

Intimate Elopement Locations in Ouray

If you’re inviting a small gathering of your best friends or family members, there are a few great picnic sites in the area. These would be fabulous for a casual or catered picnic. Or head to an Airbnb or Cabin rental for a private chef’s meal. There are also some rooftop bars in Ouray, so if the weather is nice, there is no better way to celebrate. How cute is this little pavilion (giving me major King Arther vibes.)?

I offer full day, 1.5 day and 2 day elopement photography in Ouray, the San Juan mountains and all over the state! See my pricing and package details here. I would love to chat with you and help see if an elopement with me is what you’ve been dreaming of. Get in touch below!

See my other Colorado Elopement location guides here:
–Black Canyon of the Gunnison Elopement Guide
–Great Sand Dunes Elopement Guide
–Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Guide
–Boulder, CO Elopement Guide
–Telluride Elopement Guide
–Aspen Elopement Guide
–Mt Evans Elopement Guide
–Summit County Elopement Guide
–Colorado National Monument Elopement Guide
–Maroon Bells Elopement Guide