How to Elope in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains
When I first visited the San Juan Mountains over a decade ago, I instantly fell in love. Since then, it’s become one of my favorite places to visit on the planet…yes, the whole planet.
If you want to spend your elopement day surrounded being transported to another world of colorful peaks, glacial lakes, wildflower meadows, and rugged off-road trails, then there is no other place like the San Juan Mountains of Colorado! The San Juan Mountain Range spans across the southwestern Colorado and is an extraordinary sanctuary of mesmerizing turquoise lakes, jagged peaks of red and green, cascading waterfalls, and is home to some of the most beautiful views in the country.
Whether you want to adventure through fields of wildflowers in summer, picnic in a forest of golden aspens in autumn, or ski some of the best terrain in winter on your elopement day, the San Juans offer something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to get married in the San Juan Mountains.
Why Elope in the San Juans?
The San Juan Mountains are easily Colorado’s most memorable and impressive mountain range. Apart from being one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, here are some additional reasons to consider getting married in the San Juan Mountains.
Free Elopement Locations
The San Juan mountains are known for spectacular scenery and off-the-beaten-path locations, so you can find the most incredible setting for your elopement without spending thousands of dollars for a venue.
Abundant Adventure
The San Juans have some of the best opportunities for adventure than anywhere else across the state. There’s truly something for everyone here. From renowned off-road trails to some of the most jaw-dropping hikes in the country to guided activities from horseback riding to fly fishing, there is truly something for everyone in the San Juans!
Whether you and your partner are avid outdoor enthusiasts or just want a relaxing experience in the mountains, Colorado offers endless activities including hiking, skiing, exploring national parks, off-roading, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, sailing, and so much more!
Breathtaking Views
The San Juans are truly a mountain range like no other. Picture lakes the color of gemstones and giant waterfalls plunging into valleys covered in wildflowers. The mountains themselves jut up in jagged, toothy peaks in hues of red and orange, grey and blue, and even green. There isn’t another mountain range quite like it!
The views in the San Juans are something out of a fantasy movie and sharing your elopement day here is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Jeeping Trails
Most of my favorite elopement locations in the San Juans aren’t accessed by a long, strenuous hike, but instead can be accessed by 4x4 OHV (off-highway vehicle). The San Juans boast miles and miles of some of the best off-roading trails anywhere in the country that all lead to incredible lakes, meadows, mountain vistas, and waterfalls. The trails range from Moderate to Extremely Difficult/Technical, so it’s important tom either have the expertise and high-clearance off-road vehicle to be able to drive these routes yourself or hire an experienced guide to take you instead.
You Can Marry Yourselves
Yes, you can literally marry yourselves in Colorado without a witness or officiant! It’s called self-solemnization and makes getting married here simple and stress-free. Simply pick up your marriage license from a local office (some offices may require appointments) then sign and return it by mail or in person within 63 days! And unlike other states that have a waiting period, you can pick up your marriage license and sign it same day. Your dog or cat can even sign with their paw print as a witness!
Where to Elope in the San Juans
The San Juan Mountains are located in the southwestern corner of Colorado as part of the southern Rockies and are home to fourteen of Colorado’s famed “14ers" (peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation). The towns of Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride are the best places to stay in the San Juan Range and each town has its own unique mountain town feel.
Telluride
Telluride is the most popular of the San Juan Mountain towns, bringing in plenty of visitors annually there to ski Telluride Mountain, attend one of the many famed music, food, and film festivals, or just to experience some of the state’s best outdoor activities. Telluride is home to the largest free-falling waterfall in Colorado—Bridal Veil Falls—and you can even drive right up to the base of it. Telluride is also renowned for its restaurants, hotels, and venues.
Ouray
Located northeast of Telluride is Ouray, nicknamed the Switzerland of America—and for good reason! The town has a quaint European atmosphere, natural hot spring hotels and lodges, and 360-degree mountain views from the town’s main street. Ouray is well known for its abundance of outdoor recreation and its lively off-road community.
Silverton
Silverton, though the smallest of the three towns, has some of the best views anywhere in the state. Silverton is close to some of the most gorgeous trails, high mountain passes, and easily accessible views than anywhere else in the state. Silverton also has some of the best 4x4 trails anywhere in the state!
San Juan Range Wilderness Areas
The San Juan Range is home to a variety of different wilderness areas that provide free elopement locations (for groups under 10, per forest service regulations). Each of these wilderness areas within the San Juan Range offers a unique blend of natural beauty, challenging landscapes, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, making them popular destinations for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Weminuche Wilderness
Size: Weminuche Wilderness is the largest wilderness area in Colorado, covering over 499,000 acres.
Features: It is known for its vast and diverse landscapes, including high alpine tundra, rugged mountain peaks, expansive meadows, and deep valleys. The wilderness is home to several fourteeners, such as Windom Peak and Sunlight Peak. The Continental Divide traverses through Weminuche, providing breathtaking views and opportunities for challenging hikes.
South San Juan Wilderness
Size: South San Juan Wilderness spans around 158,790 acres.
Features: This wilderness area is characterized by its mix of high mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and dense forests. It offers a variety of ecosystems, from subalpine to montane, creating a diverse habitat for wildlife. Popular destinations within the South San Juan Wilderness include Conejos Peak and the Continental Divide. Hiking and backpacking are common activities, allowing visitors to explore the remote and pristine wilderness.
Lizard Head Wilderness
Size: Lizard Head Wilderness covers approximately 41,309 acres.
Features: Named after the distinctive Lizard Head Peak, this wilderness area is known for its unique rock formations and rugged terrain. Lizard Head Wilderness is characterized by high mesas, deep canyons, and expansive aspen groves. Hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts are drawn to the challenging trails and opportunities to summit iconic peaks like Lizard Head. The wilderness offers a remote and less-traveled experience for those seeking solitude.
Hermosa Wilderness
Size: Hermosa Wilderness spans around 37,236 acres.
Features: This wilderness area is celebrated for its diverse ecosystems, including old-growth forests, meadows, and high mountain terrain. Hermosa Creek, a designated Wild and Scenic River, flows through the wilderness, adding to its natural beauty. Visitors can explore a network of trails suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Hermosa Wilderness provides a serene and less crowded alternative for those seeking a tranquil outdoor experience.
When to Elope in the San Juan Mountains
Let’s chat about the best time to elope in the San Juans. You can elope during any season, but some seasons pose different challenges in the mountains because the San Juans get a lot of snow annually. Most higher elevation locations in the San Juan are snow-covered from late October through mid-June. Choosing your season is more than closing your eyes and picking a date—it’s selecting the setting you envision for your dream elopement.
When it comes to understanding the seasons, I always recommend a local who is able to not only suggest locations based on the season, but who is also able to scout location conditions prior to your big day so there are no surprises!
My favorite seasons to elope in the San Juan Mountains are summer and fall due to mild weather and temperatures, trail and road accessibility, and ease of travel.
Summer
From mid/late June to late August temperatures are glorious (high 70s during the day and 50 or 60s at night), foliage is lush and green, wildflowers are popping up in meadows, and alpine lakes are finally melted. Most trails, 4x4 roads, and mountain passes are finally open and free of snow making hiking and off-road driving to ceremony spots finally an option! Not to mention July-August are peak wildflower months in the mountains!
Fall
If you have your heart set on the golden Aspens and fall colors, September and October are gorgeous and great times to elope. Colorado starts seeing snow as early as October, so plan for an earlier fall elopement to catch the changing Aspen leaves and avoid early-season snow. While it changes a bit each year, the best time to catch the changing leaves is generally mid September through early October.
Weather in the San Juan Mountains
Similar to most high-alpine locations in Colorado, weather in the San Juans can be unpredictable. You can expect rain, hail, and wind on any given day at higher mountain elevations. While storms can move in quickly, they also tend to pass just as fast. And keep in mind that with the right gear and preparation, these storms don’t have to put a damper on your wedding day!
Things to do on your San Juan Elopement Day
The San Juans have no shortage of things to do for every activity and experience level and I love incorporating activities into elopement days. Elopement days should be an experience, not just “a few photos,” which is why adding activities you love or have always wanted to try into your elopement day makes it feel like your perfect adventure.
Here are just a few of the activities we could incorporate into your elopement in the San Juan Mountains:
Hit the famed 4×4 roads in my 4Runner or a rent your own off-road vehicle with one of the many companies there!
Take a scenic drive on one of the many gorgeous paved roads
Hike to one of the many glacial alpine lakes
Kayak, canoe, or SUP on an alpine lake
Share a charcuterie picnic and cut a cake beside a lake
Explore one of the many ghost towns in the area from the Gold Rush days!
Chase one of the many incredible waterfalls in the area
Check out fields of colorful wildflowers in July and August
Walk the main streets of Ouray, Silverton, or Telluride
Take the Gondola at Telluride Mountain
Sleep under the stars and make s’mores at a campfire
Soak in some of Ouray’s hot springs
Visit a local brewery or distillery and share a celebratory cocktail
Whether you want a thrilling adventure or a relaxing day, there is something for everyone!
What to Wear and Pack for Your Colorado Elopement
Unpopular opinion: I believe your day and activities should dictate your attire, not the other way around. Choosing attire that is too restrictive or that you’re afraid to get a little dirty will definitely limit the things you’re able to do on your elopement day. So instead, choose attire that works with your elopement day instead of against it. Here are some key things for your elopement attire and how to choose the best for you!
Dress
When choosing your dress, find something you feel beautiful and comfortable in. Consider the way the dress moves and pick an option that moves with you rather than against you. If you plan to do any type of activities on your day, choose a wedding dress that you can move freely in. Avoid tight-fitting trumpet shaped dresses, extremely long trains, or dresses with uncomfortable corsets or itchy material.
Make sure you can comfortably sit, walk, and spend long periods of time in whichever dress you choose. And keep in mind that if you’re spending your elopement day outside, your dress might get a little dirty—and that’s okay! I like to say you’re taking bits of Colorado with you on your dress.
And consider having a seamstress make any alterations necessary to make sure your dress is comfortable for all day wear.
Suit
When trying on suits, make sure that you have full range of motion in it, including sitting, walking, hiking, or standing for a long day outside. Consider the type of fabric and make sure it’s appropriate for the season you’re eloping in (lighter fabrics for summer; heavier/ warmer fabrics for late fall and winter!)
Make any alterations to ensure comfortable wear like having pants hemmed.
Footwear
Footwear is one of the most important pieces of clothing you’ll wear on your elopement day. Make sure your shoes coincide with whatever activities you plan to do. Consider bringing multiple pairs of shoes with you to change into throughout the day and extra pairs of socks. Warm, dry feet can mean the difference between an awesome elopement day or complete misery, I promise!
Pack a sturdy, waterproof hiking boot or shoe for any hiking adventures, a waterproof sandal (like Chacos or Tevas) for any water activities, and any “cute” shoes you might want to throw on for portraits. High heels are best for indoor reception sites or for portraits on flat ground and men’s dress shoes should follow the same rule of thumb since they tend to slip and slide on wet surfaces or loose rock!
Layers
Pack plenty of layers since Colorado weather is notorious for changing from one minute to the next. Women can pack a casual jacket like a jean jacket or leather jacket for during the day. And both men and women should pack a warm jacket for early mornings and later evenings. Consider a coat you don’t mind being photographed in like a fuzzy white/ cream coat or a white puffy! You can also buy nude fleece-lined leggings to wear under your dress when temperatures drop!
Other layers for the day include hats/ beanies, gloves, rain jackets, extra socks, etc.
Gear
You’ll also want to consider any gear you might need throughout the day like backpacks, hand warmers, headlamps, snacks and water, pet accessories, and more. I also offer couples access to my “gear closet” to borrow things like paddle boards, canoes, backpacks, tents, etc. on their elopement day.
You can find more on my full Colorado Elopement Packing List to help you pack for your adventure elopement!
Ready to Elope in the San Juan Mountains?
It’s easier than you might think to elope in the San Juan Mountains! Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, meaning you don’t need an officiant and can marry yourselves legally! And with the abundance of free forest lands to recreate on, finding your perfect elopement backdrop in the San Juans is as easy as envisioning your dream setting and letting me do the rest!
As an elopement-specific photographer, I provide more than just photos of your day. I’m essentially your wedding planner, helping you with every stage of your elopement planning process. Every elopement package includes:
Customized location guide - I've lived in Colorado over a decade and I've spent a ton of time scouting the most secluded and gorgeous spots for elopements!
Full timeline, schedule, and shot list creation
Guidance for getting your marriage license
Preferred list of vendors for hair and makeup artists, florists, and caterers, lodging, etc.
Ideas for activities beyond just the traditional wedding day things and planning activities
Recommendations for lodging, restaurants, and things to do in the area!
Packing lists and access to my gear closet with things like backpacks, camping gear, paddle boards, a canoe, and more!
My 60-page VIP Elopement Planning Guide with everything you need to get started!
Let’s Chat about Your Elopement in the San Juans!
If you’re interested in having me help you plan and capture the perfect adventure elopement in Colorado and beyond, I’d love to see if we’re a good fit! Contact me today so we can get to know each other better! So excited to hear from you :)
The San Juan Mountains offer some of the most incredible locations for couples seeking an intimate and awe-inspiring elopement experience. From the majestic mountains to the charming towns, you won’t be disappointed by choosing Colorado for your elopement. Want to discuss your dream elopement? Contact me today for your free intro chat!