Ouray Elopement Guide
Ouray is the perfect place for an adventurous elopement
Ouray, Colorado is one of my favorite little mountain towns. It has so many places to hike, off-road, and enjoy insane mountain views. Which means it's also a great place to elope!
Ouray is a quaint town at 7,800 ft elevation, surrounded by steep, rocky mountains. And there's so much gorgeous nature around it! From waterfalls to hot springs to snowmobiling, Ouray has it all.
Why should you elope in
Ouray, Colorado?
01/
Insane Mountain Views
Ouray is surrounded by dramatic 14,000-ft mountain peaks, and trails that lead to amazing panoramic views. Everywhere you turn, there's another incredible backdrop for your Ouray elopement!
02/
So Many Places to Adventure
Ouray has SO many trails for hiking, biking, and off-roading in the summer. And in the winter, it transforms into the perfect location for backcountry skiing, ice climbing, and snowshoeing. I'll go over all the opportunities to adventure in Ouray below!
03/
Adorable Mountain Town
Plus, the town of Ouray itself is so cute! It's a historic mountain town with lots of old, charming buildings that are now home to restaurants, shops, and B&Bs.
04/
Hot Springs
Ouray has four hot springs resorts right in town! You could end your elopement day relaxing in a private mineral pool while enjoying stunning mountain views. Keep reading to learn more about Ouray's hot springs – and all the other ways to spend your day here!
Traveling to Ouray
Ouray is a little off the beaten path – which is part of what makes it so special! My recommendation for getting to Ouray is to make a road trip out of it. The mountain pass roads into town are so fun to drive, with beautiful places to stop along the way.
If you're coming from across the country, there are a few airport options. Montrose Regional Airport is the closest at 40 miles away, and has regular flights from Denver and Dallas.
Grand Junction Regional Airport is the closest larger airport, 100 miles away. And Denver International Airport is 350 miles away, if you prefer to rent a car and take a long road trip through the mountains.
Not sure how to do this?
Howdy! I'm Sam, Your Ouray Elopement
Photographer & Planner
I know there are so many options and things to consider when planning an elopement. I absolutely adore helping couples through this process + reducing stress! Ouray is one of the many Colorado mountain towns I know like the back of my hand.
Hiring your elopement photographer + planner is the perfect first step in planning your Ouray elopement – even if you aren't 100% sure of when or where yet! I’ll help you through every step of the process, from choosing a time of year/date for the perfect weather conditions, to picking a spot with amazing views, to securing any necessary permits, to finding other vendors and planning wedding outfits that are perfect for adventuring.
Hopefully the information below will help you decide if Ouray is right for you! Let's go over everything you need to know about eloping in Ouray, Colorado.
We're gonna chat about all of this:
Where to Elope in
Ouray
Off-Roading Trails
My favorite locations in Ouray require some off-roading. But you'll find the best views and private ceremony spots by going off the beaten path! No worries if you don't have a Jeep, or don't feel comfy driving yourself. There are some incredible companies in town where you can rent a Jeep, or hire a driver to escort you up the mountain!
Hiking Trails
Ouray also has some absolutely incredible hiking trails! I will say, Ouray's trails are not for the faint at heart. Most of the trails have a lot of elevation gain and are long. If you're looking for something short and sweet, this probably isn't the right town for you. But, if trekking up a mountain is your ideal day – you've come to the right place!
Drive-up Spots
Looking for a little bit less adventure but still want epic views? Ouray has some beautiful drive-up spots that don't require off-roading or hiking to get to. These are three of my favorites, but there are also some hidden gems I'm always happy to adventure to!
Secret Spots
One of the best things about hiring me as your Ouray elopement photographer and planner is that I know this area super well! I'll send you a custom location guide that includes hidden spots you won't find on most guides. Here is some of what Ouray has to offer...
Venues
If you are planning on a larger guest list, or just want guaranteed privacy, a venue might be the right fit! These are my favorites nearby. All of them have great views!
Telluride
If you're interested in the Ouray area for your elopement, you should also check out the nearby town of Telluride! Telluride is another charming, historic mountain town. And it has a world-class ski resort that makes it perfect for winter adventures!
Read all about how to elope in Telluride in my guide:
Did one of these locations
strike your fancy?
Reach out to me to start planning your ideal Ouray elopement!
Adventuring During Your
Ouray Elopement
One of the best things about eloping in Ouray is that there are so many ways to adventure.
I absolutely love this area because you'll never run out of trails to explore or views to see.
And "adventure" can mean whatever you want! From ice climbing or backpacking, to relaxing in a hot tub or trying a new brewery in town.
Hiking & Off-Roading Trails
Ouray is known for its world-class trails – many of which you can explore by hiking, off-roading... or both! Hitting the trails during your elopement is such a fun way to get further out into nature and see some mountain views, lakes, and waterfalls you can't get to any other way. Visit Ouray has lots of helpful trail maps for both hiking and off-roading.
If you want to try out off-roading, but aren't comfortable driving yourself (or don't have a 4WD vehicle), consider a jeeping tour from a company in Ouray like Alpine Scenic 4x4 Tours or San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours.
Snowmobiling
Ouray turns into a completely different landscape for a winter elopement, with a whole new set of activities for your elopement. Lots of the places that were fun to hike during the summer turn into trails for snowshoeing – or if you're feeling more adventurous, snowmobiling!
Unless you're already an experienced snowmobiler, you'll probably want to take a guided tour. There are several companies that do snowmobile tours near Ouray, including Ice Pirates and Telluride Outside. They both offer custom and private tours, so you could even elope during your snowmobiling adventure!
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is kind of exactly what it sounds like – rock climbing up frozen walls of ice using axes and spiked boots. Ouray is a world-class destination for ice climbing because of the Ouray Ice Park, a manmade ice climbing park with over 200 routes.
Ouray Ice Park is free to visit and use, but you'll definitely want some lessons if you're a total beginner. The park has a list of companies that offer guided tours and gear rentals, so you try out this winter adventure safely! I highly recommend giving ice climbing a shot if you want to get your adrenaline up during your elopement.
Kayaking, Canoeing, & Paddleboarding
Ouray has lots of alpine lakes in the surrounding area that you can paddle around in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddleboard! This is a super fun and peaceful way to share some moments just the two of you during your Ouray elopement.
Ridgway State Park Reservoir has paddleboard and kayak rentals on-site, and Molas Lake is also open to paddling if you bring your own watercraft.
Via Ferrata
Via ferrata is an alpine climbing route that uses cables to ascend steep mountainsides, and Ouray is actually one of the few places in the world you can try it.
Ouray has a via ferrata park with three climbing routes. Like the ice climbing park, it's free to use, but technically difficult and requires special equipment. So consider signing up for a guided tour to learn the ropes! There's no better way to make unforgettable memories on your elopement day than trying a new adventure together.
Hot Springs
There are four hot springs resorts right in the town of Ouray. Some are larger, family-friendly pools, while others have private tubs for an intimate and relaxing end to your Ouray elopement day. Definitely don't pass up the unique opportunity to soak in a hot spring while enjoying mountain views!
- Ouray Hot Springs Pool
- Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs
- Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs
- The Weisbaden Hot Springs Spa
Camping & Backpacking
Ouray has so many amazing places to camp and backpack, from campgrounds to the wild backcountry. Backpacking to a remote location is a great way to get away from everyone and sleep under the stars on your elopement night. Or if you're bringing family and friends along, a group camping trip means you can spend the whole weekend partying together!
The U.S. Forest Service has tons of designated campgrounds and dispersed camping sites in the area. For a larger group, Molas Lake or Silver Jack Campground have group areas you can reserve.
If you're thinking of backpacking for your Ouray elopement, the Blue Lakes Trail is a stunning choice with several campsites. As of 2025, there is now a permit system in place!
the best time to
Elope in Ouray
When should you elope in Ouray?
One of my favorite things about the Colorado mountains is that there's different ways to adventure all year. It just depends on what activities you want to include in your elopement day!
Ouray in particular is known for its year-round activities, from hiking and off-roading in the summer to ice climbing in the winter. And the hot springs are perfect for a relaxing soak anytime.
Take a look at my blog post about eloping in Colorado during any season! Or keep scrolling for a Ouray-specific breakdown of each season.
Summer
Summer is the ideal season for hiking, off-roading, stargazing, and wildflowers!
Summer in Ouray lasts from late June to August, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. It's the perfect weather for a camping elopement or a kayaking adventure!
Of course, it's also one of the busiest seasons, especially when the wildflowers pop off in July. Weekdays and sunrises are the best times for a summer elopement in Ouray!
Fall
Ouray gets stunning fall colors in its mountain passes and aspen groves. In September and October, highs drop into the 50s and 60s – so while paddleboarding on an alpine lake is probably out, it's perfect weather for off-roading.
Late September is the best time to catch fall colors in Ouray. And by the end of October, snow starts falling on the mountains!
Winter
Ouray is known for its ice climbing park, which is only open during the winter months. You can also snowmobile or snowshoe!
Because it's at such high elevation, Ouray has a long and chilly winter, with frequent snowstorms.
Winter in Ouray is not for the new-to-snow individuals. I'd recommend a mountain town like Breckenridge or Telluride if you don't have much snow experience!
Spring
Like other Rocky Mountain towns, Ouray doesn't have much of a spring. April and May are chilly, muddy, and can still have snowfall. Many mountain passes don't open for vehicles until late June, and hiking trails can still be snow covered.
Overall, if you are considering April or May I'd recommend somewhere like Great Sand Dunes National Park, or Garden of the Gods!
Elope on a weekday!
One of my biggest pieces of advice for couples choosing when to elope is to pick a weekday! It's the best way to guarantee yourself some privacy to take in beautiful spots without a crowd.
Got a season in mind for
your elopement?
I'd love to chat about all the pros and cons and help you pick the perfect time of year for your Ouray elopement!
How to Plan Your
Ouray Elopement
If this guide has convinced you that eloping in Ouray might be right for you, but you’re not quite sure where to start and feeling overwhelmed by the options, don’t panic! I’ll break down the steps to planning your dream elopement and do my best to make the process as stress-free as possible for you and your partner.
Step One:
Contact Me
First things first, fill out my contact form! No worries if you don’t have all the details figured out yet – reach out to me with your ideas, and I can help walk you through the rest of the steps from inquiry to elopement day. I pride myself on being not just an elopement photographer, but also a local expert, planner, and my couples’ best friend and support as they navigate the elopement planning process.
Step two:
Pick a Time & Place
This is where I come in as your on-the-ground local expert. I'll create a personalized location guide based on your preferences and priorities. If one of the sites above has piqued your interest, awesome! But I’ll also share some hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path ideas, and help you choose the perfect location for your Ouray elopement.
Step three:
Find Other Vendors
If your dream elopement includes florals, hair and makeup, ice climbing or snowmobiling, or even a Jeeping adventure, I can provide tailored recommendations for vendors to make it all happen! I have great relationships with many local vendors and experience with many of the hotels, restaurants, and rental companies in the area.
I can also help you find accommodations for your elopement in Ouray, whether it's a vacation rental for cute getting-ready photos, or the perfect campsite for a night under the stars.
Step four:
Get Your Marriage License
If you’re planning to apply for a marriage license in Ouray, make sure you’re familiar with all the rules and regulations! Fortunately, it's a pretty easy process in Ouray County. You don't need an appointment to apply for a marriage license – you can just walk into the county clerk and recorder's office in downtown Ouray from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
The office is closed on Fridays, so make sure you get into town early enough to get your marriage license if you're eloping on a weekend! You both have to appear in person to pick up the license, but you can apply online ahead of time to speed up the process.
And because Colorado is a self-solemnization state, you won't need an officiant or witnesses to elope in Ouray! For more information on self-solemnization and rules for Colorado marriage licenses, check out my guide on How to Get Legally Married in Colorado.
Step five:
Elope!
With all the planning out of the way (and me on your team to tackle any last-minute emergencies), all that's left to do is have the adventure of your lifetime with your favorite person!
Fill out my contact form below to start chatting – no matter where you are in the planning process!
Let's chat!
