Grand County Elopement Guide

Grand County is one of my favorite places to photograph weddings and elopements in Colorado—so much so that I’m planning on moving up here full-time in the next year or two. If you’re planning an elopement without having a location picked out yet, I hope this post will show you that Grand County could be a great option for you.

I love how underrated Grand County still feels. While everyone knows about Breckenridge, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, and Crested Butte, not as many people travel up to Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Fraser, Kremmling, and Hot Sulphur Springs. And that’s part of what makes it a great place to get married!

Horseback riding elopement in Grand County

Things to do in Grand County

Grand County is the perfect hub for outdoor recreation all year round. In summer, you’ve got the best water access in Colorado across Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake, and Grand Lake—the trio of lakes right next to each other at the northern end of the county. You can rent a boat, try paddleboarding, go swimming, or fish in Gold Medal waters in one of the many rivers here. (I’ve been dying to get someone out on a sailboat on Grand Lake for an elopement in summer!)

As you’d expect from a Colorado mountain state, there’s countless miles of hiking trails up here, but unlike the eastern side of the continental divide, most trails here tend to be on the longer side. There aren’t a ton of “quick and easy” trails with great views, and most of my favorites are in the 5-12 mile round-trip range. But this area is also way less busy than the Front Range, so it’s well worth the extra effort to have an epic trail to yourself.

If you like adventure without as much physical effort, Grand County is also a great place for ATV and OHV trails in summer and fall. Rent your own equipment and head out on the trails, or take a guided tour with a local company that can show you all the best spots. Want something slower and more connected to nature? Go horseback riding at one of the many dude ranches in Grand County, or take a hot air balloon at sunrise over the Fraser River Valley.

Elopement at Winter Park Resort in Grand County, Colorado — Elopement at Winter Park Resort

Winter is my favorite season in Grand County, and an incredible time both for vacations and elopements here. Skiing and snowboarding at Winter Park Resort is the biggest draw, but there’s so much more than lift lines for those up for a bit of extra adventure. Check out the groomed Nordic trails at Devil’s Thumb Ranch or Snow Mountain Ranch, go snowshoeing along the Fraser River, or enjoy a horse drawn sleigh ride through the snow covered forest. And with over 1,000 miles of snowmobiling trails, Grand County is known as the snowmobiling capital of Colorado!

I love this area for backcountry skiing and hut trips, but strongly recommend against heading out into the backcountry unless you’re a group of experienced skiers, have completed avalanche training, and are carrying proper safety equipment. Berthoud Pass is considered one of the “easier” backcountry skiing areas in the state, but people are still caught and killed in avalanches here just about every winter. It’s easy to wander into avalanche terrain by following what would be perfectly normal, safe trails in summer. If you’re not prepared for the risks, stay in bounds at Winter Park Resort.

Best places to elope in Grand County

Most trails in Grand County are managed by Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, Routt National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park, or BLM. Each has their own set of rules for weddings based on the group size, location, vendors, and needs. I highly recommend either contacting the relevant land manager or working with a local photographer who can guide you to appropriate locations.

I can’t name the exact locations that I recommend to my couples without the risk of having them go from quiet to crowded, but here are some of the most popular places to elope in Grand County that are already well known.

Harbison Meadow in RMNP
Winter Park Resort
Berthoud Pass
Point Park in Grand Lake
AA Barn

Wedding at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash — Wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash

Best wedding venues in Grand County

Looking for something more traditional? With dozens of traditional wedding venues across Grand County, from luxurious ranches to laidback camping venues, you can easily find a place to host a ceremony or reception for larger weddings here as well. And if you still want some elopement-style adventure, you can always head off into the mountains for photos before the wedding.

Where to eat in Grand County

While Grand County doesn’t have the extensive culinary scene of more expensive mountain ski towns like Breck, Aspen, and Telluride, there are still lots of great restaurants in the area if you know where to look. Here are some of my favorites!

Where to stay in Grand County

As you might expect from the name, Grand County is huge, and it takes over an hour to drive the county from the southern end at Berthoud Pass and up to the northwest end near Steamboat. If you’re planning an elopement here, don’t book your lodging until after you’ve decided on a more specific location or venue. While there are a handful of great hotels and lodges, you’ll have more options to choose from if you also look at vacation rentals.

Best hotels in Grand County

Best vacation rentals that allow events

Some of these are affiliate links, which means if you book and complete a stay I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

If you want more information about planning a vacation in Grand County, the local tourism board is a fantastic resource. And if you’re looking for an elopement photographer in Grand County, that’s me! While I live in the Boulder area, I’m in Winter Park just about every weekend during the ski season, and since I’m working on moving up here full-time I’m always up for a trip to my favorite part of Colorado. Check out my pricing, then contact me to schedule a video call so we can see if I’m the right photographer for you!