Sapphire Point Overlook
Breckenridge, Colorado
Updated May 7th, 2024
Weddings at Sapphire Point Overlook
If you were to ask us to make a list of the three most popular locations for small weddings or elopements in Colorado, Sapphire Point Overlook would definitely make the list. It’s no surprise that hundreds of couples choose to have their wedding ceremony at Sapphire Point Overlook each year, it not only has beautiful views, it’s in a great area, tucked between a few great mountain towns, it’s easily accessible, and it’s also very affordable.
As local Colorado elopement photographers, we have worked with many couples who have chosen to have their ceremony at Sapphire Point Overlook. In this article, we will give you some insight on what it takes to have your elopement or small wedding at Sapphire Point Overlook and help you weigh the pros and cons to make sure it’s the perfect fit for you!
What’s in this Sapphire Point Elopement Guide?
Table of Contents
Where is Sapphire Point Overlook
What is it like to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook?
How to reserve Sapphire Point Overlook
When to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook
Guidelines for your wedding at Sapphire Point Overlook
Should you get married at Sapphire Point Overlook?
How to have the best Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding
Alternatives for weddings at Sapphire Point Overlook
Where is Sapphire Point Overlook?
Sapphire Point Overlook sits at an elevation of 9,500 feet. It hugs the edge of a cliff high above Dillon Reservoir with views of the Tenmile and Gore mountains in the distance. It is within Dillon Ranger District in White River National Forest.
Sapphire Point Overlook Address: Along Swan Mountain Rd, Dillon, CO 80435
Click here to view the location on Google Maps
Sapphire Point Overlook Coordinates: 39°35'17.4"N 106°02'46.2"W
It is conveniently located in Dillon, Colorado. Visitors also have easy access to popular mountain towns, while also not being too far of a drive from Denver International Airport.
Breckenridge is a 15-minute drive away (about 8 miles)
Frisco is a 10-minute drive away (about 5 miles)
Silverthorne is a 15-minute drive away (about 8 miles)
Keystone is a 12-minute drive away (about 6 miles)
Denver International Airport is a 1 hour and 40-minute drive (about 100 miles)
Interested in learning more about eloping in this region of Colorado?
Check out our Breckenridge Elopement Guide
What is it like to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook?
If you’re looking for a ceremony site that is easily accessible, then Sapphire Point Overlook could be a great option for you! Here are some frequently asked questions to give you a better idea of what you can expect if you choose to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook in Breckenridge, Colorado.
How many people are allowed at Sapphire Point Overlook?
The overlook can accommodate up to 35 people. This number includes you, all guests (including children), as well as any hired vendors (such as your officiant, photographer, videographer, etc.). One thing to keep in mind is that 35 people will feel very crowded in the small overlook, so we recommend that our couples keep their group size under 25.
How long is the walk to Sapphire Point Overlook?
The walk to the overlook is 0.1 miles from the parking lot (or a total of 0.2 miles round trip). If you would like to hike the entire Sapphire Point Overlook Trail, it is a 0.6-mile loop.
Is Sapphire Point Overlook wheelchair accessible?
During the months when there is no snow on the ground, the trail to the overlook is wheelchair accessible. The trail is a smooth gravel path that is downhill when heading toward the overlook and then uphill when heading back to the trailhead. The hill on the way back to the trailhead could be challenging for a wheelchair.
Are there restrooms nearby?
There is a pit toilet (non-flushing) at the trailhead.
Is there parking at Sapphire Point Overlook?
There is a parking lot at the trailhead with a total of 22 parking spaces. Because this is such a popular area for visitors, we recommend that our couples carpool as the parking lot can get pretty full.
Is getting married at Sapphire Point Overlook free?
No, reservations are required to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook. This reservation can be purchased online and costs $128.
Are dogs allowed at Sapphire Point Overlook?
Yes, dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash.
Is Sapphire Point Overlook crowded?
It can get crowded. You can expect there to be other visitors on the trail. To avoid some of the crowds, we recommend getting married on a weekday.
How to reserve Sapphire Point Overlook
In order to have your wedding at Sapphire Point Overlook, all you need a reservation. Fortunately, this is a very simple process that takes just a few minutes!
Where and when to reserve Sapphire Point Overlook
Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov. There are many things you can do on Recreation.gov, but we mostly use it for reservations for camping, parking permits, timed entrance to parks, and day-use reservations. Sapphire Point Overlook is listed as a Day Use Campground within White River National Forest.
Click here to view the Sapphire Point Overlook reservation page.
Reservations become available at 8 AM Mountain Time exactly six months in advance. So if you’re getting married on September 23rd, you will want to reserve Sapphire Point Overlook on March 23rd.
How much does it cost to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook?
It costs $128 to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook.
What time should we choose for our ceremony?
There are four different time slots to choose from for your ceremony. Each time slot is three hours.
6 AM - 9 AM, 10 AM - 1 PM, 2 PM - 5 PM, or 6 PM - 9 PM
The light is better in the late afternoon and evening at the overlook. You can expect fewer crowds earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
When to get married at Sapphire Point Overlook
Sapphire Point Overlook is a great place to get married year-round! Our favorite time of year to elope at Sapphire Point Overlook is between mid-May and the end of September.
Winter Weddings
Swan Mountain Road as well as the parking lot are plowed and maintained in the winter, making it a great option for winter weddings. The trail is usually pretty packed down from frequent use but could be deep if there is recent, heavy snow. If there is snow on the ground, the overlook will likely not be wheelchair accessible.
Spring Weddings
As the temperatures warm and the foliage starts to turn green, the views from the overlook are incredible. Just watch out for mud!
Summer Weddings
You can’t go wrong with summer at the overlook. This is a busy time of year to visit the area, so expect to share the overlook with other visitors.
Fall Weddings
While there aren’t any aspen trees at the overlook, you will be able to see the aspen groves hugging the mountains across Dillon Reservoir. As with summer, you can expect the overlook to be busy with other visitors.
Still not sure what time of year is best for your Colorado elopement?
Check out our Colorado Elopement Guide
Guidelines for Sapphire Point Overlook Weddings
Reservation Changes - You may change the date of your reservation for a $10 change fee. Ceremony timeslot changes do not require any fees.
Reservation Cancellations - If you decide to cancel your reservation, you will receive a refund minus a $10 cancellation fee, reservation fees, and any change fees that you may have already paid.
Non-Exclusive Use - Your reservation does not give you exclusive use of the overlook, so other visitors are permitted to share the space with you.
Group Size [New rule as of May 2024] - You may have a total of 30 people. This number includes you, all guests, as well as any hired vendors.
Number of Vehicles Allowed [New rule as of May 2024] - Only 2 vehicles may be parked at Sapphire Point. A print out of your reservation must be displayed in the windshield of your vehicles. If your group requires more than 2 vehicles, you may use 1 (or both) of your parking spaces for a multi-passenger vehicle or shuttle to transport you and your guests. Multi-passenger vehicles may not exceed 20 feet long.
Food and Beverage [New rule as of May 2024] - Food and beverages are not permitted at Sapphire Point Overlook.
Music [New rule as of May 2024] - Only acoustic non-amplified music that cannot be heard from more than 150 feet away from the Overlook is allowed.
Proof of Reservation - Be sure that someone in your group has a copy of your reservation with them at all times.
Leave No Trace - Do not throw seeds, flower petals, or confetti. The overlook is home to many birds and chipmunks, please do not feed them.
Furniture - You may bring in portable furniture to the site, such as chairs or a free-standing wedding arch. Furniture may not be staked into the ground.
Wedding Vendors - Your reservation allows a photographer without any additional permits, but if you plan to have furniture rentals, floral installations, or an officiant, they will need a valid permit with the U.S. Forest Service
Clean Up - You are responsible for leaving the space clean and free of trash, furniture, or floral remnants.
Should you get married at Sapphire Point Overlook?
If you talk candidly to Colorado wedding and elopement professionals, you will find that they often have strong feelings about weddings at Sapphire Point Overlook. Some people love it and other people can’t stand it. We can see both sides of the discussion, and while this isn’t the location for everyone, it can be perfect for some couples! Here’s a list of pros and cons to help you decide if a Sapphire Point wedding is right for you.
Pros of getting married at Sapphire Point Overlook
At only $128, Sapphire Point Overlook is an affordable ceremony location.
The overlook can accommodate up to 30 people (including all vendors and children), which is a rare find on public lands.
It’s available year-round.
The ceremony site is only a short walk from the parking area, and when there is no snow on the ground the trail is wheelchair accessible.
The overlook is conveniently located near the major mountain towns of Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Keystone, which all have great options for vendors, accommodations, restaurants, and recreation.
Dogs are allowed at Sapphire Point Overlook as long as they are kept on leash.
Cons of getting married at Sapphire Point Overlook
It can be very crowded with other visitors and you can’t guarantee a private and quiet ceremony.
The overlook may not be wheelchair accessible when there is snow on the ground.
This is a very popular wedding location and getting reservations can be competitive.
Reservations only open up 6 months in advance, which can leave you scrambling if you are not able to get a reservation.
You are only able to use 2 parking spaces. If you cannot fit your entire group into 2 vehicles, you will need to hire a shuttle.
The views are partially blocked by trees, so you won’t be getting wide open, panoramic views.
While groups of up to 30 are allowed, it can feel very crowded with groups of more than 20-25.
Interested in what others have to say about Sapphire Point Overlook?
Click here to read reviews on Recreation.gov - These reviews are from people who reserved the overlook
Click here to read reviews on Google - These reviews are from all visitors to the overlook
How to have the best Sapphire Point Overlook Wedding
So you’ve done your research, you’ve read the pros and cons, and you think that Sapphire Point Overlook is the perfect place to have your small wedding or elopement ceremony. Here are our top tips for having the best ceremony.
Choose your date carefully - To avoid crowds, get married on a weekday instead of a weekend and avoid major spring and summer holidays.
Avoid mid-day ceremonies - Get married early in the day or later in the evening. This will greatly decrease the number of visitors at the overlook.
Carpool - To avoid the stresses of a full parking lot, try and cut down on the number of cars needed by your group.
Be flexible - With the popularity of weddings at Sapphire Point Overlook, reservation availability is never guaranteed. So just know that you may have to be flexible, whether that means accepting a different timeslot for your ceremony or finding a new ceremony location altogether.
Sapphire Point Overlook Alternatives
So you’ve decided that Sapphire Point Overlook isn’t the perfect fit for your elopement day. Here are some other ceremony locations to consider in the Breckenridge area!
Windy Point Campground - Have your ceremony on the shore of Lake Dillon and then celebrate at the covered pavilion with lake views. The site can easily be reserved online and costs about $250. You can reserve it up to 12 months in advance.
The Lodge at Breckenridge - If you’re looking for a ceremony site that is easily accessible, has gorgeous mountain views, and allows dogs, check out The Lodge at Breckenridge.
Lake Dillon Marina Park Pavilion - Another easily accessible ceremony site with gorgeous views, that allows dogs is the Marina Park Pavilion. Reservations are only available from May 1st until September 30th, with reservations becoming available on the first business day in May of the current year.
Silverthorne Pavilion - This is a great spot if you’re looking for an affordable but more traditional venue. You can choose between their indoor and outdoor ceremony sites, then enjoy cocktail hour on their patio, before heading into their ballroom for your reception. This site is available year-round.
Beaver Run Resort - This ceremony space is similar to The Lodge at Breckenridge. Beaver Run Resort has three outdoor ceremony sites to choose from: Patio on the Green, Spencer’s Deck, and The Coppertop Patio. Ceremony site fees include a two-hour rental. This rental includes chair set up and take down.
Hike to Your Ceremony - Many of our couples who have 0-6 guests opt to have their ceremony surrounded by nature. Breckenridge is full of hikes that have gorgeous options for your ceremony! We love helping our couples find the perfect location to fit their vision and energy level. Many of these locations will require permits from the National Forest!
Event-Friendly Rentals - This area is packed full of amazing house rentals that are perfect for a small ceremony! 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. We provide all of our couples with a list of house rentals that have been approved for events.
All of our Colorado elopement packages include in-depth and customized location recommendations throughout the entire state of Colorado!
Need more location ideas for your Colorado elopement?
Check out our Colorado Elopement Guide
Are you ready to start your elopement adventure?
We’re Lisa + Alex (those goofballs in the photo above). We are photographers and videographers who focus solely on elopements. We are passionate about giving our couples the most incredible elopement day possible. We work closely with each of our couples to offer location options, vendor recommendations, and fun ideas to personalize their wedding day.
Each couple who books with us will receive their own, collaborative Elopement Planning Portal. We know that planning your elopement can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to make the planning process easy and fun.
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