Weddings & Other Ceremonies

 
View of a Wedding at RMNP in Winter
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 desiganted 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.

 
 

When Can I Apply?

Ceremonies at Rocky Mountain National Park are popular, please remember to plan well in advance for your desired wedding date.

Application 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) weddigns per day will be booked at any designated wedding location, regardleess of availibity.

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

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 will required a Special Use Permit. A 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 email.
  • Wedding permits have specific conditions that protect the park's resources and allows all visitors to enjoy the park. Read carefully to deteremine whether your ceremony will be possible. You'll be required to read and sign the permit prior to it being finalized.
  • 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 Commerical 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 Vehilces 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 a minimum of 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 equipement 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

Email the completed application to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov. 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

 

Questions Related to Ceremony Planning

 

Questions Related to Photography & Transportation

 

Contact Us

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

Last updated: November 18, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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