Aspen Elopement Guide: How to Elope in Aspen

TL;DR: Aspen is home to the two most iconic peaks in Colorado. This place is a mountain paradise, lined with aspen trees, dreamy lakes, and breathtaking views. It makes for the perfect postcard elopement location. The Maroon Bells are stunning in all seasons, especially in fall when the quaking aspens burn gold and yellow. You can reserve your ceremony spot at recreation.gov and opt to do a 5.3-mile hike around Cathedral Lake after your ceremony!

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I’ve photographed elopements all over Colorado since 2018, and Aspen is still one of my favorites. There’s something about watching sunrise light hit the Maroon Bells that never gets old. The jagged peaks shift from deep purple to orange to gold, the lake goes mirror-flat, and for about twenty minutes the entire valley glows. That’s the moment couples drive six hours for and it absolutely delivers.

Aspen is one of the best places to elope in Colorado, and not just because of the Instagram-famous peaks. You get genuine wilderness access in the Elk Range combined with a ski town that actually delivers on food, lodging, and logistics. The trade-off is cost and the most competitive permit system in the state. But couples who elope here tell me every time that it was worth it.

This guide covers everything: locations, the Maroon Bells permit system, seasonal timing, marriage license logistics, and the spots that don’t require fighting for a reservation.

What makes Aspen worth it for an elopement?

Aspen combines the most photographed mountains in Colorado with world-class ski town vibes and genuine backcountry access. The Maroon Bells deliver iconic views without a long hike, Independence Pass offers high-alpine scenery at 12,095 feet, and the Maroon Bells wilderness backs up to the Elk Range backcountry delivering remote locations for couples who want real solitude.

The honest reality is that Aspen costs more than anywhere else in Colorado. Lodging runs higher, dining is expensive, and the Maroon Bells Amphitheater permit is the most competitive in the state. I’ve watched couples stress over this permit for months and miss it by seconds on release day. I’ve also watched them pivot to Crater Lake and tell me afterward it was better than the Amphitheater would have been. Both outcomes are real.

What Aspen does better than anywhere else in Colorado is give you both versions of the state in one place. Sunrise ceremony at 12,000 feet at Independence Pass, espresso martinis and pastries in town an hour later. Hike into a backcountry lake in the Elks in the morning, eat at a restaurant that would hold its own in any major city that night. That combination of adventure and accessibility and genuine ease is rare!

If you’re still figuring out whether Aspen is the right fit or weighing it against other mountain towns, start with my how to elope in Colorado guide. It’ll help you figure out which region actually matches what you’re envisioning.

What Are The Top Elopement Locations in Aspen?

The best Aspen elopement locations depend on whether you want a designated ceremony space or remote backcountry privacy. Maroon Bells Amphitheater offers the most iconic backdrop with built-in seating for up to 50 guests and a permit fee. Independence Pass provides sweeping alpine views at 12,095 feet with no permit required. Crater Lake requires a 3.6-mile hike through aspen groves with 14er views in every direction and requires a car permit.

Fair warning: this isn’t every spot I shoot in Aspen. Most of the locations I’ve found over years of being here I protect on purpose. What you’ll get below is an honest look at the most popular options, what they’re actually like, who they work best for, and what to realistically expect. Consider this the starting point.

Here’s a breakdown of each location so you can figure out which one fits your vision.

Maroon Bells: Best for Iconic Views

The Maroon Bells are the centerpiece of most Aspen elopements and they earn it. Two jagged maroon-colored peaks reflected in Maroon Lake, backed by the Elk Mountains. I’ve photographed here across multiple seasons and the fall version, late September when the aspens are fully gold around the lake is genuinely one of the best things I’ve put a camera in front of in Colorado. It looks exactly like the photos, which is rarer than you’d think.

Vehicle access: The road to Maroon Lake is closed to private vehicles from 8am to 5pm daily in summer. During that window you’re on a mandatory shuttle from Aspen Highlands, around $10–16 per person round trip. Before 8am and after 5pm you can drive yourself. That’s exactly what I recommend for a sunrise elopement. You still need a parking pass, and the upper lot fills fast. Plan to be there by 6am or earlier.

Amphitheater permit specifics:

• Cost: $200 through Recreation.gov (confirm current pricing before booking)
• Includes five vehicle parking passes
• Access window: 9am to 3pm on your reserved day. No receptions, ceremony only.
• Max guests: 50
• Blackout dates: Fridays and Saturdays in June, July, and August
• Additional blackouts: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September and October

Maroon Lake is 1.8 miles round trip from the lot, flat and easy. Crater Lake adds another 3.8 miles with moderate elevation gain. The road closes mid-October each year. T-Lazy-7 Ranch runs snowmobile tours to the Bells in winter when the road is gated, which is a genuinely compelling option if a snowy Aspen elopement is your vision.

Independence Pass: Best for Privacy and Mountain Views

Independence Pass sits at 12,095 feet on Highway 82 with roadside pull-offs that give you 360-degree Elk Mountain views and no trail required. I recommend stopping at Twin Lakes on the way up — it’s worth the 15 minutes and the light on the water in the morning is legitimately beautiful. For couples who want high-elevation scenery without any hiking, this is the most underrated elopement option in the Aspen area and I shoot it more than most photographers in this region would admit to.

The pass typically opens the Thursday before Memorial Day and closes in early to mid November. The altitude gain is rapid — you go from 7,908 feet in Aspen to 12,095 feet in about 20 miles. Take it slow if you haven’t had time to acclimate. I’ve had couples get hit hard by altitude sickness at the pass after flying in from sea level that same morning. Arrive a day early, drink water consistently, and don’t plan your first day at elevation to also be your wedding day.

Crater Lake: Best for Avoiding Maroon Bells Proper

Crater Lake sits 3.6 miles up the trail from Maroon Bells, about 500 feet of elevation gain through aspen groves that opens into a high-altitude lake with 14er views in every direction. I’ve shot ceremonies here and the fall version in late September when those aspen corridors are going gold on the way up is just as good as anything at the Amphitheater. This is the move if you want Maroon Bells scenery without the permit competition.

No ceremony permit required for the lake itself. You’ll need a parking pass or shuttle ticket to access the trailhead. Most couples take about 90 minutes to reach the lake. If you’re doing a sunrise ceremony, plan to start hiking by 5am with headlamps. July and August bring wildflowers. Late September delivers some of the best fall color in Colorado.

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

Twin Lakes: Best for Cheaper Options

Twin Lakes sits just off Highway 82, about 15 minutes from Independence Pass. The lakes sit 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. Pull off near the dam, walk to the shoreline, and you’ve got one of the better sunrise setups in the area. I’ve photographed ceremonies at Twin Lakes with nobody else around for miles. The light on the water in the early morning is top notch!

Lodging in Twin Lakes also runs significantly cheaper than Aspen. Couples who want Independence Pass and Maroon Bells access without the full Aspen price tag often base themselves here instead.

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. Almost zero elevation gain, accessible to any couple, and genuinely interesting to photograph in a way that’s completely distinct from every other location 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 that 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.

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When should you elope in Aspen?

Late September through early October is the peak window for aspen fall colors in Aspen, typically two to three weeks of golden yellow foliage that transforms the entire valley. May and early June offers snowcapped Maroon Bells and significantly fewer crowds but most trails aren’t fully opened yet in wilderness area. July and August provide full trail access and the warmest conditions, especially in the Maroon Bells wilderness, but Colorado’s summer monsoon pattern brings afternoon thunderstorms most days between 1pm and 5pm. Winter delivers empty, dramatic landscapes at the cost of requiring snowmobile access to the Bells.

Here’s how each season actually plays out.

Summer Elopements in Aspen (June through August)

• June is my personal favorite month for Aspen elopements. The road to Maroon Bells typically opens around Memorial Day weekend, and the first few weeks of June give you snowcapped peaks, meadows starting to come alive, and significantly fewer people than July or August.
• Temperatures in June run comfortable. Highs in town hit the low 70s and it’s noticeably cooler up at elevation. You’ll want layers for morning ceremonies, but it’s not the bitter cold of winter or the afternoon heat of late July.
• July and August are peak season. Trails are fully accessible, wildflowers bloom at higher elevations, and the weather is genuinely warm. The trade-off is crowds and afternoon thunderstorms. Monsoon weather is real, and most days in July and August see storm cells building by early afternoon. Plan your ceremony for morning and build buffer time before early afternoon. Lightning at elevation is not something to gamble with.

Fall Elopements in Aspen (Late September through Early October)

• Fall color in Aspen is legitimately world-class for elopements. The aspen trees in the Elk Mountains typically peak between mid-September and early October, turning the hillsides gold in a way that photographs almost unbelievably well.
• The window for fall in Aspen is short. Two to three weeks, sometimes less depending on the year. And weather turns fast. I’ve photographed fall elopements here in 75-degree sunshine and others in early snow. Come prepared for both. If a fall elopement is what you’re planning, Aspen in late September is one of the best settings in the entire state. The Maroon Bells Amphitheater has blackout dates on weekends throughout September and October, so plan accordingly or target weekdays.

Winter Elopements in Aspen (November through March)

• Winter access to Maroon Bells requires a snowmobile tour through T-Lazy-7 Ranch. The road is gated and the area gets significant snowfall. What you get in exchange is an entirely empty, snow-covered landscape that looks nothing like the summer version, and that’s a genuinely compelling reason to consider it.
• Aspen itself is fully operational in winter as a ski resort, so lodging, restaurants, and infrastructure are all running. The challenge is purely logistical access to the backcountry. If you’re planning a winter elopement and want to go beyond just the town itself, budget extra time and coordinate your snowmobile access well in advance.

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What permits do you need to elope in Aspen?

It depends entirely on where you’re eloping in Aspen. The Maroon Bells Amphitheater requires a reservation through Recreation.gov, currently around $225, with blackout dates on weekends throughout summer and fall. Independence Pass, Twin Lakes, and the Grottos do not require ceremony permits for small elopements. Crater Lake has no ceremony permit but does require a parking reservation or shuttle ticket to access the trailhead.

For the Maroon Bells Amphitheater specifically, the reservation system is managed through Recreation.gov. Slots open months in advance and go fast, particularly for weekend dates in summer. The permit covers five vehicle parking passes and gives you a 9am to 3pm access window on your reserved day.

If you’re flexible on location, skipping the Amphitheater entirely and doing a sunrise ceremony up at Crater Lake before 7am (when you can drive yourself in) is genuinely one of the best options. The light is better, the crowds don’t exist yet, and you’re not locked into a specific time window.

Worth noting: Colorado is one of a small number of states that allows self-solemnization, meaning you and your partner can legally marry without an officiant. You just need a Colorado marriage license. That removes one logistical hurdle from the whole process of eloping in Aspen.

How do you get to Aspen for an elopement?

Aspen is about 3.5 hours southwest of Denver via I-70 west and Highway 82 south, roughly four hours from Denver International Airport with normal traffic.

• 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 your elopement is on a weekend, leave Thursday or arrive the night before. Weekday elopements 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 7am on summer weekends.

How do Maroon Bells permits work?

The Maroon Bells Amphitheater permit costs $200, accommodates up to 50 people, and must be reserved exactly one year in advance through Recreation.gov at 8am Mountain Time. Reservations open on a rolling daily basis. Peak dates sell out in under two minutes. Weekends in June, July, and August are blacked out entirely. Fridays through Sundays in September and October are also unavailable.

This is not an exaggeration. I’ve had couples tell me they hit submit at 8:00:15 and the date was already gone. I’ve watched this happen enough times that I now walk every Aspen couple through this exact strategy before they attempt it.

What actually works:

• Pick three to five preferred dates instead of locking into one
• Have multiple people on different devices ready to go at 8am MT
• Create your Recreation.gov account weeks in advance and be signed in before the release time
• Set alarms for 7:55am 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 require no ceremony permit at all. Think beyond the designated Amphitheater and your options open up significantly.

What should you do after your Aspen elopement?

Aspen has the best post-elopement options of any mountain town in Colorado. Here’s what I actually recommend when couples ask.

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.

Planning Tips & Logistics For Aspen Elopements

• Aspen sits at 8,000 feet elevation with most ceremony locations ranging from 9,500 to 12,095 feet. Altitude affects everyone differently, but headaches, shortness of breath, and fatigue are common. Arrive a day or two early to acclimate if you’re flying in from sea level.
• I’ve guided couples through Aspen elopements who flew in from across the country, spent months coordinating permits, and told me afterward it exceeded every expectation. The scenery is that good. The experience is that memorable. And when you’re standing at Maroon Lake at sunrise watching the peaks turn gold, the logistics and the cost fade into background noise.
• Highway 82 from Denver to Aspen takes about four hours in good conditions. Independence Pass adds another 30 minutes from Aspen to Twin Lakes. The drive is stunning but involves mountain passes and switchbacks. Don’t rush it.
• Aspen itself is walkable and has genuine mountain town character. You’ll find coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and shops that aren’t just tourist traps. The town sits in a valley surrounded by peaks in every direction.
• If you’re looking at how to elope in Colorado more broadly, Aspen represents the luxury end of the spectrum. You pay more, but you get access to world-class scenery with infrastructure that makes logistics easier.
• For couples who want Aspen-level scenery without the price tag, I usually recommend the Ouray and Telluride area. You get similar jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and backcountry access with lower lodging costs and fewer crowds.

If Aspen feels right for your elopement, reach out! I’ve photographed 450+ Colorado elopements since 2018, and I’ve been shooting the Maroon Bells, Independence Pass, and the Elk Range backcountry since 2018. 450+ elopements across Colorado, more than a handful of them right here in Aspen. I can help you navigate permits, scout locations, build a timeline that works with light and weather, and make sure your day runs smoothly from start to finish.

Aspen Elopement Packages

• Aspen Elopement Packages Starting at $4,700 with payment plans available – Check out my pricing guide!
• LocaL Expert Photographer and Planner: I know which trailheads are accessible by season, how to navigate the Maroon Bells permit system, and how terrain and weather in the Elk Mountains actually behave — not how they look on a forecast.
• Full day coverage: Your day doesn’t stop at the vows. We’ll hike to alpine lakes, grab a beer in downtown Aspen, drive up to Independence Pass, or catch alpenglow on the Bells — your Aspen elopement is a full experience, not a two-hour photo op.
• Aspen Elopement Guides & Resources: Every Aspen elopement I do is built around you. Unlimited consultations, scouted locations, a personalized timeline, packing lists, and vendor recommendations. After hundreds of Colorado elopements, I know when the Maroon Bells road opens, which spots go from busy to empty after 5pm, and how to keep you off the tourist trail entirely. You just show up and soak it in.
• Online Photo Gallery: Fully edited, full-resolution photos with a shareable link and unlimited downloads.
• Aspen Maps & Permit Information: Maroon Bells has a permit system. Aspen has seasonal access quirks. I’ve got it dialed. You’ll get planning calls, location breakdowns, and access to my Aspen rolodex of trusted, adventure-friendly vendors.
• Next Day Teasers: Sneak peeks in your inbox the morning after. Fast. Then when everything’s delivered, a custom leather photo album to hold in your hands — not just swipe through on your phone.

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Aspen Elopement FAQ