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.
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.
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.
No. We do not process applications on the weekend.
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.
No. The same administrative fee applies for all sites and ceremony sizes.
No. The photographer and officiant are covered under the wedding permit. They count towards your ceremony size limit.
Questions Related to Ceremony Planning
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.
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.
Only at Moraine Park Discovery Center Amphitheater.
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.
Yes. Items such as flower petals, birdseed, rice, or similar material or items cannot be used, thrown, or scattered.
No.
No.
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, staked tents, or large quantities of alcohol.
Questions Related to Photography & Transportation
No. Drones are prohibited on all National Park Service lands.
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. During Timed Entry, you will only have access to the Bear Lake Corridor if you have selected a ceremony site along this corridor (i.e. Sprague Lake or Moraine Park Discovery Center Amphitheater).
Yes. Check when they are operating at Shuttle Buses.
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 Commerical Services Office at 970-586-1482 or e-mail us.
Last updated: October 29, 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.
