Copeland Lake is one of the easiest spots to reach in Rocky Mountain National Park and still rewards you with so much beauty. It’s one of my top picks for a quiet and peaceful Rocky Mountains elopement that has that classic Colorado mix of pine forest, open water, and mountain views. It’s also ideal that everything is within a couple minutes of the trailhead, meaning no need to hike or go off-roading in your wedding attire.
I’ve spent over a decade photographing elopements all over the state, and Copeland Lake is a spot I always love coming back to to shoot. Planning your Rocky elopement doesn’t have to be hard! I’m here to walk you through it from experience.
How do you get married at Copeland Lake?
While Rocky Mountain National Park can have pretty specific guidelines for getting married there, I’ve helped couples through this process countless times! It doesn’t have to be difficult and I’m here to give you all the knowledge you need to plan this flawlessly.
- Choose your date
This will determine the start of your efforts for everything else. The park wedding sites book up fast starting the first of the month for the year following. For example, if you want to get married anytime in June of 2028, you would book that starting June 1, 2027.
Because there are only 6 ceremonies in this park every day (across all wedding sites), dates fill up fast. Especially in peak season, which is May through October. If Rocky is important to you, I would strongly encourage you to pick a spot that you can book a year in advance. - Book a local photographer
If you need help with the booking process, the sooner the better! Your photographer can help you navigate it all so that you’re sending the right things to the right places at the right time, as well as give advice on things like time of day. If you’re booking during the timed reservation season (May—October), you’ll need to know when you want to have your ceremony! - Know your guest count
This is an important step pre-application, because Copeland Lake has a max cap of 30 people (counting photographer and officiant) and 10 vehicles. - Get your permit
Go to the Rocky Mountain National Park wedding page and download the Special Use Permit Application, which you’ll complete and then email to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov. They will draft your permit after you agree on a date, time, and ceremony location, which you will then review and sign. The fee to get married here is $300, which you pay after signing.
Note: Everyone in your party needs a copy of the permit! Print extras the day-of so that you know you have enough to go around. - Plan your day
The best part about getting married in Rocky is that, in addition to a beautiful ceremony spot, you have access to the park before & after for photos! Plan some activities and scenic spots you want to go to with your photographer - Get married & have the best adventure!
Say your vows next to beautiful Copeland Lake! Don’t forget to bring printed copies of your permit, arrive during your timed window if you have one, and pay for entry for any other cars that are coming in ($30/car). Enjoy Colorado!
When’s the best time to visit Copeland Lake?
The best time to visit Copeland Lake is early morning in late summer or early fall.
July through early September are best for folks looking for warm weather and late September is a safe bet for folks wanting fall colors in the park. If you want to have a snowy elopement, this is a good spot to try for it. I would aim for late February or early March, when Colorado is at its coldest and snowiest. Just note that that can make traveling here harder.
If you could opt for any time, I’d go for mid-morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday so we can go ahead and capture some incredible photos without having to work to keep others out of your shots. For photos, sunrise is the golden hour here—the lake reflects the peaks beautifully, and the wind usually hasn’t picked up yet.
How do you get to Copeland Lake?
Copeland Lake is located off the unpaved Wild Basin Road, just outside of Allenspark, Colorado, on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, it’s about 13.6 miles. You’ll take Highway 7 south, then turn onto Wild Basin Road. The lake is visible just after the entrance kiosk, and there’s a small pull-off where we can park before walking a short distance to the shoreline. It’s not marked on Google Maps, but I’ve taken dozens of couples here, and it’s a quick and easy spot to access once you know where to look. The coordinates are 40°13’07.0″N 105°32’10.4″W.
How long is the trail to get to Copeland Lake?
Copeland Lake is just a short walk from where you park—no hiking required. Once you turn onto Wild Basin Road and pass the entrance kiosk, you’ll spot the lake on your left. There’s a small pull-off nearby, and from there, it’s about a 1–2 minute walk to reach the shoreline. The ground is flat but unpaved, and there’s no formal trail, just a bit of walking through grass and trees. Super accessible, even for folks in formalwear or carrying gear.
How much does it cost to get married at Copeland Lake?
The basic costs for getting married at Copeland Lake add up to just $360. That will cover your permit, your Colorado marriage license, and your entry fee!
Beyond the basics, your total elopement budget depends on how many guests you bring and what vendors you choose, but most of the couples who hire me prioritize experience, scenery, and incredible photos, and that’s where they choose to invest. This way they get to fully relax into the experience and really enjoy every second.
But costs for elopements are as varied as there are types of couples out there! My blog post here talks about the cost of eloping and some of the factors to consider.
Are dogs allowed at Copeland Lake?
No – dogs are not allowed at Copeland Lake or anywhere along Wild Basin Road, as it’s within Rocky Mountain National Park. Pets aren’t permitted on trails, meadows, or off-road areas, even if leashed. If bringing your dog is a must, I’m happy to recommend nearby pet-friendly elopement spots outside the park boundary.
Copeland Lake Elopement/Wedding Photos
Jody & Eric’s Copeland Lake Winter Elopement
Jody & Eric had a gorgeous early winter elopement at Copeland Lake with the perfect dusting of snow on the mountains in the background. Copeland is a shallow lake so it was totally frozen and there was a thin blanket of snow on the ground but with bright blue skies. They were absolutely the only people around, which made it perfectly private, even for a spot that can get somewhat busy.
Hey I’m Maddie Mae
Copeland Lake Elopement Photographer
I’m a Colorado born-and-raised elopement photographer, but I travel all over the world! For over a decade I’ve been designing, planning, & photographing adventure elopements across the state of Colorado and anywhere else on the planet that you can dream up.
Copeland Lake Elopement Packages
If you’re looking for an experienced local elopement photographer who knows Rocky Mountain National Park like the back of her hand… you’re in the right place!
includes:
4+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae
The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™
My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in Colorado
$6,800 for all of the above including 4-hours of photography
$9,000 for all of the above including 8-hours of photography
Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.
No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.
