Dog-Friendly Colorado Elopement Locations
How to Elope in Colorado with Your Dog
We love dogs more than just about anything else, and we can completely understand why so many couples want their furry friends to be a part of their wedding day. But as much as we all wish this wasn’t the case, dogs aren’t allowed in all locations, so it can be difficult to know what your options are. That’s where we come in! Here are some of our favorite elopement locations in Colorado that allow dogs.
Updated March 7th, 2026
We’re Lisa + Alex
We are an inclusive and dog-friendly husband and wife elopement photography and videography team in Colorado.
10+ Years
Capturing Elopements
275+ Couples
Worked With
We wholeheartedly believe that elopements are for everyone
We will create a safe and inclusive space for you. No matter your race, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status, we will celebrate your love.
We will empower you to create the elopement day that feels just like you. You’ve probably never done this before and are feeling a mix of nerves and excitement as you set off on your elopement journey. We’re here every step of the way to demystify the process to make it easy and fun!
Table of Contents
The best Colorado towns to elope in with your dog:
Aspen
Boulder
Breckenridge - view our Breckenridge elopement guide
Buena Vista
Crested Butte
Ouray - view our Ouray elopement guide
Telluride - view our Telluride elopement guide
Dog-Friendly Towns for Your Colorado Elopement
What makes these towns great for dog-friendly elopements
When you’re considering where in Colorado to elope with your dog, you’ll want to choose a location that has dog-friendly accommodation options, dog-friendly venues and elopement locations, as well as dog-friendly trails and viewpoints to go explore for phots on your elopement day. The good news is that Colorado, in general, is very dog-friendly, so you’ll have a lot of options!
Dog-Friendly Elopement Venues in Colorado
We use the word “venue” loosely around here. Some of these spaces are “traditional” venues that offer packages for small weddings and elopements with dogs. Other spaces are more casual, such as picnic areas, campgrounds, and even some privately owned ceremony sites that feel casual and remote.
Crested Butte Land Trust
As the name suggests, these ceremony sites are located in Crested Butte, Colorado. The CB Land Trust offers two different options for ceremony sites Woods Walk and Peanut Lake. We find that our couples most often choose Woods Walk because of the easy access mountain views, and beautiful aspen trees.
All three of these ceremony sites cost $1,500 (plus a $500 refundable deposit) and are available to rent year-round. You can apply for a permit directly through the Crested Butte Land Trust website.
Campgrounds & Picnic Areas
Eloping in a campground or picnic area is a great way to have a beautiful outdoor and cost-friendly elopement. Whether you’re looking for amazing mountain views, cozy forests, or even more of a neighborhood feel, this could be perfect for you.
Our favorite campground for elopements is Windy Point Campground in Breckenridge and Top of the Pines in Ridgway. Our favorite picnic areas for elopements are Dillon Marina Park Pavilion in Breckenridge and Mountain Wedding Garden in Crested Butte.
The Lodge at Breckenridge
If you’re looking for a ceremony site that is easily accessible, conveniently located only a few minutes from downtown Breckenridge, has gorgeous mountain views, and allows dogs, check out The Lodge at Breckenridge.
There, you can rent out their Sky View Deck for two hours, which is the perfect amount of time for a ceremony, a champagne toast, and a first dance. The great thing about The Lodge at Breckenridge is that chairs are included, and you can add champagne and appetizers to your package!
Halfway House
Located up Flagstaff Road, less than 10 minutes from the center of Boulder is Halfway House. The space consists of a stone building as well as two patio spaces that are perfect for a ceremony as well as a picnic-style reception.
Halfway House can be reserved through Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks. It can be reserved for 1 or 3-hour time blocks with pricing starting at $106 for non-residents. It is closed from Veterans Day to New Years Day.
Piney River Ranch
Located about an hour up a bumpy dirt road from Vail, Colorado is Piney River Ranch. The venue is a glamper’s paradise and tucked away in the wilderness and sits on a lake surrounded by some of the most beautiful views in the state.
The ceremony is held on an outdoor deck at the edge of the lake with towering mountains in the background. After the ceremony, couples can relax by a campfire or take a canoe out on the lake. We’ve even seen moose on the lake after sunset.
More Dog-Friendly Venue Ideas
Chair Mountain Ranch in Marble
San Sophia Overlook in Telluride
Mountain Lodge Telluride in Telluride
Aldasoro Weddings in Telluride
Coffee on the Rocks in Estes Park
Tennessee Pass Cookhouse & Nordic Center in Leadville
Treehaus CO in Black Hawk
Sunrise Amphitheater in Boulder
Rhize Weddings in Colorado Springs
Juniper Lodge & Treehouses in Evergreen
Camp Hale Weddings in Leadville
Dog-Friendly Elopement Locations on Public Land in Colorado
This is our favorite option! Many locations on National Forest Land or in State Parks allow dogs. And in Colorado, we are lucky enough to have almost 23 million acres of public lands, so you’ve got a lot of beautiful places to choose from!
Some locations may require a little bit of hiking or off-roading, while others are easily accessible in any vehicle. Each individual region will have its own rules for dogs, guest counts, as well as permits, so it’s important to do some research on any specific location you are interested in.
Sapphire Point Overlook
Located outside of Breckenridge, Colorado, Sapphire Point is a popular ceremony site for both elopements and small weddings and is available year-round. The site can accommodate 30 people, and sits on the edge of Lake Dillon and has gorgeous lake and mountain views.
The three-hour permit costs $150, and can be reserved online. Permits for Sapphire Point open up exactly six months in advance at 8:00 am Mountain Time.
Maroon Bells Amphitheater
Located outside of Aspen, Colorado, the Maroon Bells are one of the most iconic views in the entire state. Ceremonies are held at the Maroon Bells Amphitheater and are permitted on weekdays from the beginning of June until the beginning of October. Dogs are allowed at the ceremony site and on trails as long as they are kept on a leash.
Permits for the Maroon Bells Amphitheater cost $200, and become available exactly 12 months in advance at 8:00 am Mountain Time. Because of its popularity, we recommend getting yours as soon as you can!
Garden of the Gods
Located near the center of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a popular and easily accessible elopement location. It offer gorgeous views of rock formations and even has mountain views in the distance.
Garden of the Gods has 6 ceremony sites to choose from, with total group size limits from 25 to 50 people. The cost of getting married at Garden of the Gods is free but with a suggested $50 donation.
Hiking Elopements
If you’re eloping without guests, you will have countless beautiful hikes to choose from in Colorado! The most common hike lengths we see couples choose is 2-5 miles, but there are hike options for all skill levels!
Off-Road Elopements
If you’re eloping without guests, many parts of the state have amazing off-roading trails that require no hiking! Our favorite regions of Colorado for off-road elopements are Buena Vista, Crested Butte, Ouray, and Telluride.
Colorado State Parks
Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden
Pearl Lake State Park in Steamboat Springs
Mueller State Park in Divide, Colorado
Steamboat Lake State Park in Steamboat Springs
Ridgway State Park in Ridgway
Staunton State Park in Pine, Colorado
Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs
The Best Event & Dog-Friendly Home Rentals in Colorado
Colorado is packed full of amazing house rentals! Some of them are on a large piece of land, while others offer huge outdoor decks for entertaining. Depending on the house, you may be able to host multiple parts of your elopement day, such as your ceremony and reception, all in one place.
Most rental websites allow you to search based on their pet policy. We recommend always reaching out to the property owner in advance to get approval for your event. Some may require an additional fee or deposit for the event as well as pets.
Our Favorite Home Rental Elopements
Dog and Event-Friendly Vrbo Listings in Colorado
We provide the couples who book with us an even longer list of rental options, but here’s a couple to get you started! Be sure to double-check each listing’s pet and event policy prior to booking in case they’ve changed since this blog post was published.
Disclosure: We use affiliate links in our elopement planning blog posts. This does not cost you anything, but it helps support the creation of these free, informational blog posts. Thank you for your support!
Lakeside Home near Boulder - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Victorian Home near Boulder - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Historical Resort near Colorado Springs - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
I C Barn near Colorado Springs - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Dreamwood Manor near Monument - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Luxury Off-Grid House near Woodland Park - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Mt. Vernon Ranch near Morrison - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Lookout Mountain Home near Golden - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Alpine Mansion near Vail - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Large Ranch near Granby - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Secluded Cabin - near Winter Park - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Secluded Ranch in Glenwood Springs - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Twin Creeks Ranch - near Aspen - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Modern Luxury Home Near Aspen - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Stunning Estate in Aspen - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
Lakeside Ranch near Mesa - click here to view the listing on Vrbo
How to be Responsible in Nature with Your Dog
We are big believers in Leave No Trace Principles. But there are a few special things to think about when it comes to bringing your dogs along on your adventure!
Many locations have rules against bringing dogs. The reasoning behind these rules is to protect fragile vegetation, keep your dog safe from predatory animals (such as coyotes and mountain lions), and to keep other visitors (as well as wild animals) safe and comfortable. We recommend keeping these in mind when bringing your dog with you on your wedding day, but here are a few basic rules:
It should be a no-brainer, but it is extremely important to pick up and properly dispose of your pet’s waste.
Unless specifically noted otherwise, dogs are required to be kept on a leash (many counties require leashes to be less than 6ft long).
Protect vegetation by keeping your dog on the designated trail.
How to Include Your Dog in Your Elopement
Your Dog Can Sign Your Marriage License
In Colorado, many counties will let your dog sign your marriage license with their paw print! Always be sure to ask the county office what their rules are as some offices have guidelines for the location of the paw print, and some don’t allow it at all!
Your Dog Can be a Part of Your Ceremony
Your dog can walk you down the aisle, act as your ring bearer, or even just sit next to you while you exchange your vows!
Your Dog Can be in Your Photos
Bring your dog along on your elopement adventures so that they can be a part of your memories as well as your elopement photos!
Check Out Some Colorado Elopements with Dogs
Need more ideas for planning your Colorado elopement?
Check out our Colorado Elopement Guide
Still looking for the perfect ceremony space?
Get our list of 215+ Colorado elopement and small wedding venues
Colorado Elopement Planning Guide
Over the years, we have written many other resources to help inspire your Colorado elopement!
We specialize in Colorado elopements
Planning, Photography, and Videography
Let’s work together to make your Colorado elopement dreams come to life!
We have been planning and capturing elopements for over 10+ years and have captured over 275+ elopements. We are so lucky to work with about 20 couples each year and show them some of our favorite places.
Are you looking for a meaningful and adventurous day in Colorado? We would love to get to know you!
