Officer’s Gulch 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 Officer’s Gulch.
Officer's Gulch is one of the most popular small wedding and elopement locations in Summit County, Colorado, known for its stunning mountain views, reflective pond, and easy roadside access. Located just off I-70 between Frisco and Copper Mountain, this White River National Forest site requires no hiking and no permit, making it a favorite for stress-free intimate ceremonies. This guide breaks down how weddings and elopements actually work at Officer's Gulch—including permits, guest limits, best times of day, parking, and the real pros and cons couples should understand before choosing this location.
Professional Opinion:
I’ve planned over a hundred weddings at Officer’s Gulch over the years, and I can say there are very few locations that are this easily accessible, and such beautiful photo opportunities. With that being said, the location is in a close proximity to a major highway, and does have a bit of a “hum” from the road noise. Additionally, this location is VERY popular, so you should expect to have other weddings in the area. If you are looking for a private ceremony site, or a place that allows seating and decor, this location won’t be a good fit.
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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 Officer’s Gulch
Officer's Gulch is located on White River National Forest land in Summit County, Colorado, just off Exit 198 on I-70 between Frisco and Copper Mountain. As national forest land, small weddings and elopements are generally allowed without a permit, though group size limits and photography permit requirements may apply.
Elevation: ~9,478 ft
Accessibility: All year around!
Distance from Denver International Airport: Estimated 1.5 hours
Nearest Town: Frisco & Breckenridge
Pros: It has beautiful mountains and a small pond, and is only about a 50 yard walk on flat ground from the parking area.
Cons: It’s a small area, and very popular for weddings, fishing, and hiking. Additionally, the proximity of I-70 creates a bit of highway noise in the background.
Planning & Marriage License
Getting married at Officer’s Gulch is fairly simple, just make a timeline, get the marriage license, and secure any needed vendors, like photographer, officiant, etc.
Jump to How-To Get Married
Permits & Max Group Size
Officer's Gulch is ideal for intimate, low-impact ceremonies. The White River National Forest doesn't require a permit for groups under 75 people, but practical considerations—limited parking, trail congestion, and environmental sensitivity—make groups of six guests or fewer the best fit. We accept groups up to ten on a case-by-case basis. All ceremonies must follow Leave No Trace principles, meaning no arches, chairs, decorations, or disturbance to the natural surroundings.
Jump to Permits & Group Size
Best Day, Month, and Time
The best time to get married at Officer’s Gulch is a Tuesday or Wednesday, mid-June through mid-October, at sunrise. This is for optimal lighting, and when the area is least busy. However, sunset lighting is also very nice at this location—and it can also be very nice in the winter! For fall colors, aim for the last week of September, or first week of October.
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Good to Know
Officer’s Gulch is not handicap accessible. Dogs are allowed. Throwing flowers is not allowed. Chairs and decorations are not allowed. Lots more info…
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Other locations?
I’ve got planning guides, packages, and resources for all the best small wedding and elopement locations across Colorado.
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How-to Plan a Wedding at Officer’s Gulch
Pick a date and time
This part is really up to you! Checkout this section below for the best day, time, and month to get married at Officer’s Gulch.Hire your vendors
Once you have a date/time in mind, you can find any vendors that you want like: officiant, photographer, florist, videographer, etc., and make sure they comply with White River National Forest guidelines. Click here to learn about our All-Inclusive Officer’s Gulch 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.Obtain your Colorado marriage license
Colorado makes getting a marriage license simple! You and your fiancé simply need to go into a Colorado County Clerk during business hours to pick up the license. Breckenridge (Summit County) has their own office, but they are difficult to work with. I suggest finding another County Clerk nearby. 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 Officer’s Gulch. You’ll have the ceremony, sign the license, take photos, and then most groups simply head to a local restaurant to celebrate!
Wedding Permits & Max Group Sizes for Officer’s Gulch
Professional Micro-Wedding Planner Opinion:
I recommend keeping your guest count at six or fewer for weddings at Officer's Gulch. While beautiful and accessible, this is a high-traffic location with limited parking, narrow trails, and no restroom facilities. Larger groups often struggle to find parking, block other visitors, and risk damaging the fragile landscape through foot traffic and waste. For groups of ten or more, I strongly encourage booking a designated ceremony site—like Sapphire Point or Windy Point—where you'll have more space and a more comfortable experience.
Looking for a beautiful mountain ceremony site with 10+ guests?
Checkout Windy Point (Breckenridge)
Checkout Sapphire Point (Breckenridge)
Checkout Rocky Mountain Wedding Park (Estes Park)
Text or Email me the word “info” to learn about all the spots we use!
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
720-598-2862
Leave No Trace:
Leave No Trace—the outdoor ethics framework designed to protect natural spaces—doesn't specify a strict group limit for Officer's Gulch, but it does emphasize keeping groups small (2-6 people) for locations like it, to reduce crowding, protect vegetation, and minimize disruption to other visitors enjoying the area.
White River national Forest:
The White River National Forest does not publish rules specific to weddings or elopements. Instead, ceremonies are regulated under general National Forest use guidelines. A Special Use Permit is required for non-commercial group events with 75 or more participants or spectators. In addition, the Forest Service may require a separate Commercial Use Permit for wedding vendors—such as an officiant, photographer, or videographer—depending on whether those vendors are being paid and whether their activities are considered commercial services on National Forest System land.
Regardless of group size or permit requirements, all ceremonies must comply with White River National Forest resource-protection rules. These prohibit installing arches, structures, or decorations; attaching items to vegetation or rocks; moving or disturbing natural features; and damaging alpine tundra or other sensitive environments. Events must remain leave-no-trace, use only durable surfaces, and avoid any actions that alter or impact the natural setting.
Best Month, Day & Time
The best option is to get married at Officer’s Gulch early in the morning on a Monday or Tuesday, sometime between mid-June and mid-October.
What’s the Best Month?
If you want fall colors at Officer’s Gulch, go for the last week of September or first week of October.
Generally speaking, the best month to get married at Loveland Pass is anytime mid-June through mid-October, this is “Peak” wedding season in Colorado for the good weather and conditions. However, Officer’s Gulch is also a very popular winter destination site in Colorado. If you’d like a snowy wedding, aim for anytime January through April.
Checkout my full guide on The Best Month to Elope in Colorado
What’s the Best Time of Day?
Officer's Gulch has limited natural shade, so for the best photo lighting, plan your ceremony at sunrise or a couple hours before sunset. The surrounding mountains cause the sun to drop early, so your photographer should help you optimize timing based on your specific date and time of year.
Checkout my full guide on The Best Time of Day to Elope in Colorado
What’s the Best Day of the Week?
Monday and Tuesday tend to be the quietest days at Officer's Gulch, making them ideal for couples who want to avoid crowds and have a more private ceremony experience.
Officer’s Gulch Wedding FAQs
What is the best month to elope at Officer's Gulch?
The most popular time to elope at Officer's Gulch is mid-June through mid-October, when Colorado's weather is most reliable. However, Officer's Gulch is also a favorite winter wedding destination—January through April offers the best chance for a snowy ceremony with beautiful frozen pond views.
What time of day is best for an Officer's Gulch elopement?
Officer's Gulch has limited natural shade, so the best lighting for photos is at sunrise or a couple hours before sunset. The surrounding mountains cause the sun to set early, so your photographer can help you dial in the perfect ceremony time based on your date.
What day of the week should I schedule my Officer's Gulch elopement?
Monday and Tuesday tend to be the quietest days at Officer's Gulch, making them ideal if you want to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience.
How do I get to Officer's Gulch?
Officer's Gulch is located just off I-70 at Exit 198, between Frisco and Copper Mountain—about 75 miles west of Denver. From Denver, take I-70 West and exit at Officer's Gulch. The parking area is obvious and located on the east side of the pond. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours from Denver. It's fully paved and accessible—no 4WD required.
How high is Officer's Gulch, and will altitude be a problem?
Officer's Gulch sits at approximately 9,500 feet elevation. While lower than many Colorado mountain passes, altitude can still affect some guests with headaches, shortness of breath, or fatigue. Staying hydrated helps, and arriving in Colorado a day or two early gives your body time to adjust.
Do I need a permit to elope at Officer's Gulch?
No permit is required for small elopements at Officer's Gulch. The White River National Forest only requires a Special Use Permit for group events with 75 or more participants. However, the Forest Service may require a Commercial Use Permit for paid vendors like photographers or officiants, depending on how their services are classified.
How many guests can I bring to an Officer's Gulch elopement?
I recommend keeping your guest count to six or fewer. Officer's Gulch is a popular spot with limited parking, narrow trails, and no restroom facilities. Larger groups can create congestion and disturb other visitors enjoying the area.
Can I set up an arch or decorations at Officer's Gulch?
No. You are not allowed to set up arches, structures, chairs, or decorations at Officer's Gulch without a special use permit—which is extremely difficult to obtain. All ceremonies must follow Leave No Trace principles and leave the area exactly as you found it.
Is alcohol allowed at Officer's Gulch elopements?
Alcohol is generally permitted on White River National Forest land unless restricted by a specific Forest Order. Keep it low-key, legal, and leave-no-trace.
Are there restrooms or facilities at Officer's Gulch?
No. There are no restrooms or facilities at Officer's Gulch. Plan accordingly and follow leave-no-trace principles.
How long does an Officer's Gulch elopement ceremony take?
Most elopement ceremonies at Officer's Gulch last about 10–15 minutes. This can vary depending on your vows, readings, or any special elements you want to include.
Is Officer's Gulch crowded?
Yes. Officer's Gulch is one of the most popular elopement locations in Summit County, so expect to see other couples, photographers, and visitors—especially on weekends and during peak season. For a more private experience, choose a weekday and arrive early in the morning.
What if I have more than 10 guests for my ceremony?
Groups of 10 or more should consider a designated ceremony site instead of National Forest land. Great alternatives include Windy Point in Breckenridge, Sapphire Point in Breckenridge, or the Rocky Mountain Wedding Park in Estes Park—all offering beautiful mountain settings with better accommodations for larger groups.
What should I wear for an Officer's Gulch elopement?
Wear comfortable footwear you can walk in on uneven, sometimes muddy terrain. Layers are a must—mountain weather can shift quickly. Be prepared for wind, cold, and surprise rain showers. An umbrella is always a smart backup.
What's the weather like at Officer's Gulch?
At 9,500 feet, Officer's Gulch experiences typical Colorado mountain weather. Summer temperatures range from the 50s to 70s°F, with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August. In winter, expect snow, ice, and temperatures well below freezing. Weather can change fast, so always check the forecast and dress in layers.
Is there cell service at Officer's Gulch? Cell service at Officer's Gulch is generally available but can be spotty. Make sure your photographer, officiant, and guests know the exact meeting location ahead of time just in case.
Where are the best spots for photos at Officer's Gulch?
A short trail loops around the pond, offering different angles and backdrops depending on where you stop. Simply follow the trail to find your favorite views—some spots feature mountain reflections on the water, while others open up to wider mountain vistas. There are also some lovely wooded areas nearby that can add variety to your photos.
Can I elope at Officer's Gulch in winter?
Yes! Officer's Gulch is a popular winter elopement destination. Expect snow and ice on the ground, and the pond is often frozen during the colder months—which makes for stunning photos. Wear boots and warm layers, but since it's only about fifty yards from parking, it's very accessible even in winter conditions.
What happens if it rains or storms on my elopement day?
Colorado weather can be unpredictable, but storms usually pass quickly. Bring umbrellas, wait out the worst of it in the car, and you'll often catch a break in the clouds. A little rain can actually make for dramatic, memorable photos.
Are dogs allowed at Officer's Gulch elopements?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Officer's Gulch but must be kept on a leash.
Can we do a first look somewhere else and then do the ceremony at Officer's Gulch?
Absolutely. Many couples choose to do a private first look at a nearby location—whether that's a quiet wooded spot, your rental cabin, or another scenic area—before heading to Officer's Gulch for the ceremony.
How far in advance should I book my Officer's Gulch elopement?
The sooner the better to lock in your preferred date, but last-minute elopements are common and often possible depending on vendor availability.
Is the pond frozen in winter?
Yes, the pond at Officer's Gulch is often frozen during the winter months, typically from late November through March. The frozen pond with snow-covered surroundings creates a beautiful backdrop for winter elopements.
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