Campsite weddings offer a rustic, affordable, and totally Colorado wedding experience.
COVID-19 has decimated the wedding industry and devastated couples across the globe who planned to have their perfect day in the perfect spot with everyone they know and love there to celebrate. But as plans have been canceled, venues closed, and invitations unsent, Colorado has a unique opportunity for a wedding venue that might not have been originally considered: campsites.
Colorado is all about the outdoors so why not have a picture-perfect wedding that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle? A bonus is that campsite wedding venues can be far less expensive than some of the other venues around the state, and decorating is almost totally covered!
Colorado Campground Wedding Venues
*Please be advised that all of these venues have been verified as open; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some may change availability or services temporarily.
Rifle Falls State Park
Courtesy of SteveCore (Pixabay)
This is one of the most beautiful places in the state, and there's no better backdrop to those wedding photos than the breathtaking waterfalls. There are plenty of easy-to-navigate trails through the falls and caves, and it makes for an incredibly beautiful, intimate setting for a small wedding. The Mountain Mist Amphitheatre is available by reservation, and there is a maximum occupancy of 50 guests per event.
Lake Dillon
Courtesy of townofdillon.com
Located in Summit County Lake Dillion is an idyllic spot for a perfect rustic outdoor wedding. Guests can camp out at any one of the five campgrounds that surround the lake, and the lakeshore is a breathtaking background for perfect wedding photos. The Marina Park Pavilion is available to rent for the day or half-day and has all the facilities one needs for a rustic wedding. Eight picnic tables, a playground, charcoal grills, electrical outlets, potable water, restroom facilities, and plenty of room for all your guests and food. Reservations need to be submitted online and are taken in the order received.
Lory State Park
Courtesy of Shotzr, Photo by Kevin Potts (@solphoto)
Lory State Park is a one-of-a-kind place to host that flawless outdoor wedding. Located a short drive from Fort Collins, Lory State Park has three different locations perfect for different sized weddings. Solider Canyon picnic can host over 100 guests and over 50 cars, if the event is larger. The Timber picnic area is a bit smaller and can hold up to 100 guests. Nestled in the mouth of Soldier Canyon, the site has a shelter, restrooms, grills, a volleyball court, and a seasonal waterfall nearby. For a smaller, more intimate wedding, try the South Eltuck picnic site. It sits in the middle of a rolling meadow, with red sandstone hogbacks jutting in the backdrop, just off the shoreline of Horsetooth Reservoir. All three sites are very affordable and offer camping nearby to make it an experience that all will enjoy.
Sapphire Point
Courtesy of the USDA Forest Service
Sapphire Point is one of the lesser-known wedding locations in Colorado in the White River National Forest. Overlooking the Dillon Reservoir, it's a day-use facility that provides a wonderful and intimate setting for an outdoor wedding. With just 35 people permitted at a time, this is just the spot for that low-key small wedding with your nearest and dearest. Camping is available at nearby Windy Point, which itself has several idyllic spots for a mountain wedding above Dillon Reservoir.
Ashcroft Ghost Town
Courtesy of GoAmerika (Facebook)
Ashcroft Ghost Town is not a campsite, but it is one of the most unique settings for a wedding in the state. For just $350, the whole ghost town can be rented out as the setting for that most special day. Set in the gorgeous Castle Creek Valley, the town is 11 miles south of Aspen. The town has several restored buildings, a saloon, a hotel, and a post office. A wedding here alongside stunning fall colors or even in mountain snow will be one the bride, groom, and guests will remember fondly for a very long time. There are plenty of campgrounds nearby, but please note that camping is not allowed in the town. (This is one way to have that Aspen wedding without going completely broke!)
Colorado has so many amazing campsites and mountain locations that one really cannot go wrong with any one of them as a wedding venue. Check out the Colorado State Parks webpage for more ideas and to make reservations at one of the many facilities around the state.
What are your favorite campsites for weddings in Colorado? We want to hear all about it in the comments.
