Silverton Elopement Guide: How to Elope in Silverton, Colorado
Silverton is a historic town in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, close to Durango, Ouray, and Telluride. The town makes an epic basecamp for all kinds of adventures, including hiking and jeep excursions, making it one of the best elopement locations for couples who are seeking an adventure, and who want to run away into the mountains to tie the knot! This Silverton elopement guide will tell you everything you need to know to elope here, and how to plan your experience-based, one of a kind wedding day.
What’s in This Silverton Elopement Guide
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The Best Time for a Silverton Elopement
Silverton really is a great elopement destination no matter the season. But, it is a mountain town in Colorado – so the weather changes a ton, and if you’re looking for a specific experience, you’ll definitely need to think about when to elope, and when the best time for a Silverton elopement will be for you.
Of course, summer is the most popular time to elope in Silverton. The weather is warm and sunny, and people flock to the mountains to hike and enjoy the great outdoors. The peaks can be snowy until later in the season, so plan for after about mid July if you’re planning some high elevation hikes. July is also when the wildflowers are in bloom, so you can tie the knot amongst the colorful displays in the mountains! But, keep in mind that summer is when afternoon thunderstorms are common all over this area. They pass pretty quickly most of the time, so it’s not too hard to plan your adventures around them.
Fall is a really gorgeous time for a Silverton elopement. The autumn colors are on full display in the mountains, and early in the season, the weather is usually still warm. It’s also less crowded and there are fewer visitors than there are in the summer or winter. Snow usually starts accumulating in October, so be sure to bring layers, and keep in mind that during this time, the weather can be a little less predictable.
Winter is busy in Silverton! It’s different from the hustle and bustle of summer, but people come from all over to ski and snowboard. If you want to tie the knot in the snow, it’s a perfect time for winter sports, and for snowshoeing on some of the trails. You’ll definitely need layers!
In the springtime, you can do some late season snow sports, and there will be fewer people around. In lower elevation areas, wildflowers start to bloom as the snow melts. Snow sticks around for a while in the mountains, but this can be a good time to elope in Silverton as the weather starts to warm up.
The Best Silverton Elopement Locations
The place where you exchange vows is the one where your marriage begins! Finding the right spot is an important decision, but Silverton has no shortage of incredible spots. Here are a few of the best Silverton elopement locations.
Million Dollar Highway
The Million Dollar Highway is a jaw dropping portion of highway that traverses between Silverton and Ouray. The narrow, winding mountain road isn’t for the faint of heart, but the views really are incredible. There are plenty of options for places to pull over, trails to hike, and 4×4 offshoots where you can find the perfect elopement location for you!
Kendall Mountain Recreation Area
The Kendall Mountain Recreation Area is right on the outskirts of Silverton, making it the perfect place to find your elopement location! In the winter time, it’s a ski area with lots of different runs and trails, and in the summer, it’s a great place for hiking.
San Juan National Forest
The San Juan National Forest has so many stunning elopement locations to choose from! The Ice Lakes Trail is a strenuous one that leads you to gorgeous blue alpine lakes, and there are also shorter options, like the short trail to Treasure Falls.
What to Do During Your Silverton Elopement
Here’s a secret – you can do absolutely anything you want to do on your elopement day! This day is all about planning an adventure that’s meaningful and unique to you, and Silverton is the perfect place to kick off an adventurous wedding. Here are a few ideas for things to do during your Silverton elopement!
Ride the Train
There’s an old steam train that runs between Silverton and Durango, and taking a ride on it is a must for visitors! The trail used to carry gold and silver, and now it’s a tourist attraction that takes you through an incredibly scenic, gorgeous landscape.
Visit Animas Forks
Animas Forks is an abandoned mining town that sits high in the San Juan Mountains. Many of the old log cabins are still standing, and the scenery is gorgeous! This is a really unique day trip to take, and a cool place to see when you elope in Silverton.
Hiking and Backpacking
One of the best things to do in Silverton is to hike! The trails surrounding the town are absolutely gorgeous, and whether you hike to your ceremony location, or go for a hike to celebrate getting married, the backcountry adventures are endless.
Where to Stay When You Elope in Aspen
During your Silverton elopement, you’ll need somewhere to stay!
Hotels & Inns
There are a lot of options for hotels and inns to stay at in the town of Silverton. There’s the Kendall Mountain Lodge, conveniently located right at the base of Kendall Mountain, and the historic Grand Imperial Hotel, which has been welcoming guests since 1882!
Airbnbs
There are also a lot of options for lodging on Airbnb. It’s a good place to find private accommodations, like this vacation home in the mountains or this historic house in town.
Camping
For a unique elopement day experience, you can also go camping! With so much national forest land surrounding Silverton, it’s easy to find dispersed campsites. Or, you can do a backpacking trek!
Silverton Elopement Packages
We’re here to help you get married, your way! We’re a photography and videography team, but we’re also your planning assistants and adventure buddies. We’ve got you covered with locations scouting, custom recommendations for your elopement day, and everything you’ll need to plan your one of a kind adventure. To learn more about Silverton elopement packages, contact us!