Telluride
Elopement Guide
Telluride is the Charming Mountain Town You’ve Been Looking For
In the southwest corner of Colorado, high up in the Rockies, an elopement hidden gem is nestled in a stunning canyon. Telluride is a ski resort town with so much historic charm, and is the perfect base camp for a Colorado adventure elopement.
There are so many reasons a Telluride elopement is magical during any season. From its world-class ski resort to its reputation for incredible off-roading and hiking, Telluride is an adventurous couple’s dream elopement destination.
We’ll get into all the details about how to plan an epic Telluride elopement, from where to have your ceremony, to the best time of year, to adventuring all day long. But first – what makes Telluride so special?
Why Should You Elope in Telluride?
01/
Insane Mountain Views
Telluride sits in a box canyon surrounded by steep, dramatic mountain peaks. Even in the heart of town, you can’t escape Telluride’s unreal views.
And when you travel to the top of these mountains during your adventures, you’ll find panoramic landscapes like nothing else on earth!
02/
Year-Round Adventures
Telluride is known for its ski resort – but the winter also brings snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides. In the summer, Telluride is the base camp for famous off-road trails, hikes, and even a hot air balloon festival!
Keep reading to learn about all the ways you can adventure during your Telluride elopement.
03/
Mountain Town Charm
This tiny former mining town is a National Historic Landmark – and it’s easy to see why when you take a stroll through the quaint downtown filled with colorful Victorian-era houses and brick buildings.
Telluride has all the modern amenities and vendors you could possibly want for your elopement, without sacrificing any of its small-town charm.
04/
Easy Travel
There are lots of options for getting to Telluride. The town’s small regional airport has daily connection flights from Denver. You can find flights from many major U.S. cities at the regional airports in Montrose (1.5 hrs away), Durango (2 hrs away), or Grand Junction (2.5 hrs away).
You can also take a road trip into Telluride – it’s a gorgeous drive from other destinations like Moab (2.5 hrs), Colorado Springs (5.5 hrs), Denver (6 hrs), or Santa Fe (6 hrs).
Where to Elope in Telluride
Waterfalls
Waterfalls provide a dreamy setting for an adventurous Telluride elopement, whether in the summer or frozen solid in the winter. I’d recommend a hike to a waterfall for a just-the-two-of-you elopement or a sunrise adventure to enjoy the beautiful nature in peace.
Backcountry Campsites
The national forests around Telluride allow dispersed camping in designated areas so you can make your elopement day into an elopement weekend, totally immersed in nature. I love this idea especially for an elopement with a few friends and family – nothing’s more fun than camping with your favorite people!
Alpine Lakes
For privacy and panoramic views way up in the mountains, it’s hard to beat an alpine lake! You can your partner can hike through wildflowers to Hope Lake, a calm sanctuary above the tree line, or check out the Blue Lakes, which are so bright turquoise that they don’t look real.
Trout Lake
Just 20 minutes outside of Telluride, Trout Lake is surrounded by wildflowers and pine trees for stunning green scenery in the summer. It’s also a great place to fish, kayak, or paddleboard, and the start of several hiking trails.
Mountain Passes
Because Telluride is nestled right in a steep mountain canyon, it’s surrounded by mountain passes and off-roading trails that can get you away from the crowds to find some amazing views during your Telluride elopement.
Imogene Pass and Ophir Pass are via 4WD roads that link Telluride to the nearby mountain towns of Ouray and Silverton and provide epic scenery along the way.
Hiking Trails
If you’re planning a Telluride elopement that’s just you and your partner, why not pick your favorite hike and elope along the way? My favorite thing about a hiking elopement is that there’s no need to over-plan. We can set off on a fun adventure and discover places as we go that just feel right for your vows, first dance, and maybe even a picnic!
The Forest Service trail guide is a great place to start looking for the perfect elopement hike near Telluride.
Vacation Rentals
Because Telluride is so popular for outdoor enthusiasts year-round, there are lots of vacation rentals in the area, from modern luxury to rustic charm. These don’t just have to be a space for getting ready – you can plan a small ceremony and reception with your closest loved ones on the balcony of a mountain cabin!
You can find tons of options through Airbnb, VRBO, and local companies like Telluride Rentals and Alpine Lodging Telluride. Just make sure to read their event policies!
The Observatory at Alta Lakes
At 11,000 feet of elevation, the Observatory at Alta Lakes hosts elopements and weddings for up to 45 guests in a magical outdoor location. After a ceremony and reception with wildflowers and an alpine lake as your backdrop, you and your partner can stay on-site in the luxurious backcountry cabin, which sleeps 12.
Despite getting snowed in, the observatory is still open in the winter – you can inquire about snowmobile transportation services for you and your guests.
Telluride Ski Resort
Telluride Ski Resort is also a wedding venue! The resort plans full-service, traditional weddings in its several ceremony and reception halls, but it also has spaces that are ideal for an elopement or microwedding.
The San Sophia Overlook and the Palmyra Lookout are both outdoor ceremony sites with genuinely jaw-dropping views.
The Middle of Nowhere!
A.K.A., my favorite option! I’m super familiar with this area and happy to help you find a unique and private spot for your Telluride elopement.
When you reach out to me to start planning, I’ll send you a location guide that includes some “secret spots” that aren’t on any maps or guides, but provide the coolest views for the most adventurous couples!
Did one of these locations strike your fancy? Reach out to me to start planning your ideal Telluride elopement!
When Should you
Elope in Telluride?
One of the best things about Colorado’s ski resort towns is that they’re open all year! The ski season ensures that roads stay plowed and accommodations stay open.
But winter isn’t Telluride’s only season for unique adventures. If you’re picturing hiking or off-roading as part of your elopement day, summer and fall are the best seasons for good conditions and beautiful nature like wildflowers and aspens.
Take a look this blog for all the details about eloping in Colorado any season! Or keep scrolling for a Telluride-specific breakdown of each season.
Summer
Telluride’s summer lasts from June to August, with average high temperatures in the low 70s. This is the perfect season for hiking, off-roading, and paddling around a lake!
It’s also ideal for camping – but keep in mind that even in the summer, it gets cold at night (in the low 40s) because of the extreme elevation.
Finally, summer is the season for hot air balloons! Telluride’s annual balloon festival in June is a truly magical sight.
Fall
I love off-roading in the fall in Telluride because of the breathtaking colors of the aspens in the area’s mountain passes.
September is the best time for fall colors along the trail and still warm enough to adventure, with highs in the mid-60s. Temperatures really start to drop in October and November, when snow season begins.
Winter
Telluride has a long winter – snow typically starts falling in November and lasts all the way until April! March sees the highest snowfall, but December and January are the coldest months, with many days never reaching above freezing.
Winter brings so many fun activities, though – like skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, and sledding.
Spring
Telluride starts to thaw in April and May, and you can expect temperatures to start to climb into the 50s and 60s. Spring gets pretty muddy as the snow melts, which can make hiking and off-roading a bit more difficult.
Spring has one big benefit, however: it’s the off-season, which means you can expect smaller crowds at the best lakes and trails.
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 Telluride elopement!
Adventuring during your Telluride elopement
Of course, one of the best things about eloping in Telluride is all the fun activities you can include in your day! No matter the season – or how adventurous you’re feeling – there are lots of fun ways to enjoy nature during your elopement.
Hiking
Telluride is home to some challenging – but super rewarding! – hikes to incredible, panoramic views of the canyon and alpine lakes. Even if your ceremony is at a more traditional venue or an accessible spot for friends and family, planning time for a hike with your partner on your elopement day will give you some private moments together in a beautiful place.
Here’s two trails to get you started:
- Hope Lake Trail (4.8 miles)
- Blue Lakes Trail (8.6 miles)
Off-Roading
People come from all over the country to go off-roading in Telluride! Its mountain passes have some incredible trails, whether you’re interested in a challenging 4WD adventure or just hoping to get somewhere off the beaten path.
One of the most famous off-roading trails in the world, Black Bear Pass, ends in Telluride. This is a technically challenging trail with notoriously steep, narrow switchbacks, and is only safe for very experienced drivers with appropriate vehicles. (If that’s not you, but you don’t want to miss out on the scenery, you can also hike the pass!)
Fortunately, Telluride has lots of easy and moderate off-roading trails if you’re not looking for an adrenaline rush on your elopement day:
- Last Dollar Road (13.3 miles)
- Ophir Pass Road (10 miles)
Skiing
Whether you’re an avid skier or a beginner hoping to learn (and maybe fall a few times) with your partner, Telluride Ski Resort has world-famous slopes, as well as rentals and lessons.
Skiing during your elopement is an excellent way to make the most of the most of the winter season, but the resort as has golf during the summer and a free gondola year-round if those activities are more your vibe!
Snowmobiling
A snowmobiling tour is such a fun way to reach Telluride’s backcountry during your winter elopement. Telluride Outfitters and Telluride Outside have half-day and full-day adventures to different stunning locations, including frozen lakes and hot springs!
Hot Springs
Speaking of hot springs, what’s more romantic than ending your elopement day with a relaxing soak with your partner in a gorgeous place?
Orvis Hot Springs, Ouray Hot Springs, and Wiesbaden Hot Springs are each about an hour away from Telluride. Dunton Hot Springs is accessible by snowmobile in the winter, or less than two hours away by car.
Kayaking & Canoeing
Paddling around a lake makes for some epic and unique elopement pictures! Trout Lake, just 15 miles outside Telluride, is the perfect location to kayak or canoe.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can also bring an inflatable kayak or paddleboard along on your hiking or off-roading journey to an alpine lake!
Camping & Backpacking
If you truly want to get away from it all, wake up in nature and fall asleep under the stars during your Telluride elopement! Camping and backpacking are such fun adventures to extend your elopement, whether it’s just the two of you or you’re bringing friends along.
The Sneffels Highline Trail (12.4 miles) is a great high-altitude backpacking trail to get deep into Telluride’s backcountry. Or if you don’t want to carry in all your gear, consider spending the night in the Matterhorn Campground or the Woods Lake Campground in nearby national forests.
Want more Telluride Elopement Inspiration?
Check out these elopement days!
Telluride Hiking Elopement at Sunrise
Epic Colorado Off-Roading Elopement
How to Plan your Telluride Elopement
Step 1:
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 and elopement planner.
Step 2:
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 Telluride elopement.
Step 3:
Find other Vendors
If your dream elopement includes florals, hair and makeup, skiing 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 Telluride elopement, whether it’s a vacation rental for cute getting-ready photos, or the perfect campsite for a night under the stars.
Step 4:
Learn How to Get Married Legally
If you’re planning to apply for a marriage license in Telluride, make sure you’re familiar with all the rules and regulations!
Fortunately, San Miguel County, where Telluride is located, makes it pretty easy. You don’t need an appointment to apply for a marriage license – you can just walk into the county clerk and recorder’s office (conveniently located in downtown Telluride) from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Because Colorado is a self-solemnization state, you won’t need an officiant or witnesses to elope in Telluride! 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 5:
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!
Hey there, the name’s Sam! I cannot wait to chat with you.
This is gonna be epic.
