Planning a wedding in Maroon Bells? Here’s an all-inclusive guide to getting married in Maroon Bells, Colorado in 2024! As one of the most popular mountain spots near Aspen, with crystal Alpine Lakes, snow-capped mountains, and stunning nearby hiking trails, Maroon Bells is filled with love and adventure! Coined as one of the “most photographed” wedding spots in Colorado, we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know to plan the perfect Maroon Bells Wedding!
We’re talking all about the main venue at Maroon Bells – the grand amphitheater for an intimate wedding, along with some great spots around Maroon Bells where you can elope, for a just-us-two ceremony! We’ve outlined everything you need to know, from when to get married at Maroon Bells, to how to get permits and reservations for your Maroon Bells Wedding! After planning hundreds of Colorado weddings, we’ve got lots of experience to share on how to plan the perfect Mountain Wedding, whether in Maroon Bells or nearby in Aspen.
Why get married in Maroon Bells?
Maroon Bells is one of the best mountain wedding spots, from its colorful wildflowers to its clear blue alpine lakes, this wedding venue is a bounty of nature and adventure. Best of all – it has something for everyone, and is great for a destination wedding if you and your wedding parties would like to explore Aspen, which is only 19km away!
Reasons why you should get married in Maroon Bells
- Best Views in Aspen
- Easily Accessible
- Pet friendly
- 5 Car passes are available
- 20+ mile-long hiking trails
- Maroon Lake nearby
- One Main Parking Area
- Shuttle busses available
- Red Mountain Sunsets and Sunrises
The mountains appear red-maroon during sunrise and sunset ceremonies, promptly coining the Maroon Bells’ name. You can even bring your pets on a shuttle bus for your wedding! For a mountain wedding adventure —Maroon Bells is the place for you!
When you’re having a Maroon Bells wedding, you get 5 car passes that allow you to drive right up to the main parking area by the amphitheater. The road is closed to tourists from 8am to 5pm every day of the week, as a way to manage crowds and traffic. But with a reservation and car passes, you don’t have to deal with the shuttles!
Where can I elope in Maroon Bells?
Here is a list of some alternatives to getting married at the Maroon Bell’s Amphitheater. Each location will require a wilderness access pass from the Aspen Park Office, which you can get for free by registering your party
- Maroon Lake – Beautiful lake with a 450 feet paved walkway. The trail itself totals 13.2 miles, and in the winter, it can be used for snowshoeing and skiing.
- Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail – a scenic trail for those who want to explore Maroon Bells, but take an easier route. Away from the wilderness, great for looping back around to the amphitheater!
- Maroon Peak Trail – 10-mile hike, somewhat rough trail, but fantastic mountain views. 5000 feet of elevation along the hike, so keep this in mind if you’re new to hiking.
- Crater Lake Trail – 3.8-mile trail, that takes you out to Crater Lake in Maroon Bells, and offers great views of the Bells’ peaks! Only accessible June-October. Dogs are permitted if kept on a leash.
- West Maroon Bells Pass – a 7.8-mile trail, can be completed in a day, at a stunning location. The hike itself can lead you to Crested Butte!
Maroon Bells Wedding Venues
- Elevation: 4317 m
- Hours: 8am-5pm
- Reservation Fee: $200
- Venue type: Ceremony Only
- Capacity: 50 people, 5 cars
- Picnic site areas nearby, amphitheater itself has staged seating for guests
Maroon Bells Amphitheatre is a beautiful venue offering a designated private area for your wedding and is found right in the heart of the mountains of Maroon Bells. It provides just the right amount of privacy for hikers and tourists, but it is still nearby the picnic sites and beautiful Maroon lake, perfect for photo opportunities! The site has a capacity of 50 people, 5 cars, and shuttle buses can be provided upon request!
If you have any questions about the rental process, you can call the Aspen Ranger Station at 970-963-2266. They always have the most up-to-date information and know all about weddings at Maroon Bells!
Accessibility Information
Shuttles: Available June-October, accessible through Maroon Creek Road. Some restrictions apply if you don’t have a reservation! Learn how to book a reservation here! You can book your reservation through this site! One-way Shuttles are also available, and shuttles are dog friendly!
Parking: If you arrive early, you can park at the Aspen Highlands Garage, which is available for day use for a small fee ($30 for the whole day). The charge is progressive, so it’s $10 for the first 3 hours $ 15 for 8 hours and $30 for 8+ hours. Five parking passes will be granted with every reservation. You can pick up your parking passes from the Maroon Bells Welcome Station up to 5 days early. Day-use parking with valid passes is only 200 yards away from the ceremony site, and there is also wheelchair-accessible parking about 50 yards away.
Restrooms: Due to Covid-19, on-site restrooms have been closed to the public. There is no drinkable water or outlets at the ceremonial site, so consider this. You can call the Aspen Park Ranger at 970-963-2266 to inquire about whether the public restrooms are available for your wedding day.
Hiking Information: Make sure to remain on the trail, and take all necessary precautions to avoid getting hurt or damaging the landscape. Hiking, climbing, and the use of recreational vehicles is well-regulated in this area. There are shuttle buses for the hiking trails, with 20+ mile-long trails all over the Maroon Bells site. Make sure to abide by the regulations so there’s no need to limit access. Together, we can keep this place clean so that when you revisit for your anniversary, it’s as beautiful as you remember!
How to Get Married in Maroon Bells in Three Easy Steps
1. Reserve the Maroon Bells Amphitheater
Here are the steps you need to follow to make a reservation for the Maroon Bells Amphitheater, in Colorado!
- Go to the Colorado Government’s Recreation website
- Select your preferred Date for the Maroon Bells’ Amphitheater
- Click “view availability” and “next available” to find an open date
- Once content with your date, click Book Now!
- Pay the $200 Rental Fee and you’re ready to go!
After you’ve secured a reservation, the next step is to secure a wedding permit for Maroon Bells! This process is quite simple, here’s what you need to know about securing a Maroon Bells Wedding Permit!
2. Obtain a Wedding Permit for Maroon Bells
Do you need a permit to elope at Maroon Bells?
Unlike many other Colorado mountain elopement sites, you do not need a government-issued permit to get married at Maroon Bells. All you need is a reservation, which you can get through the Colorado Government Recreation site.
For elopements and ceremonies with under 10 guests, you must register your wedding party at the trail log. There are a few picnic areas nearby that are great for eloping. Once registered, the park office will grant you wilderness access permits for your wedding party for free. Registering at the park log just ensures your wedding will go smoothly, should there be a safety issue later on.
How much does it cost to get married in Maroon Bells?
The cost to get married at Maroon Bells is $200, and you can book the space through the Colorado Government’s Recreation website to make a reservation. The next tasks on your to-do list should be to make sure you register your party at the trail log, pick up your wilderness access pass, and you’re all set!
Maroon Bells Wedding Cost Breakdown
- Amphitheater reservation – $200
- Parking – $10-$30
- Entrance Fee – $10 per car
- Shuttle – $16 per reservation
These are the basic costs that are specific to the Maroon Bells location in Colorado, that you should take a look at when booking the space. Here’s another list with the average price points of vendors in Maroon Bells and nearby in Aspen, to help you get an idea of the average costs of a Maroon Bells wedding!
- Aspen Marriage License – $30 from Pitkin County, Colorado
- Colorado Wedding Photographer – $1200 / three hours of coverage (with travel fee)
- Bridal Hair and Makeup – $550 (with travel fee)
- Floral wedding bouquet – $445 (with tax included)
- Aspen Officiant – $550 (with travel fee)
Reservations can get taken up quite quickly, so book your reservation as soon as possible, for an exciting Maroon Bells wedding adventure! Need help? Book a free consultation with the Wedy concierge team to see how you can get started on planning your wedding, after booking the space!
3. Where can I find vendors in Maroon Bells and Aspen?
To find all-inclusive wedding packages, and local Maroon Bells Wedding vendors, download the Wedy App and save up to 70% on vendors and venues through booking with Wedy! Wedy is your one-stop wedding shop! With Wedy, you can build the right wedding package for you and your budget. You can pick and choose the services you love – with no minimums.
Get the Wedy app today and book a free consultation with our planners, to see how you can make your wedding dreams a reality!
When is the best time to get married in Maroon Bells?
Dates Available
Mid-November—Early June: Maroon Creek Road is closed. You can only access the trails via a long hike, snowshoeing, skiing, or snowmobile.
Early June—Mid-November: Maroon Creek Road is accessible, but restricted to shuttles from mid-June to late October.
Seasonal Weddings in Maroon Bells
Summer – a summer wedding or ceremony in Maroon Bells is by far the easiest to access! The Amphitheater is available for reservations on most weekdays and the hikes are easier to do when the weather is sunny and consistent. Summer also means less privacy, so unless you have a reservation, expect tourists to be present. Be aware however that the Rocky Mountains in Colorado have a monsoon season, which lasts from late July to early September.
Autumn in Maroon Bells is by far the best season to hold your wedding! The stunningly colorful groves of Aspen, combined with the warm-toned leaves and crisp air, give the town a heavenly feeling in Autumn. With a cool-toned wedding, there are fewer tourists around, and the hikes are still just as easy to do as it is not too cold. Autumn is the best weather for a Maroon Bells wedding.
Winter – a winter wedding in Maroon Bells is definitely NOT recommended. The hikes are extremely hard to do, and the main road is closed for a significant duration of the winter. The sunlight in the mornings and evenings would make for a romantic snowy ceremony, but it’s definitely a lot harder to achieve at Maroon Bells because of the lack of accessibility. If you do want cooler weather or a snowy wedding at this location – opt for a late spring wedding, which will offer some snow
Spring – spring in Maroon Bells is cold and lumpy. The snow tends to stick around until late June, but if you’re looking for a more traditional “spring wedding”, complete with wildflowers, cool breezes, and abundant nature flourishing – opt for an early Summer wedding, which mimics the rest of Colorado’s spring weather, at Maroon Bells. Remember, the higher the elevation – the more snow!
Accessibility Information
Shuttles: Available June-October, accessible through Maroon Creek Road. Some restrictions apply if you don’t have a reservation! Learn how to book a reservation here! You can book your reservation through this site! One-way Shuttles are also available, and shuttles are dog friendly!
Parking: If you arrive early, you can park at the Aspen Highlands Garage, which is available for day use for a small fee ($30 for the whole day). The charge is progressive, so it’s $10 for the first 3 hours $ 15 for 8 hours and $30 for 8+ hours. Five parking passes will be granted with every reservation. You can pick up your parking passes from the Maroon Bells Welcome Station up to 5 days early. Day-use parking with valid passes is only 200 yards away from the ceremony site, and there is also wheelchair-accessible parking about 50 yards away.
Restrooms: Due to Covid-19, on-site restrooms have been closed to the public. There is no drinkable water or outlets at the ceremonial site, so consider this. You can call the Aspen Park Ranger at 970-963-2266 to inquire about whether the public restrooms are available for your wedding day.
Hiking Information: Make sure to remain on the trail, and take all necessary precautions to avoid getting hurt or damaging the landscape. Hiking, climbing, and the use of recreational vehicles is well-regulated in this area. There are shuttle buses for the hiking trails, with 20+ mile-long trails all over the Maroon Bells site. Make sure to abide by the regulations so there’s no need to limit access. Together, we can keep this place clean so that when you revisit for your anniversary, it’s as beautiful as you remember!
