Colorado is one of the most desirable states to have your elopement. From the beautiful rocky mountains, high alpine lakes, to vast open fields with views. People travel from all over to come to our beautiful state. Colorado’s dramatic weather shifts and seasons can completely change access, scenery, and logistics. Choosing the right month matters for trail conditions, sunrise/ sunset times, mountain passes, and crowd levels.
In this guide, I will cover month-by-month breakdowns, pros/cons, and real planning tips.
Table of Contents
- Month by Month Breakdown
- January – February
- March
- April – May
- June – July
- August – September
- October – December
- How to Choose the Best Month
- Seasonal Packing List
Month by Month Breakdown
Keeping in mind:
- Weather
- Trail access
- Timing for sunrise & sunset
- Crowd levels
- Landscape & vibe
I will give a rating on each grouping of months on a scale of 5 stars being the best- 1 star being the lowest. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
January – February: 1 Star 🌟
Weather:
Depending on where you would like to go, if you are making your way up to the rocky mountains you can expect temps to be highs of 44 degrees, and lows of 10–15 degrees.
Trail and road access is limited, due to it being a full blown deep snowy winter. For sunrises & sunsets, you have to really adjust your time to showing up early. The days are VERY short in the winter, so we have to fully adjust if we are going in the high alpine. Something that is definitely a pro for eloping in these months, the crowd levels are extremely low. We can definitely find a very intimate spot where it will be just you and your partner for your special day.
Another pro in my opinion, the scenery you will get. When we plan your elopement for these months you get a beautiful winter wonderland feel. Higher levels of snow create snowy capped mountains and pine trees that look like something out of a snowglobe.
How To Prepare:
- Make sure you have a vehicle with AWD or 4WD
- Pick the right times to get out to make sure you can capture your sunrise or sunset
- Pack your layers: the worst thing is to feel like a popsicle on the day of your elopement, make sure to pack items like base layers, hand & toe warmers, gloves, maybe even a jetboil to make some hot coco!
- Keep your eye on the weather, and plan accordingly
- Do the research on snow levels & make sure to know what is the safest access for trails during that time (Avalanches are no joke my friend) – LUCKILY, I can fully be your guide and help you with all of these items. So you don’t have to overwhelm yourself with information.
March: 2 Stars 🌟🌟
Weather:
March is the time where spring storms really start coming through. The snow will be wetter and heavier in our storms. Think of big giant snowflakes slowly falling from the sky, all while the temps start warming up. Temperatures you can expect to see are highs of 40 degrees and lows of 15–20 degrees. The benefit of this is….YAYYYY you get to possibly take off your layers and keep them off a little longer, you get to enjoy more time in that beautiful dress you bought.
Days are starting to get a little bit longer, so you have more time to plan your day out on the trail. Another pro to this month, generally, backcountry conditions are a little bit more stable and a little bit easier to predict.
Con of this month: it’s spring break. Mountain towns fill up fast and your quiet cabin may be next to college kids doing keg stands. But hey, if that’s your vibe, cheers!
A pro: there is ALWAYS something going on: concerts, dog parades, ski joring, races, festivals.
How To Prepare:
- Make sure you have a vehicle with AWD or 4WD
- Still plan to bring all those handy dandy layers with you
- Do the research on accessibility for trails/ roads
- Check backcountry snowpack before choosing a route
- Book an Airbnb or hotel 3–6 months out
- Bring your bathing suit for hot tub season 😉
April – May: 3 Stars 🌟🌟🌟
Weather:
Temperatures will look like highs of 40–50 degrees, and lows of 15–30. You’ll see a mix of spring storms, mud, slush, freezing conditions, and ice. These months swing between warm/dry and cold/stormy.
Resorts typically close early–mid April, and many mountain towns reduce business hours.
Pros:
- Lower crowds
- Reduced lodging prices
- Slight increases in trail access
- Longer days
Cons:
- Muddy + icy trails
- Random big storms
- Fewer open restaurants and shops
How To Prepare:
- Wear non-insulated waterproof hiking boots
- Bring sunscreen
- Keep an eye on fast-developing storms
- Call restaurants/shops to confirm hours
June – July: 4.5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Weather:
We are heading into full summer! Sunsets push toward 8pm.
Temps: highs of 60–80, lows of 30–40.
June can still have storms. July is more predictable. Although I will say… snow on July 4th has happened!
Pros:
- Gorgeous summer weather
- Low alpine wildflowers
- Rafting Season Begins!
Cons:
- Busy tourism months
- Limited lodging or camping
- Snow may still linger on high alpine trails
How To Prepare:
- Book campsites or lodging early
- Plan sunrise hikes to avoid midday storms
- Bring layers for high elevation
- Know how to navigate wildlife encounters
- Prepare for bugs in the high alpine
August – September (MY FAVORITE): 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Why These Months Are Incredible:
August:
- Peak wildflowers
- Vibrant lakes + dramatic peaks
- Excellent accessibility
September:
- Fewer bugs
- Aspen colors changing
- Temperatures: highs 68, lows 35–40
- Historically the clearest, driest month of the year
- Perfect for recreational activities like mountain biking, climbing, or biking Vail Pass
https://www.traillink.com/trail/vail-pass-recpath/
How To Prepare:
- Book lodging/campsites early
- Track fall foliage using maps
- Book your bike rentals in advance
October – December: 3.5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟
Weather + Vibe
These months transition slowly into winter. There is a possibility of still getting some warmth in these months.
October still offers high alpine access, but storms become more unpredictable.
November & December bring guaranteed snow + holiday travel crowds.
Pros:
- Cozy holiday atmosphere
- Winter town lights + decorations
- Breck in December is magical
How To Prepare:
- Book December stays early
- Prepare for rapidly changing temperatures
- Expect limited trail access closer to December
- October/November offer low crowd levels
How to Choose the Best Month For Your Elopement
- Do you want wildflowers, snow, fall colors, or summer trails?
- Refer to the guide above.
- Do you want a sunrise hike or drive-up overlook?
- Summer offers the easiest access.
- Are you comfortable with the cold?
- If not, winter may not be your best option.
- Will family join you?
- Winter = harder logistics
- Summer = easier for travel + accessibility
- Do you want privacy or do crowds not bother you?
- Winter = lots of privacy
- Summer = more crowds
What to Pack for Each Season
Click on my “Seasonal Packing List Gear & Tips” (Blog coming soon)
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