How-to Guide: South Fork Mineral Creek Falls Wedding

Two-tiered, with incredibly blue water set against multicolored rocks, the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls are a fairytale come to life, hidden amongst the aspen groves of the San Juan National Forest. These falls are as enchanting as they are secluded and make the perfect backdrop for a romantic, intimate wedding.

As a local Colorado photographer, I’ve done elopements all around the state and walked dozens of couples through the process of planning a wedding like this. I know all the ins and outs and am so excited to share my best insider tips about eloping at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls in this guide!    

Frequently asked questions about getting married at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls:

How do you get married at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls?  

Of all the incredible waterfalls I’ve photographed in the state of Colorado, the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls are by far my favorite! They’re uniquely beautiful and relatively easy to get to, yet less frequented than some of the more popular waterfalls in the area, which makes them ideal for a private ceremony with a timeless feel. If that seems like something you’re looking for on your wedding day, then keep reading for my step-by-step breakdown on planning the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls wedding of your dreams from start to finish!

Pick Your Date

Since the roads to South Fork Mineral Creek Falls are typically closed during the Winter season, you’ll likely be looking at a date between June and October. Conditions are pretty consistent throughout that period, so it’s really up to you to decide what vibe you’re looking for! I’ve provided more details on the best time to visit in my “When’s the best time to visit the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls?” section below, but as a quick overview, July is great for wildflowers and warmer weather, but if you want fall colors and smaller crowds, then you might want to consider an elopement in August or September when it’s not peak season!  

Finalize Your Guest Count 

Small weddings and elopements are allowed at South Fork Mineral Creek Falls without a permit, so I strongly recommend keeping the guest count under 10 people to keep things simple and stress-free. That number should include you, your guests, your photographer, and any officiant or vendors you may want on-site. Just be sure everyone knows to practice Leave No Trace principles day-of, so future generations can also experience the beauty of the falls!

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

While the hike to the falls is relatively short, the steeper sections can be more challenging, especially if it’s rained recently, so you’ll want to give yourself more time to complete the trek at your own pace. That way, you won’t find yourself exchanging vows at the falls all tired and sweaty from the hike!

There are also plenty of gorgeous spots along the scenic trail for photos before you even reach the falls, thanks to the peaceful, winding creek, and soaring aspen trees. As an experienced, local photographer, I can help design your itinerary and guide you to the best ones at the right time of day, so you can have the most stunning wedding portraits to commemorate your epic adventure.

Get Your Marriage License

The closest place to get your marriage license will be at the San Juan County Clerk’s office in Silverton and it will cost $30. You can fill in the application electronically at their office or online ahead of time on their official website here. Regardless, you’ll need to pick up your license in person—the office is open and accepting applications Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and then again from 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm. 

Once you’ve picked up your license, just be sure to sign it within 35 days of the date it was issued and return it within 63 days of your wedding. Since Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, no witnesses or officiants are technically needed!

Get Married! 

That’s it! All that’s left is to exchange your vows in front of the enchanting South Fork Mineral Creek Falls and enjoy every moment of your big day together!

When’s the best time to visit the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls?  

Since the road granting access to South Fork Mineral Creek Falls is closed from October to May, usually due to snow conditions (you can find the most up-to-date closure notices on the San Juan National Forest’s official page here), the best time to visit is in the late summer or early fall, specifically August through September. That’s when the mountain air starts getting crisp and the first hints of autumn foliage start making an appearance, transforming the dense forest of green into a canopy of golden hues. Combined with the crystalline waters of the falls and dramatic canyon walls, this spot becomes the definition of a hidden gem.

Visiting during the fall also means avoiding the peak summer season, so you’re more likely to find smaller crowds, allowing you to experience the falls in peace—weekdays are better than weekends for the same reason. You’ll find the best light at sunrise or sunset when it filters through the forest and illuminates the whole area, creating the perfect, intimate atmosphere for your elopement!

How do you get to the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls?

The falls are located just outside of Silverton, so you’ll want to take US-550 N and make your way toward the San Juan National Forest. After 2 miles, you’ll turn onto Co Rd 7/Forest Rd 585 and follow that road for about 4 miles until you find an open dirt lot on your right (located at 37°48’23.2″N 107°46’25.5″W) and the South Mineral Campground on your left. This is a great place to park and use the campground’s restrooms before setting out on your hike!

The falls themselves are located at 37°48’17.1″N 107°46’40.8″W and there’s no official trail that will take you there, so the easiest way to reach them is to keep walking west down Forest Rd 585 until you cross over Clear Creek. Then, you’ll want to take the unmarked path on your left into the forest, keeping Clear Creek on your left as you hike. From there, just follow the creek until it meets South Fork Mineral Creek, where you will turn right, now keeping South Fork Mineral Creek on your left. You should be able to hear the falls at that point, but if not, just keep walking along the creek and it will lead you right to them!

How long is the walk to get to the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls? 

The time it takes to walk to the falls varies based on which route you choose. As I mentioned above, the quickest and easiest option starts from the parking lot at the base of the Ice Lakes Trailhead, right next to the South Mineral Campground. The trail is 0.4 miles each way, making it roughly a 1-mile roundtrip that typically takes about an hour total, depending on your pace. The hike is considered moderate with a few sections that are more challenging than others—especially near the end just before reaching the falls or after it’s rained—but nothing that requires too much prior hiking experience!

How much does it cost to get married at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls? 

At the time of writing in 2026, no special permits are required to get married at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls, which means the only cost you have to consider is the $30 for your Colorado marriage license. Beyond that, your elopement budget can be whatever you want it to be! It usually depends on your guest count, vendors, travel plans, whether you’re doing a reception elsewhere after the ceremony, etc. With an elopement like this, the true priority is the experience itself, which is why couples who hire me typically invest a lot of their budget in photography. That way they’ll always have a beautiful reminder of the epic adventure they took together.

For more details, you can check out my full cost of eloping guide here! 

Are dogs allowed at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls? 

Yes, dogs are allowed at the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls, as long as they remain leashed at all times!

South Fork Mineral Creek Falls Elopement & Wedding Photos

Amy & Joe’s South Fork Mineral Creek Falls Summer Elopement 

I freaking adore working with folks who work in the wedding industry, because they always have such a specific and special vision. Amy is a hair & makeup artist for both weddings and productions, so she & Joe really didn’t want anything close to a traditional wedding. And because they already lived in Colorado, they knew they didn’t have to travel far to get great elopement views!

(To give you a sense of how independent and seriously cool these two are, Joe MADE their rings and Amy MADE her own dress and hair accessory!)

Amy & Joe told me that they really wanted to take advantage of the FULL Colorado landscape and elope somewhere that wasn’t just a mountain view. They were really hoping to find a great waterfall that didn’t require hours of hiking, and I was super excited to introduce them to South Fork Mineral Creek Falls! 

With how short the hike is and how gorgeous the backdrop is, I knew they’d love it. Plus, I knew that at the time they were eloping (early August), the falls would still be super full of water and looking their best for their elopement!

Amy & Joe didn’t hesitate at all when it came to wading into the creek and the pool in front of the falls, and I was obsessed with how Amy’s dress looked trailing through the water. This was one of their last stops of the day, after their ceremony and some 4X4 driving, so they could really let loose and play!