Top 5 Locations to Elope in Colorado

If you’re searching for the best places to elope in Colorado, these five spots are iconic for a reason: unreal views, memorable hikes, and that “we’re really doing this” kind of mountain magic. Below you’ll find what each location is like, trail details, the closest towns to stay in, drive time from Denver, and what to know about permits/reservations for a smooth Colorado elopement day.

1) Lake Isabelle (Brainard Lake Recreation Area) Elopement

Lake Isabelle sits in the Indian Peaks area near Ward/Nederland and feels like a hidden alpine bowl—peaks, tundra, and water that looks painted in summer.

What the hike is like

• Most couples hike from Long Lake Trailhead and pass Long Lake before the final climb toward Isabelle.
• Trail stats (common option): about 4.8 miles with ~472 ft gain. AllTrails.com
• Expect a busier trail in peak wildflower season (mid-summer) and crisp, golden vibes in early fall.

Nearest towns to stay

• Nederland (closest “base town” feel)
• Ward (closest tiny mountain town)
• Boulder (most lodging + restaurants)

Drive from Denver

• About 53 miles / ~1 hr 28 min by car. Rome2Rio

Permits / reservations

• A timed-entry reservation is required to park inside Brainard Lake Recreation Area (during the main season). US Forest Service
• No reservation is required if you park at Brainard Gateway Trailhead and walk/bike in (note the Gateway lot is farther from the lakes). I would highly recommend going through the reservation process to park as close as possible. US Forest Service+1
• Always double-check seasonal access/open dates—this area is very snow-dependent. They close the main road during winter months which means you have to park at the Brainard Gateway Trailhead in the winter.

2) Dream Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park) Elopement

Dream Lake is one of the most iconic Rocky Mountain National Park elopement photo locations—a short hike with huge payoff and a “postcard” view of Hallett Peak.

What the hike is like:

• Starts at Bear Lake Trailhead.
• Dream Lake trail stats: 2.2 miles round trip, 425 ft gain, out-and-back, rated easy by NPS. National Park Service
• Sunrise here is next-level (and also the least crowded time).

Nearest towns to stay

• Estes Park (closest and easiest for early starts)
• Grand Lake (quieter, farther, great if you’re on the west side)

Winter access is only available on the East side from Estes Park. The pass to Grand Lake closes in the winter and would turn a 45 minute drive into 3.5 hours. Dream Lake is open all year round, you just have to double check road closures if you’re approaching late fall/winter season.

Drive from Denver

• Many routes land around 2–2.5 hours depending on traffic and which way you go. Full Suitcase Travel Blog

Permits / reservations

Many couples do portraits at Dream Lake, then hold the actual ceremony at an approved site.

Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation is required to access the Bear Lake corridor during peak season hours (late spring through fall). National Park Service+1

Important ceremony note: RMNP requires a Special Use Permit for ceremonies, and permits are only issued for designated ceremony locations. We do not need a permit if you don’t hold a ceremony – we can still do private vows without a permit. National Park Service

3) Ice Lake + Island Lake (Silverton) Elopement

This is the “turquoise water in the San Juans” hike. If you want a jaw-dropping alpine elopement experience and you’re up for a challenging trail, this is it. I have not yet shot an elopement here, it is my TOP bucket list elopement location. I have personally hiked to these lakes twice and would love to take a couple on an epic adventure to this location – but for now I’ll just share a few photos of the lakes with my favorite hiking buddy below.

What the hike is like

• This is a steep, high-elevation hike that climbs quickly.
• San Juan Mountains Association trail stats: about 7 miles round trip to the upper basin, with ~2,420 ft gain (and you can continue to Island Lake). SJMA
• It’s often listed as most difficult in local trail summaries—altitude + exposure + afternoon storms are the big factors. SJMA
• Best conditions are typically mid-summer to early fall (snow lingers). However, early summer may be the best time to visit when the ice has just melted from the lakes and it’s at its bluest.

Nearest towns to stay

• Silverton (closest + cutest mountain-town base)
• Ouray (hot springs + great lodging options)
• Durango (bigger city, more amenities; longer drive to trailhead)

Drive from Denver

• Roughly 356 miles / about 6 hr 44 min to Silverton in normal conditions. Wanderlog
• If you’re flying into Colorado then I would recommend flying into Durango instead of Denver.

Permits / reservations

There is currently no permit system for Ice Lake Basin (per SJMA), but it’s very popular—plan for early parking and Leave No Trace. SJMA

4) Crested Butte Elopement

Crested Butte is famous for wildflowers, mountain views, and the perfect mix of “adventure” and “cozy town.” It’s an incredible choice if you want stunning scenery and an easy post-ceremony dinner plan. There are so many locations within Crested Butte so I just chose Crested Butte as a whole.

What the trails/locations are like
Crested Butte has options for every vibe—quick walks, rugged passes, and big alpine hikes. A great “easy-but-epic” option is:

• Emerald Lake (Crested Butte area): 0.75 miles round trip, easy, about 30 minutes. Travel Crested Butte

Nearest towns to stay

• Crested Butte (town) (walkable, charming, great food)
• Mt. Crested Butte (ski base area; convenient lodging)
• Gunnison (more budget-friendly, larger town; extra drive)

Drive from Denver

• About 4 hours in good conditions (varies with weather and passes). Travel Crested Butte+1

Permits / reservations

For other nearby public-land spots, requirements vary by land manager—plan to verify the exact site rules.

“It depends” based on where you choose, but here’s the big one:

If you’re using a Crested Butte Land Trust ceremony site (like Woods Walk), you’ll need to reserve/book it through them. cblandtrust.org+1 But most often we won’t need a permit just for photos and private vows.

5) Loveland Pass

I saved the most popular for last! Loveland Pass is one of the easiest, most accessible mountain elopement locations near Denver—you can step out of the car and immediately be on the Continental Divide with insane views.

What the trails are like
You can keep it super simple (short walk for vows + portraits) or hike farther for privacy.

• Loveland Pass Lake Trail: about 0.8 miles, 85 ft gain, easy. AllTrails.com
• There are also longer/harder hikes from the pass if you want more solitude.

Nearest towns to stay

• Dillon / Silverthorne (closest lodging hub)
• Keystone / Frisco / Breckenridge (lots of options)
• Georgetown (small town, closer on the east side)

Drive from Denver

• About 61 miles / ~1 hr 8 min by car in normal conditions. Rome2Rio

Permits / reservations

For a simple, no-setup ceremony, it’s commonly treated as no permit needed, but the big considerations here are parking, weather, and safety (wind + storms + traffic). If you’re planning anything with setup/guests, check with the appropriate land manager first.

Quick Planning Tips for These Colorado Elopement Locations

Start early or late. These spots get busy— Afternoons are often the busiest and worst light. Sunrise often means more privacy and guaranteed better weather but sunset is my favorite and usually better light but often means we’ll be hiking back after dark.

Plan for altitude. Dream Lake, Brainard, Ice Lakes, and Loveland Pass are all high-elevation. Drink lots of water, bring snacks, good hiking shoes, and good layers to stay warm.

Have a weather Plan B. Especially for Ice Lakes + Loveland Pass (storms can roll in fast).

Keep it Leave No Trace. Stay on trail, skip confetti, and be mindful of fragile alpine tundra.