Elopement in Colorado
Are you looking to plan your Elopement in Colorado!? Elopements are an intimate and adventurous way to exchange your vows and celebrate your love for one another! If you’re seeking a unique and breathtaking location, Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado can offer just that! The Great Sand Dunes offer panoramic views, towering sand dunes, and dramatic landscapes for your adventurous day. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is about 2 hours, 45 minutes from Colorado Springs, and about 3 hours, and 45 minutes from Denver, Colorado. In this blog post, I will share with you some helpful tips and information to know in advance when planning your elopement in Colorado at the Great Sand Dunes National Park!
Colorado Elopement: Fees and Permits at The Great Sand Dunes
To begin, it is important to know that some more well-known parks will require a photography permit for your Colorado Elopement Photographer to photoshoot at that location. Be sure to check with the National Park Service to obtain information on the requirements and fees associated with this photography permit. To hold your elopement or wedding ceremony within the park, you will need to obtain a special use permit from the park service ahead of time. It is usually about a $200.00 fee.
Next, as far as parking entry fees to this park, it is about $25.00 for a standard entrance pass or you can obtain an annual entrance park pass for $45.00. Lastly, please keep in mind that these fees and permit fees are subject to change, so it is important to check the official park’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Elopement Locations at the Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes offers a variety of beautiful locations for your elopement ceremony in Colorado! Some of these locations, include: High Dune, Medano Creek, or Mosca Pass Trail. First, High Dune offers panoramic views with vast landscape of sand, and it will provide a breathtaking backdrop for exchanging vows during your elopement ceremony. Next, Medano Creek is a seasonal creek that offers a unique element to your photos! In fact, ‘Médano’ is a Spanish word that means “sand dune.” The creek occurs when the snowmelt reaches its peak. It is usually flowing strong in the Spring and disappearing come late summer. Lastly, Mosca Pass is for a more adventurous experience! This trail is about 6.2 miles roundtrip. It will provide hidden pockets of natural beauty that is secluded away from the large crowds.
Things to do around The Dunes
The Great Sand Dunes offers many outdoor and adventurous activities for your to plan for your elopement day! The most well known activity is sand-boarding or sand sledding. Sand-boarding or sledding down the dunes can offer such a fun and exhilarating experience during your elopement! Additionally, there are lots of diverse hiking trails in and around the park. Ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. Located just a couple of miles from the Great Sand Dunes Park, is Zapata Falls. Zapata Falls is a shorter and unique hike that leads to a waterfall!
As mentioned previously, the High Dune Trail is a popular choice. Visitors to the park often like to enjoy wading or tubing in Medano Creek, depending on the season. Camping is another fun activity you could consider for your elopement day! You could end your adventurous elopement day, soaking in the moments together at your campsite while stargazing. Great Sand Dunes National Park has been known to have some of the darkest skies and makes for a great spot for stargazing.
Looking to book your Colorado Elopement?
To conclude, if you are looking to book your elopement in Colorado, I would absolutely love to plan it with you! Elopements hold a special place in my heart. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of my favorite locations here in Colorado. Don’t forget to check out my other blog post in which I discuss other potential locations that you can have your elopement at within the state of Colorado!
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