Colorado Waterfall Elopement Guide
colorado waterfall elopement guide
how and where to elope next to a waterfall in colorado
If you’re dreaming of a Colorado waterfall elopement this is for you! With its rugged peaks, pristine forests, valleys full of wildflowers and laid-back, dog friendly vibe, Colorado is one of the most popular places in the U.S. for couples to elope. Oh, and it has some of the countries most beautiful waterfalls! In this guide I’ll be helping you plan a Colorado waterfall elopement of your own!
best colorado waterfall elopement locations
Please note: To protect these fragile places and in accordance with the request of public land agencies, I will not be naming or giving specific locations for some of the more obscure waterfalls on this list. While I always share this info with my client, I want to do my part to make sure these places stay protected and the land managers that let us use them stay happy!
bridal Veil Falls
Closest town: Telluride
Bridal Veil Falls is Colorado’s tallest freestanding waterfall and absolutely iconic. It sits at the end of the stunning box canyon that is home to Telluride and is visible from pretty much anywhere in town. As with most Colorado waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls flows heavily in the early summer and then tapers off quite a bit as the snowmelt disappears (no worries, what you lose in water you. make up for in golden aspen leaves!). Bridal Veil Falls can be accessed by a short, moderately difficult hike or a drive up a Jeep road in a high clearance vehicle. Learn more about eloping at Bridal Veil Falls.
fish creek falls
Closest town: Steamboat Springs
Located near Steamboat Springs, Fish Creek Falls is a stunning 280-foot waterfall that’s surrounded by the beautiful forests of the Rocky Mountains. The waterfall is easily accessible via a short hike, making it a great choice for those who want a beautiful backdrop without too much hiking.
secret breckenridge waterfall
Closest town: Breckenridge
I first stumbled on this little waterfall when I wad driving up a dirt road with the windows down. I heard rushing water and knew I had to go see where it was coming from! This waterfall is shorter than some of the others but it is absolutely stunning and flows all year long! Check out my full Breckenridge elopement guide!
Ouzel Falls
Closest town: Estes Park
Ouzel Falls is located in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. The waterfall is surrounded by stunning views of the mountains and forests, and the hike to the falls is moderate but scenic. While you can’t actually have your elopement ceremony here due to Rocky Mountain National Park’s rules, you CAN hike here to take photos after getting married at an approved location in the park!
crested butte waterfalls
Closest town: Crested Butte
These gorgeous waterfalls are easy to access with a short hike and are a stunning backdrop for your elopement. The clear, blue water is pretty unique in Colorado and makes for an excellent elopement location! I love how you are able to see the rocks at the bottom! Crested Butte is one of my favorite towns in Colorado! Check out my full Crested Butte Elopement Guide here.
san juan mountains waterfalls
Closest town: Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton
The San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado are absolutely stunning and home to MANY beautiful waterfalls! Some require hiking or high clearance vehicles to access (and some require both!) but getting to these magical places is ALWAYS worth the effort! The San Juans are hands down one of the most beautiful places in Colorado and ideal for an adventurous Colorado waterfall elopement. Check out my San Juan Mountains elopement guide!
devil’s punchbowl
Closest town: Aspen
Located near Aspen, this is one of my favorite locations for elopement where you really want some variety in the scenery. With just a short hike you can access streams, caves, and yes, a waterfall! This area is a hidden gem for elopement and one of my favorite little spots!
When is the best time of year for a colorado waterfall elopement?
Colorado’s weather changes dramatically throughout the year – and so does the amount of water flowing through it’s falls! Choosing the right time of year for your Colorado waterfall elopement is key!
Summer waterfall Elopements in Colorado
Summer in the Colorado mountains is absolutely beautiful. Warm, generally sunny days give way to cool nights. Because most of Colorado’s waterfalls are fed by snowmelt, flows will be highest in early summer and taper off as you get deeper into the warm months.
FALL WATERFALL ELOPEMENTS IN COLORADO
Fall is my FAVORITE time of year in the mountains! While most waterfalls won’t be flowing at their peak, the weather is gorgeous and the aspens are changing. This is always my busiest time of year because it’s just THAT good here!
WINTER WATERFALL ELOPEMENTS IN COLORADO
Winters in the Colorado mountains may be cold and snowy but with that chilly weather brings lots of drama in the form of ICE! There are few things more magical than water flowing over and through ice to land in a pool surrounded by deep snow. If you’re willing to put up with the cold, winter is awesome!
SPRING WATERFALL ELOPEMENTS IN COLORADO
Spring is a tricky time of year around here because, while other places are getting warm, we are still buried in snow! March and April tend to be more winter-like conditions in the mountains. Once you get into May things start to melt out, flows pick up, and everything starts to actually look like spring!
Ready to plan your own Colorado waterfall Elopement?
get in touch!
Hopefully this guide gave you some ideas on the best waterfall elopement locations in Colorado! If you’d like more inspiration check out my planning resources! And of course, if you want me to help you plan a Colorado waterfall elopement of your own, get in touch!