Tips for a Yankee Boy Basin Elopement + How to Get Married in the Mountains!

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Sitting in the shadow of the highest point in the county (the 14er Mount Sneffels), Yankee Boy Basin is a stunning point just outside of Ouray in the San Juans that is known for its wildflower blooms, waterfalls, and 4X4 trails that take you right into the heart of the valley without having to hike.

I have literally been exploring Colorado for my entire life (born and raised!) and even after photographing elopements here for 10+ years, this is easily still one of my #1 picks! I’m going to walk you through all of the insider tips you need to know about getting married at Yankee Boy Basin.

Frequently asked questions about eloping at Yankee Boy Basin

How do you get married at Yankee Boy Basin?

Of the 300+ elopements I’ve photographed, over 150 of those have been in Colorado alone! So I know exactly how to design a Colorado elopement day that hits all of your wants & needs while still feeling smooth and stress free. Honestly, with how many trails there are through the San Juans, this is one of the best places in the country to do it!

Here are my top tips for getting married at Yankee Boy Basin:

Understand the permit situation
For most elopements and intimate weddings in Yankee Boy Basin, you won’t need a permit. If you’re having more than ~10 guests or so, though, you may need to look into a venue or a special use permit. I can help you sort through all of this when you work with me as your local permit pro!
Consider how you’re getting there
The way into Yankee Boy Basin is a 4X4 road. The trail is rocky, steep, and long, so it’s not recommended for folks to do it on foot. With that in mind, you’ll need a high-clearance off-road ready 4X4. You can bring your own, rent one from a nearby provider, or hire a local driver to take you through to the pass so that all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the view. Unless you really love off-roading, that’s my personal recommendation.
Think about your guests if you’re having any
Remember that any decisions you make about how you’re getting up to Yankee Boy will also need to be made for your guests! If you have more than 2 or so other people with you, I’d recommend getting a tour company to shuttle everyone to the top, even if you’re driving yourself.
Get your marriage license if you’re signing it in Colorado
Marriage licenses are issued from the Ouray County Clerk and cost $30. You’ll need to apply online and stop by the office to pick it up. Sign it within 35 days of getting it and return it within 63 days of your wedding. Colorado is a self-solemnizing state, so no witnesses or officiants are needed!
Know when to visit for seasonal foliage
If you’re looking for wildflower blooms, visit in late July. For peak fall colors, visit in late September. I talk more about the best time to visit Yankee Boy down below!

When’s the best time to visit Yankee Boy Basin?

The best time to visit Yankee Boy Basin is the last week in July. This is when the wildflower bloom is at its strongest on average and trail conditions are the best.

During the winter months (that’s October through June in these parts), snow covers this area entirely. But late in fall, you can find epic fall colors here before the path gets too icy!

Pro Tip: This is a popular trail, so visiting outside of holidays, during the week, and around sunrise is always going to find you the least amount of crowds!

Yankee Boy Basin Summer Elopement

Eloping in Yankee Boy Basin in the summer will find you in the middle of beautiful wildflowers, waterfalls, moderate weather, and lots of hours of daylight to explore by!

Yankee Boy Basin Fall Elopement

A bride and groom walk hand in hand through a grassy field surrounded by tall yellow autumn trees, with rocky mountains rising in the background.

In September, Yankee Boy Basin lights up in bright golden hues, making it a perfect stop for an autumnal mountain excursion on your wedding day.

How do you get to Yankee Boy Basin?

Yankee Boy Basin’s trail starts just south of Ouray off of Highway 550. Turn left onto County Road 361/Camp Bird Road and follow it until you reach the fork with County Road 26/Yankee Boy Basin Road. Follow County Road 26 and it will put you out in the basin! When you leave, you’ll go out the way you came in, making Ouray one of the best places to stay nearby.

How long is the trail to Yankee Boy Basin?

The 4X4 trail to get to Yankee Boy Basin is ~20 miles and is an out-and-back trail that requires a high-clearance off-road vehicle. Parts of this trail are steep and rocky, so it’s crucial to make sure that you tackle it in a 4X4 that can take on the challenge! If you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself, there are many local tour operators who know these trails like the backs of their hands and can take you in so that all you have to do is relax and enjoy!

How much does it cost to get married at Yankee Boy Basin?

It only costs $30 to get married at Yankee Boy Basin! That’s just the cost of a marriage license in the state of Colorado.

The venue itself is totally free to use, leaving the rest of your budget up to you! The couples I work with prioritize a sense of adventure and knowing that their day is being documented for them, so they invest most of their budget into photography.

You may also consider hiring a local 4X4 tour operator to take you into the basin to make your day as stress-free as possible!

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

Are dogs allowed at Yankee Boy Basin?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Yankee Boy Basin! Scroll down to see some of Alek & Justin’s wedding photos with their pup! They even had their dog sign their wedding license, which is an option in Colorado due to our self-solemnization (AKA marrying yourself with no officiant) laws.

A happy dog with a blanket sits in the open back of a red Jeep. The rear window reads “Just Married 9.29.22” in white, with mountains and trees seen in the background.

Yankee Boy Basin Elopement Photos

Alek & Justin’s Summer Yankee Boy Basin Elopement

Alek & Justin had their elopement in late July, when Yankee Boy Basin is overflowing with multicolored wildflowers of every kind. They woke up at sunrise to have some time to themselves by the water and then had a small family ceremony complete with their dog. Their guests were shuttled directly into Yankee Boy Basin so that no one had to hike! They brought champagne for everybody and held a toast as a group to the newlyweds in the middle of the mountains.

Silhouetted pine trees stand against a gradient sky transitioning from deep blue to orange at sunset, with distant mountains faintly visible on the horizon.

A couple stands beside an SUV near a lake at the base of rocky, rugged mountains at sunset, with scattered patches of snow on the slopes and green grass along the shore.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand through a green, flower-filled meadow with rocky mountains in the background, dressed in wedding attire, during golden hour.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a grassy hillside, embracing and gazing at a mountain landscape during sunset, surrounded by pine trees and wildflowers.

A couple walks hand in hand through a lush, green meadow. The woman wears a long white dress, and the man is dressed in a blazer and trousers. Wildflowers and greenery surround them, and trees are visible in the background.

A couple stands together in a field of yellow wildflowers, surrounded by greenery and mountains. The woman wears a white dress and the man wears a suit, both smiling and embracing in the peaceful, scenic landscape.

A couple, dressed in wedding attire, walks hand in hand through a grassy field with wildflowers, surrounded by tall, rugged mountains and rocky cliffs under a clear sky.

A couple stands together on green vegetation, holding hands and looking in opposite directions, with dramatic rocky mountains rising behind them under a clear sky.

A couple dressed in wedding attire walks hand in hand across a lush meadow filled with wildflowers, with a green alpine lake and rocky mountains in the background at sunset.

A couple dances beside a small lake surrounded by wildflowers, green hills, and rugged mountains under a clear sky at sunset.

A couple dances in a field of wildflowers near a calm lake, with rocky mountains and green hills in the background under a clear sky at sunset.

A couple in wedding attire stands close together on a grassy area near a small body of water, surrounded by wildflowers, with rocky mountains in the background at sunset.

Silhouetted evergreen trees stand against a colorful sunset sky, with the sun setting behind distant mountains and warm orange and yellow hues filling the horizon.

A couple stands holding hands in a mountain meadow at sunset, surrounded by wildflowers, pine trees, and distant hills under a golden sky.

A couple stands holding hands and kissing in a sunlit mountain meadow at sunset, with pine trees and hazy mountains in the background.

A couple embraces in a sunlit mountain meadow at sunset, surrounded by wildflowers and pine trees, with soft golden light and distant mountains in the background.

A couple holding hands and walking through a grassy mountain meadow at sunset, with trees and mountains in the background and warm sunlight illuminating the scene.

A gray SUV is parked on grassy terrain near a small pond, surrounded by rocky mountains bathed in golden evening light. The moon is visible in the clear sky above the rugged landscape.

A sunlit meadow with wildflowers in the foreground, rolling green hills, and distant mountains under a bright, clear sky at sunrise or sunset.

A colorful wildflower meadow with various flowers in bloom, including yellow, purple, and red blossoms, surrounded by green grass, bathed in warm, natural light.

A grey SUV with a roof rack is parked on a grassy field surrounded by wildflowers and trees, with sunlight casting a warm glow over the scene. A person is seated in the driver's seat.

A black SUV drives on a muddy dirt road through a grassy field with scattered yellow wildflowers, set against rocky cliffs and a golden-lit mountain landscape.

Two people sit in a car at sunset, viewed from the back seat. Sunlight streams through the windshield, illuminating dust and casting a warm glow inside, with mountains visible outside.

A couple in wedding attire stands close together by a turquoise lake, surrounded by pine trees and mountains at sunset. The scene is peaceful and romantic in a natural forest setting.

A couple embraces and smiles at each other outdoors near a calm lake, surrounded by green trees. The woman wears a white dress, and the man wears a dark jacket and khaki pants.

A couple embraces beside a serene mountain lake, surrounded by tall pine trees and rocky cliffs, bathed in warm golden sunlight.

A bride and groom embrace on a grassy hillside, overlooking a serene lake surrounded by forest and mountains at sunset, with trees and rocky cliffs reflected in the water.

A couple stands smiling in a sunlit mountain meadow surrounded by wildflowers and pine trees; the woman wears a white dress and holds a bouquet, while the man holds her waist and looks at her.

A bride and groom kiss in a sunlit mountain meadow surrounded by wildflowers and pine trees, with rocky cliffs in the background. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a white dress; the groom wears a jacket and green pants.

A bride and groom embrace in front of a waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and out-of-focus wildflowers in the foreground.

Tall wildflowers with purple blooms are illuminated by warm sunlight, standing out against a dark, shadowy background of dense trees and foliage in a forest setting.

Sunlight streams through tall pine trees onto a forest path, illuminating wild plants and casting long shadows in a black and white scene.

A colorful bridal bouquet with roses and greenery rests on a weathered log in a natural outdoor setting, surrounded by leaves and plants.

A dark SUV drives through a shallow, rocky stream surrounded by dense, sunlit forest and tall evergreen trees. Sunlight filters through the trees, reflecting on the water’s surface.

A bride in a white dress holds a colorful bouquet of flowers, including red, yellow, white, and pink blooms with green leaves. Someone stands close beside her, partially visible in the background.

Three yellow daisy-like flowers with slender petals are in focus against a dark, blurred green background, with one small white flower visible in the lower left corner.

Three purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers are surrounded by green leaves, set against a dark, blurred background. The flowers are in focus, standing out from the surrounding foliage.

A bride and groom stand on rocky terrain, holding hands as the bride’s dress flows. Sunlight streams over a mountain ridge in the background, creating a romantic and scenic outdoor setting.

A bride and groom holding hands walk toward a white off-road vehicle parked on a rocky path surrounded by greenery and trees, with sunlight illuminating the scene.

A bride and groom, holding hands, wave at guests sitting in an open tour truck in a scenic mountain meadow surrounded by trees and sunlight.

A bride in a white dress and a man in a suit kneel outdoors, smiling and petting a large brown dog. They are surrounded by wildflowers, with mountains and trees in the background.

A small group attends an outdoor wedding ceremony on a sunny day in a mountain meadow, surrounded by green hills and tall pine trees, with a dog sitting beside one guest.

A bride and groom stand outdoors among wildflowers and trees, smiling and interacting with a woman holding a colorful book, possibly during a wedding ceremony in a scenic mountain setting.

A bride and groom kiss outdoors in front of a forested mountain landscape, surrounded by a small group of people who are applauding. The scene is bright and natural, with wildflowers in the foreground.

A group of people, including a bride in a white dress, walk up a rocky mountain path surrounded by wildflowers and greenery, with towering cliffs and blue sky in the background.

A bride in a white dress pops a bottle of champagne outdoors, spraying bubbles, while a smiling groom in a suit stands beside her in a sunny, mountainous landscape.

A smiling couple in wedding attire kneels in a green mountain meadow, petting a large brown dog. Wildflowers bloom around them, with tall mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

A grassy mountain meadow with scattered wildflowers, rocky slopes, and pine trees; several vehicles are visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Yankee Boy Basin Elopement 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.

Yankee Boy Basin Elopement Packages

I can’t recommend the San Juans enough to eloping couples—that’s why I created a whole guide about them! Or, if you’re not feeling this area, you can check out my guide for eloping in Colorado or my favorite places to elope globally. No matter where on the planet you want to elope, I’ll have your back! Get in touch with me and tell me all about yourself! No matter how vague of an idea you have right now, I’ll give you tailored, hand-picked locations to choose from to make your wedding day totally unique.

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