The purpose of wedding/elopement photography is not solely to have pretty photos of your day. It’s about documenting the celebration, and all the moments that go into it. Having a photographer there allows you (and your friends and family) to focus on being present and in the moment without worrying about moments and memories being documented.
The San Juan mountains are what people think of when they think of Colorado. They’re exquisite- from wildflowers to beautiful meadows, alpine Lakes of Gatorade blue incredible, fall colors during September and October, waterfalls, the list goes on. There really is no better part of the state. The San Juan mountains are rugged and perfect for people who don’t mind the time it takes to explore. Whether that’s driving, off-roading, or hiking there’s so much to see, and the journey is always worth the effort.
This area of the state, mainly made up of Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango but could also include Pagosa Springs and Lake City. These small mountain towns, nestled in valleys at different points throughout the mountains, are incredible with towering mountain peaks, the small mountain town feel, and tons of outdoor things to do and see. Each one is a little bit different with its own vibe and charm.
Why elope in Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, or Durango
If you’re not already convinced, here are some of the best reasons to elope in the San Juan mountains. Obviously, there’s breathtaking views and lots to see, but there’s also the most unique locations. This means you get a location that’s truly unique to the two of you and not somewhere lots of other people have gotten married like in Rocky Mountain National Park. And one of the absolute best parts of this area is that, because the San Juan mountains are so much further from Denver, they’re also less crowded comparatively. It’s so much easier to have a secluded and special experience and to feel like you have all of the mountains to yourself.
The best time of year to elope in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains
Summer (late June through August): because these mountains are so high in elevation, summer does come late. Typically summer is the mid to end of June and then through the end of August, which might sound really late, but the snow melts slowly. Summer brings tons of green foliage, beautifully melted lakes, and endless fields of wildflowers. Seriously, it is no exaggeration to say the wildflowers will take your breath away. There are chances for afternoon and evening storms, so adventuring in the morning for your adventure is the safest bet. Temperatures are very moderate- one of the benefits of higher elevation is that it never gets super hot and there’s no humidity!
Fall (late September through early October): autumn in the San Juans is incredible. There are a plethora of aspens that turn gold, turning entire areas into swaths of gold. The weather is crisp and cool, there’s plenty of blue sky days, and sometimes even moody clouds and snow-capped peaks the later in the season it gets. The alpine tundra turns shades of brown, red, and orange making even the ground covering participate in the fall colors. It’s also much less crowded during weekdays at this time because kids are back in school and people are back at work from summer vacations.
Winter (late October through March): this is the longest season in any mountain area because of the high elevation. October and November often have unpredictable weather. It could be sunny, snowing, cold, or warm. The weather is very unpredictable. Many of the higher roads will close at this time. December through March are pretty solid winter months and yes winter lasts all the way through March (crazy right!). We often get a lot of snow in March. These months are perfect if you want a winter wonderland but locations are more limited and you have to be prepared with backup plans and prepared to deal with the cold.
Spring (April through early June): spring is honestly one of the worst times in the mountains! The snow is melting anymore, things are muddy, but nothing’s in bloom yet. Holding off on spring elopement for a summer one is truly worth it and I promise you won’t sweat too much.
Where to elope in Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango
There are lots of little towns around the San Juan Mountains, but we’re going to focus on Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango. These towns are often lumped together (as in I’m heading out west to visit Telluride and Ouray), but keep in mind that because of the mountains and lower speed limits and windy roads, these towns are up to (and often exceeding) an hour apart.
While I will be listing location options for elopements down below, please remember to be respectful of the space, leave no trace, and that these locations (except for Top of the Pines or San Sophia) can really only handle guest counts of 15 or less!
Eloping in Telluride
This is the most upscale town with beautiful colored homes, incredible views, and the most options for restaurants and places to stay. Telluride has gained a lot of notice recently from social media and things like the Sundance Film Festival. While there’s the most to do in this town, it’s also the most expensive to stay in.
Where to elope in Telluride
- Alta Lakes
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail
- Trout Lake
- Last Dollar Road
- San Sophia Overlook
Eloping in Ouray
This is Telluride’s more casual cousin, also nestled in a valley at the beginning or end of Million Dollar Highway. This adorable mountain town is more laid back, slightly less expensive, but has fewer options for restaurants and places to stay. However if you want to get to the most amazing views and hiking this is a great place to have a “home base”.
Where to elope in Ouray
- Yankee Boy Basin
- Million Dollar Highway
- Crystal Lakes
- Owl Creek Pass
- Top of the Pines Wedding Venue
Eloping in Silverton
Silverton is much smaller with fewer options than Ouray or Telluride, but my gosh it is beautiful. The views are amazing and the actual town is small and casual with only a few local shops and restaurants. It truly is in the middle of the mountains and closest to some of the best views and beautiful hikes in the area. This is where I normally stay when I come to the San Juan mountains. It is slightly less expensive to stay in than Telluride or Ouray, but there are far fewer options.
Where to elope in Silverton
- Molas pass
- Colorado Trail
- Alpine Lake
- Secret meadow
- Local hiking trails
Eloping in Durango
This is one of the bigger towns in the area and sits at the opposite end of Million Dollar Highway from Ouray. It is not a small mountain town, actually its more of a mid sized town to small city so it has lots of options for places to stay, restaurants, and things to see. It’s much less expensive than any of the other towns however it is the furthest away from good hiking and views.
Where to elope in Durango
- Haviland Lake
- Million Dollar Highway
- Alpine Lake
- Local hiking trails
Tips for eloping in the San Juan Mountains
- Be ready for the weather to change: this goes for anywhere in the mountains, but the weather can change fast. Thunderstorms can roll and be gone within an hour. A beautiful blue sky morning can turn into a snowstorm. Check the forecast a lot and be ready to pivot if needed.
- Seasons are short (except for winter): summer and fall are fleeting! Expect conditions of wildflowers and fall colors to change within a matter of days.
- Drink lots of water: the San Juans are at high elevations! Don’t let altitude sickness ruin your trip, make sure to drink lots of water to help combat it.
- It’s colder up high: higher elevations have lower temperatures than lower. This means that the temperatures in the towns be higher than what you’ll experience once you’re up in the mountains. Make sure to bring layers!
- Sunrise and sunset are the best: sunrise and sunset are not to be missed! Not only is golden hour light in the mountains beautiful, there’s also far fewer people around. Most people either aren’t awake yet or are heading into to town for dinner.
- Weekdays only: okay, maybe not only. But if you can swing a weekday, you’re way more likely to have places to yourself! Locals (and just Coloradans in general) love to get outside on weekends and there are a hug influx of people Friday-Sunday.
- Be prepared to drive: mileage wise, things are close together, but thanks to the mountains, winding roads, and sometimes unpaved roads it means it can take much longer to get places. Be ready for things to be over 20 minutes apart at the very least.
- Prepare your guests: make sure your guests know all of the above things too. Many people have never been to mountains like this before (let alone a wedding like yours!) and you want to make sure they’re prepared and don’t experience any unpleasant surprises. And by that I mean- sometimes you still need a coat in June and people wearing summer clothes will freeze!
Things to do in the San Juan Mountains
- Check out all of the mining history: this area was founded by miners and there is so much mining history to see! You can DIY it and just drive and walk around, finding old equipment and buildings, or you can take one of the tours through the mines. Check out https://minetour.com/ for guided tours in Silverton!
- Take a scenic drive: if off roading isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are beautiful easy scenic drives in the area! Check out Million Dollar Highway and Owl Creek Pass. Even the drive between Ouray and Telluride is beautiful!
- Go off roading: rent a jeep or take a tour so you can relax and soak in the views! This part of the state has some of the best off road trails in the entire country.
- Go for a hike: the hikes in the area due tend to be a bit more difficult in nature because of elevation gain, but there’s something out there for everyone! If you’re up for a challenge, hike to one of the unbelievably Blue Lakes, do a section of the Colorado Trail, or even venture up a 14er in the area.
- Soak in a hot spring: there’s a few different hot springs in the area like Dunton and Ouray that are perfect to relax in after a long day. (ps I know a secret one that’s free!)
- Wander the towns: there’s lots of local boutiques, shops, restaurants, and more to explore in every town!
- Take the train: The Durango to Silverton train is an incredible scenic ride between the two towns. This is perfect for seeing the scenery in a totally unique way and being able to take it all in without worrying about veering off the road.
- Fishing : a multitude of lakes, streams, and rivers means there’s no shortage of fishing options. Find more info on rules, regulations, and locations here.
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