Sprague Lake Wedding & Elopement Guide for 2026
Hey there! My name’s Iver Marjerison.
I’m a professional micro-wedding planner in Colorado, and over the years I’ve planned hundreds of small weddings and elopements. Here’s everything you need to know about getting married at Sprague Lake, in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Sprague Lake is one of the most popular and scenic elopement locations in Rocky Mountain National Park, offering calm waters, iconic boardwalk views, and towering alpine peaks reflected in the lake at sunrise. Located just 20 minutes from Estes Park along the Bear Lake Road corridor, this easy, wheelchair-accessible loop trail makes Sprague Lake an ideal ceremony site for couples wanting stunning mountain views without a strenuous hike. In this Sprague Lake Elopement Guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your wedding here—permits, weather patterns, accessibility tips, best photo times, guest considerations, and insider advice for navigating RMNP’s busiest corridor.
What the Internet Won’t Tell You About Sprague Lake:
I’ve planned and officiated hundreds of weddings in RMNP over the years, and Sprague Lake is definitely one of the best in terms of photos. However, it is a VERY BUSY location, so unless you do sunrise, expect to have a lot of people in the area. If this bothers you, there’s some other locations nearby that have more privacy for the ceremony (and then you can go to Sprague to do your portraits after).
Text or Email me the word “info” for my full list of Colorado wedding spots!
Iver@ColoradoMicroWeddings.com
720-598-2862
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married at Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake Wedding Pros & Cons
How-To Book a Wedding at Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake Wedding Pros & Cons
Sprague Lake is one of the most popular ceremony sites in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it isn’t the perfect fit for every couple. Before choosing this location, here’s a quick look at the main pros and cons to help you decide whether its scenery, accessibility, and overall experience align with what you want for your wedding day.
Elevation: ~8700
Guest Limits: 15 Summer -30 Winter
Accessibility: Year Round
Distance from DIA:~2 Hours
Nearest Town: Estes Park
Pros of Getting Married at Sprague Lake
• Iconic Rocky Mountain Views
Sprague Lake offers one of the most recognizable landscapes in Rocky Mountain National Park, with calm water, sweeping mountain reflections, and dramatic peaks—especially stunning at sunrise.
• Close to Estes Park & Popular Lodging
Located just a short drive from Estes Park along the Bear Lake Road corridor, Sprague Lake is convenient for guests, lodging, sunrise sessions, and post-ceremony activities.
• Year-Round accessibility
While some RMNP locations become harder to reach in winter, Sprague Lake remains accessible most of the year, offering beautiful views in every season.
Cons of Getting Married at Sprague Lake
• Limited Parking During Peak Times
Sprague Lake is one of the busiest spots in Rocky Mountain National Park. Parking often fills up quickly during summer, fall weekends, and timed-entry hours, so couples and guests should plan to arrive early to avoid delays.
• 10–15 Minute Walk to the Ceremony Area
Even though the trail is flat, the ceremony site is a 10–15 minute walk from the parking area. Guests should be prepared for the walk and allow plenty of time to reach the lakeshore before the ceremony begins.
• Weather + Accessibility Challenges
The trail is accessible in good conditions, but rain, snow, or ice can make it more difficult for guests with mobility issues. Even small amounts of snow can create slick patches, so footwear and preparation are important during late fall, winter, and early spring.
• Little to No Privacy During Your Ceremony
Sprague Lake is extremely popular with tourists, hikers, and photographers. The loop trail encircles the lake, so other visitors may walk by during your ceremony—even with a valid permit. If privacy is a top priority, Sprague Lake may not be the ideal ceremony site.
Want anceremony site that is 100% private?
Check out the Rocky Mountain Wedding & Elopement Park!
How-To Book a Wedding at Sprague Lake
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. Click here to learn more about getting an RMNP wedding permit.
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RMNP Permit - $250 (discount!)
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Officiant - $435
Flowers - $100
Videographer - $1035
Hair & Makeup - $550
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Best Day, Time, and Month
The best option is to get married at Sprague Lake early in the morning on a Monday or Tuesday, sometime between mid-June and mid-October.
What’s the Best Month to Get Married at Sprague Lake?
Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful all year around, and we do weddings there all year around. Personal preference matters. Generally speaking, Mid-June thru Mid-October is “Peak” wedding season in Colorado for the 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, January - April 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 nice if you are looking to have less 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)
End of Sep & Early Oct = Fall Colors (not so much at Sprague Lake, but in the area)
What’s the Best Time of Day to Get Married Sprague Lake?
Sprague Lake has no natural shade, so the best option for photo lighting is to opt for right at sunrise, or a couple 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 Sprague Lake?
The best day of the week to elope at Sprague Lake is Tuesday or Wednesday, which are the least busy days in the park—it’s always nice to beat the crowds!
Accessibility, Parking, & Facilities
Sprague Lake has a reasonably sized parking lot, that fills up quickly during Summer and busy weekends. The most sought after ceremony spot is the dock that overlooks the lake. The dock is roughly a 10-15 minute flat walk from the parking lot, the walk starts by crossing over a small bridge. The flat pathway is a .7 mile loop.
While Sprague Lake is a natural setting, the park does provide some key amenities to ensure your wedding day is comfortable. There are public restrooms located near the parking lot, so you won’t need to worry about long hikes to find bathroom facilities. These restrooms are open seasonally, typically from late spring to early fall, so be sure to plan accordingly if your wedding is during off-peak months.
Sprague Lake Wedding FAQs
What is the best place to get married in RMNP?
Sprague Lake is a nice location for smaller groups who don’t mind crowds and really want both mountains and water in their photos. 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 (3M Curve Guide). 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.
Where are the best photo spots at Sprague Lake?
The best spot to do a wedding ceremony at Sprague Lake is the designated wedding dock, across the lake from the parking area. After the ceremony, you can walk the full loop of the lake to get photos with the different views—the whole area is beautiful!
What’s the weather like at Sprague Lake?
Colorado mountain weather can change quickly, even in the summer. It’s important to prepare for wind, rain, or sudden temperature drops. Bring layers, thermals, umbrellas, and backup shoes, and make sure all guests—especially those coming from out of town—know to expect unpredictable conditions.
What is the parking situation at Sprague Lake?
Parking is available at Sprague Lake, but it fills up quickly during summer, fall weekends, and timed-entry hours. Plan to arrive early to ensure you get a spot and allow extra time to walk from the parking lot to the lakeshore.
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.
What’s the best time of year to get married at Sprague Lake?
Sprague Lake is open year-round, but the most popular time for weddings is late spring through fall when the weather is more predictable. Winter weddings are possible, but snow, ice, and cold temperatures can limit access, and facilities like restrooms may be closed.
How busy is Sprague Lake, and will my ceremony be private?
Sprague Lake is one of the most popular locations in Rocky Mountain National Park. A wedding permit does not grant exclusive use, and visitors may be nearby during your ceremony. Most tourists are respectful, but wedding parties cannot block trails or interfere with anyone’s visit to the park.
Want an Estes Park ceremony site that is 100% private?
Check out the Rocky Mountain Wedding & Elopement Park!
What wildlife might we see at Sprague Lake?
Elk, deer, and even the occasional moose can be spotted in the area. Always keep a safe distance, follow park rules, and never approach or feed wildlife.
Are there rules or restrictions for weddings at Sprague Lake?
Yes. No amplified sound, arches, decorations, smoking, or releasing real or artificial flower petals. Ceremonies must follow all Leave No Trace principles and be respectful of the natural environment.
Do I need a permit to get married at Sprague Lake?
Yes. Rocky Mountain National Park requires a $300 Special Use Permit for all weddings, elopements, vow exchanges, and ceremonies—no matter how small. Permits open one year in advance and popular dates (especially June–October) sell out quickly. Each permit includes a two-hour time slot at your designated site.
How many guests can I have at Sprague Lake?
Sprague Lake allows up to 15 people total in the summer and 30 people total in the winter—including the couple, photographer, officiant, and all guests.
How accessible is Sprague Lake for guests with mobility concerns?
Sprague Lake’s loop trail is mostly flat, which makes it one of the easiest ceremony sites in RMNP. However, the walk from the parking area to the lake takes about 10–15 minutes, and rain, snow, or icy conditions can make the trail slippery. Guests with mobility challenges may need additional time or assistance. The only truly handicap accessibly ceremony site in RMNP is Lily Lake Dock.
Do I need a timed-entry reservation to access Sprague Lake?
If you have a RMNP wedding permit, you do not need a timed-entry reservation.
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!
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