Dreaming of those golden aspen groves and snow-capped peaks of Colorado as part of your elopement backdrop? Fall offers not just some of the prettiest landscapes in Colorado, but also some of the best activities! Let’s explore some of the best places (and adventures!) you can have for your Colorado Fall elopement.

A bride and groom hold each other in front of Crystal Mill in Marble, Colorado during the fall.

A bride and groom kiss over an aspen tree in the fall colors of Colorado.

Glenwood Springs

Adding this one to the top because it’s basically my hometown and I’m biased! Glenwood Springs is an awesome option if you want mountains and fall colors with a little relaxation thrown into the mix. Its location between the Colorado River, Roaring Fork Valley, Flat Tops, and surrounding mountains gives you a surprising amount of variety for an elopement day.

Best for: Couples who want to combine adventure with hot springs, good food, and easy access to several completely different landscapes.
When to go: Mid-September through early October can bring fall color to different elevations around the valley.
Most Iconic Locations:
- Hanging Lake — Turquoise water, waterfalls, and dramatic canyon scenery
- Glenwood Canyon — Towering canyon walls along the Colorado River
- Sunlight Mountain / Four Mile Park — Golden aspens, open mountain landscapes, and views toward Mt. Sopris
Adventure ideas:
- Soak in the hot springs
- Hike to an overlook
- Explore Glenwood Canyon
- Ride the Adventure Park gondola
- Go rafting if conditions allow!
- Have a riverside picnic
- Drive deeper into (or on top of) the mountains for a variety of views and landscapes.
Make it bigger: Glenwood also makes a great home base for exploring nearby Carbondale, Redstone, Marble, Aspen, or the Flat Tops.
Keep in mind: Because you have access to several elevations from Glenwood Springs, it can be a great option when fall colors are changing quickly—you may be able to chase the best foliage higher or lower depending on the week.

Aspen

Next in line because it’s right in my backyard! This town is called Aspen for a reason. Come September, the mountains light up with brilliant shades of yellow and gold Aspen trees. Add in rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and the possibility of an early dusting of snow, and you have one seriously incredible setting for a fall Colorado elopement.

Best for: Instagram-worthy mountain views, golden aspens, alpine lakes, and couples who want plenty of scenery without spending their entire day driving.
When to go: Mid-to-late September is typically your best bet for fall colors, although peak foliage varies every year depending on elevation and weather.
Most Iconic Locations:
- Maroon Bells: One of the most recognizable mountain landscapes in Colorado—and for good reason. If you want to actually hold your ceremony here with a group of people, you’ll need to make a reservation well in advance and know all of the ceremony requirements (guess what: I help with all of that as your elopement navigator!)
- Independence Pass: Pair your elopement with a drive over the Continental Divide for huge mountain views, colorful valleys, and plenty of places to stop and explore.
Adventure ideas:
- Hike through an aspen grove
- Paddle-board or picnic beside an alpine lake
- Ride the Aspen ski resort gondola
- Rent bikes or E-bikes (there’s a paved bike path that follows the Roaring Fork River all the way down to Glenwood Springs!)
- End the day with dinner and drinks in downtown Aspen
Keep in mind: Aspen is extremely popular during peak fall color, so weekdays and sunrise are your friends if privacy is important to you.

A sunset over snowy mountains and a fall-colored field.

Telluride

If you want dramatic mountains in practically every direction, Telluride is hard to beat. The little mountain town sits at the end of a canyon surrounded by towering peaks, waterfalls, and hillsides covered in aspens that turn brilliant gold every fall.

Best for: Huge mountain scenery, waterfalls, adventurous activities, and couples who want their elopement to feel like a full mountain getaway.
When to go: Late September into early October can be spectacular, although foliage timing changes from year to year and by elevation.
Most Iconic Locations:
- Bridal Veil Falls — Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall, with dramatic canyon and mountain views.
- Blue Lakes — Brilliant turquoise alpine lakes beneath Mt. Sneffels, reached via a more substantial hike.
- Last Dollar Road — Famous for sweeping mountain views, huge aspen groves, and quintessential Colorado fall scenery.
Adventure ideas:
- Take the ski gondola to the top for excellent views
- Hike to a waterfall
- Rent a Jeep and explore the backcountry
- Tackle a via ferrata
- Ride bikes through town or on nearby trails
- Have a mountaintop picnic
- Wander Telluride’s historic downtown
Make it a road trip: Nearby Ridgway and Ouray open up even more possibilities for your elopement day or a multi-day adventure.
Keep in mind: Weather can change incredibly fast in the San Juan Mountains, especially as fall progresses. Sunshine, rain, and the season’s first snow can sometimes all make an appearance within the same week!

Crested Butte

Crested Butte might be famous for its summer wildflowers, but fall completely transforms the surrounding mountains. Miles of aspen-covered hillsides turn gold, orange, and even fiery red, making this one of my favorite areas for couples who want to be completely surrounded by fall color.

Best for: Endless aspen groves, mountain roads, hiking, and a slightly more laid-back mountain-town feel.
When to go: Mid-to-late September is generally prime territory for fall colors, but elevation makes a big difference.
Most Iconic Locations:
- Kebler Pass — Massive golden aspen groves and mountain views
- Gothic Road — Iconic views of Gothic Mountain surrounded by fall color
- Washington Gulch — Gorgeous aspen-covered hillsides, meadows, and rugged peaks
Adventure ideas:
- Rent a Jeep and ride a ride over Kebler Pass
- Hike through the aspens
- Mountain bike
- Paddle an alpine lake
- Simply spend the afternoon exploring this absolutely adorable and artsy mountain town!
For extra adventure: Crested Butte is surrounded by incredible backcountry, making it easy to build a full-day or even two-day elopement experience rather than staying in one location.
Keep in mind: Some mountain roads require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles, and early snow can affect access later in the season.

A bride and groom lean against a green Jeep by a lake during fall in Colorado.

Marble

Want something a little more off the beaten path? Marble is a tiny mountain town tucked beneath the Elk Mountains, surrounded by forests, rugged peaks, and some incredible backcountry terrain. In fall, the drive alone becomes part of the experience as the narrow mountainsides turn gold.

Best for: Couples who want something quieter, adventurous, and a little different from Colorado’s better-known elopement destinations.
When to go: Mid-to-late September generally brings beautiful fall color to the Crystal River Valley.
Most Iconic Locations:
- Crystal Mill: One of Colorado’s most photographed historic sites sits outside Marble and requires a backcountry adventure to reach.
- Redstone: This charming little mountain town is known for local artist gift shops, delicious restaurants, and nearby hot springs!
Adventure ideas:
- Take a Jeep tour
- Hike trails beneath the aspens
- Visit nearby historic Redstone
- Picnic beside the Crystal River
- Take a fall drive over McClure Pass
Keep in mind: Backcountry access around Marble can be rough and seasonal. If you’re dreaming of an off-road adventure, make sure your vehicle and plans are appropriate for current road conditions (good thing you have an elopement navigator by your side to help with permits and boots-on-the-ground trail conditions!).

A vast mountain overlooks an alpine lake during fall in Colorado.

Rocky Mountain National Park

For classic Colorado scenery, it’s pretty hard to leave Rocky Mountain National Park off the list. Think alpine lakes, towering peaks, colorful aspens, wildlife, and some of the highest paved roads in the country—all packed into one incredible area.

Best for: Alpine lakes, dramatic mountain views, hiking, wildlife, and couples dreaming of that quintessential Colorado elopement experience.
When to go: September is an incredible month in the park. Fall colors begin appearing at higher elevations and gradually move lower as the season progresses.
Most Iconic Locations:
- Bear Lake — Classic alpine lake with mountain views and fall aspens
- Sprague Lake — Beautiful reflections, golden foliage, and views of the Continental Divide
- Trail Ridge Road — Huge alpine vistas, dramatic peaks, and sweeping views across the park
Bonus: Fall is also elk rut season, meaning you may hear bull elk bugling across the valleys—an unforgettable soundtrack for a Colorado adventure.
Adventure ideas:
- Catch sunrise beside an alpine lake
- Hike into the mountains
- Explore Trail Ridge Road
- Have a picnic while watching for wildlife
- Spend part of your day exploring Estes Park or Grand Lake
**Ceremonies: Rocky Mountain National Park has designated ceremony locations and requires a permit for wedding ceremonies, so this is one destination where planning ahead is especially important (again, good thing you have an experienced Colorado elopement navigator by your side who can help with this!)
Keep in mind: RMNP is popular even outside summer. Sunrise, weekdays, and less-busy areas of the park can help create a more peaceful experience.

A red-colored mountain rises above golden aspen trees in Colorado.

Ouray

Nicknamed the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is surrounded by the rugged San Juan Mountains—and in fall, those mountains become even more incredible. Golden aspens fill the valleys beneath jagged peaks, while historic mining roads lead high into the mountains.

Best for: Dramatic peaks, Jeep adventures, waterfalls, fall color, and couples who want a huge amount of adventure packed into a relatively small area.
When to go: Late September is often a great starting point when planning around fall foliage, although exact timing varies every year.
The scenery: Mountain passes, waterfalls, colorful valleys, historic mining roads, rocky peaks, and endless overlooks make it easy to find wildly different landscapes throughout one elopement day.
Adventure ideas: Rent a Jeep, explore the Million Dollar Highway, hike to a waterfall, soak in the hot springs, tackle a via ferrata, have a mountain picnic, or venture onto one of the area's famous backcountry roads.
Extend the adventure: Telluride, Ridgway, and Silverton are all nearby, making this an incredible area for a two-day elopement or road-trip-style experience.
Keep in mind: The San Juans are high and rugged, and fall weather can change quickly. Some high-elevation roads can also become inaccessible once significant snow arrives.

A bride and groom stand outside of a Jeep kissing on a trail in Colorado's fall.

Ready for Your Colorado Fall Elopement?

There are a ton of other places throughout Colorful Colorado that have amazing spots for elopements! From hidden aspen groves and reflective alpine lakes to rugged Jeep trails and mountain towns, your day doesn’t have to be limited to the most famous locations on a map.

As a Colorado elopement photographer, one of my favorite parts of helping couples plan their day is finding locations and activities that actually fit them, and then building a timeline as close to their vision as possible! But Fall in Colorado is short and unpredictable, and if you don’t know where to go and when, you might find yourself in massive crowds, or missing the leaves all together. That’s why I’m so excited to not only photograph your elopement day, but help navigate all the little details as well!