Your Guide to Having a Perfect Dunton Hot Springs Wedding

In this post

How does it sound to spend part of your wedding day with a private soak in a naturally fed hot spring in a remote corner of the San Juans? That’s what’s waiting for you at Dunton Hot Springs, a ghost town turned all-inclusive luxury lodge that has since been featured in the Michelin Guide.

Even 42+ countries later, I still believe that Southwest Colorado has some of the finest mountains on Earth. I was born and raised in the state, so I’ve been traversing every possible corner of this region for decades. I know from firsthand experience how to make your elopement day at Dunton Hot Springs smooth and enjoyable from start to finish!

Frequently asked questions about weddings at Dunton Hot Springs

How do you get married at Dunton Hot Springs?

I’ve photographed over 300+ elopements, and half of those have been right here in Colorado! Even after hundreds of weddings, I still get so excited to take couples back to the San Juans. Dunton Hot Springs encompasses so much of what makes this area so gorgeous, and I love photographing here! I’ve been here for personal and professional reasons, so I’m happy to guide you through the experience.

Select a date
If you’re just looking to stay on the property and have your ceremony elsewhere, you can check rates & availability directly on their website! They have a 2 night minimum stay. I would recommend doing your elopement on the second day that you’re there to allow you time to settle in, have a relaxing soak, and adjust to the altitude. Then you can wake up and go to bed in the lodge instead of having to check in or out. But before you hit confirm…
Book a photographer
… Make sure that you have a photographer who is available on that day! An experienced local photographer (like me!) can also help guide you to the best times of year, other activities nearby, and the most ideal timeline for the day. After you’ve secured them, you’re ready to book!
Book any other vendors
Now that you’ve got a date, your main experience, and your photographer, you can start to lock in pieces like travel, other vendors like florals, experiences like 4X4 rides, and anything else you need or want for your elopement day. You can also book other excursions through the mountains that are led by the resort. Plus, I’ll give you vetted recommendations for everything!
Get ready to get married!
Travel to your luxury lodge in the mountains and get ready to enjoy your elopement to the fullest!

If you actually want to get married on the Dunton Hot Springs property, the process looks slightly different. Give them a call at 1-866-976-4397 to get started! I’m including more information about pricing and my personal suggestions below.

When’s the best time to visit Dunton Hot Springs?

The best time to visit Dunton Hot Springs is in the fall, when the leaves are changing colors outside, the peaks around you are dusted with snow, and the chill in the air makes the hot water that much more welcome.

Summer is also a great time to visit, though! This is when mountain passes nearby are at their most open and the weather outside is super temperate and perfect for outdoor activities and explorations.

Pro Tip: Avoid holidays, weekends, or going too early in the spring if you want to avoid the coldest weather and the most crowds! The sweet spot for this entire area is early in the morning and on a weekday. Preferably July-September, before the snow takes back over the San Juans. Being at its own resort will naturally cut down on some of the foot traffic at the springs itself, though.

Can you visit Dunton Hot Springs without staying there?

At the time of writing, no, there are no day passes for Dunton Hot Springs. If you want this site involved in your elopement, you’ll have to stay at the resort! This benefits you in a huge way, though, because it cuts down drastically on the number of people floating around during your wedding day soak.

How do you get to Dunton Hot Springs?

Dunton Hot Springs is a destination that most major map apps recognize! If not, when starting from Telluride, you can pick up Highway 145 south until it connects to County Road 38. Continue west until you meet Fork Road, then turn onto it. The town and hot springs are right there!

How much does it cost to get married at Dunton Hot Springs?

If you are having your ceremony off of the property and just staying there and having photography done at the lodge (for a morning soak for example), the cost to elope starts at around $3000. That includes your 2-night all-inclusive stay at the lodge plus your $30 marriage license if you’re signing your paperwork in the state. (Note: 2 nights is the minimum stay at Dunton.)

For most of my eloping couples, this is what I recommend. In my experience, this is the perfect blend between getting to go out and say your vows on a mountain pass nearby and have an adventure while still having a luxe accommodation to come back to at night.

However, if you do want to have your intimate wedding on the property, it starts at $38,000 a night with a 3-night minimum stay. That includes lodging, alcohol, other beverages, all meals, and access to the entire resort for up to 52 people.

Most of the couples I work with invest most of their budget into photography instead of a venue, because their focus is on the experience and documentation of the day. That allows them to balance wild feeling adventure with being able to fully relax into the moment, knowing it’s all being captured for them.

I wrote a whole blog post on the cost of eloping that you can find here!

Are dogs allowed at Dunton Hot Springs?

Yes! Some cabins allow dogs. Just call them ahead of time to book! You can reach them at 1-866-976-4397.

Dunton Hot Springs Wedding Photos

Brigette & Calvin’s Summer Dunton Hot Springs Wedding

Brigette & Calvin got referred to me through a mutual friend, and I was so excited when they wanted to go to the hot springs. They woke up in their cabin in the morning and then headed into the indoor hot springs for a soak in the early light by themselves. They spent time lounging in hammocks, floating, trying out the outdoor pools, and soaking up all the relaxation and joy before going to get ready for the rest of their day! They did their first look outside of their cabin and then headed off down a 4X4 pass to check out a waterfall and some high passes. They had their ceremony on a rock in the middle of a beautiful alpine lake.

A bride and groom stand on rocky ground beside a calm mountain lake, embracing. The bride holds a bouquet of colorful flowers; rugged cliffs and green patches form the scenic background.

Two people sit on chairs outside a small, rustic wooden cabin with antlers mounted above the door, surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers, with a forested hillside in the background.

A couple lies close together in a red hammock, embracing each other. The lighting is warm and soft, creating an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. The scene is viewed from above.

Two people are swimming together in an indoor pool with brownish water, under a wooden staircase. Sunlight streams through large windows with green plants, creating a cozy, rustic atmosphere.

A couple enjoys a relaxing moment in an indoor hot spring pool, surrounded by wooden walls, large windows with a view of greenery, and leafy branches hanging above the water.

A couple embraces and kisses while partially submerged in cloudy brownish water, creating ripples around them. The scene is intimate and warm, with soft sunlight reflecting off the water’s surface.

A couple embraces in a rustic outdoor hot spring pool in front of a wooden cabin, surrounded by greenery and mountains under a clear blue sky.

A person in a black swimsuit relaxes in a small, orange-brown natural hot spring pool surrounded by green grass, wildflowers, and trees, with mountains visible in the background under a clear sky.

A man and a woman in swimwear relax side by side, floating on their backs in a small, shallow, orange-colored natural pool surrounded by rocks and grass.

Two people relax and embrace while standing in a small, natural, orange-brown hot spring surrounded by green grass and stones.

A woman in a black bikini floats on her back in reddish-brown water, supported by a man who holds her gently from behind. They appear relaxed and serene.

A woman in a bikini floats on her back in water, eyes closed and smiling, while a person beside her supports her head. The image is black and white.

A couple embraces and kisses while standing in a natural hot spring pool, with a rustic wooden cabin and greenery in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A man and a woman relax, floating on their backs in a small, natural pool with reddish-brown water, near a stone edge and green grass on a sunny day.

A man and a woman in swimwear relax and float by the edge of a natural, orange-tinted hot spring, basking in the sunlight and smiling, with greenery visible in the background.

A couple in swimsuits lies in muddy orange-brown water at the edge of a small natural pool, embracing and kissing, with sunlight reflecting off the water’s surface.

A white tipi stands in a grassy field with wildflowers, surrounded by wooden cabins, trees, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A rustic wooden cabin with antlers above the door sits among tall pine trees. Two wicker chairs, backpacks, and clothes hanging on the wall are on the porch, surrounded by green grass and wildflowers.

A wedding flat lay featuring “her” and “his” vow books, rings, earrings, a necklace, a garter, a handkerchief, a wooden ring box, an old coin, and an invitation card on a brown velvet surface.

A woman in a white robe sits smiling on a wooden chair in a rustic room with wooden walls and floors. She has her legs crossed and hands in her lap, with warm light partially obscuring the image.

A man stands in a cozy library with wood paneling and bookshelves, adjusting his tie near a couch with horse pillows. A staircase leads to a loft, and a decorative animal skull hangs on the wall. Warm lights create a cozy atmosphere.

A man in a suit stands in a cozy, two-story library with wooden bookshelves, vintage armchairs, a chandelier, and warm lighting, gazing upward near the center of the room.

A man in a suit sits alone at a wooden desk in a cozy, dimly lit library, writing in a notebook. Shelves filled with books and warm lighting are visible in the background.

A person writes a letter by hand on lined paper at a wooden table. The focus is on the hands, with one hand holding a pen and the other steadying the paper. The person wears a watch and a suit.

A woman in a white robe smiles as someone applies lipstick to her lips. She is sitting indoors, looking up towards the camera, with soft lighting and wooden flooring in the background.

A rustic wooden cabin with antlers above the door stands in a grassy clearing, surrounded by tall pine trees. Two wicker chairs and a hanging white dress are on the small front porch.

A woman in a white robe stands outside a rustic wooden cabin reaching up to hang a white wedding dress on the roof’s edge, surrounded by tall grass and greenery.

A smiling bride in a lace wedding dress stands while someone kneels behind her, adjusting or fastening the back of her gown in a warmly lit room.

A woman in a white lace dress playfully poses wearing oversized sunglasses, a fake mustache, and a colorful paper sombrero. She is smiling and holding the accessories to her face.

A bride in a white dress stands behind a groom in a gray suit, about to tap his shoulder, in front of a rustic wooden cabin with antlers mounted above the door, surrounded by greenery and wildflowers.

A groom in a suit and a bride in a white wedding dress stand facing each other on a wooden porch outside a rustic log cabin. The door is open, and greenery surrounds the cabin.

A bride and groom in wedding attire stand close together, smiling and touching faces, in front of a rustic wooden cabin with an open door and a grassy foreground.

A newlywed couple embraces on the wooden porch of a rustic cabin surrounded by greenery and wildflowers, with antlers mounted above the door.

A rustic wooden building with a metal roof, featuring a small window and a weathered wooden sign that reads “DUNTON ELEV. 8700.”.

A dirt road winds through green fields with wildflowers, leading toward rugged, rocky mountains under a cloudy sky. The landscape is natural and serene, with patches of trees and dramatic mountain peaks in the background.

A yellow Jeep drives through a shallow, rocky creek on a dirt road surrounded by dense green trees and mountains in the background.

A bride and groom in wedding attire stand arm in arm on rocky terrain, overlooking a green mountain valley with dramatic peaks under a cloudy sky.

A bride and groom embrace on rocky terrain with pine trees and mountains in the background, under an overcast sky.

A yellow off-road vehicle drives up a winding gravel road through a dense mountain forest, with tall green trees and rugged, reddish-brown mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky shore by a serene mountain lake, surrounded by green hills, pine trees, and dramatic cliffs reflected in the still water under a cloudy sky.

A bride in a white lace gown reads from a note to a groom in a gray suit. They stand together on a rocky ledge by a calm lake, with a bouquet of flowers resting on the rock beside them.

A bride and groom stand on rocks by a calm lake, surrounded by mountains and greenery, with their reflections visible in the water under an overcast sky.

A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, holding hands and smiling emotionally. The bride wears a lace gown, and the groom is in a suit. The background is blurred with trees and mountains. The image is in black and white.

A bride and groom stand on a rock by a calm mountain lake, exchanging vows. The bride wears a white dress and the groom a dark suit. Green trees and rugged cliffs reflect in the water behind them.

A bride and groom stand together on a rock by a clear mountain lake, surrounded by green trees and rocky hills, with the landscape and couple reflected in the calm water.

A small boat with people floats on a calm, green lake surrounded by dense pine trees and rocky mountains, with the trees and mountains reflected in the water under a cloudy sky.

A couple dressed formally sits in a canoe on calm water; the woman is wrapped in a patterned blanket and holding flowers, while the man, in a suit, faces her.

A smiling woman in a white dress and a man in a suit sit together in a canoe on a calm lake, surrounded by green trees. She holds a bouquet of flowers and they appear to be enjoying a joyful moment.

A couple shares a kiss in a canoe on a calm, reflective mountain lake surrounded by evergreen trees and rocky hills under a cloudy sky.

A bride and groom embrace and kiss on rocky ground by a calm lake, surrounded by green trees and mountains, with their reflection visible in the water.

A joyful bride laughs as her partner embraces her and kisses her cheek. They sit closely together on a patterned blanket over rocky ground. The moment is candid and full of happiness.

A bride and groom stand on grass in front of mountains, laughing as the groom pops a champagne bottle and the spray shoots upward. The bride wears a lace gown, and the groom is in a suit and tie. Wildflowers and trees surround them.

A bride and groom in wedding attire, wearing large backpacks labeled "Just" and "Married," kiss in a wildflower meadow with rocky mountains in the background.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Dunton Hot Springs Wedding 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.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

Dunton Hot Springs Wedding & Elopement Packages

Ready to hand over the planning to a pro who will design, coordinate, and photograph your entire day? I’m your gal! With 300+ elopements completed and a lifetime of experience in Colorado, I’m ready to be your guide to getting married your way (and having the incredible photos to prove it).

includes:

4+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae

The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™

Unique & secluded locations, bespoke activity ideas with pre-vetted guides, fun & luxurious lodging options, an experience-focused timeline, mood board & personalized styling suggestions, travel advice, VIP Planning Guide, and customized packing checklists

Free initial planning consultation call, direct access to Maddie Mae via text & email, unlimited planning consultations, unlimited collaboration & revisions, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, and advice &and help with permits & marriage licenses

Guided + FUN photography experience, empathetic posing & directing, creative GIFS &and drone photography, hand-crafted editing, full-resolution image files with printing rights, digital gallery to view, download, & print, complementary album design, and convenient print ordering

My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in Colorado

Starting at $6,000 for 4-hours of coverage.

Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.

No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.

INQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY & MORE INFO

Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

About Maddie Mae Elopement
Packages & Pricing Contact Me