Weddings & Other Ceremonies

 

A ceremony at the 3M Curve wedding site during the winter.

NPS Photo / Camille Horn

A Special Use Permit is required for wedding, elopements, vow renewals, and other ceremonies in Rocky Mountain National Park. Permits for these ceremonies are issued for designated locations with group and vehicle limits. Certain locations are not available during the summer.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a perfect location for simple, rustic outdoor ceremonies. If you are wanting a large, exclusive, or decorated celebration, there are locations outside of the park that can accommodate your needs.

 

2025 Calendar Year Updates

If you are interested in having a ceremony at Rocky Mountain National Park during the 2025 calendar year, please be aware that several months are starting to reach maximum permit limits.

All dates for May - October 2025 are fully booked

 

When Can I Apply?

Rocky Mountain National Park is a popular destination for wedding ceremonies. It is strongly recommended to plan well in advance for your desired wedding date.

Applications are accepted one year in advance of your desired wedding month. The review of applications begins the first of the month, applications are reviewed on a first come basis (e.g. July 2025 applications were accepted starting July 1, 2024).

Ceremonies may be scheduled no later than seven (7) days prior to your event.

Maximum Permit Limits

• May - October: 60 ceremonies per month
• November - April: 40 ceremonies per month

No more than two (2) weddings per day will be booked at any designated wedding location, regardless of availably.

• No more than six (6) total ceremonies will be scheduled per day.

 

Things to Know Prior to Applying

Rocky Mountain National Park is a protected area and a highly visited national park. In the park, all ceremonies are managed and require a Special Use Permit. A special use permit is required when there are two (2) or more people engaging in the activity.

• The Special Use Permit requires a non-refundable administrative fee of $300 for each wedding application. Do not send payment with the application until you are contacted by e-mail.
• Wedding permits have specific conditions that protect the park's resources and allows all visitors to enjoy the park. Read carefully to determine whether your desired ceremony will be possible. You will be required to read and sign the permit prior to it being finalized.
  • Review Park Specific Conditions
• Weddings can only take place in designated site locations, regardless of the size of the wedding group. Any indication of a ceremony taking place outside of these designated sites is considered a violation and is subject to citation of the wedding party, photographer, and/or officiant.
• Exclusive use of any area is not permitted; therefore, ceremony sites will remain open for public use alongside your permitted activity.
• Photography and videography are allowed under the Special Use Permit during the permitted period. After your ceremony, you may also go to other locations in the park without an additional permit.
  • Drones are prohibited in the park, including weddings, even if the user/photographer is FFA licensed. No exceptions will be made.
• As parking spaces are limited in the park, carpooling or shuttling is strongly encouraged and may be required.
• Normal entrance fees apply to all vehicles associated with the ceremony.
  • Wedding Permit holders will NOT be required to get a Timed Entry Reservation since the permit will be their reservation ticket.
• Ceremonies conducted in Rocky Mountain National Park require written approval from the Chief Ranger's Office or Commercial Services Office. Your finalized, signed permit is considered written approval.

 

Permit Locations

• Locations are outdoors and rustic in nature and do not offer protection from the weather.
• Ceremonies are limited to two hours maximum at all locations.
  • This time includes the arrival of set-up/pick-up and time for photos or video at the ceremony location.
• The permit prohibits or restricts the use of items such as decorations, alters, tables, tents, floral displays, scattering of materials, generators, etc. A few chairs are allowed for individuals that cannot stand for the duration of the ceremony. Some locations may not have restroom facilities at or near the ceremony locations.
• Weddings are not permitted in public facilities such as visitor centers, roadside turnouts, parking areas, overlooks, or in special wildlife viewing areas.
• Construction may take place unexpectedly at any time or location throughout the park. Construction is considered a critical need and may impact areas within the ceremony site locations. However, we cannot offer refunds for locations that are impacted by this. If there is construction at the location of your ceremony, contact the Commercial Services Office to discuss the option of changing the site location.

What are Ceremony Size Limits?

Each ceremony site has a designated group size limit. The largest wedding ceremony size is 30 people.

Group size is restricted based on the location as indicated in the table below. Group size includes the wedding couple, all guests (including infants and young children), officiants, and photographers/videographers.

The numbers listed in the table is the maximum group size. We appreciated your understanding in our efforts to protect visitors, staff, and park resources.

Summer site limits are from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend thru 2nd Monday in October. Winter is the rest of the year.

Location	Max Number in Party	Number of Vehicles Allowed
3M Curve	15	3
Alluvial Fan	20	5
Bear Lake	20 winter only, no weekends	5 winter only, no weekends
Copeland Lake	30	10
Harbison Meadows	30	10
Hidden Valley	30	10
Lily Lake Dock	10	3
Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area	30	10
Lily Lake Trail	20	5
Moraine Park Discovery Center Amphitheater	30	10
Sprague Lake	15 (summer) 30 (winter)	3 (summer) 10 (winter)
Timber Creek Campground Amphitheater	20 (closed in winter)	5
Upper Beaver Meadows	30	10

*Learn more and see pictures by selecting each site name above.

 

How to Apply

A completed application must be submitted at least seven (7) days prior to your requested ceremony date. Your location and date will be "held" while the permit is finalized.

Step 1: Complete Application

Download and complete the Special Use Permit Application

The following MUST be included, or the application cannot be processed:

• Application Information
  • Enter applicant information. One primary ceremony participant may be listed (e.g. Bride, Groom, or Wedding Planner).
• Description of Proposed Activity
  • This is where you will indicated what equipment you want to bring, ceremony plans, or ideas.
• Date, Location, and Time
  • A specific date, location, and 2-hour timeframe must be indicated for the application to be processed.
• Participants and Vehicles (best estimate)
  • Enter the number of people who will be at the ceremony including children, photographer(s), planner(s), etc. Enter the maximum number you anticipate.
• Signature Block

Step 2: Submit Application

E-mail the completed application to [e-mail]. Please allow 7 to 10 days for a response.

Mailed in/faxed applications forms or requests via phone are not accepted.

Step 3: Park Review, Draft Permit, & Payment

Once we review your application, a Specail Use Permit will be prepared and emailed to your for review and your signature along with instructions on how to submit the non-refundable $300 administrative fee. Email signed permit to the park along with payment.

By signing the permit, you are certifying that the applicant information is correct and that you have read, understood, and will abide by all permit conditions.

Step 4: Final Permit

A copy of the fully executed permit signed by the authorizing official, will be emailed to you. You will need a printed or digital copy of the fully executed permit with you on site during the event. If your ceremony plans, change, notify our office immediately.

You must share the permit with all participants as they are expected to understand the regulations and permit conditions. You are responsible for adherence of the entire wedding party to the permit conditions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Questions Related to Permits & Fees

Do we need a marriage license?

Yes. Learn more.

Can we obtain a permit on the weekend?

No. We do not process applications on the weekend.

Can we obtain a permit at the last minute?

Ceremonies can be scheduled up to a year in advance and up to seven (7) days prior to the ceremony. A last-minute request might be accommodated, but there are no guarantees.

Is there a different cost for different sites and group sizes?

No. The same administrative fee applies for all sites and ceremony sizes.

Do the wedding party and guests need to pay entrance fees?

Yes. The wedding permit will include timed entry reservations, but not normal park entrance fees. Refer to condition #41 under Park Specific Conditions.

Do we need a separate permit for the photographer or officiant?

No. The photographer and officiant are covered under the wedding permit. They count towards your ceremony size limit.

 

Questions Related to Ceremony Planning

What are we allowed to have at the ceremony?

Ceremonies are simple and rustic. This means no elaborate decorations, alters, tables, tents, floral displays, scattering of materials, generators, etc. A few chairs are allowed for individuals that cannot stand for the duration of the ceremony. Refer to condition #35 under Park Specific Conditions.

Can we have our dog in the wedding ceremony?

Dogs, on leash, are only allowed at Moraine Park Discovery Center Amphitheater, Timber Creek Campground Amphitheater, and Harbison Meadows. Indiciate on your application if you would like your dog in the ceremony.

Can we have an arch?

Only at Moraine Park Discovery Center Amphitheater.

Can we have a band at our wedding?

Amplified music is not permitted. Music must be 60 decibels or less. This is considered the volume of normal conservation. Refer to condition #32 under Park Specific Conditions.

Can we have boutonnieres and bouquets?

Yes. Items such as flower petals, birdseed, rice, or similar material or items cannot be used, thrown, or scattered. 

Does the park provide an officiant?

No.

Does the park provide wedding packages?

No.

Can we hold a reception at the park?

Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area is the only site that can accommodate a picnic or simple food reception. Holding a simple reception at that location requires an additional Special Use Permit. We do not permit food trucks, bands, loud music, tents, or large quantities of alcohol.

 

Questions Related to Photography & Transportation

Can I have a drone take pictures at my ceremony?

No. Drones are prohibited on all National Park Service lands.

Can we go to other places in the park to take pictures after the ceremony?

Yes. Your finalized permit will give you access to the park 2 hours prior to your ceremony time and the rest of the day for portrait photography. You will need to show your permit at each entrance and the Bear Lake checkpoint. 

Can the wedding party use the park shuttles?

Yes. Check when they are operating at Shuttle Buses.

Does the park provide private transportation?

No. However, during the summer months there are free Park Shuttles.

 

Contact Us

If you have additional questions about the Wedding Permit program, please contact the Commercial Services Office at 970-586-1482 or e-mail us.