For western charm and historic features rooted in the middle of the mountains, Silverton is a perfect destination in the San Juan Mountains for an elopement (featured in my guide to the area). From wildflowers and mountain biking in the summer, to ice climbing and skiing in the winter, to a train that runs year round, there’s so much to find here!
I’ve been to every continent and still, when it’s time for a personal vacation, this is one of the places I love. It’s also still a favorite place to photograph 300+ elopements later! So you can trust me when I say I’ve built this guide to make your life as easy as possible.
What makes Silverton a great place to elope
I’ve photographed hundreds of elopements right here in Colorado, and any time a couple tells me they want big mountain views with only-in-Colorado energy, Silverton is high on my list for them.
Part of what makes the San Juan Mountains great is the interlinked network of 4X4 trails leftover from old gold mining days, and Silverton is no exception! The off-roading paths here are a huge draw to the town and give you the ability to climb right up onto mountain passes with ease—no hiking required.
Silverton has a ton of unique activities to offer, like the Silverton Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad, which is hands down one of the best ways to go leaf peeping here during the fall. It’s also one end of Red Mountain Pass along the Million Dollar Highway, which offer next-level (though sometimes nailbiting) views of the mountains.
Honestly, if you can think of an outdoor activity you want to do on your wedding day, there’s a great spot to do it here!
How do you get to Silverton?
Silverton is available as a destination on all map apps or GPS devices! The coordinates of the town center are 37°48’41.9″N 107°39’51.8″W. It is located along the Million Dollar Highway (Highway 550) just south of Ouray and north of Durango at the end of Red Mountain Pass.
While Durango is a bit further away, some of my couples prefer this route to get into town as it doesn’t take them over Red Mountain Pass, which can be tricky for out-of-town drivers with its lack of guardrails, steep grades, and switchbacks. If you travel south from Ouray into Silverton, Red Mountain Pass is unavoidable. This is especially important to consider if you’ll be traveling in the winter when weather can turn icy.
There are also airports available in both Montrose (north of Ouray) and Durango county that offer connections to Denver International Airport for ease and accessibility!
When’s the best time to visit Silverton?
The best time to visit Silverton is during late September, when the fall colors are at their peak! Snow in Silverton doesn’t usually start coming in until October, so the passes around the town are still open and every tree is lit up in bright yellow..
Alternatively, if what you’re looking for out of your wedding day is warmer temperatures that leave mountain peaks feeling more moderate, July & August are going to be your best bets!
Visiting outside of holiday weekends and during a weekday is going to give you the best chance at no crowds—especially at great photography times of day, like sunrise and sunset.
Pro Tip: Many routes into Silverton require going over mountain passes, which can get dicey in the winter. To get the best weather in and out of town, spring through fall are the best months to travel.
Silverton Summer Elopement
Getting married in and around Silverton in the summer will see the best weather for gorgeous high mountain passes, blooming wildflowers, and green valleys.
Silverton Fall Elopement
Elope in Silverton in the fall for bright color everywhere, scenic train rides, and quaint mountain town vibes.
Best places to elope in Silverton
Silverton sits nestled in between several mountains over 13,000 feet, so there are basically no bad views in town. The best places to elope or have an intimate wedding around Silverton are mostly out in nature, and you can only get there by exploring!
With the exception of some truly secluded spots that I won’t post online in order to stay true to my Leave No Trace certification, here are a few of my favorite places to elope in Silverton!
- Silverton Memorial Park Gazebo
Cost: $500 for half a day, $900 for a full day
Permit: Contact rentals@silverton.co.us - Ice Lake Basin
Cost: Only your energy!
Permit: None required, but always leave no trace - Historic Greene Street
Cost: None, but respect public & private property
Permit: Same as above - Alpine Loop 4X4 Trail
Cost: Rental car or tour ticket if needed
Permit: None
Best wedding venues in Silverton
Silverton as a city has access to several beautiful and affordable venues that you can rent for your elopement or intimate wedding! If you’re expecting more than 15 or so guests, a venue can be super useful to reduce crowding in outdoor spots and provide an accessible place to gather.
Here are some great options for venue rentals through the city:
- Memorial Park Gazebo
Cost: $500 half day, $900 full day - Anesi Park
Cost: $500 half day, $900 full day - Molas Lake Park Wedding Site
Cost: $644-$966 per day - Kendall Mountain Community Center
Cost: $1500-$4000 per day, depending - Town Hall Assembly Room
Cost: $400-$650 depending on time and weekday
If you don’t want to rent through the city, though, there are other options out there! You can check out places like the Eureka Lodge or the Wyman Hotel.
How much does it cost to get married in Silverton?
You can get married in Silverton for just $30! That’s just the cost of a marriage license. After that, there are endless totally free and super gorgeous spots that you can use!
The best part of eloping or having an unconventional wedding is that you can make it as extravagant or intimate as you want! So the rest of the budget is up to you. I wrote a blog post about all the costs of eloping that you can check out here.
The couples that hire me prioritize having a great experience in a beautiful place above everything else, so they invest most of their budget into photography so that they know the moment is totally captured for them. When you’re eloping in the Silverton area, you may also want to think about things like 4X4 rentals, lodging, and any activities that you may want to do!
Activities to do during Silverton elopements
Speaking of activities, the sky is the limit in Silverton when it comes to things you may want to do on your wedding day! What I love about the San Juan Mountains is that the area is as beautiful as it is active. The right wedding day activity can add so much to your day and I’m happy to connect you with all of my local recommendations when we work together!
These are just some of the options for activities in the Silverton area:
- Take a scenic train ride on the Silverton-Durang Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Ski down Kendall Mountain
- 4X4 around the Alpine Scenic Loop
- Wander down historic Greene Street
- Ride a horse down a nearby trail
- Go heli-skiing on Silverton Mountain
- Take a snowmobile tour
- Hike to alpine lakes
- Paddle on Molas Lake
- Go on a historic mill tour
The San Juan Mountains in general are the perfect place to head out on any outdoor adventure! All you have to do is decide on what you and your partner want to spend your time doing and we can make it happen.
Are dogs allowed in Silverton?
Yes, there are many dog-friendly spots in and around Silverton! Just double-check any trails before you head off with your pup. Rachel & Madison (featured below) brought both of their dogs with to their day!
Silverton Elopement Photos
Rachel & Madison’s Summer Silverton Elopement
Rachel & Madison had a true elopement, but that doesn’t mean their day was without guests—both of their dogs came with to act as witnesses and sign their marriage license (something you can do when you get married in Colorado!). They hiked up before sunrise and got ready on the mountain so that they could do their first look and say their vows as alpenglow was starting to touch the ridges of rock around them. They celebrated with some coffee & letter reading before heading to a lake nearby to get to some wildflowers with a view! That was where they ate their cake, toasted to their new marriage, and had their beautiful dogs sign their marriage license. Rachel & Madison made sure to leave time for a first dance and some exploring before hiking back down at the end of their day!
Hey I’m Maddie Mae
Silverton 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.
Silverton Wedding Packages
Planning your wedding day doesn’t have to be stressful. You can ditch the obligation and expectations at the door and do what you want to do instead. And whether that’s a scenic hike through southwest Colorado or paddling through a sea of icebergs in Greenland, I’m totally in your corner for every second. All you have to do is reach out to me to get started! It doesn’t matter how vague of an idea you have now. I’ll listen to your ideas, wants, and needs and get you started on the path to a wedding day that feels like you.
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.
