Moraine Park Amphitheater 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 Moraine Park Amphitheater in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Moraine Park Amphitheater is one of the most popular and accessible ceremony locations in Rocky Mountain National Park, known for its intimate wooded vibes, surrounding mountain peaks, and built-in seating that works well for small weddings and elopements. Like all wedding locations inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Moraine Park Amphitheater 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 here so you can decide if this location is a good fit and avoid common planning mistakes.
Professional Opinion:
I’ve planned hundreds of weddings in RMNP over the years, and Moraine Park Amphitheater is my favorite spot in the park for large groups that want privacy and accessibility—but the location does lack mountain views.
Not Sure What RMNP Location is Best?
Checkout our Full RMNP Elopement Guide Here
Want Even More Options?
Text or Email me the word “info” to learn about all the spots we use!
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
720-598-2862
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at Moraine Park Amphitheater
The Moraine Park Amphitheater is one of thirteen, reservable, ceremony-only venues in Rocky Mountain National Park. Like all ceremony sites in the park, it requires an RMNP permit to have a wedding there.
Elevation: ~8,200
Max Group Size: 30 people total in your group—this includes all vendors!
Permit Fee: $300
Accessibility: Year Round, 2min walk from parking
Distance from Denver International Airport: Estimated 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Nearest Town: Estes Park
Pros: It is the only wedding site in RMNP that is fully private, has designated parking, allows dogs (on a leash), allows decorations, and has seating.
Cons: No mountain views.
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 Moraine Park Amphitheater is mid June through mid October, on a Tuesday or Wednesday, at sunrise (when the park is the least busy) or sunset. However, we do weddings at the park all year around, and every day of the week.
Jump to Best Month, Day & Time
Good to Know
Moraine Park Amphitheater is not handicap accessible. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Alcohol is allowed only within the amphitheater area. Amplified music is not allowed (acoustic is okay). Chairs and decorations are allowed (but must be free standing and leave no trace). 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
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 Moraine Park 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)
How-To Get Your RMNP Wedding Permit & Get Married at Moraine Park Amphitheater
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.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.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 Moraine Park Amphitheater. Be sure to give yourself extra time to get through the entry station—lines can get long! You’ll have the ceremony, sign the license, take photos (you may also want to take some photos in the meadow area down the road), 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 Moraine Park Amphitheater at sunrise or two hours before sunset, on a Monday-Thursday, sometime between mid-June and mid-October.
What’s the Best Month to Get Married at Moraine Park?
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 Moraine Park?
Moraine Park has a lot of natural shade, so it’s a bit more flexible then other spots, but generally, 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 Moraine Park?
The best day of the week to elope at Moraine Park is Monday-Thursday, which are the least busy days in the park—it’s always nice to beat the crowds!
Moraine Park Amphitheater Wedding 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.
Do you need a permit to get married at Moraine Park Amphitheater?
Yes. A Rocky Mountain National Park Special Use Permit is required for weddings, elopements, vow renewals, and similar ceremonies inside RMNP, including Moraine Park Amphitheater. You must apply for and receive the permit before your event.
How much does a wedding permit cost in Rocky Mountain National Park?
The administrative fee for a Rocky Mountain National Park wedding permit is $300. The permit application is reviewed by the park, and payment instructions are provided once the permit is approved.
When can you apply for a Moraine Park Amphitheater wedding permit?
Applications are accepted one year in advance of your desired wedding month, with review beginning on the first day of that month. For example, to get married in June 2026, you could apply beginning June 1, 2025.
Are there limits on how many weddings are allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Yes. RMNP limits the number of permitted ceremonies. Typically, no more than 60 weddings per month from May through October and 40 per month from November through April can be approved, and no more than two weddings per day at any one site.
How many guests can you have at a Moraine Park Amphitheater wedding?
Each ceremony location in RMNP has its own group size limit. Moraine Park Amphitheater generally allows up to 30 people total, including the couple, guests, officiant, and vendors.
Is Moraine Park Amphitheater private for weddings?
No. All RMNP wedding locations remain open to other park visitors. Exclusive use is not permitted, and you must share the space with other hikers and visitors.
Are there restrictions on decorations and ceremony items?
Yes. RMNP wedding permits restrict or prohibit items like elaborate decorations, tents, tables, generators, and thrown materials. Only minimal items (like bouquets or a few chairs for those who cannot stand) are allowed, and nothing may be attached to natural features.
Do you need a park entrance pass in addition to a wedding permit?
Yes. Normal park entrance fees (or a valid annual pass) still apply for all vehicles associated with your wedding, even if your wedding permit covers your timed entry for the ceremony window.
Can you take photos elsewhere in the park after the ceremony?
Yes. Once your permit is finalized (signed and paid), it serves as written approval to stay in the park before and after your ceremony for photography. You can visit other locations elsewhere in RMNP for portraits without an additional permit during your permit’s date.
Are drones allowed during a Moraine Park Amphitheater wedding?
No. Drones are prohibited anywhere in Rocky Mountain National Park, including during wedding ceremonies and portrait sessions.
Do vendors need separate permits for RMNP weddings?
No. Your wedding permit covers photography, officiating, and other vendor activities. Vendors do not need individual special use permits, but your permit must list them and you are responsible for their compliance with park rules.
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
View All Location Guides
Want Help Planning Your Colorado Small Wedding?
If you’d like help coordinating permits, logistics, and vendors, you can also explore our all-inclusive options.
View All-Inclusive Elopement Packages
