Your Guide to a Lovely Lily Lake Elopement

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Whether it’s summer or winter, Lily Lake is a beautiful spot surrounded by stunning Aspens that make the perfect backdrop for your big moment! Beyond the calm waters of the lake itself, this spot also offers epic views of Lily Mountain, Twin Sisters Peak, Mummy Range, and Rocky Mountain National Park’s only 14er: Longs Peak. Not only that, but Lily Lake is one of the most accessible spots in the park, providing multiple options for your ceremony location!

I have photographed dozens of elopements in Rocky Mountain National Park and it never ceases to amaze! As a local, I know the park’s elopement process inside and out, so here is everything you need in order to get married in Lily Lake:

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a gray suit joyfully run hand in hand along a sunlit path in a scenic, mountainous landscape with trees and bushes in the background.

How do you get married at Lily Lake?

Open year-round, Lily Lake is one of the most popular spots in Rocky Mountain National Park, thanks to its accessibility and incredible views. I have photographed dozens of weddings there and helped many couples through the process of eloping in the park, so here is a breakdown of everything you need to know!

Pick a Date

Since Rocky Mountain National Park only allows 6 total ceremonies per day and no more than 2 per
designated wedding location (regardless of availability), I strongly recommend booking a year in advance to safely lock in your date.

Pro Tip: Permit applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis and open on the 1st of each month for the same month the following year (i.e. if you want to get married in June in 2027, you can apply starting June 1, 2026).
Finalize Your Guest Count

The beauty of Lily Lake is that there are actually three designated wedding ceremony sites to choose from–each one beautiful and unique! It’s important to note, though, that all three sites have different group size limits (all limits include you two, your photographer, your officiant/guests, and any of your vendors):

Lily Lake Dock: 10-person limit; 3 total vehicles allowed
Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area: 30-person limit; 10 total vehicles allowed
Lily Lake Trail: 20-person limit; 5 total vehicles allowed

Pro Tip: Since there are three separate designated wedding sites near Lily Lake, your Special Use Permit will only allow you access to your selected site for your ceremony (i.e. if your permit is for a ceremony on the Lily Lake Trail, you won’t have access to the Lily Lake Dock).
Get a Permit

All you need to get married at any of the designated wedding sites in Rocky Mountain National Park is a Special Use Permit. The number of permits they give out per month is limited and differs depending on the season (i.e. only 60 ceremonies allowed per month from May–October and only 40 ceremonies allowed per month for November–April), so I suggest you apply sooner rather than later!

To get your permit, just download the application for it from the Rocky Mountain National Park Weddings webpage (I’ve linked it here to make things easy!). Once you’ve filled it out, email the completed form to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov.

When your application is approved, you’ll receive an emailed copy of your permit to review and sign, and instructions on how to pay the $300 fee. After you’ve done that, you’ll be sent a fully executed copy of your permit–make sure everyone in your group has a copy and to bring one with you to your ceremony!

Pro Tip: Since there are three separate designated wedding sites near Lily Lake, your Special Use Permit will only allow you access to your selected site for your ceremony (i.e. if your permit is for a ceremony on the Lily Lake Trail, you won’t have access to the Lily Lake Dock).
Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

One of the best things about the Special Use Permit is that it lets you take photos not only at your ceremony site, but also anywhere else in the park before & after your vows!

Hiring a local photographer who is really familiar with the park (like me!) means you’ll have access to some of the most beautiful spots with the most epic views for your portraits.

I know where all the hidden gems are and can help you plan your day to make the whole experience as memorable and stress-free as possible!
Get Married!

All you have left to do is bring a copy of your permit to the ceremony and enjoy the stunning views of Lily Lake as you say, “I do!”

A bride and groom holding hands walk toward a lake surrounded by greenery, with a forested mountain in the background under a cloudy sky.

When’s the best time to visit Lily Lake?

The best time to visit Lily Lake is from May to October. The temperatures are a bit warmer and, depending on the month, you can find gorgeous wildflowers in bloom or golden aspens in full swing! Winter elopements can also be just as breathtaking with a white-capped Longs Peak majestically overlooking the frozen lake.

Early mornings and evenings are ideal for more private elopements. Not only are the crowds thinner–especially during the weekdays–but the soft lighting in particular makes for beautiful portraits!

Lily Lake Summer Elopement

If you’re looking for sweeping views of the mountains, surrounded by towering aspens and beautiful wildflowers, then Lily Lake is the perfect place for you! Especially if you want an evening wedding, since the summer season offers later sunsets and more time for us to take advantage of that beautiful golden lighting.

A couple, dressed in wedding attire, sits on a blanket having a picnic by a calm lake with forested hills and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Lily Lake Winter Elopement

If you want a winter wedding in a world covered by a blanket of snow, then Lily Lake during the winter season is a great spot! From the gorgeous mountain views to the endless expanse of the frozen lake, this spot transforms into a winter wonderland straight out of a fairy tale around December.

A bride and groom stand close together outdoors, smiling at each other, with a scenic backdrop of mountains, trees, and a lake on a sunny day. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom is in a gray suit.

How do you get to Lily Lake?

The great thing about Lily Lake is that it actually has its own entrance and parking lot! Most common navigation apps recognize Lily Lake as a location and can give you specific directions to it–you’ll basically travel about 7 miles south on CO-7 E from Estes Park.

The entrance is located at 40°18’24.1″N 105°32’14.8″W–it’s essentially a very short dirt road that leads you to a paved lot where you can find ample parking and restrooms!
Pro Tip: There are some gorgeous aspen groves right across the street from Lily Lake. They’re open to the public and make for some stunning photos in the fall!

How long is the walk to get to Lily Lake?

While there is no trail required to get to Lily Lake, there is a 0.8 mile trail loop that goes around the lake. It’s fairly level and only has an elevation gain of 10 feet, which makes it really accessible so everyone can enjoy the sweeping views! The only slight exception is the path up to the picnic area which can be a little uneven and rocky.

How much does it cost to get married at Lily Lake?

The cost of getting married at any designated wedding site within Rocky Mountain National Park is $360. This includes the Special Use Permit fee, your marriage license from a local clerk ($30), and the park entry cost for one car ($30). If you have more cars, each one will have to pay a $30 entry fee (card only).

From the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the 2nd Monday in October (summer season), the park typically requires a Timed Entry Reservation, but your Special Use Permit doubles as your reservation, so you can just skip that step!

Other than those costs, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want it to be! It will depend on your guest count, which vendors you choose, etc., but the couples who hire me usually prioritize beautiful scenery and an adventurous experience, which is why they often invest most of their budget in photography to capture all of it. Take a look at my full cost of eloping guide here!

Are dogs allowed at Lily Lake?

No, sadly dogs are not allowed at Lily Lake or on any of the Rocky Mountain National Park trails.

Lily Lake Elopement & Wedding Photos

Lily Lake Wedding Photos

If you’re looking for a great intimate wedding location to host 10-30 people, Lily Lake has great location options for you! This gorgeous spot is accessible year round and always sports amazing views.

A couple dances outdoors on a dirt path surrounded by trees. The woman wears a white wedding dress, and the man wears jeans, a red shirt, and a brown vest. He twirls her joyfully, both smiling.

A couple embraces on a winding path surrounded by pine trees with mountains in the background under a hazy sky.

A couple sits close together on a blanket outdoors, with the woman resting her head on the man's shoulder. They appear relaxed and intimate, surrounded by grass and nature. A drink bottle and bag are nearby.

A smiling couple sits on a plaid blanket outdoors. The woman wears a white dress and flower crown, and the man wears a red shirt with a brown vest. They are surrounded by greenery, enjoying a picnic together.

A couple sits on the grass by a calm lake, facing away from the camera and looking toward forested mountains under a cloudy sky. The woman wears a white dress and flower crown; the man wears a red shirt and brown vest.

A couple sits on the grassy shore of a lake, facing the water and surrounded by trees, with forested mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

A bride in a white dress and flower crown sits on the grass beside a groom in a red shirt and vest. They share a picnic, surrounded by greenery, with snacks and a cooler nearby.

A bride and groom stand by a lake, surrounded by grass and trees. The groom pops a bottle of champagne, spraying bubbles into the air, while the bride smiles and watches. Mountains are visible in the background.

A newlywed couple in hiking attire and wedding clothes walk by a lake, carrying backpacks with "JUST" and "MARRIED" signs on them. Forested mountains and cloudy skies are in the background.

Lily Lake Elopement Photos

If you’re eloping with just the two of you, you’ll still need to pick a ceremony spot, but the world is your oyster for photos! From wildflower season to aspen season to when the lake is frozen solid, there are tons of great options for an elopement around the lake.

Rocky mountain covered with dense evergreen forest, with yellow-green trees in the foreground and a blue sky with a few clouds above.

A black and white photo of a bride and groom standing outdoors, facing each other. The bride has long dark hair and wears a lace wedding dress, while the groom wears a light shirt and tie, smiling at her affectionately.

A bride in a white lace dress and a groom in a light blue shirt and gray pants share a joyful moment outdoors, surrounded by autumn foliage and mountains.

A bride and groom dance outdoors, surrounded by sunlit bushes. The bride wears a white lace dress and the groom wears a light blue shirt with a floral tie and gray pants. They smile and hold each other closely.

A groom in a gray suit carries his smiling bride on his back along a sunlit, scenic path with trees and mountains in the background. The bride wears a flowing white dress.

A groom in a gray suit gives his bride, wearing a white lace gown, a piggyback ride along a sunlit path by a lake, surrounded by trees and natural scenery. Both are smiling and appear joyful.

A smiling bride and groom hold hands while walking down a sunlit outdoor path, surrounded by trees and nature. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom wears a gray suit with a floral tie.

A bride and groom walk hand-in-hand on a sunlit path surrounded by grass and trees, with mountains and a clear sky in the background.

A bride and groom stand on a path in a scenic, mountainous area. The groom pretends to play guitar with a "Just" sign, while the bride holds a "Married" sign, both smiling amid a backdrop of trees and mountains.

A groom lifts his bride in a forest of tall, slender trees with golden leaves. The bride smiles down at him in a long white dress, while sunlight filters through the trees, creating a warm, romantic scene.

A bride and groom kiss while holding hands in a forest with tall, thin trees and golden leaves. The bride wears a long white dress and the groom wears a light blue shirt and grey pants.

A calm lake surrounded by shrubs and trees, with distant forested mountains under a clear blue sky and soft sunlight.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Lily Lake Elopement Photographer

I’m a Colorado born-and-raised elopement photographer, and I live only 45 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park. Over the past decade, I’ve designed, planned, & photographed adventure elopements all around the world with over 150 in Colorado alone!

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.

Lily 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, then look no further!

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

$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.

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