Even with a wedding permit, RMNP is a public national park and people may be in the area. At 3M Curve this isn't a big deal, as the trails don't lead right by it. Your wedding permit does not grant you exclusive access to any area.

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3M Curve Wedding & Elopement Guide for 2026

Hey there! My name’s Iver Marjerison.
I’m a Colorado micro-wedding planner, and over the years I’ve helped plan hundreds of small weddings and elopements across the state. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting married at 3M Curve, in Rocky Mountain National Park.

3M Curve is one of the most iconic and accessible elopement locations in Rocky Mountain National Park, offering sweeping views of Longs Peak, Moraine Park, and the classic alpine scenery that makes RMNP a top destination for Colorado weddings. Located just minutes from Estes Park (along Bear Lake Road), this ceremony site provides dramatic panoramic overlooks, easy parking, and year-round accessibility—making it a favorite for couples seeking a stunning, stress-free elopement spot. In this 3M Curve Elopement Guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about permits, weather, timing, group size rules, and our best photography tips for planning your dream wedding in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Professional Opinion:
I’ve planned and officiated hundreds of weddings in RMNP over the years, and 3M Curve is one of my favorite spots! However, if you want seating, privacy, or have more than 12 guests, it’s not going to work.

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Checkout our Full RMNP Elopement Guide Here

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Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
720-598-2862

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at 3M Curve

3M Curve is one of the thirteen designated ceremony sites in Rocky Mountain National Park. Like all ceremony sites in the park, it requires an RMNP wedding permit.

Elevation: ~7,522
Max Group Size: 15 people total in your group—this includes all vendors!
Permit Fee: $300
Accessibility: Year Round, 3min hike from parking
Distance from Denver International Airport: Estimated 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Nearest Town: Estes Park
Pros: It has dynamic mountain views, and a great little rock outcrop for the ceremony site. Best of all, this spot sits just off the beaten path, which reduces the foot traffic in the area, while still remaining fairly accessible.
Cons: Only supports groups up of up to 15 people, no seating allowed, the trail is a bit rough, and there is no guarantee of privacy.

Booking, Planning & Marriage license
First you’ll need to contact the park to check their availability and secure your date. Then, you just need to make a timeline, get the marriage license, and secure any needed vendors, like photographer, officiant, etc.

Jump to Booking & Planning

Best Month, Day & Time
The best time to get married at Lily Lake is mid June through mid October, on a Tuesday or Wednesday, at sunrise (when the park is the least busy). However, we do weddings at the park all year around, every day of the week, and sunset is also beautiful lighting for photos.

Jump to Month, Day, and Time

Accessibility & Facilities
3M Curve is a short walk on a semi-rough trail, and may not be suitable for elderly guests, or those with mobility issues. The parking is an extended shoulder off the main road that is rarely full. There are no indoor amenities or restrooms.

Jump to Accessibility & Facilities

Good to Know
3M Curve is not handicap accessible. Dogs are not allowed. Alcohol is not allowed. Amplified music is not allowed (acoustic is okay). Chairs and decorations are not allowed. There is no electrical outlets. There is designated parking, but it is not reserved. No throwing flowers or confetti. Lots more info…

Jump to FAQs

Lodging
Honestly, anything in the Estes Park area works fine. Lots of hotels and rental homes!

Jump to Estes Park Lodging

Other locations?
I’ve got planning guides, packages, and resources for all the best small wedding and elopement locations across Colorado.

Jump to Other Guides & Locations

Need Help Planning Your 3M Curve Wedding?

Colorado MicroWeddings
7+ Years of Service | 500+ Five Star Reviews
I’ll work with you 1-on-1 to secure your park permit & fully plan your day.
Plus, you’ll get exclusive discounts with Colorado’s top photographers, officiants, florists, videographers and more!

All-Inclusive Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding & Elopement Packages
(Click Here)

3m curve elopement in rocky mountain national park at sunset with the ceremony in progress

How-To Get Your RMNP Wedding Permit & Get Married at 3M Curve

Pick a date and time
Sunrise or sunset is always best for photos! Learn the best time to get married in Colorado.
Secure your RMNP wedding permit
You need to secure your permit directly from the park (click here), unless you’re working with a designated wedding planner (like me!). Rocky Mountain National Park requires a $300 special use permit for any weddings or other events in the park. Any vow exchange, ring exchange or anything that can be recognized as a ceremony (even without a photographer or officiant) requires this special use permit. Ceremonies are only allowed in sites designated by the park and each permit is for a 2 hour time slot. Dates for permits become available one year in advance. The National Park Service manages these permits all year round with dates from May-October selling out quickly.
Hire your vendors
After the venue is booked, you can coordinate your officiant, photographer, and any additional vendors, making sure they comply with venue guidelines.
Checkout our All-Inclusive Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Packages
Finalize logistics and timeline
Leading up to the wedding, you’ll confirm arrival times, and plans for the day with your vendors and guests.
Get the Marriage License
Colorado makes getting a marriage license simple! You and your fiance simply need to go into a Colorado County Clerk during business hours to pick up the license. Larimer County has their own office in Estes Park. Here’s my full Colorado Marriage License Guide.
Get Married!
On the day of the wedding, you and your guests will meet your wedding vendors at 3M Curve. You’ll have the ceremony, sign the license, take photos, and then most groups simply head to a local restaurant to celebrate!

Best Day, Time, and Month

The best option is to get married at 3M Curve at sunrise or two hours before sunset, on a Monday or Tuesday, sometime between mid-June and mid-October.

What’s the Best Month to Get Married at 3M Curve?

Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful all year round, and we do weddings there all year round. Personal preference matters. Generally speaking, mid-June through mid-October is "peak" wedding season in Colorado for good weather and conditions, but Estes Park is very busy during this time, so plan to book lodging and dining in advance. If you want a winter wonderland, February–March would be best, but keep in mind Estes Park has no ski resorts, so winters are very slow up there, with many businesses closing—which is great if you're looking to have fewer people around!

January–April = Good for winter/snow weddings—Estes Park very slow.
Mid-June–mid-October = Good for non-winter weddings—Estes Park very busy.
May = Often muddy—but you beat the summer traffic!
Late September & early October = Fall colors—not so much at 3M, but in the area.

What’s the Best Time of Day to Get Married at 3M Curve?

3M Curve has no natural shade, so the best option for photo lighting is to opt for true sunrise, or two hours before sunset, simply Google “Sunset Estes Park [your date]” to see the time.

What’s the Best Day of the Week to Get Married at 3M Curve?

The best day of the week to elope at 3M Curve is Tuesday or Wednesday, which are the least busy days in the park—it’s always nice to beat the crowds!

Accessibility and Facilities

This site is basically an extended shoulder off the site of the road, 3M curve does not have any restrooms or facilities. For restroom use, we recommend visiting the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center before entering the park.

The 3M Curve parking lot is a short drive from both the Beaver Meadow and the Fall River entrances on the east side of the park. The parking lot is an unmarked pull of lot with an estimated 10-15 parking spaces.

3M has a reasonably sized parking lot. It's unusual for it to be completely full, but always leave extra time in case you need to wait for a spot on weekends and busy months. The most sought after ceremony spot is a natural rock platform that overlooks the meadow. That formation is roughly a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot, the walk starts on a trail on either side of the large rock formation that sits at the parking lot. Typically, the trail west of the rock formation is more accessible.

While the trail is relatively short, this area is not wheelchair accessible. The trail is unmarked and unpaved. We recommended proper footwear for everyone in your group. We do not recommend this spot for guest with severe mobility impairment. In seasons where you can expect snow (Oct-May) be aware that the trail may pose extra difficulty being covered in snow or ice.

Additionally, as this is a national park, there are some restrictions in place. No amplified sound is allowed in the area, and you’ll want to keep your ceremony simple and respectful of the surrounding environment. The 3M Curve site does not allow arches, decorations, releasing real or synthetic flower petals nor is smoking allowed. Make sure you are abiding by Leave No Trace principles.

3M Curve FAQs

What is the best place to get married in RMNP?

For groups with less than 15 guests, 3M curve is the best spot to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park, due to it’s dynamic mountain views, relative privacy, and accessibility. For larger groups, the best spot is Lily Lake Picnic Area, or Moraine Park Amphitheater. Click here for my full Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding & Elopement Guide.

What’s the best place for photos at 3M Curve?

There is a designated outcropping of boulders at 3M Curve that makes the perfect wedding ceremony site. After the ceremony, you can do additional photos in the meadow area below, as well as the forest near the parking.

How’s the weather at 3M Curve?

Colorado mountain weather can be unpredictable, even in the summer, so it's always a good idea to prepare accordingly, embrace inclement weather or have a backup plan. Proper preparation can look like shoe backups, layers, thermals or umbrellas. It's important to ensure all your guests are in the know, especially when coming from out of town. Weather can change rapidly, so always be prepared!
Click here for monthly Estes park weather

What’s the parking like?

Parking is available at 3M Curve, but may fill up quickly during weekends on busy summer months. Be sure to arrive early to ensure you have a spot.

Is 3M Curve Private?

Even with a wedding permit, RMNP is a public national park and people may be in the area. Honestly, at 3M curve this isn’t a big deal, as the trails don’t lead right by it. Some of the other locations on busy days can have a lot of people around though. If you want a 100% private ceremony, checkout the: “Rocky Mountain Wedding Park” - Click here for info

Is 3M curve open all year around?

3M Curve is open year-round, but the most popular time for weddings is in the warmer months (late spring to fall). During winter, snow and colder temperatures may limit access to some areas..

How is the foot traffic at 3M curve?

Typically, visitors will allow couples privacy but tourist foot traffic is always a risk when getting married in public lands. While tourists are usually respectful and give some space, wedding parties are not allowed to interfere with guests' visit to the park. Your wedding permit does not grant you exclusive access to any area.

Is there wildlife at 3M Curve?

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, and even the occasional moose. Always be cautious and aware of your surroundings. DO NOT approach or feed any wildlife.

How much does it cost to elope at 3M Curve?

Rocky Mountain National Park requires a $300 special usage permit for all weddings, the only additional cost of the photographer, officiant, and marriage license. Colorado MicroWeddings has an All-Inclusive Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Package starting at $1800.

How do we access RMNP with a wedding permit?

Even with a permit, you will still be responsible for paying the park entry fee. During holidays, summer and weekends, lines into the park can get long! Be sure to plan accordingly and leave plenty of time to gain access to Rocky Mountain National Park. Your wedding permit is only good for access around your time slot. If you are looking to visit the park on a different time or day, you will need timed entry tickets May 23rd-October 13th.

How does RMNP “Timed Entry” work for weddings?

Your wedding permit allows you access to the park around your allotted time. If you are planning on checking out the park or your wedding site beforehand, you will need timed entry tickets May 23rd-October 13th from 9AM-2PM, or 5AM-6PM for Bear Lake access. Before your visit, read all about the timed entry system HERE.

Where to Stay in Estes Park

Lodging opportunities are endless near Rocky Mountain Park. Two main entrances of the park sit bordered next to the popular tourist destination Estes Park. Estes Park has options for every type of lodging including luxury cabins, a historic stay at the Stanley Hotel or the endless unique lodging options on AirBnB + Vrbo. If you are planning on a Sprague Lake wedding, Estes Park will be your closest option!

Want a rental home for your party?
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Looking for Other Location Options?

This guide is part of our Colorado Small Wedding & Elopement Guides
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If you’d like help coordinating permits, logistics, and vendors, you can also explore our all-inclusive options.
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