Couple hugging at their Sapphire Point Overlook elopement

Five Places to Elope near Denver, Colorado

April 25, 2022

Elopements, Planning Tips

Elopements offer couples a chance to exchange vows in intimate settings surrounded by natural beauty. If you’re considering eloping near Denver, Colorado, you’re in for a treat. The region offers a plethora of stunning locations perfect for saying “I do” without the stress of a traditional wedding. Here are my top 5 places to elope within a 2 hour drive of Denver!

1. Boulder

Only about 35 minutes from Denver, Boulder offers several great options for elopements. With great views of the Flatirons and the foothills, you can find a wide variety of gorgeous backdrops! Chautauqua Park and Lost Gulch Overlook are both very popular locations in Boulder. They can get very busy so I always recommend a weekday or even sunrise elopement to beat the crowds! Both of these locations are a part of Boulder Open Spaces, which means it will require a permit to take pictures, but I will help you with the permitting process! If you’re planning to include guests, Sunrise Amphitheater and Halfway House are great options because you can reserve these locations!  

One big advantage of any of these Boulder locations is that they do not require any hiking so they are easily accessible year round! 

Couple dancing at their Chautauqua Park elopement near Denver
Chautauqua Park
Couple kissing at their Chautauqua Park elopement near Denver
Chautauqua Park
Couple smiling at their Lost Gulch Overlook elopement near Denver
Lost Gulch Overlook
Couple exchanging vows in front of their family at their elopement at the Halfway House near Denver
Halfway House

2. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

While Red Rocks is mostly known as a concert venue, it also makes for an unforgettable spot for an elopement! Whether you want to do a lot of hiking or none, there are a variety of trail options for you to choose from that result in spectacular views of the surrounding red sandstone formations. If you are planning to have 5 people or less (including your photographer) you do not need a permit here. If you are wanting to take any photos in the amphitheater, a permit is required.

Couple hugging at their elopement at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver
Bride resting her head on her husbands shoulder while he looks at her at their elopement at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver
Husband kissing his wife on the cheek at their elopement at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver
Couple smiling at each other at their elopement at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver

3. Sapphire Point Overlook

Sapphire Point Overlook in Dillon, CO is another great location with stunning views. This spot overlooks Lake Dillon, provides a breathtaking mountain backdrop, and requires no hiking! While there is no fee to take pictures here, the lookout can also be reserved for a two-hour period of time for $120. The space can hold up to 35 people if you choose to include family and friends on your big day! Unfortunately, reserving this space does not prevent people from accessing the overlook during your ceremony, though you will often find people are pretty respectful. Since this can be a very busy location, I would highly recommend a weekday if you are interested in this as your destination.

Couple exchanging vows at Sapphire Point Overlook
Couple standing looking into each others eyes at Sapphire Point Overlook

4. Brainard Lake

This is one of my favorite hidden gems in Colorado! Located about an hour west of Boulder, Brainard Lake has gorgeous views and requires no hiking at all! However, if you are looking to do some hiking, a second lake nearby makes for a moderately-intense, 5 mile (round-trip) hike! This location makes for an ideal summer or fall elopement destination, as access to Brainard Lake during the winter will require an additional hike to the lake as the parking lot is closed for the season. One other great benefit of this spot… no permit required! Though, you will need to secure an online reservation prior to your big day.

Couple exchanging vows in front of their family at Brainard Lake
Couple exchanging vows at Brainard Lake
Couple sharing their first dance at Brainard Lake

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

RMNP is full of stunning mountain views, lakes, and meadows! While elopements must take place in one of the 12 designated ceremony locations in the park and requires a $300 permit, upon completion of the ceremony you can hike or drive to some of the other gorgeous areas in the park. RMNP has implemented a limit on the number of permits they give out for each month, but you can apply for your date up to a year in advance. Permits can go quickly so I recommend applying sooner rather than later! RMNP is also very strict about pets and they are not allowed on any trails, so if including your pet in your big day is important to you, this may not be your first choice.

A couple celebrating their elopement at Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Couple kissing on the dock at Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
A couple kissing at 3M curve in Rocky Mountain National Park
Couple standing and admiring the mountains at Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park.

In conclusion, eloping near Denver, Colorado, offers couples the opportunity to exchange vows in some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Whether you prefer a rustic mountain setting or a picturesque park, there’s no shortage of stunning venues to choose from. With careful planning and preparation, your elopement in Colorado is sure to be a memorable and magical experience!

This is just a small list of locations in Colorado for your elopement! Love one of the ones listed? Reach out today, and we can chat about planning your big day at one of these spots or at one of the other thousand beautiful locations in Colorado!