Great Sand Dunes National Park Elopement Guide

Great Sand Dunes National Park Elopement Guide

If you’re dreaming of a landscape that feels completely different from anywhere else in Colorado for your elopement or wedding, Great Sand Dunes National Park is the spot. It’s one of the most unique places you can choose to get married. Massive rolling sand dunes stretch as far as you can see, set against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains—a contrast that feels almost unreal in person. It’s the kind of place where your day can be as adventurous or as simple as you want, whether that means wandering out into the dunes for a quiet, just-the-two-of-you ceremony or celebrating with a small group of your favorite people. As a Colorado elopement photographer who’s explored and worked in this park, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know in this guide so you can get excited and start to prepare for your own Great Sand Dunes elopement or wedding.

Great Sand Dunes National Park Wedding Ceremony Locations

There are two location choices for your wedding ceremony in Great Sand Dunes National Park.

The Dunefield

Max number of guests allowed: 15 people (including the couple, guests, and vendors)

Get married right on the sand dunes. This is my top pick for couples eloping just the two of them or if having a small group of people.

The Amphitheater

Max number of guests allowed: The limit does not exist 😂 But for serious, there is no max, invite all your friends and family

Offering benches for guests to sit, and a covered stage, this is the only other place in the park to get married if you have more than 15 guests. But you are allowed to go anywhere else in the park for solo pictures just you and your boo either before or after your ceremony!

When’s the best time to elope in Great Sand Dunes National Park?

If you’re choosing your wedding date based purely on weather, the most comfortable times to elope here are spring and fall. These times of year strike the best balance—temperatures are warm without being extreme, making it much easier to actually enjoy being out on the dunes.

In the spring, daytime temperatures start to climb into a more moderate range after the chill of winter, while still avoiding the intense heat of summer. Fall offers a similar sweet spot, with cooler mornings and evenings and pleasant daytime temps that don’t feel overwhelming.

Summer, on the other hand, is the most challenging season weather-wise. The dunes absorb and hold heat, which means even when the air temperature seems manageable, the sand itself can feel scorching—especially in the middle of the day. Winter brings the opposite extreme, with cold temperatures that can feel harsh and limiting for spending long stretches of time outdoors.

Overall, if you’re looking for the most comfortable experience from start to finish, aim for late spring or early fall.

Why have a Great Sand Dunes National Park Elopement?

There is no shortage of things to do and landscapes to explore if you decide to elope at the Great Sand Dunes.

Zapata Falls

The Zapata Falls are worth visiting if you plan to have a Great Sand Dunes elopement. The falls freeze in the winter, and flow during warmer months!

Nearby Mountains

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are one of the longest mountains ranges on the planet. They cross over two states, Colorado and New Mexico. If you’re planning on having a Great Sand Dunes National Park elopement, plan on exploring the Sangre de Cristo Mountains!

Permit Info for Eloping at the Great Sand Dunes

You will be required to obtain a Special Use Permit from the parks office for holding a wedding ceremony in the park. The Special Use Permit fee is $200 for eloping in Great Sand Dunes National Park. In addition to the Special Use Permit, if you are hiring a photographer to take pictures of your Great Sand Dunes National Park elopement, the photographer will be required to obtain a CUA, Commercial Use Authorization Permit.