Are you looking for the best places to elope in Estes Park and need a venue to host your small wedding ceremony? These are some of the most intimate locations to get married at in Estes Park and the neighboring Rocky Mountain National Park. This complete list shows affordable options that are perfect to hold a small elopement in private or with a small group of family and friends.
3M CURVE
The three “M”‘s in 3M Curve stand for Mountains, Moraines, and Meadows all of which are some of the many natural features you can view from this overlook. This spot is easily accessible 12 months out of the year and is only about 250 feet from the road, however there is no wheelchair access as there is no defined footpath.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: 15
COPELAND LAKE
Copeland Lake is located in the Wild Basin area of Estes Park which is located at the very south part of Rocky Mountain National Park, making it a less-trafficked area. There is no defined ceremony location making it ideal for those wanting some flexibility. While it’s a great location to host a ceremony, we recommend you set time aside to visit other locations for photos if you’re looking for vast mountain-views.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: 30
LILY LAKE DOCK & LILY LAKE TRAIL
This location has some absolutely stunning views and is very accessible, even for handicapped guests. Due to it’s ease of access, the trail does experience heavy foot-traffic so complete privacy is not guaranteed. There is flexibility however as there are multiple spots to host a ceremony. Contact us to receive more information about these specific locations.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: 10 on the dock, 20 on the trail, 30 on the south side picnic area
MORAINE PARK AMPHITHEATER
The amphitheater is a great location for those wanting privacy, ease of access, and spacious seating. It’s nestled in an open area surrounded by trees and is conveniently located on Bear Lake Road making additional photo opportunities easy to access. Some road noise can be heard from this location, as traffic from Bear Lake Road is nearby.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: 30 (60 pre-COVID)
SPRAGUE LAKE DOCK
This ceremony site has arguably one of the best scenic views in RMNP. A well-groomed trail surrounds the entire lake making it easily accessible for guests. This location receives a lot of foot traffic and privacy is limited. The parking lot is also fairly small, so be prepared that you may need to be dropped off by a shuttle. As such, we generally only recommend this location on weekdays, during the “off-season”, or for sunrise elopements.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: 15 in Summer, 30 in Winter
HORSESHOE PARK OVERLOOK
This overlook has stunning views of mountains and meadows, and is just a few steps from the parking lot, making it easy to access. Because of it’s ease of access, complete privacy is not guaranteed. This ceremony site is not listed on the official NPS website, so you will need to contact them for more information.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: Contact the NPS
HIKE-IN LOCATIONS
If you’re an adventurous couple, you may want to consider hiking in to a remote location in RMNP. This option will give you flexibility on your ceremony location as there are many options to choose from. If you book an Elopement photography session with us, we can discuss a variety of locations.
Permit Cost from the NPS: $300
Maximum Guest Count: Contact the NPS
THE PAVILION AT BLACK CANYON INN
Black Canyon Inn offers reasonably-priced elopement packages for those wanting a small, intimate ceremony. The Pavilion is an easily-accessible, covered ceremony site which has incredible views of the Lumpy Ridge mountains. Elopements are available year-round here.
Contact Black Canyon Inn for more information on pricing, guest count and options – https://blackcanyoninn.com/
YMCA OF THE ROCKIES
The YMCA sits on 860 acres providing many options for visitors. The two most popular elopement locations at the YMCA are the Sara Smith Chapel and the Overlook Chapel, both which are excellent choices. It borders the nearby RMNP and has absolutely incredible views of snow-capped mountains and vast valleys.
Contact the YMCA of the Rockies for more information on pricing, guest count and options – http://ymcarockies.org
TAHARAA MOUNTAIN LODGE
This mountain lodge sits high up on a hill and has two outdoor ceremony locations – a covered deck overlooking a valley and an amphitheater-inspired venue with a pergola. This spot provides fantastic photography opportunities and shares a space with the Twin Owls Steakhouse.
Contact Taharaa Mountain Lodge for more information on pricing, guest count and options – https://taharaa.com/events/weddings/
ESTES PARK CONDOS
The EP condos sit on Fall River which is situated on the Northwest side of Estes Park. This venue offers two ceremony sites – a pergola situated between some pines right on the river and a gazebo on the north end of the property. This location is conveniently located near the Fall River entrance to RMNP making it a good choice for those looking to hop into the Park for photos afterward.
Contact the Estes Park Condos for more information on pricing, guest count and options – https://www.estesparkcondos.com/
THE STANLEY HOTEL
The Stanley is known for its unique history and distinct architecture, but also offers elopement options for those wanting an intimate and private experience. The most popular elopement location here is the Lawn, which has beautiful views of downtown Estes Park and the mountains of RMNP.
Contact the Stanley Hotel for more information on pricing, guest count and options – https://www.stanleyhotel.com/
ROMANTIC RIVERSONG INN
This Inn is a small property that has a secluded ceremony site situated on the Big Thompson river. It’s conveniently located near the Beaver Meadows entrance to RMNP.
Contact the Romantic Riversong Inn for more information on pricing, guest count and options – https://www.romanticriversong.com/
ESTES PARK RESORT
The Estes Park Resort can accommodate large weddings and smaller events. It has a gazebo situated on Lake Estes, which is perfect for those who want to incorporate a water feature in the scenery. It also has the Dunraven Inn attached, which is a phenomenal dining experience.
Contact the Estes Park Resort for more information on pricing, guest count and options – https://www.theestesparkresort.com/
