Where to Elope in Estes outside of Rocky Mountain National Park | Josh + Maegan

In 2021 Rocky Mountain National Park has issued a limit of wedding and elopement ceremony permits to 250 total. By the end of January, all 250 permits have been spoken for. This has left many couples wondering where to elope in Estes Park. There are many Estes Park elopement locations outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, but Cheley Lodge and Grove (Colorado Cheley Camps) is one of our favorites. As Estes Park natives, we know hiking trails, private residences and even large venues with elopement packages to help couples with all of their Estes Park Wedding planning and elopement planning needs, which starts with finding the perfect location.

Josh and Maegan found themselves in a similar situation during 2020 when Rocky Mountain National Park had put a freeze on issuing ceremony permits, but they had already booked their lodging accommodations in the Estes Park area. We connected them with Cheley Lodge and Grove and it was the perfect Estes Park elopement location for their intimate wedding.

If you had your heart set on wedding photos in Rocky Mountain National Park, don’t fret! As long as your photographer holds a special use commercial permit you can still have your ceremony outside of RMNP and take portraits in the park for a first look beforehand or some portraits afterward.