If you’ve been dreaming of a Colorado alpine lake elopement, you’ve come to the right place (I mean, our name is Alpine Vows, so we LIVE for Colorado’s high alpine!) Colorado’s alpine lakes are some of our favorite landscapes for elopements.
Just like each of our couples, Colorado’s alpine lakes are unique and incredible! Here is a roundup of our all-time favorite Colorado alpine lake locations for your adventurous Colorado elopement.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is one of our all-time favorite alpine lake areas in Colorado. I know, I know, that is seriously a big statement! But it’s true! What we love about this area is that it has many easily accessible alpine lakes (you can literally drive up to one and another is about a 1/4 mile, very easy hike) if you are including family or friends who are not able to do any strenuous hiking.
There are many alpine lake hikes in this area if you are looking for something a little more secluded, private, and you don’t mind hiking a few miles to get there. Brainard Lake Recreation Area literally has something for everyone and has dozens of incredible alpine lakes. We seriously cannot think of a more gorgeous backdrop for your adventurous Colorado elopement! Check out Brittany and Jared’s alpine lake elopement here!
Additional Information About This Location
Because Brainard Lake Recreation Area starts at 10,300ft, it is fully open for a few months out of the year. Even though this area is open year-round, the upper parking lots are closed during the winter months. The only parking lot open during the winter months is about two miles from any of the trails. The best time to elope here is late June – September.
There is a $14 entrance fee and an online reservation is required. We can help you with this process!
Breckenridge
Breckenridge is another of our all-time favorite locations for your Colorado elopement. There are so many hikes that lead to some breathtaking alpine lakes. So if you don’t mind breaking a little sweat and enjoying the journey to your ceremony site, we highly recommend choosing an alpine lake elopement in Breckenridge! One of the best things about Breckenridge is that you are super close to town so after your elopement, you can grab some delicious mountain pie pizza at Downstairs at Eric’s, snag a crepe at Crepes a la Carte, or grab a drink at Breckenridge Brewery.
Plus, if you want to bring your inflatable SUP or kayak to include in your elopement, you totally can!
We encourage our couples to craft a wedding day that looks at feels like them. We encourage our couples to include activities that they love to do together in their wedding because when you’re able to choose an authentic and intimate day for the two of you, you can incorporate activities that will really make your wedding day feel like yours. This doesn’t have to be anything crazy, either!
This could look like starting your wedding day by cooking breakfast together, taking a bubble bath, helping each other get ready, writing vows together, going on a bike ride, kayaking on an alpine lake, star gazing, or anything else that makes your relationship unique!
Some of our favorite alpine lake elopement hikes in Breckenridge are:
- Crystal Lakes
- Mohawk Lakes
- Pass Lake
Additional Information About This Location
Breckenridge is amazing year-round, but our favorite time to elope in Breckenridge, Colorado is in the summertime (June-August). The wildflowers are in full bloom in July and the weather is incredible.
We recommend that couples opt for a sunrise elopement in the summertime to avoid Colorado’s notorious afternoon thunderstorms and crowds. Plus, the sunrise light is just *chef’s kiss*!
Silverton/Telluride/Ouray/San Juan Mountain Range
Known as the Switzerland of North America for a damn good reason, the San Juan Mountain Range has got to be the most beautiful area in Colorado! Jagged mountain peaks, brilliant turquoise lakes, and adventure at every turn make this area one of the most epic places to elope in Colorado.
A lot of the alpine lakes are accessible by hiking, but a lot are also accessible by off-roading vehicles. So if hiking really isn’t your thing, consider an adventurous 4×4 elopement to an epic location in Telluride, Ouray, or Silverton. By doing this, you can access some pretty freaking incredible views for your elopement.
We really think about this area as a giant playground for adults. You can include so many fun, adventurous things into your elopement here! Take Holden and Kaylyn’s two-day backpacking elopement at Ice Lake in Silverton for example. They chose the ultimate Colorado alpine lake elopement for their wedding in the San Juan Mountain Range and had the best time of their lives!
Pro-tip for this area: Opt for a sunrise elopement. This way, you can avoid crowds and get the ultimate privacy for your wedding.
We also recommend staying here for a week if you can so you can really soak in the magic of this beautiful spot!
Is a Colorado Alpine Lake Elopement Right for You?
One (of many) reasons we absolutely love elopements is that they allow you and your partner to do exactly what you want for yourselves and no one else. No expectations, no rules, and no stress. Just you and your partner getting married in a way that totally represents your relationship.
We know that so many couples are looking for a wildly different wedding experience. We invite you to follow your heart to a wedding that looks and feels like you. If that means ditching the wedding rulebook for a more intimate and authentic wedding, we invite you to do that. Our desire for each and every couple is to be able to look back on their wedding day with no regrets and with so much fondness. Choosing to elope truly allows you to break away from all of the pressures to really focus on you two and your love.
So is a Colorado alpine lake elopement right for you? If you are dreaming of an intimate, adventurous, and private wedding experience at the foot of an alpine lake, surrounded by Colorado’s gorgeous mountains we say “heck yes!”. We love so many areas in Colorado, but alpine lakes will always have a soft spot in our hearts.
Let’s Get You Eloped!
Convinced that a Colorado alpine lake elopement is right up your alley?! We thought so! We are Colorado elopement experts and are here for you every step of the way. Reach out to us here to start planning your epic Colorado elopement! We seriously cannot wait to hear all about your elopement dreams and what you are envisioning for your day. We could not be more stoked for you and cannot wait to meet you!
Happy adventuring,
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