Best Places to Elope in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is a city in Colorado, just 45 minutes from Denver, with so much natural beauty and endless possibilities for adventure! Sitting in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it’s known for gorgeous landscapes, a bustling cultural scene, and a strong sense of community. It’s an incredible place to elope for couples who want to run away to get married in the mountains, and as locals who have lived here our whole lives, we’re here to tell you about 10 of the best places to elope in Boulder.
The Best Places to Elope in Boulder
Boulder offers some of the most incredible backdrops for your elopement! Here are just a few ideas for places to tie the knot when you elope in Boulder.
1. Chautauqua Park
Chautauqua Park sits at the base of the iconic Flatiron mountains, and is a truly breathtaking place. There are a lot of options for scenic trails, taking you through wide open meadows and forest groves. With the dramatic backdrop of the mountains, it’s an incredible place to say your “I do’s” and to celebrate with a hike or a picnic after!
2. Flagstaff Mountain
From Flagstaff Mountain, you get panoramic views of Boulder and beyond. There are several options for scenic overlooks and intimate ceremony locations, like Panorama Point and Lost Gulch Overlook. You can get married with the mountains stretching out in front of you, glowing in the golden light of sunset. Flagstaff Mountain is also easily accessible, allowing you to drive to many of the gorgeous locations, so it’s a convenient, but breathtaking Boulder elopement location!
3. Boulder Creek Path
If you want to stay in the city, but be immersed in nature at the same time, Boulder Creek Path might be the best place to elope in Boulder for you! The path winds through the heart of Boulder, right next to the babbling Boulder Creek. There are some secluded spots along the way, surrounded by trees and the sound of the gently flowing creek.
4. Red Rocks Trail
The Red Rocks Trail is a unique, gorgeous location for an elopement. The trail is surrounded by unique red rock formations, lush greenery, and panoramic views of the valley. The hike is short and pretty easy, perfect for couples who are eloping with family, or those who just want an easy to get to, beautiful spot!
5. Lake Isabelle
One of the best places to elope in Boulder is Lake Isabelle, just an hour west of the city. A short hike through lush forest, wildflower filled meadows, and picturesque streams will take you to a really beautiful alpine lake, framed by towering peaks! It’s an incredible place, with mountain views and pristine water, and the shores of Lake Isabelle are guaranteed to be a magical place to marry your best friend.
6. South Mesa
This is a popular area, with access to a lot of different trails, from short walks to harder hikes. This gives you a lot of options for places to elope! The wide open spaces with the Flatiron Mountains as a backdrop, are a gorgeous place for a ceremony, and you can also hike to find meadows, riverbanks, and forested areas.
7. Eldorado Canyon State Park
Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of the best places to elope in Boulder, with some really stunning views. There are dramatic cliffs, rushing rivers, panoramic overlooks, and breathtaking vistas! It’s a paradise for rock climbers, so if the two of you love climbing, you can make your elopement feel extra special by incorporating that into your wedding day!
8. Gross Reservoir
Despite its name, Gross Reservoir is a really beautiful place to elope! Just 40 minutes from Boulder, the expansive reservoir is surrounded by mountains, with miles and miles of hiking trails around the water. It’s also an incredible place for kayaking and canoeing, so you can get away from the shoreline to enjoy the peaceful water.
9. Boulder Falls
If you want to exchange vows in front of a waterfall, Boulder Falls is super close to town, easy to get to, and incredibly scenic! The waterfall cascades down 70 feet, giving you a dramatic backdrop for your ceremony. It’s one of the best places to elope in Boulder, but we recommend doing a sunrise ceremony – this place is popular!
10. Secret Boulder Elopement Locations
Popular places are usually popular for a reason, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from the crowds, especially if one of the reasons you chose to elope was to have a private, intimate ceremony. As your elopement photography and videography team, a big part of our job is helping you find the perfect location – and as locals, we’ve explored a lot of this beautiful state, and we have some off the beaten path locations that we love sharing with our couples!
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Place to Elope in Boulder
The best place to elope in Boulder is different for every couple, because elopements are all about personalizing and customizing your day! Here are a few things to consider when you’re choosing a spot.
Number of Guests
Some locations will have restrictions on how many people can be there for the ceremony. So, if you’re inviting guests, you’ll need to think about this, and make sure that the location you choose can accommodate them. Usually – but not always, exact numbers vary depending on the location – if you have under 10 people (including vendors), your options are pretty open, and over 10 people is when you start running into restrictions. But don’t worry, there are plenty of places that work for bigger groups! It’s just something you should be aware of before falling in love with a location.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a big one, so before choosing a location, think about what kind of experience you’re looking for. Are you down to hike, and if so, do you want a long, strenuous hike, an easy walk, or something in between? Do you want to be able to drive right up to your elopement location? Keep in mind also that weather can play a part in this – some places that are easy to get to in the summer might be more difficult, or even impossible, in the winter! Make sure to read our Boulder Elopement Guide for the best time to elope in Boulder, and more.
Privacy
Privacy is important for an elopement! There are things you can do at even the most popular spots, like tying the knot on a weekday, and planning your ceremony for sunrise. But the best way to avoid crowds is to find a lesser known spot, which is where we come in! We’re your elopement photographer and videographer, but we’re also your planning buddies, hype team, and the ones who will help you find the perfect location for you. If you’re ready to tie the knot in Boulder, contact us!