Getting married in Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’ve ever dreamed of saying “I do” in a place where snow-capped peaks touch the sky, where wildflowers carpet the meadows, and where the whispering pines are your witnesses, then you’re in the right place. Whether you’re planning a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or an intimate elopement tucked into the alpine landscape, this guide will help you figure it all out. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places to elope in Colorado—and i’m so excited you think so too! Keep reading to figure out how to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Why get married in Rocky Mountain National Park?
other than it’s gorgeous views
Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect place to elope if you’re dreaming of epic mountain views, easy planning, and a touch of adventure. A Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or elopement gives you the best of both worlds—stunning alpine scenery and the charming town of Estes Park right next door. In Estes Park you’ll find cozy lodges, romantic cabins, and plenty of great restaurants to celebrate at after your ceremony (pssttt! If you’re planning an Estes Park Elopement, I can help with that too!) . RMNP makes planning simple by offering designated ceremony locations, so you can easily choose from a list of approved spots—many of which are accessible for guests if you’re inviting loved ones to join. It’s only about a two-hour drive from Denver, making travel easy for anyone flying in. Once you’re there, the adventure opportunities are endless—hiking, fishing, wildlife spotting, or what I like to call “car hiking” along the iconic Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. As a Colorado elopement photographer, I can confidently say this park is one of the most breathtaking and accessible places to say your vows.
How to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park
step 1: pick your date, and ceremony location
Need help deciding on a good date for the weather you’re aiming for? As a Colorado local, i’m here to help!
step 2: work with your photographer to plan out the timeline for your day
Before you apply for your permit, you’ll need to figure out the timing for your day because you need to specify a ceremony time on your permit application.
Location, and timing are the most important factors to getting the best photos. When it’s planned just right, your pictures will turn out incredible. Let me help!
step 3: get your permit
You can get your permit once you have your date picked out, and know where and when you’ll be getting married. The park office starts accepting applications one year in advance.
step 4: get married!
That’s right, you’ve earned it. Time to have the best day ever!
When Can I Get Married in Rocky Mountain National Park?
You can plan your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement wedding any time of year, but each season brings its own magic. Summer offers wildflowers, accessible alpine trails, and warm evenings in Estes Park. Fall brings golden aspens and crisp mountain air, while a winter wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park is a snowy wonderland perfect for a cozy, intimate celebration. Spring can be unpredictable but incredibly beautiful as the snow begins to melt and the waterfalls come alive. No matter when you choose, there’s truly no wrong time to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park.
get married on a weekday
If you have the flexibility, consider having your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement during a weekday. This will give you more privacy, and a better chance of your permit getting approved.
“We are so grateful we found Kelly for our elopement! From the very first time we met her, we knew she was wonderful. She instantly made us feel comfortable, and throughout the whole experience it honestly felt like having a friend along on our adventure.”
Where should I get my marriage license when getting married in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Estes Park Clerk and Recorders Office (Larimer County)
The Larimer County Clerk and Recorders Office is the closest office to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is located at 1601 Brodie Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517. Their phone number is (970) 498-7860.
Other locations to obtain your marriage license for your Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding or Elopement
If for whatever reason you can’t get your marriage license at the Clerk and recorders office in Estes Park, here are a few other options listed below. Whatever county you get your marriage license in, you do not have to get married in that county. But you do have to return the marriage license back to that county. So depending on your plans, you have options for where to get your marriage license for your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement.
The City and County of Denver Clerk and Recorders Office
The City and County of Denver Clerk and Recorders office is located at 201 W Colfax Ave, Denver 80202. At the time of writing this post, you need to schedule an appointment to go in and get a marriage license.
Adams County Clerk and Recorders Office
Adams County Clerk and Recorders office is located at 4430 S Adams County Pkwy, Brighton, CO 80601. They are also requiring you to schedule an appointment online.
Boulder County Clerk and Recorders Office
Boulder County Clerk and Recorders offices have implemented a virtual process to obtain marriage licenses.
*Always check with the clerk and recorder’s office first, since COVID, there have been many changes to the marriage license process. When I wrote this blog, I used the most current info, but it’s always subject to change.
Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Permit Info
To get married in RMNP, you’ll need to purchase a nonrefundable wedding ceremony permit for $300. (Note: this is NOT your marriage license! You’ll still need to get that from the clerk’s office separately.) The permit grants you a 2-hour window to exchange vows in Colorado’s absolutely stunning mountains. Chairs, tents, ceremony arches, and other furniture are prohibited in ceremony sites, but the breathtaking natural backdrop more than makes up for it.
Rocky Mountain National Park wedding permits are first-come-first-serve and are available beginning a year in advance. If you have a date, location, and ceremony time in mind, go ahead and fill out the application online (click here for the form). Then once that’s filled out, you can email it to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov If your permit gets approved, the park office will email you back with the approved permit, along with an invoice for the $300 non refundable permit fee. Sign the permit, email it back, print it out, bring it with you on the day of your wedding.
Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Venues
Rocky Mountain National Park has specific, pre-approved ceremony sites where couples are allowed to exchange their vows. Whether you’re planning a small elopement or an intimate wedding with guests, your ceremony must take place at one of the designated locations within the park. Below, you’ll find a list of approved Rocky Mountain National Park wedding sites. Visit the official National Park website for the most up to date information.
3M Curve
My favorite ceremony spot in the park is 3M Curve. The views can’t be beat, and it’s just an easy walk from the parking area.
Guest capacity: 15 people
Vehicle limit: 3 cars
Restrooms: None
Accessibility: Not suitable for mobility impairments
MORAINE PARK AMPHITHEATER
If you’re wanting to bring your dog to your ceremony, or have an arch of some kind, Moraine Park Amphitheater is your spot for your Rocky Mountain National Park elopement wedding.
Guest capacity: 30 people
Vehicle limit: 10 cars
Restrooms: Yes but only when the discovery center is open. Check times here.
Accessibility: Not suitable for mobility impairment
Bear Lake
Bear Lake is unique because they only allow ceremonies here after the 2nd Monday in October, through the Friday before Memorial Day, making it a “winter only site”. You also can not get married at Bear Lake on a weekend.
Guest capacity: 20 people
Vehicle limit: 5 cars
Restrooms: Yes
Accessibility: Since this is a winter only site, the walking trail can get frozen and slippery, making accessibility more difficult.
Sprague Lake
A little deck with unbeatable mountain views lined with evergreens is the Sprague Lake wedding ceremony spot.
Guest capacity: 15 in the summer, 30 in the winter
Vehicle limit: 3 in the summer, 10 in the winter
Restrooms: Yes
Accessibility: Not suitable for mobility impairments
Upper Beaver Meadows
Upper Beaver Meadows is an open meadow with mountain views of the Continental Divide, making it the perfect place for a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or elopement. Keep in mind that once it snows the road closes since it’s not maintained. You can still access the Upper Beaver Meadows area on foot though, you just have to park along Highway 36 (Park Entrance Road).
Guest capacity: 30 people
Vehicle limit: 10 cars
Restrooms: Yes, but only in the summer
Accessibility: Suitable for mobility impairment
Lily Lake
There are 3 places you can hold your ceremony at Lily Lake: The Lily Lake Dock, Lily Lake Trail, and the Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area.
Guest capacity: 10 for the dock, 20 for the trail, and 30 for the picnic area
Vehicle limit: 3 for the dock, 5 for the trail, and 10 for the picnic area
Restrooms: Yes
Accessibility: The dock and the trail are suitable for mobility impairment, the picnic area is not
Hidden Valley
Dreaming of getting married in an evergreen forest? Hidden Valley is probably the most private ceremony location within the park, as it’s tucked away away from the crowds.
Guest capacity: 30 people
Vehicle limit: 10 cars
Restrooms: Yes
Accessibility: Suitable for mobility impairment
“Planning a wedding from another state should be a challenge, but with Kelly it was a breeze.”
Where to take wedding pictures in Rocky Mountain National Park
Before or after your ceremony, you can go anywhere in the park to take more wedding pictures! Here are a few of my favorite spots to take wedding pictures in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Trail Ridge Road
If you’re more of a fan of what I like to call car hiking, you’ll want to go to Trail Ridge Road for your wedding pictures in Rocky Mountain National Park. But not only that, it’s the best place in the park for those big mountain view pictures. The views just can’t be beat.
*Please note, you can not hold a wedding ceremony anywhere on Trail Ridge Road. Pictures only!
Dream Lake
If you’re willing to put in the leg work, Dream Lake is a great spot for wedding pictures either before or after your ceremony. If you’re wanting to avoid the crowds, I suggest going in the early morning during sunrise as it is a popular spot in the park and you’ll likely run into lots of people.
*Please note, you can not hold a wedding ceremony at Dream Lake. Pictures only!
Moraine Park
Moraine Park is an easy to access location with so much to offer. Big mountain views, a river, wildflowers in the summer, tall grass, and an open meadow.
*Please note, you can not hold a wedding ceremony at Dream Lake. Pictures only!
Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding and Elopement Q’s that need to be A’ed
how much does it cost to get married in rocky mountain national park?
$300 for a wedding permit, $30 to enter the park, and $30 for your marriage license. Total of $360
Do I need a permit to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes, you need a permit to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park.
How many guests can I have at my Rocky Mountain National Park wedding?
Each Rocky Mountain National Park ceremony location has their own rules for the max. amount of guests you can have at your wedding. It ranges from 0-30.
where can i get married in rocky mountain national park?
There are 13 designated wedding ceremony sites in Rocky Mountain National Park. View them here.
How to get a permit for a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding?
Once you hate your wedding date, ceremony location, and ceremony time picked out, fill out the application form (find it here) and email it to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov If approved, the park office will email you back with the official permit (sign it and email it back to them), and an invoice for the $300 permit fee.
Your Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Photographer
hey, i’m kelly!
Hey there, I’m Kelly — the photographer (and adventure buddy!) behind In Love and Adventure. I’m based in Colorado and spend most of my days exploring the mountains with my couples and my two dogs, Olive and Hamilton. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of those places that never gets old — every sunrise, every alpine breeze, every mountain view feels like magic.
If you’re planning to say your vows surrounded by those wild peaks, I’m already so excited for you. Capturing moments that feel real, unposed, and connected to the landscape is what I live for. Whether you’re exchanging vows by an alpine lake or hiking up a trail together at sunrise, I’ll be there to document it all — the laughter, the quiet glances, and everything in between.
If you’re dreaming up your own Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or elopement, I’d love to help bring it to life. Reach out and let’s start planning your day — I can’t wait to explore the park with you.
Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Packages
Every Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or elopement is unique, so I offer a few different photography packages to fit your vision — from short and sweet to full-day adventures
Average Spend: $5,200
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