Lily Lake Wedding & Elopement Guide for 2026
Hey there! My name’s Iver Marjerison.
I’m a Colorado-based micro-wedding planner and officiant, 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 Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lily Lake is one of the most accessible and scenic ceremony locations in Rocky Mountain National Park, known for its calm lake reflections, surrounding pine forest, and easy, mostly flat access around the shoreline. Located just outside Estes Park on the east side of RMNP, Lily Lake is a great option four groups who are looking for a simple way to have a beautiful mountain wedding.
Like all wedding locations inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Lily Lake has specific rules around permits, guest counts, ceremony timing, photography, and seasonal access. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how weddings actually work at Lily Lake so you can decide if it’s the right fit and plan your day without surprises.
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Lily Lake Guide:
How Weddings and Elopements Work at Lily Lake
Short version: Lily Lake has two different designated wedding sites in Rocky Mountain National Park: “Lily Lake Picnic Area” (max 30 people) and “Lily Lake Dock” (max 10 people). Both sites require a wedding permit from RMNP.
As a professional micro-wedding planner, I do NOT suggest the Lily Lake Dock, as it is located just off a popular parking area and tends to have a ton of people around. However, it is the only handicap accessible location in the park, so may be the best option for some groups. The Lily Lake Picnic Area is my top choice for larger groups, as it is set off the trail offering a bit of seclusion for the ceremony.
Pros & Cons of Getting Married at Lily Lake
Pros:
Only handicap accessible site in the park (Lily Lake Dock)
Set off the trail for a bit of privacy (Lily Lake Picnic Area)
Can support large groups of up to 30 people (Lily Lake Picnic Area)
Nice views of the mountains, evergreen forests, and lake.
Convenient parking, and very accessible.
Cons:
Located right by the parking lot, with heavy foot traffic (Lily Lake Dock)
Limited mountain views compared to some other sites like 3M Curve.
How-To Plan a Wedding at Lily Lake
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!).Checkout our All-Inclusive Rocky Mountain National Park Elopement Packages
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.Finalize logistics and timeline
Leading up to the wedding, you’ll confirm arrival times, and plans for the day with your vendors and guests.Obtain your Colorado marriage license
This is handled through the county and is required for the ceremony to be legally binding. Lean about How-To Get Legally Married in Colorado.
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Lily Lake Picnic Area Wedding Rules
—Max group size is 30
—Max amount of vehicles 10
—Alcohol only allowed in the campground area
—-Dogs not allowed
—-Designated parking onsite, but NOT reserved
—-There is no electricity
—-No throwing flowers, confetti, etc.
Lily Lake Dock Wedding Rules
—Max group size is 10
—Max amount of vehicles 3
—Alcohol not allowed
—-Dogs not allowed
—-Designated parking onsite, but NOT reserved
—-There is no electricity
—-No throwing flowers, confetti, etc.
Moraine Park Amphitheater Wedding FAQs
What is the best time of year to get married at Lily Lake?
Mid-June through mid-October is the most popular and reliable time of year for weddings at Lily Lake. Weddings can occur year-round, but winter months bring snow and limited access, with February and March typically having the most snow.
What is the best time of day for a Lily Lake wedding?
Sunrise and sunset are the best times of day for lighting at Lily Lake. Sunrise offers the calmest conditions and fewer people, while sunset provides warm light and reflections on the lake.
What is the best day of the week to get married at Lily Lake?
Tuesday or Wednesday are typically the best days of the week for a Lily Lake wedding, with lighter visitor traffic compared to weekends.
Do you need a permit to get married at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes. A Special Use Permit from Rocky Mountain National Park is required for weddings and elopements at Lily Lake. The permit must be approved before your ceremony takes place.
How much does a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding permit cost?
The administrative fee for a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding permit is $300.
How far in advance can you apply for a Lily Lake wedding permit?
Wedding permit applications are accepted up to one year in advance of your desired wedding month. Applications begin processing on the first day of that month.
How many guests are allowed at a Lily Lake wedding?
Lily Lake allows small ceremonies only. The group size limit is typically up to 10 people total, including the couple, guests, officiant, and photographer.
Is Lily Lake a private wedding location?
No. Lily Lake remains open to the public during your ceremony. Other visitors may be walking the trail, fishing, or enjoying the lake while your wedding is taking place.
Where do ceremonies take place at Lily Lake?
Ceremonies take place near the shoreline in designated areas. You cannot reserve a specific spot around the lake, and ceremonies must not block the trail or restrict public access.
Are chairs or decorations allowed at Lily Lake weddings?
No. Chairs, arches, decorations, signs, or furniture are not allowed at Lily Lake. Ceremonies must remain simple and leave no trace.
Are dogs allowed at Lily Lake weddings?
No. Dogs are not allowed at Lily Lake or on the surrounding trail, even for wedding ceremonies. This rule is strictly enforced within Rocky Mountain National Park.
Can we bring an arch or floral installation to Lily Lake?
No. Wedding arches, floral installations, and decorative structures are not permitted at Lily Lake.
Do vendors need separate permits for a Lily Lake wedding?
No. Your wedding permit covers your officiant and photographer. Vendors do not need individual permits, but all vendor activity must comply with park rules.
Can we take photos elsewhere in RMNP after our Lily Lake ceremony?
Yes. Once your wedding permit is approved, it allows you to take photos elsewhere in Rocky Mountain National Park on the same day, as long as you follow all park rules and access regulations.
Are drones allowed at Lily Lake weddings?
No. Drones are prohibited anywhere in Rocky Mountain National Park, including during wedding ceremonies and photo sessions.
Do we need a park entrance pass in addition to the wedding permit?
Yes. All vehicles entering Rocky Mountain National Park must have a valid park entrance pass or annual pass, even if you have a wedding permit.
Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement Packages
Starting at $1,300
—Officiant (starting at $300)
—Photography (starting at $500)
—Videography (starting at $900)
—Flowers (starting at $100)
—Wedding Planner (starting at $500)
Everything you need for a beautiful and stress-free small wedding!
All-Inclusive | 100% Customizable | 0 - 80 Guests
Vendors | Venues | Marriage License | Permits | Dining | Lodging
Looking for Other Location Options?
This guide is part of our Colorado Small Wedding & Elopement Guides
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