Garden of the Gods Elopement Photographer Guide (2026)
Garden of the Gods sits just outside Colorado Springs with 300-foot red sandstone formations rising out of the earth, Pikes Peak looming in the background, and a landscape so dramatic it was designated a National Natural Landmark. It is also, remarkably, completely free to visit and does not require a permit for elopements.
For couples who want striking desert canyon scenery, a location that is genuinely accessible to all guests, and zero permit paperwork, Garden of the Gods is one of the most compelling elopement locations in Colorado.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan your elopement here. The six designated ceremony sites, the rules you need to follow, how to get your Colorado marriage license, the best timing for photos and privacy, and what to expect on the day.
One honest note before we dive in: I am a Colorado elopement photographer based in Fort Collins and I cover locations across the state. Garden of the Gods is about two hours from my home base. The information in this guide is thoroughly researched and verified from official park sources, and I am happy to photograph elopements here. If you are looking for a photographer who is specifically Colorado Springs based and photographs Garden of the Gods every single week, it is worth seeking out a local specialist as well.
Why Garden of the Gods Works So Well for Elopements
There are three things that make Garden of the Gods genuinely special as an elopement location.
First, no permit required. Unlike Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, or most other iconic Colorado locations, Garden of the Gods does not require a permit or a reservation for small elopement ceremonies. You show up, you get married, and you leave. For couples who are overwhelmed by the permit process at other Colorado locations, this is a meaningful advantage.
Second, it is accessible to everyone. Several of the designated ceremony sites are close to parking and navigable by guests with mobility limitations. If your group includes elderly family members or anyone who cannot manage a long walk, Garden of the Gods offers a genuinely beautiful ceremony location they can actually reach.
Third, the scenery is unlike anything else in Colorado. Most Colorado elopement locations offer mountain views. Garden of the Gods offers towering red rock formations with mountains behind them. It is a completely different visual vocabulary and for couples who are drawn to that desert canyon aesthetic, nothing else in the state quite replicates it.
The Six Designated Ceremony Sites
Garden of the Gods has six official ceremony sites. All are first come first served with no reservations possible. Here is what you need to know about each one.
Jaycee Plaza
The most accessible location in the park and the closest to the main parking area. Flat, easy to navigate, and surrounded by impressive red rock formations. The tradeoff is that it sees the most foot traffic of any site, meaning other park visitors will likely walk through during your ceremony. Best for couples who need accessibility and do not mind a public setting.
Capacity: Up to 50 people
Best for: Accessibility, guests with mobility needs
Crowds: High, especially weekends and midday
Sentinel Plaza
A step further from the entrance than Jaycee and near several hiking trails. Slightly more private than Jaycee and a beautiful spot for portraits after the ceremony. Still sees foot traffic but generally less than the main entrance area.
Capacity: Up to 25 people
Best for: A balance of accessibility and privacy
Crowds: Moderate
Three Graces Plaza
This is the spot for drama. Three Graces features some of the most striking rock formations in the entire park, with natural stone pillars as your ceremony backdrop. The nearby parking is limited so you may need to walk from the larger main lot. Most photographers consider this the most visually compelling ceremony site in the park. Guest count recommendations from local photographers run closer to 15 to 20 despite the official capacity of 25, due to the limited space.
Capacity: Up to 25 people (15 to 20 recommended by most photographers)
Best for: The most dramatic rock formation backdrop
Note: Limited nearby parking, may require a walk from the main lot
High Point
The panoramic view location. High Point sits above the rest of the park and offers sweeping views of Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain, and the rock formations below. It is also the most popular and most crowded spot in the entire park. There is no seating and parking can be competitive. For couples who want the iconic view and are willing to plan carefully around timing, the payoff is extraordinary. Sunrise on a weekday is strongly recommended.
Capacity: Up to 50 people
Best for: Panoramic views of Pikes Peak and the formations
Crowds: Highest in the park, weekday sunrise strongly recommended
Scotsman Picnic Area
The Scotsman sits in the center of the park and is surrounded by greenery rather than red rock formations. It is not the most visually dramatic spot but it offers picnic tables, handicap accessibility, and is one of two locations in the park where receptions are permitted. If you are planning a small celebration after your ceremony, this is one of your options.
Capacity: Up to 25 people
Best for: Guests needing seating, post ceremony picnic receptions
Note: Surrounded by greenery, not red rock formations
South Spring Canyon Area
The most secluded of the six sites, facing west with views of the mountains rather than the red rock formations. Good option for couples who want more separation from the busier areas of the park. Like the Scotsman, receptions are permitted here.
Capacity: Up to 50 people
Best for: More seclusion, mountain views, post ceremony picnic receptions
Note: Faces west, mountain views rather than red rock formations
Rules You Need to Know
Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark and the city of Colorado Springs takes its preservation seriously. Following these rules is not optional.
No permit required, but you must use one of the six designated ceremony sites
No amplified sound of any kind
No decorations, including arches, tents, trellises, or tables
Chairs are permitted only for elderly or disabled guests
No confetti, rice, birdseed, or balloons
No alcohol anywhere in the park
No receptions except at the Scotsman Picnic Area and South Spring Canyon Area
Dogs are welcome on a six foot leash, please clean up after them
Ceremonies must be brief, this is a public park and sites cannot be exclusively reserved
Photographers do not need a permit to photograph elopements here
The no decorations rule is worth taking seriously when you are planning your vision. If you are dreaming of a floral arch or a draped ceremony setup, Garden of the Gods is not the right location for that. The park is spectacular enough on its own that most couples find the natural setting more than sufficient.
When to Elope at Garden of the Gods
Best time of day
Sunrise is the clear recommendation from every photographer who works here regularly. The light on the red rock formations at sunrise is genuinely extraordinary, the park is at its quietest, and you have a real chance of having your ceremony site to yourselves. Sunset is also beautiful but comes with more visitors and less predictable parking.
Best days of the week
Weekdays only if privacy matters to you. Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the quietest days in the park. Weekend ceremonies at popular sites like High Point or Jaycee Plaza mean real crowds walking through your ceremony, which is either fine or not depending on your expectations.
Best time of year
The park is open and beautiful year round, which is one of its advantages over Colorado's mountain locations that close seasonally. Peak visitor season runs from mid June through mid October, which also happens to be the best weather for an outdoor ceremony. If you are visiting in summer, sunrise is even more important as midday temperatures can become genuinely uncomfortable.
Fall and spring offer pleasant temperatures and fewer visitors. Winter can be stunning when snow settles on the red rock formations, with the best chances of fresh snow in February and March. Unlike mountain elopement locations, Garden of the Gods remains accessible in winter without significant weather complications.
How to Legally Get Married at Garden of the Gods
Colorado Marriage License
To legally get married in Colorado you need a Colorado marriage license regardless of where you live. The license costs $30 and is obtained from the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder office in Colorado Springs since that is the county where Garden of the Gods is located.
Complete the online marriage application ahead of your visit, then stop in to the clerk's office to complete the process in person. No appointment is necessary. You can pick up your license the same day as your elopement if timing works out, or any time before your ceremony.
Self Solemnization in Colorado
Colorado is one of the only states in the country that allows self solemnization, meaning you can legally marry each other without an officiant or witnesses present. You simply sign your own marriage license and return it to the county clerk within 63 days of your ceremony. No one else needs to be there.
This is one of the most meaningful aspects of a Colorado elopement for many couples. Your ceremony is entirely yours, with no one officiating or directing the moment.
Marriage License Cost: $30
Where to Obtain: El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, Colorado Springs
Appointment: Not required, walk in
Self Solemnization: Yes, allowed in Colorado
Witnesses Required: No
Return Deadline: Within 63 days of your ceremony
Practical Things Worth Knowing
Parking
Parking is limited throughout the park and cannot be reserved. The main parking lot near the visitor center is the largest and has restrooms. High Point and Balanced Rock have smaller lots. For a sunrise elopement you should have no trouble finding a spot. For later in the day during peak season, arrive early and plan for the possibility of walking from the main lot.
Privacy Expectations
Garden of the Gods is a public park that attracts around four million visitors per year. There is no way to reserve exclusive access to any ceremony site. Other visitors will walk through and around your ceremony. Most people are respectful when they encounter a ceremony in progress, but if complete privacy is non-negotiable for your elopement, this location may not be the right fit. A sunrise ceremony on a Tuesday in shoulder season will be dramatically quieter than a Saturday afternoon in July.
What to Wear
The terrain at most ceremony sites is relatively flat and paved or compacted gravel. You do not need hiking boots. That said, the park is a natural environment and heels on uneven ground are worth thinking through. Comfortable dress shoes or flats work well for most sites.
After Your Ceremony
Colorado Springs has excellent restaurants for a celebratory dinner. The Broadmoor resort sits just minutes from the park and offers a genuinely luxurious post elopement experience if that fits your vision. Manitou Springs, a charming town about ten minutes away, has great independent restaurants and a distinct personality that many couples love.
Planning a Garden of the Gods Elopement?
Garden of the Gods is one of the most visually striking and logistically straightforward places to elope in Colorado. No permits, no reservations, no hiking required, and a landscape that photographs unlike anywhere else in the state.
As a Colorado elopement photographer based in Fort Collins, I work with couples across the state who want breathtaking locations without the extreme adventure or complicated permit process to get there. Garden of the Gods fits that vision beautifully.
If you are thinking about eloping at Garden of the Gods and want to talk through timing, ceremony site options, or what a full elopement day in Colorado Springs could look like, I would love to hear from you.
Curious about other stunning places to elope in Colorado? Check out my complete guide to The Best Places to Elope in Colorado for more locations, hidden gems, and everything you need to start planning.
