One of the best aspects about this site is that there is no one best site! You can walk 15 paces from the parking area, or 15 minutes in, and you'll be sure to find a spot that matches exactly what you're looking for.
Complete with panoramas of the Continental Divide, forested landscapes, wide open meadows, and even wild animals (elk are pretty popular in this area!), this site offers a lot within a short walk, or even shorter horseback ride.
This site is only open until the first snowfall (early to mid-October) and is inaccessible until after spring. In summer, wildflowers blanket the entire meadow.
What we love about this site:
Mountains, meadows, forest, possibly even wild animals.
It's only a short drive (20 minutes) from Estes Park, making it very accessible.
Short walk from parking to ceremony area.
Potential drawbacks of this site
It does require a paid permit and they are limited.
Parking can be difficult.
Not wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility
Parking: parking can be tight for this site--as well as within Rocky Mountain National Park in general. There is a 10-car limit for weddings held here from the third week of June through Columbus Day. We strongly recommend carpooling.
Vehicle type: for winter, make sure your vehicle has good ground clearance to get over snow, as well as 4-wheel drive for potential ice. For weddings held between September 1st and May 31st, note that Colorado has strict traction laws in place that affect what type of vehicle you are allowed to drive in the mountains. If you are planning a Colorado mountain wedding between these dates, please thoroughly read this blog post so you'll be driving the right type of vehicle. (Don't rely on the car rental companies to fill you in on this; our experience is that they don't.)
Accessibility: you'll cross over a creek via a short log, then it's a flat, dirt path to the ceremony site.
Additional Logistics
Dogs/Pets: no.
Bathrooms: yes.
Suitable for children: yes.
Max number of guests at this site: 15.
Dates of Availability: year-round.
Type of Site: Public and reservable, but not exclusive.
Elevation: 8,300ft (2,530m) above sea level.
This site is within Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP only allocates a limited number of wedding permits per year, and they tend to go quickly.
A permit for a site within the park is $300 and we will obtain it for you.
That amount will be added to your package fee.
Photos
Video
Location
Note: place marker is approximate; the actual location will be provided upon booking.
Estes Park Calendar of Events
IMPORTANT: be sure to check the calendar of events for the dates you're considering before you submit your date to us. Local events can impact traffic and the accessibility of your site.
Estes Park Average Temps and Precipitation