How to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding or Elopement

Updated April 14th, 2025: All permits sold out for May-October 2025

Rocky Mountain National Park is probably the first suggestion that comes up when you search “Best place to elope in Colorado” and that is not surprising. Growing up in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park was one of those spots that felt like Disney when we got to visit. 

After living in this state our entire lives and going on countless trips to visit RMNP, we can assure you it 100% qualifies as one of the best locations for your elopement or small wedding. We wrote this guide from our local perspective and filled it with planning tips, how to get your wedding permit and other things to consider if you want to elope at the national park.

Obviously the park has some of the most amazing scenery in the state and maybe the country. Rocky Mountain is one of the most visited national parks, so if you’re looking for total seclusion for your ceremony- this may not be the best area for you. Don’t worry though, there are still times and seasons where it’s not as busy! Also, getting married in a National Park has its perks:

• It is affordable. The fee to get married at the park is only $300. That is not even close in comparison to a traditional wedding venue.
• You get to support the park system with your reservation. Think of your reservation money as a donation. Many of our public lands are maintained by these donations to keep them beautiful every time we visit. It feels great to contribute to the places we love to enjoy! This is especially true when funding is being currently cut for our national parks

• It’s perfect for an adventure experience. RMNP is home to amazing alpine lakes, mountain views, rivers etc. You can make your day an experience and add some of these epic spots for your elopement.
• It’s only 1.5 hours from Denver. No need to drive too many hours when you arrive at the airport.
• It’s accessible. There’s something for everyone at the park. It’s open year-round with paved roads, parking, and wheelchair accessible areas. You don’t have to work super hard to get the best views!

The process to get married in the park is super easy, but it can get pretty competitive in the summer and fall months. To start planning your RMNP elopement or wedding, there will be a few things to consider:

1.) Season & Time Of Day

Summer and fall (June-Oct.)are very popular months to get married in the park and that is because it’s the best time to visit. This will be a very busy time at the park. It also means that getting a permit during these times will be very competitive and will require some planning ahead of time. Permits are also timed in slots of 2 hours. Sunset time slots will probably sell out the fastest which means planning ahead is suggested. 

If you’re looking to elope when it is less busy, winter and spring (Nov-May) are the best. You can also choose a weekday and sunrise to avoid crowds in the summertime. 

Best Months To Get Married At The Park

Even though summer and fall are busy, it is the best time to get married in the park. These months give you the most location flexibility for your adventure and portraits. The summer is the perfect time to explore places like Trail Ridge Road and Mid- September through Mid October are great if you are looking for some pretty cool fall foliage. In the winter (Dec-May) there are great and scenic snowshoeing/hiking trails so don’t let the snow discourage you from getting married in the winter season. One “con” in the winter is that accessible top-of-the-mountain locations like trail ridge road are closed due to excessive snow. We are talking over 5 ft of snow! 

RMNP Weather 

Weather at the park is super unpredictable. It can rain, snow and be super sunny all in the same day so it’s super important to be prepared for all seasons for a good time. You can learn more about high country weather in Colorado on our weather planning guide.

2.) Choose A Rocky Mountain National Park Ceremony Location

Although the park has amazing spots for your perfect wedding day, there are designated spots for your actual vow reading or ceremony. It is illegal to read vows, have a ceremony or self-solemnize at any other sites that are not on the designated list. This doesn’t mean you can’t get photos in other areas of the park, but you do have to perform your ceremony here. There are a total of 12 ceremony sites and below you’ll find our top 3 spots ( because they have the best views of all of them tbh): 

Note: Dogs/Pets are sadly not allowed anywhere in the park 🙁

Looking for other Colorado location options? Check out our Colorado Elopement Guide for more locations ideas, planning tips etc.

3. Apply For Your Wedding/Elopement Permit

The wedding permit for Rocky Mountain National Park is $300. Make sure you secure your date as soon as possible since they only allow a few weddings to take place per day and certain locations fill up very fast. You can secure a permit up to a year in advance and again—they sell out very quickly in the summer and fall.

1. Pick 1-2 spots and make sure you check capacity requirements. Remember you need to include everyone that will be present, even your vendors.
2. Fill out and download the permit application here.
3. Email Application to the park to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov
4. Follow their instructions for payment etc. after they review your application

If you have any questions about availability, you can call 970-586-1482.

For more detailed info and FAQ’s visit the weddings and ceremonies page here.

Spend time exploring the park

Now that you have secured a permit and date, you can start researching if there are other spots within the park that would be epic for photo and adventure opportunities. There are tons of different scenery options that are within driving distance from most ceremony sites or a short hike away. One of our favorites to recommend is Dream Lake!

Acclimate to the altitude

The park’s elevation starts at 7,522 ft above sea level. For most people, sleeping at higher elevation for at least 2 nights is super helpful before they begin exploring. Altitude sickness is the worst and it’s best to try avoiding it. Altitude can also take a huge physical toll on your body and it can affect your mood to do things. Stay hydrated and prepare your body beforehand to help avoid this. 

Plan for afternoon thunderstorms in the summertime

Especially Jun-August. Afternoon thunderstorms are very common in the mountains in the summer, but don’t worry- they don’t usually last long and make room for the most epic sunsets!

Avoid breaking park rules

Things like arches, confetti, loud music etc. are not allowed within the park. Make sure you are celebrating responsibly and reading up on the park rules so that you have a positive experience in the park. 

Be prepared to encounter wildlife

There will be tons of wild life roaming within the park. Make sure you’re respectful of their home, leave no trace and give them their space.

Schedule enough travel time

Sometimes there is congestion to get into the park even though you have your permit. This is especially true in the summer and fall due to the timed entry permit. This is why we always help our couples with their timeline of the day.Allot cushion time to travel between places so you don’t get stuck and cut into your timeline.

Download everything

Cellphone coverage can be spotty in some areas so if you have first dance songs, vows or maps you need to access, make sure it is all downloaded on your phone beforehand.

Be mindful of restroom access

Everyone forgets about the bathroom situation until you have to pee in the woods.There are tons of restrooms within the park but some areas are not near them so plan your bathroom breaks accordingly!

Hire a local photographer

Make sure you hire a photographer that is an expert in the area. They can help you find the best spots, plan your timeline, suggest vendors and give you an overall local experience to the park.