Your Guide to Planning a Beautiful Blue Lakes Elopement

At an elevation of about 9,000 ft (with the uppermost lake nearing 12,500), Blue Lakes is one of Colorado’s most beautiful glacial basins. This high-alpine spot is home to three lakes, connected by the Blue Lakes Trail, which can be challenging, but I promise the trek will be worth it when you reach the turquoise waters of the lower lake and see how majestic the mountains look from up close. While you are no longer allowed to actually exchange vows at Blue Lakes, the epic views and gorgeous landscape make it the perfect place for some truly stunning elopement photos!

As a born-and-raised Colorado photographer, I’ve done a lot of elopements at Blue Lakes and am honestly blown away by its raw, natural beauty every time I visit. Thanks to years of experience, I know the area inside and out, and can’t wait to share my top tips for planning your Blue Lakes elopement!

How do you elope at Blue Lakes?

Since you can’t technically elope at Blue Lakes, the process is a bit different than some other spots in Colorado, but I have walked tons of couples through it and helped them plan the elopement of their dreams, complete with the perfect Blue Lakes photos to remember it by. I’ve broken down the basic steps for you below:

Pick a Ceremony Location

First things first, you’ll need to pick a spot for your ceremony, since you can’t technically elope at Blue Lakes. I recommend picking a spot nearby so you can exchange your vows and then head right over to Blue Lakes for photos. There are plenty of beautiful  options—some are free, while others may require paid permits—and I’ll be there every step of the way to help you find and lock down the perfect spot! 

Pro Tip: As of the writing of this in 2026, no permits are required to access the Blue Lakes Trail, but they are planning on implementing a system in 2027, so access/cost details may change once that happens. For now, just make sure to practice Leave No Trace when you visit the lakes and do your part to keep them beautiful so others can enjoy them too!

Pick Your Date 

Blue Lakes Trail is technically open year-round which means you can visit whenever you want! However, the high altitude means that there could be sudden trail closures during the winter due to snow conditions, so just keep that in mind when deciding on a date. The best place for up-to-date information on those closures is usually the U.S. Forest service’s official website or the San Juan Mountains Association. 

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

Between the Blue Lakes Trail and the three lakes it leads you to, there are plenty of epic backdrops for your elopement photos! Everywhere you look there are soaring trees, rushing waterfalls, or sweeping mountain views, and that’s in addition to the iconic blue waters of the lakes. As a local, experienced photographer, I know all the hidden gems and can help you plan your day so you have the best spots with the most gorgeous lighting all to yourselves!

Get Your Marriage License

The best place to get a marriage license near Blue Lakes is in Ouray. You can apply online here, but they also accept walk-ins Monday through Thursday, between 9am and 4pm. The license itself costs $30 and you’ll need to stop by the office in person, regardless of how you applied, to pick it up. Then, just sign and return it to the office within 63 days of your wedding. Since Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, you won’t even need witnesses or officiants at your ceremony!

Get Married!

All that’s left is to say your vows, then head over to Blue Lakes for your elopement photos and an adventure you’ll never forget!

When’s the best time to visit Blue Lakes? 

While Blue Lakes is open year-round, the winter season (mid-October through late May) might bring sudden road closures that make the lakes inaccessible due to snow conditions, so the best time to visit during the year is summer into early fall (June through early October). Thanks to the high altitude, there might even still be some snow in late June, making the entire area an alpine dream complete with emerald forests, white peaks, and turquoise waters, while September and October bring changing colors and the smell of spruce. 

Due to the popularity of this trail, I recommend visiting on a weekday and during the early morning or late evening in order to secure parking—those are also the best times to avoid large crowds. Sunset, especially, offers the most incredible lighting, bathing the lakes and surrounding mountains in a soft glow that photographs beautifully.   

Blue Lakes Summer Elopement

If you want to elope somewhere colorful and bright, with panoramic vistas, then a Blue Lakes summer elopement is perfect for you! July, in particular, brings blooming wildflowers, adding a vibrant energy to the forest of spruce and firs that surrounds the lakes’ turquoise waters, while also offering a stunning backdrop for your elopement photos! 

Blue Lakes Winter Elopement

While winter conditions can make the Blue Lakes Trail even more challenging, the trip is totally worth it if you’re looking for that iconic alpine setting. Dusted in snow, Mt. Sneffels soars over frost-covered trees and blue lakes that stand out against the white landscape, transforming the entire Blue Lakes area into a seemingly untouched oasis that will take your breath away!

How do you get to Blue Lakes?

To get to Blue Lakes, you’ll want to drive to the Blue Lakes Trailhead since that’s where you’ll find parking and the starting point for your hike! 

Blue Lakes Trailhead should show up in most common navigation apps, but what you’ll basically want to do is take CO-62, then turn onto County Road 7 (CR-7). You’ll follow this road for about 9 miles south (the terrain can be a bit rough so 4WD is recommended but not necessary!) until you reach the  Blue Lakes Trailhead. At that point, you should see an open dirt parking lot on your left, located at 38°02’09.8″N 107°48’23.2″W. Since the trail is decently popular, the lot fills up pretty quickly, so if you’re visiting later in the day, you can also find parking along the road near the trailhead!

How long is the walk to get to Blue Lakes?  

To actually reach Blue Lakes, you’ll be taking the Blue Lakes Trail. The hike is about 17 miles roundtrip and has an elevation gain of 2,529 feet, so it’s considered to be a difficult trek. On average, it can take about 6 hours but that’s if you plan on hitting all three Blue Lakes.

From the trailhead to the Lower Blue Lake, it’s about 3 miles with an elevation gain of 1,600 ft. The trail weaves through the trees and takes you by a gorgeous waterfall just before opening up to sweeping mountain views and the stunning blue waters of the lower lake. This spot is stunning enough to be worth the hike, but if you feel like challenging yourself, then just keep following the trail! 

About a mile of steep climbing and you’ll reach the Middle Blue Lake, then another 0.3 miles gets you to Upper Blue Lake. There are plenty of viewpoints along the way and places to rest if you need it. When you take a moment to soak it all in, you’ll find that the waters of Lower Blue Lake are even bluer the higher you go and there is really nothing like the view of Mt. Sneffels from the top of the trail!  

How much does it cost to get married at Blue Lakes? 

Since you can’t technically get married at Blue Lakes, the cost of your elopement will depend on where you choose to have your ceremony. Since Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, you can have your ceremony in a variety of other places then head over to Blue Lakes for wedding portraits. If you choose to exchange your vows in any of the free locations nearby, then all you’ll need is a marriage license from a local clerk which will cost you $30. If you’re looking at other venues for the ceremony, then the cost will vary for each location—I can definitely help you navigate that process and figure out exactly what you’re looking for!

Beyond your choice of venue, your total elopement budget can be whatever you want! It usually depends on guest count, what vendors you choose, etc. The real focus with an elopement like this is the experience. The couples who hire me typically prioritize having an epic adventure somewhere stunning like Blue Lakes and capturing every incredible moment, which is why they spend most of their budget on photography. If you want more details, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!

Are dogs allowed at Blue Lakes? 

Yes, dogs are allowed at Blue Lakes and on the Blue Lakes Trail as long as they’re leashed! 

Blue Lakes Elopement & Wedding Photos

Natalia & Randy’s Summer Blue Lakes Trail Elopement 

Natalia & Randy actually got engaged in southwest Colorado not far from Blue Lakes, over at Island Lake! So despite being from the East Coast, they already had a lot of enthusiasm and affection for this corner of the state. Which made eloping in this region an easy yes! 

Natalia said that her favorite color is glacier blue, and honestly, Blue Lakes is one of the best places to see that color outside of true glaciers! Glacial silt and flour fill the waters here, making the water opaque and reflecting the sunlight, creating the unreal color that you see. 

They hiked up in the dark under the stars and got ready as the sun was rising. Then, as alpenglow was settling in, they spent some time exploring the area and taking portraits around the upper lakes. 

Natalia & Randy headed to an overlook full of wildflowers with a great reflection of the peaks around them to say their vows in the early morning light. It was super quiet and the perfect little moment for just the two of them!

Afterward, they hiked down along a creek to reach the lower lake, where they had a more formal ceremony and quick toast with only their closest people. Then, once they’d had time with their loved ones (they’d meet back up with them for a celebration later), they headed out on their own again to spend some more time wandering through trees, exploring around the lower lake, and watching waterfalls.