Durango is a charming mountain town in southwest Colorado that effortlessly blends its historic character with the wild beauty of the nearby San Juan Mountains. With plenty of activities to engage in and epic mountain views from every spot, this place will make you feel like your wedding is one big, beautiful adventure.
As a local Colorado photographer, I have done countless elopements in Durango and every single one has been an unforgettable experience, so here is an overview of how to make your Durango wedding just as unforgettable!
Frequently asked questions about getting married in Durango:
What makes Durango a great place to get married?
Durango is one of those historic places that feels untouched and invites you to explore everything it has to offer, which is a lot!
You can take a scenic ride on the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, go whitewater rafting, hike along the Animas Trail, or even take a tour of a 150-year-old mine—there is no shortage of activities in Durango and each one comes with stunning views of the San Juan Mountains that will leave you breathless. This is one of the best places in Colorado for couples who want to go on an epic adventure and experience the state’s natural beauty at its best!
How do you get to Durango?
To get a general picture of its location, you can find Durango on most common map apps! It’s located at 37°16’25.8″N 107°52’45.1″W, just off the intersection of US-550 (also known as the Million Dollar Highway) and US-160—about 50 miles south of Silverton.
If you’re visiting from out-of-state, I suggest flying into the Albuquerque International Airport (typically listed on apps as “Albuquerque International Sunport”) since it’s 3.5 hours away compared to the 6.5 hour drive from the Denver International Airport. If you want to save yourself even more driving time, you can also fly into the Durango-La Plata County Airport via Denver, since the regional airport is only 20 minutes away! This is also a good option if you’re considering visiting during the winter season when snow and ice could impact driving conditions.
When’s the best time to visit Durango?
The best time to visit Durango really depends on what kind of activities you feel like doing! I usually recommend visiting late September because that’s when the weather is at its most mild, the fall colors are stunning, and you still have access to a variety of trails and recreational activities before the winter season brings some closures due to snow conditions. Fall also means smaller crowds since it’s no longer peak season and golden aspens that match the beautiful, golden light you can get around sunrise/sunset for photos!
Summer brings more foot traffic but the longer days and warmer temperatures are perfect for water activities like kayaking or rafting. Meanwhile, winter is ideal for mountain sports and snow-based activities like ice-climbing or snowboarding—the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad even embraces the holiday spirit with a special event that turns the train into a Polar Express experience for visitors!
Pro Tip: Since Durango is located in the San Juan Mountains area, you’ll likely need to go through mountain passes to reach it, so just keep that in mind if you plan on visiting during the winter since the weather can be unpredictable and may affect driving conditions.
Best places to elope in Durango:
Durango offers a variety of elopement spots, from gorgeous alpine lakes to unique historic sites, making it perfect for couples looking to elope somewhere meaningful and immersed in natural beauty.
These are only a few of the options and some of my favorites:
- Molas Pass
- Cost: $30
- Marriage License: $30
- Permit: No permit required if your group is smaller than 75 people! If it’s larger, then you can apply for a Special Use Permit on the USDA Forest Service official website (I’ve linked the application here for your convenience).
- Cost: $30
- Emerald Lake
- Cost: $30
- Marriage License: $30
- Permit: You won’t need a permit to elope at the lake but, since it’s located in a Wilderness area of the San Juan National Forest, your group can’t exceed 25 people.
- Cost: $30
- Ridgway Visitor Center Overlook
- Cost: $265–$590 (depends on your site reservation and final permit cost)
- Marriage License: $30
- Special Use Permit: $25–$300 (varies depending on group size)
- Day Pass (per person): $10
- Site Reservation:
- Monday–Thursday: $200/4 hours
- Friday–Sunday: $250/4 hours
- Permit: Contact the Ridgway State Park at dnr_park.ridgway@state.co.us to inquire about a Special Use Permit application and fees.
- Cost: $265–$590 (depends on your site reservation and final permit cost)
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Cost: $100–$360 (depends on the final permit cost and when you visit the park)
- Marriage License: $30
- Special Use Permit: $50–$300 (The $50 processing fee is standard, but there could be an additional permit cost once you’ve applied—I suggest contacting the permit office at 970-529-4611 for more information about pricing before filling anything out!)
- Entrance Fee (1 vehicle): $20–$30 (varies depending on season)
- Permit: A Special Use Permit is required to elope in the Mesa Verde National Park. You can download the application on the park’s official website here and then mail it to the permit office address listed on the same webpage!
- Cost: $100–$360 (depends on the final permit cost and when you visit the park)
Best wedding venues in Durango:
If you’re thinking of having more than 15 guests at your wedding, a venue can be a great way to give everyone a place to gather that is organized and easier to manage. Durango has endless options for venues whether you’re looking for something simple or extravagant and plenty of them are super affordable!
Here are just some of the venues in the Durango area:
- Purgatory Resort
- Cost: Starting at $15,000 (depends on the site and includes venue fee, ceremony site, transportation, and food & beverage)
- Dante’s: $8,500 (only available mid-June to mid-September)
- Purgy’s: $6,000 (ceremony would be held at Engineer Meadows, Boyce Meadows, or Paradise Overlook)
- Durango Mountain Institute: $2,250 (ceremony would be held at Engineer Meadows or Boyce Meadows)
- Guest Count: 80–200 (varies per site)
- Dante’s: 200 max
- Purgy’s: 150 max
- Durango Mountain Institute: 80 max
- Cost: Starting at $15,000 (depends on the site and includes venue fee, ceremony site, transportation, and food & beverage)
- The Black Diamond Lodge
- Cost: $6,000–$10,000 (depends on your package and doesn’t include lodging—you can explore a more in-depth breakdown of the venue’s pricing on their official website here!)
- Classic Wedding: Starting at $10,000
- Microwedding: Starting at $6,000
- Weekday Wedding: Starting at $6,000
- Guest Count: 120 max (limits vary depending on your selected package)
- Classic Wedding: 43–120
- Microwedding: under 43
- Weekday Wedding: 120 max
- Cost: $6,000–$10,000 (depends on your package and doesn’t include lodging—you can explore a more in-depth breakdown of the venue’s pricing on their official website here!)
- River Bend Ranch
- Cost: Starting at $6,150 (for a direct quote you can contact the venue at events@riverbendranchdurango.com)
- Guest Count: 300 max
- The Benchmark at Cascade Village
- Cost: $4,000–$6,000 (depends on day of the week)
- Sunday: $5,000
- Monday–Thusday: $4,000
- Friday–Saturday: $6,000
- Guest Count: 150 max
- Cost: $4,000–$6,000 (depends on day of the week)
The above information is accurate as of the writing of this guide in 2026, but be sure to double check with the venue for confirmation before booking. I’m also happy to work with you and help find the perfect venue together!
How much does it cost to get married in Durango?
The great thing about Durango is that there are so many beautiful places to get married and they can cost as little as $30, which is just the price of the marriage license! You can keep things simple and elope by a beautiful lake or plan something more extravagant at one of the city’s larger venues—it all just depends on what vibe you’re looking for and there are plenty of options to choose from.
Beyond those costs, your budget can be whatever you want it to be! It will likely depend on your choice of vendors, guest count, travel costs, etc. The couples who usually hire me invest a lot of their budget in photography so they can relax and have the adventure of a lifetime on their big day, knowing that every magical moment will be captured for them.
If you want a more in-depth cost breakdown, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!
Activities to do during Durango weddings:
What I love about Durango is that its mix of historic charm and gorgeous scenery make it the perfect place to embark on an adventure that feels meaningful and unique to you as a couple. From exploring the San Juan Mountains to taking a relaxing stroll by the Animas River, there is no shortage of things to do on your wedding day.
Here are just some of the options for activities in Durango:
- Taking a scenic ride on the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Whitewater rafting
- Biking the Animas River Trail
- Exploring historic downtown Durango
- Visiting the Durango Hot Springs
- Horseback riding
- Visiting Mesa Verde
- Taking an underground mine tour
- Skiing/Snowboarding at Purgatory Resort
As you can see, the Durango area is filled with opportunities for adventure—both thrilling and low-key—that can make your wedding day a truly unforgettable experience!
Are dogs allowed in Durango?
Yes, Durango is super dog-friendly! There are plenty of pet-friendly hotels and restaurants, along with a 5-acre dog park where your dog can run free. There are also a lot of trails where dogs are allowed, as long as they’re leashed.
Durango Elopement & Wedding Photos
Kristen & Spencer’s Durango Summer Wedding
When Kristen & Spencer first reached out to me, they told me that they originally met & fell in love in Durango, so that was the place they knew they needed to return to to get married.
I was immediately in.
They knew all along that they wanted to get married in Colorado, but ditched the big wedding plans to elope instead after realizing that they were doing things to make everybody else happy instead of themselves.
They wound up going for a super cool hybrid situation—including some of their people in the morning and on a train ride through the mountains (a recreation of their first date) before parting ways to head up to a higher elevation on their own.
Kristen & Spencer loved the idea of wildflowers, colorful mountains, and waterfalls. They weren’t sure if they could fit in everything along with the train ride…
But I knew exactly how to do it.
I put them in touch with one of my favorite 4X4 vendors in this area who has exclusive access to a private mountain. This solved a few things at once by making transportation a breeze. I knew that would give them a ton of time back by not requiring them to hike and giving them a faster way to hit all of their destinations at once.
Kristen & Spencer wound up having their ceremony at the top of Red Mountain 3, followed by an alpine lakeside picnic among the wildflowers, and ended their day by exploring a nearby waterfall.
Check, check, and check.
The ultimate Colorado summer day was definitely achieved.
In their words
“If you’re looking for an elopement photographer who will not only capture the magic of your day but also make you feel like the most special couple in the world, Maddie at Adventure Instead is your dream come true. From the very first planning call, we knew we were in great hands. She made our entire elopement experience an unforgettable adventure filled with love and joy. Her warmth, genuine care, and extraordinary talent left us in awe countless times. Even when the day threw us some unexpected surprises, Maddie handled everything with such grace and kindness, ensuring we stayed calm, happy, and fully present in each precious moment.
The sneak peek photos she shared with us were beyond breathtaking. They perfectly captured our raw emotions, the beauty of our surroundings, and all the little moments that made our day so special. We were moved to tears seeing how wonderfully she portrayed our love story. And we can’t forget her husband, Alistair, who was an absolute gem. His presence added an extra layer of comfort and joy that day, and the bonus photos he was able to capture were nothing short of incredible.
Working with Maddie felt like hanging out with an old friend. She wasn’t just our photographer; she was our guide, our hype woman, our problem-solver, and the artist who turned our memories into treasures we’ll hold dear forever. We’re already counting down the days until we can share the full gallery with our loved ones!
When it comes to capturing the heart and soul of your elopement, Maddie is simply unparalleled. Trust us, she’s the one you need by your side on your special day.”
Hey I’m Maddie Mae
Durango Wedding Photographer
I was born and raised in Colorado and have been designing, planning, & photographing adventure elopements worldwide for over a decade. I’ve more than 150 in my home state alone, so if you’re looking for an experienced local elopement photographer, then look no further! I can help you through the whole process and make sure your elopement is everything you’ve always wanted it to be.
Durango Wedding Packages
You can check my availability by contacting me here for a free planning consultation!
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.
