How to Elope in Aspen, Colorado: Locations, Permits and Cost

TL;DR: Aspen pairs Colorado’s two most photographed peaks with a ski town that seriously delivers on food and lodging. The trade-off is cost and the toughest permit system in the state at Maroon Bells Amphitheater, which releases exactly 365 days out and can sell out in under two minutes for fall dates. Permit help is part of all my Colorado elopement packages. You don’t need that permit for a real Aspen elopement. Crater Lake, Independence Pass, Twin Lakes, and Grottos Trail all require no ceremony reservation at all!

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Let’s be real: you’re here because you’re planning an Aspen elopement, and Maroon Bells is eating up every “best Aspen elopement spots” list you find. And if I had to guess, you’re not just chasing a Maroon Bells elopement for the photo. You want to know all the other fun and cool spots around Aspen for elopements.

My name is Sean, and I have planned hundreds of Colorado elopements and the Aspen area. And by now I know within about ten seconds whether your Maroon Bells permit is worth chasing with your date or whether you’ll be happier at some undiscovered alpine lake and never notice the difference. One of my favorite Aspen days almost didn’t even happen at Maroon Bells! A couple booked me but didn’t want the Amphitheater for their elopement, so I found a secret alpine lake on a map and we headed up not knowing exactly what we’d find. Sunrise was cresting the ridgeline right as we arrived for their first look. Later, we found a tarn near the lake, throwing back reflections that looked almost fake for the ceremony itself. Couples still ask me about that place!

You may have already read a mountain of “best Aspen elopement locations” posts with the exact same Maroon Bells picture and no actual permit details. Not from me! Anyone can tell you that eloping in Aspen, Colorado is pretty. I’ll tell you when it is worth the battle and when the Amphitheater permit is a trap you don’t have to get sucked into!

First thing: I haven’t included every place I shoot around Aspen here (I intentionally don’t list a bunch of my favorite backcountry spots online). That’s part of the value I provide when you hire me as your Colorado elopement photographer vs. reading a blog. Here is what I will give you: a straightforward look and opinion of every known location, the actual permit process, the real costs of eloping in Aspen, and all those little hidden gems I know about eloping out here.

So grab a coffee, or a beer, no judgment, and let’s get into how, when, and where to actually elope in Aspen!

Why Do Couples Elope in Aspen, Colorado?

Aspen pairs the most iconic mountain peaks in Colorado with a resort town that absolutely delivers on food, lodging, and logistics. You can get real wilderness and top-notch food and lodging in one day.

Aspen packs some of Colorado’s best ski mountains into a single, picturesque valley right next to one of Colorado’s most renowned towns. Say your vows at 12,000 feet, then hike in the afternoon before returning to town in time for an espresso martini at happy hour. All the thrill of a mountain escape without sacrificing any of the luxuries. Aspen is walkable. The accommodations are great even if not cheap. There is enough to do to stay busy without just waiting for the day to begin. That isn’t easy to do in more mountain towns in Colorado than most people realize.

If you’re still weighing Aspen against other mountain towns, start with my Colorado elopement location guide. It’ll help you figure out which region matches what you’re picturing for your Aspen elopement!

What Are The Top Elopement Locations in Aspen?

The best Aspen elopement locations depend on whether you want a designated ceremony space or backcountry privacy. Maroon Bells Amphitheater is the most iconic and needs a permit. Independence Pass and Crater Lake don’t require one.

Fair warning: this isn’t every spot I shoot in Aspen for elopement. Most of the locations I’ve found over years of being here I protect on purpose. Below is a rundown of the most popular elopement spots around Aspen, what they’re like for elopements, who they work best for, and what to realistically expect.

Here’s a breakdown of each elopement location around Aspen so you can figure out which one fits your vision!

Maroon Bells: Best for Iconic Views

The Maroon Bells are the big draw in Aspen for elopements, and once you see them in person, it’s easy to understand why. Two jagged, maroon-colored peaks rise straight out of the Elk Mountains with their reflection sitting in Maroon Lake.

I’ve photographed the Bells for elopements in just about every season, but mid June when the road opens and late September is my favorite. The aspens around the lake turn bright gold, the peaks are starting to get that early-season dusting of snow, and the whole place goes completely nuts. It’s easily one of my favorite scenes to photograph anywhere in Colorado. Want to see what a sunrise there looks like? Check out Mat and Jo’s Maroon Bells elopement.

Amphitheater permit specifics:

• Cost: $200 through Recreation.gov (confirm current pricing before booking)
• Includes five vehicle parking passes
• Access window: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on your reserved day
• Ceremony only. No receptions.
• Maximum of 50 guests
  • Fifty people sounds like plenty until you count parking. Your permit comes with five vehicle passes, so anything past 15 to 20 guests usually means carpooling hard or booking a private shuttle block through Blazing Adventures ahead of time. I plan every Maroon Bells wedding around that number, not the 50 on the permit.
• Blackout dates: Fridays and Saturdays in June, July, and August
• Additional blackout dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September and October

Maroon Lake itself is an easy walk from the parking lot. It’s flat, paved, and works for just about anyone who wants the classic lake view. Want more? The trail keeps going to Crater Lake for a 3.6-mile round trip with about 500 feet of elevation gain.

And winter doesn’t mean you have to give up on an elopement at Maroon Bells. Once the road closes, T-Lazy-7 Ranch runs snowmobile tours to the Maroon Bells, which is a seriously fun option if you want snow-covered peaks and a completely different version of Aspen.

• Vehicle access: The road to Maroon Lake is closed to private vehicles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in summer. During those hours, you’ll need the shuttle from Aspen Highlands, which runs around $10–16 per person round trip. Before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m., you can drive yourself.
• Insider tip: Don’t convince yourself that the Amphitheater permit is the only way to have an incredible Maroon Bells elopement. It isn’t. I’ve photographed some of my favorite days around the Bells without ever setting foot in that ceremony site. Sometimes the best move is getting out early, exploring a little, and letting the mountains be the backdrop instead of trying to force your entire day into one designated spot.

Independence Pass: Best for Privacy and Mountain Views

If you want 12,000-foot elk range mountain views without hiking for hours to get them, Independence Pass is one of the most underrated elopement options around Aspen. I shoot here way more than most photographers in this area would probably admit. I always tell my couples to stop at Twin Lakes on the way up, too. Give it an extra 15 minutes. The morning light on the water is stupid pretty, and it makes for an easy little bonus spot before heading higher.

Independence Pass opens the Thursday before Memorial Day and closes in early to mid-November. But the bigger thing to know is just how quickly you gain elevation. You’re going from 7,908 feet in Aspen to 12,095 feet at the pass in about 20 miles. That’s a lot of altitude in a very short drive. Give yourself at least a day to settle in, drink water consistently, and let your body figure out what the hell is happening. Colorado will still be here tomorrow. And trust me, your wedding day is not the day to find out how your body handles 12,000 feet.

Crater Lake: Best for Avoiding Maroon Bells Proper

Eloping at Crater Lake means a 3.6 mile round trip from the Maroon Bells trailhead. You’ll gain about 500 feet through aspen groves before you pop out at a high alpine lake surrounded by big mountain views of the Maroon Bells. And in late September? The fall colors here are absolutely ridiculous. Honestly, this is the move if you want that Maroon Bells elopement experience without fighting everyone for the Amphitheater wedding permit. You still get the jagged peaks, golden aspens, and high-country lake without putting all your eggs in the wedding permit basket.

There’s no ceremony permit required for eloping at Crater lake itself, although you’ll still need the appropriate parking reservation or shuttle ticket to get to the trailhead. Most of my couples take around 90 minutes to hike up, depending on their pace and how many times we stop because, well… there’s a lot to look at.

Want a sunrise elopement at Crater Lake? We’re starting in the dark. Plan on hitting the trail around 5 a.m. with headlamps, hiking through the aspens while the sky starts changing, and hopefully reaching the lake as the first light hits the peaks. Totally worth the early alarm.

If a hiking elopement is what you’re after, Crater Lake delivers the full experience without requiring backcountry overnight logistics.

Twin Lakes: Best for Cheaper Options

Twin Lakes sits just off Highway 82, about 15 minutes from Independence Pass, in a wide valley surrounded by 12,000- and 14,000-foot peaks. I’ve photographed ceremonies at Twin Lakes with nobody else around at sunrise, and the light on that water in the early morning is legitimately top-tier!

No permits required for small groups at Twin Lakes. Pull off near the dam, walk to the shoreline, and you’ve got one of the better sunrise setups for family ceremonies around Aspen. Lodging in Twin Lakes also runs significantly cheaper than Aspen, so couples who want Independence Pass and Maroon Bells access without the full price tag often base here when eloping in Aspen.

Grottos Trail: Best for Unique Features

The Grottos are just off Highway 82 east of Aspen, a short flat trail leading to dramatic granite caves and formations unlike anything else in the Aspen area for elopements. Almost zero elevation gain, accessible to any couple, and easy to photograph in a way that’s completely distinct from every other elopement location around Aspen in this guide. I’ve shot here on overcast days when every other alpine location would have been flat, and the Grottos were still producing compelling images. The caves create natural framing for photos you just don’t get at a lake or a ridgeline.

If you want something that doesn’t look like everyone else’s Aspen elopement, this is it!

Trailhead information is available on AllTrails.

Ashcroft: Best for History and Wildflower Meadows

Ashcroft is a real ghost town about 11 miles south of Aspen up Castle Creek Road, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. It started as a silver mining camp in 1880, and a handful of the original buildings, an old hotel, a saloon, cabins, are still standing against a backdrop of Castle Creek Valley and the Elk Mountains. It’s a really unique and cool places to hold photos and great for family ceremonies.

It sits inside the White River National Forest, so ceremonies here run through a USFS reservation rather than a walk-up spot, typically June through September, and the group size is capped small. Confirm the current numbers and cost before you build a day around it, the same way you would with the Maroon Bells permit.

What you get for the extra step is wildflower meadows, weathered mining structures instead of another lake shot, and a real story behind the place, plus it’s a short drive from Pine Creek Cookhouse if you want that as your reception spot after your elopement!

When is the Best Time to Elope in Aspen?

Late June through early October is the best time to elope in Aspen. Early June is when Maroon Bells opens to cars and the peaks are covered in snow still. Late September is peak for fall color, especially around Maroon Bells. Winter elopements at Maroon Bells are possible but require snowmobile access and a tolerance for deep snow and cold.

Summer Elopements in Aspen (June through August)

June is my personal favorite time to elope around Aspen. The road to Maroon Bells opens around Memorial Day, and early June gives you this killer mix of snow-covered peaks, fresh green aspens, and way fewer people than you’ll see later in the summer. July and August are the classic Colorado summer months. The trails around Aspen are fully accessible, wildflowers are popping, and everything is green. They’re also the busiest months, and afternoon thunderstorms become part of the daily routine when eloping here.

That’s why I’m a huge fan of morning ceremonies. Get out early, catch the good light, beat the crowds, and get off the mountain before the storms roll in. Lightning at 12,000 feet is not something I’m interested in adding to your wedding itinerary.

Fall Elopements in Aspen (Late September through Early October)

Fall elopements in Aspen is on another level. The aspens usually hit their peak somewhere around mid-September to early October, but that perfect golden window is short. Think two to three weeks of absolute chaos before the mountains start changing again. I’ve photographed fall elopements in Aspen where it’s been 75 degrees and sunny, and others where we’ve woken up to the first snow of the season. That’s typical for Aspen and Colorado in September. You can get summer, fall, and winter before lunch!

If you’re planning on eloping to Aspen in the fall, I’d aim for the last two weeks of September. That’s usually the sweet spot for those bright-gold aspen groves without pushing too far into unpredictable October weather. One thing to watch: the Maroon Bells road typically closes in mid-October, and the Amphitheater has blackout dates on weekends throughout September and October. Weekdays are your friend. You’ll have a better shot at getting the date you want, fewer people around, and way more room to actually enjoy the place.

Read more in my fall elopement guide.

Winter Elopements in Aspen (November through March)

Winter access to Maroon Bells for elopements requires a snowmobile tour through T-Lazy-7 Ranch. What you get is an entirely empty, snow-covered landscape that looks nothing like summer. Aspen itself runs full speed as a ski resort, so lodging and dining are all open. The challenge is purely backcountry access, so budget extra time and coordinate early.

Read more in my winter elopement guide.

Do You Need a Permit to Elope in Aspen?

Maroon Bells Amphitheater is the only Aspen elopement spot that requires a ceremony permit. Everywhere else in this guide, from Independence Pass to Crater Lake, needs no reservation for a small elopement.

For the Maroon Bells Amphitheater specifically, the wedding reservation system is managed through Recreation.gov. Reservations are released exactly 365 days before your date, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, and the most requested fall dates are gone within minutes. The permit covers five vehicle parking passes and gives you a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. access window on your reserved day.

But here’s my honest advice: don’t get too attached to the Amphitheater for your elopement. If you’re flexible on locations around Aspen, you can skip the permit battle entirely and head up to Crater Lake for a sunrise ceremony before 5 a.m., when you can drive yourself in. The light is better, the crowds are basically nonexistent, and you aren’t trying to squeeze your entire wedding into someone else’s 9-to-3 schedule.

There’s another reason Colorado is so easy for elopements. The state allows self-solemnization, which means you and your partner can legally marry yourselves without an officiant. You just need a Colorado marriage license. One less vendor to book, one less person to coordinate, and one less thing standing between you and the mountains.

Where Do You Have a Reception If the Amphitheater is for Ceremonies Only?

The Amphitheater doesn’t allow receptions, but the East Maroon Portal Picnic Site does. It sits about four miles away, holds up to 75 people, and books in a morning or afternoon block through the same Recreation.gov system. This one trips people up every year. Couples lock down the Amphitheater for their elopement, plan the whole day around it, and then realize there’s nowhere on-site to actually celebrate afterward. The East Maroon Portal Picnic Site is the fix. It’s a separate reservation from your wedding ceremony permit, so you’ll want to book both once you have a date.

How Do Maroon Bells Wedding Permits Work?

A Maroon Bells Amphitheater wedding permit runs about $200, covers up to 50 people and five parking passes, and releases through Recreation.gov at 8 am Mountain Time on a rolling basis. Peak fall dates sell out in under two minutes.

Here’s how a Maroon Bells Amphitheater elopement works, no sugarcoating: the reservation system runs through Recreation.gov, opens exactly 365 days out at 8 am Mountain Time, and the good fall dates vanish inside two minutes. I’ve had couples hit submit at 8:00:15 and watch the date disappear in real time. If you’re set on a Maroon Bells elopement specifically at the Amphitheater, you plan for that fight starting now, not the week before.

One more thing most people don’t know: when the road first opens in May, there’s a short window before the Amphitheater opens for permit bookings. If your timing lines up, you can get married there without ever needing a permit.

What really works when eloping in Aspen:

• Pick three to five preferred dates instead of locking into one
• Have multiple people on different devices ready to go at 8 am MT
• Create your Recreation.gov account weeks in advance and be signed in before the release time
• Set alarms for 7:55 am so you’re ready to refresh
• Have backup dates ready if your first choice sells out

The permit covers five vehicle parking passes. Anyone beyond five vehicles needs to carpool or take the shuttle from Aspen. The shuttle runs 8am to 5pm, costs around $10–16 per person, and books up fast in peak season.

No Amphitheater permit? You’ve still got options. Trails around Maroon Bells are accessible with just a parking reservation. Crater Lake, spots along Maroon Creek Road, and dozens of backcountry locations in the Elk Range require no ceremony permit at all. Think beyond the designated Amphitheater and your options open up significantly.

How many days a year can you book Maroon Bells for an elopement?

Only one wedding is permitted at the Amphitheater per day, and the blackout dates above rule out most weekends. That leaves roughly 75 to 85 bookable dates a year, out of the whole June to October season. Reservations run from early June through early October, about 120 days total. Cut the blocked Fridays and Saturdays in June, July, and August, then the blocked Friday through Sunday in September and October, and you’re left with somewhere around 75 to 85 open dates. With one wedding permitted per date, that’s the entire supply for the whole season. It’s why the fall dates go in seconds and why I always tell couples to hold at least one non-Amphitheater location as a real plan, not a backup they hope they won’t need.

How Much Does It Cost To Elope at Maroon Bells?

Getting married at Maroon Bells costs around $200 to reserve the Amphitheater through Recreation.gov, which includes five parking passes. You’ll also need to budget for your marriage license, photographer, travel, lodging, and any vendors. Because it’s popular, reservations open a year in advance. Learn more in my best places to elope in Colorado guide.

How do you get to Aspen for an elopement?

Aspen sits about 3.5 hours southwest of Denver on I-70 and Highway 82, or roughly 4 hours from Denver International Airport. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is the faster option if the fare works for your budget.

• Aspen/Pitkin County Airport: 10 minutes from downtown with direct service from several major cities. Fares run higher than Denver but the convenience is real.
• Denver International (DEN): Four-hour drive. Glenwood Canyon on I-70 is one of the better mountain drives in the state. Go through it awake.
• Independence Pass route: Seasonal direct route from Twin Lakes on the eastern slope. Two-lane road, no guardrails in places, not appropriate for large vehicles. Closed November through late May. If it’s open and you’re comfortable with mountain driving, do it anyway.

I-70 traffic out of Denver on Friday afternoons is reliably bad. If you are eloping in Aspen on a weekend, leave Thursday or arrive the night before. Eloping in Aspen on a weekday sidestep most of the traffic and the trailheads are significantly quieter.

Parking at Maroon Bells follows a mandatory shuttle system during peak hours. For other trailheads, arrive before 7 am on summer weekends.

What should you do after your Aspen elopement?

Aspen has the best post-elopement options of any mountain town in Colorado. Pine Creek Cookhouse for dinner, the Silver Queen Gondola for views, and Glenwood Hot Springs 45 minutes west are where I send almost every couple.

For dinner, Bosq is Aspen’s only Michelin-starred restaurant and worth booking well in advance if the budget allows. Pine Creek Cookhouse is a 45-minute cross-country ski or snowshoe in winter and a short drive in summer. I’ve recommended it to probably 20 couples over the years and every single one has texted me after saying it was the best meal of the trip. For something more casual, Slow Groovin’ BBQ has a location in Marble, about an hour from Aspen, and it’s some of the best barbecue in Colorado full stop.

For activities after eloping in Aspen, the Silver Queen Gondola runs in summer for non-skiers who want the mountain views. Above It All Balloon Co. does hot air balloon rides over the valley if you want something that makes people at home genuinely jealous. In winter, snowcat dinners on the mountain and the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster at Snowmass add options beyond skiing.

If you want to extend the trip, Marble is an hour west with the Colorado Yule Marble Quarry. Crested Butte is about an hour and a half south over Kebler Pass in summer, one of the best mountain drives in the state. Glenwood Hot Springs is 45 minutes west and a solid first-night-as-married-people move.

How Much Does an Aspen Elopement Cost?

Most couples land between $8,000 and $15,000 once you add a photographer, lodging, and dinner on top of the license. Aspen elopements are more expensive than almost anywhere else I shoot in Colorado, and it’s not because the paperwork is harder or the vendor list is longer. It’s lodging and dining, plain and simple. If a $30 license and a courthouse-simple ceremony are genuinely all you want, that’s still a real Aspen elopement. Most couples just don’t stop there once they’ve seen the place in person.

If you want a full line-item budget breakdown, see my Colorado Elopement Cost guide.

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Aspen elopement FAQ