Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir · Breckenridge, Colorado · Elopement Guide
Colorado's best kept secret for elopements
Clinton Gulch sits right next door to Mayflower Gulch but most people drive right past it. That is exactly what makes it special. The reservoir is tucked below the road, surrounded by Bartlett Mountain, Clinton Peak, and Wheeler Mountain, and on a calm day the whole scene reflects perfectly in the water.
No reservation. No permit. No fee. A short walk down from the parking lot and you are standing at the edge of an alpine reservoir at over 11,000 feet with views that rival anything in Summit County.
Clinton Gulch sits right next door to Mayflower Gulch but most people drive right past it. That is exactly what makes it special. The reservoir is tucked below the road, surrounded by Bartlett Mountain, Clinton Peak, and Wheeler Mountain, and on a calm day the whole scene reflects perfectly in the water.
No reservation. No permit. No fee. A short walk down from the parking lot and you are standing at the edge of an alpine reservoir at over 11,000 feet with views that rival anything in Summit County.
Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir
at a Glance
elevation
11,064 ft
Length
0.1 - 2.3 miles
Accessibility
Easy
Permit Required
No
Yes
Dogs welcomE
Year-round
Best Season
What I love about Clinton Dam Gulch Reservoir
What I love most about Clinton Gulch is that it genuinely feels undiscovered even though it is right off the highway. You pull into the parking lot, walk down a short descent to the water, and suddenly you are standing at the edge of a high alpine reservoir with three massive peaks rising around you and almost nobody else in sight.
In summer the wildflowers fill in around the shoreline and the water goes a deep blue-green that you cannot stop photographing. In winter the whole scene goes quiet and still under snow, and the peaks get dramatic in a way that summer just cannot match. It is a year-round location with a completely different personality depending on when you show up.
overview
Best months to elope at Clinton Gulch
a quick Peek at the seasons
Jan
Snow
Feb
Snow
mar
Snow
Apr
Snow
May
Iffy
Jun
Good
SEp
Fall Peak
Dec
Snow
Nov
Iffy
Oct
Fall
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
April - May
Snow is still melting at 11,000 feet and the descent to the lake can be slippery and muddy. Conditions improve quickly through June. If you are flexible, waiting until late June gives you much more reliable access.
November - March
The parking lot is not plowed in winter and the access road becomes unreliable. This is the main limitation of Clinton Gulch compared to other Summit County spots. However, it is totally doable and I've accessed Clinton Dam during any month.
September
The aspens on the drive in start turning and the light gets that warm fall quality. Crowds drop off significantly. September at Clinton Gulch is genuinely one of my favorite times to photograph here.
July and August
Wildflowers along the shoreline, deep blue water, warm days. The reservoir is at its most vivid and photogenic. Crowds are lighter here than at neighboring Mayflower Gulch even in peak season.
Accessibility and logistics
Clinton Gulch is right off Highway 91 between Copper Mountain and Leadville, it's easy to find once you know what to look for, but easy to miss if you are not paying attention. There are two parking areas on either side of the road. From the parking lot it is a 262 foot descent on a narrow path down to the lake. Short but not flat, I recommend wearing hiking boots or snow boots/snowshoes.
easy
medium
strenuous
Parking
Walk to the lake
Trailhead elevation
Getting There
From Breckenridge
Two free parking areas on either side of Hwy 91. Both can fill on summer weekends. The north side lot is easy to miss. Not plowed in winter.
A short but steep 262 ft descent on a dirt path. Not a long walk but not a flat one either. Sturdy shoes are important.
11,064 feet. Higher than Sapphire Point and comparable to Mayflower Gulch. If you are flying in from sea level, arriving a day early makes a real difference.
About 20 minutes south on Hwy 91. From Copper Mountain, about 9 minutes. From Leadville, about 20 minutes north.
Permit requirements
logistics
Clinton Gulch is owned by a local mine that graciously allows public access. There is no permit, no reservation, no fee, and no booking window. It is one of the most low-barrier ceremony spots in all of Summit County.
What you need to know
✓ Owned by a local mine with public access allowed. No ceremony permit, no reservation system, no fee.
✓ Because there is no reservation system, there is no guarantee you will have the spot to yourselves.
✓ Leave No Trace applies. Pack everything out, stay on the path, respect the shoreline.
✓ No confetti, flower petals, chairs, decorations, or items you throw or release. Keep the reservoir clean.
How many people can you bring?
Guest Count
Clinton Gulch works best for smaller groups. The descent to the lake is on a narrow path, the ceremony spots are intimate in scale, and at 11,000 feet a large group moving together is a different experience than a small one. Up to 15 people is the number I recommend working within.
2–8
Small group
Works beautifully. The peninsula comfortably holds a small group and the path down is manageable for most people.
The Sweet Spot
2
Just the two of you
This spot is perfectly suited for just the two of you. Intimate, private, and completely your own experience from the moment you step out of the car.
8–15
Pushing it
Possible but the narrow path and intimate scale of the spot start to feel more crowded. Maximum 15 is the number to keep in mind.
15+
Not recommended
Beyond 15 this spot becomes difficult to manage logistically. Let's find somewhere better suited for a larger gathering.
How to have Clinton Gulch to yourselves
Local Knowledge
Clinton Gulch is less crowded than Sapphire Point and Mayflower Gulch but because there is no reservation system, timing matters even more here. Here is what actually works.
Early morning is everything
Get to the parking lot by 7am and you will almost certainly have the reservoir to yourselves. The water is at its calmest in the morning, the peaks reflect perfectly, and the light is the best it will be all day. Afternoon brings wind and other visitors. Morning wins every time.
Weekdays are dramatically quieter
Clinton Gulch is genuinely quiet on weekdays even in peak season. If you have any flexibility on your date, a Tuesday or Wednesday morning here feels completely remote and private in a way that weekend days cannot match.
Know that you cannot reserve it
Unlike Sapphire Point, there is no reservation system here. That is mostly an advantage but it does mean another couple could theoretically show up at the same time. The peninsula and the shoreline give you enough space to spread out, and in my experience this has never been an actual problem for couples who time it right.
01
02
03
"Clinton Gulch is the spot I recommend when a couple wants something that feels off the beaten path without a long hike. The moment you walk down to that peninsula and the whole reservoir opens up in front of you with those peaks behind it, you understand immediately why it is worth knowing about. It is one of the more quietly stunning locations in Summit County and the couples who elope there always leave feeling like they found something most people missed."
Bailee, Alpine Vows,
Colorado Elopement Photographer
A note from Bailee
Other spots worth exploring
Also in Breckenridge
Not sure Clinton Dam Gulch Reservoir is the right fit? Here are the other ceremony spots in the Breckenridge area with their own full guides.
Sapphire Point Overlook
Drive-up, mountain and lake views, reservable
Mayflower Gulch
Moderate hike, wildflowers in the summer, gorgeous mountain views
Loveland Pass
High above the treeline, remote feeling, easily accessible
Windy Point
Reservable ceremony spot, pavilion rental, mountain and lake views
"Her attention to detail, creative eye, and ability to capture genuine emotion went far beyond what we could have imagined. Every photo tells a story, and we are so grateful to relive those moments through her work. We’d hire Bailee again in a heartbeat and can’t recommend her enough!"
- Danae & John
Kind words
What Couples Are Saying
"Bailee was not just our elopement photographer, she was there every step of the way and thoughtfully guided us through the whole process from start to finish. She always made herself available to answer our questions, and she made planning feel easy and organized, putting us at ease."
- Julie & Brandon
"She was by our side every step of the way, offering not only expert photography advice but also helping us with every decision throughout the planning process. We honestly can’t imagine how our elopement would have turned out without her!"
- Shelby & Ben
