Lily Lake Wedding
Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement

Colorado Venues, Elopements

Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite wedding and elopement ceremony spots. The lake is about 2 hours from Denver but is worth every minute of the drive. Lily Lake has 3 different ceremony site options, but the most photogenic is the dock. The dock is very similar to Sprague Lake, it is a lakeside that offers beautiful views of the hills. However, the dock at Lily Lake is right off the parking lot and can be very highly trafficked. Lily Lake also has one of the most versatile photo opportunities. There is the lakeside dock, meadows, and a small hike will take you up to a gorgeous lookout. Another awesome benefit of Lily Lake is you don’t have to pass a fee station which can cut down on a lot of your travel note. (Note: you still absolutely need your permit since rangers do patrol the area and will ask for it.)

Are you looking for a photographer to take your wedding photos at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park? Send me a message! I’d love to chat about your vision!

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How to have a Lily Lake wedding or elopement

Getting a permit for a Lily Lake wedding

Email romo_fees_permits@nps.gov to inquire about your date and availability.
Fill out an application, application found here and pay your $300 non-refundable booking fee.
Send completed application to the above email.
Sign and print your completed permit. You must have your permit with you at all times.

What is the best time for a Lily Lake wedding?

Lily Lake can be super busy on the weekends (as with most locations at Rocky Mountain National Park). I highly recommend eloping or reserving for a weekday or aiming for a sunrise reservation!

How accessible is Lily Lake?

Lily Lake is conveniently located off Colorado State Highway 7/St. Vrain Road. I love this location because you don’t need to go through the RMNP entrance booths, which on busy days can save you a lot of time! Right off the road you’ll turn into a parking lot with about 20-30 parking spots. From there it is a straight, flat 5 minute walk to the dock. The loop around the entire lake is 1 mile and will take about 30 minutes. It is nearly completely flat. There are restrooms at the parking lot.

Is Lily Lake a private elopement spot?

Lily Lake is one of the most popular lakes in the park, so you can expect there to be people there, often at all times during the day. My favorite ceremony location is the main dock, which is a stone’s throw from the parking lot, meaning it can be quite trafficked. But if you explore around the lake there are quieter spots where you can do more intimate portraits.

Recent Rocky Mountain Park updates

Weddings for 2021

As of January of 2021, Rocky Mountain has issued all of its 250 available 2021 wedding permits. If you are looking to elope at Rocky Mountain this year (2021) that unfortunately doesn’t look like a possibility. However, there is the option of getting legally married outside the park (at an equally gorgeous location) and then entering the park for portraits.

Weddings for 2022

May-October 60 permits per month will be issued.

November – April 40 permits per month will be issued.

As of June 1, 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park will resume issuing permits a year in advance on that wedding month. (Ex: October 2021 you can be issued your October 2022 permit).

If you are wanting to elope at RMNP I highly recommend getting your permit as soon as possible. The number of permits is extremely limited and they will go quickly.

Meet Leah- Colorado elopement photographer

Hey there! I hope you enjoyed this post all about eloping at Lily Lake! Rocky Mountain weddings are some of my favorite things to photograph. If you love colorful, energetic and authentic photos, send me a message! I’d love to chat with you about your Lily Lake wedding!