Maroon Bells Amphitheater — Weddings and Elopement Guide 2024

Introduction

The Maroon Bells has a reputation for being “one of the most photographed spots in Colorado”, which might make it sound like the worst possible place to have a private and beautiful wedding ceremony, right? Great news: while there might be a dozen photographers with tripods angling for their shot of the Bells reflected in Maroon Lake at sunrise – the Amphitheater just a few feet away allows for an amazing view and total privacy for a small wedding or elopement.

pros and cons of getting married at Maroon Bells

Why getting married at the Maroon Bells Amphitheater could be perfect for you:

It’s SO cool: In addition to being the incredibly beautiful focal point of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness (and arguably the most iconic Colorado elopement location), the whole area is remarkably accessible while allowing many optional additional levels of adventuring through the mountains. You can hike anywhere from zero to four or five to fifty miles in the area with amazing views everywhere you look.

You can reserve it for $200: If you have more than a few guests at your elopement, small private, reservable, affordable venues in beautiful places are incredibly hard to come by – the Maroon Bells Amphitheater checks nearly every box for having a small intimate wedding. There is even built in seating available for your guests.
If you’re local to Aspen, or just always wanted to visit one of our most charming ski towns. There are tons of beautiful cabins and hotels for all of your guests, as well as amazing food, and world class hiking and skiing all throughout the Aspen area.
You can bring your dog!

Why you might not want to have a wedding at the Maroon Bells:

Snagging a permit to reserve the Amphitheater is very competitive, especially on weekends. So if you really have your heart set on a specific date, you may want to at least have some very strong back up options while planning your location.

The 12.4 mile road out to the Amphitheater is closed to cars seasonally from October through Memorial Day. There are no exact dates for opening and closing, it all just depends on the snowfall from year to year. It’s still possible to visit in the winter and spring, you would have to either go by snow shoe, skis or rent snowmobiles. All of that sounds fun to us, but obviously isn’t a great option for everyone.
If you have more than 50 people attending, including all vendors and children. At that point, you’ll probably want to look at renting a small wedding venue in Aspen, like the Little Nell! https://www.thelittlenell.com/
Receptions are not allowed at the Amphitheater, so if you’d like to have your ceremony and reception at the same location you may want to look into some other options.

When is the best time to get married at the Maroon Bells?

Time of year:

Summer: June through August is absolutely gorgeous up in the Aspen area! Expect a ton of green, really comfortable temperatures and amazing wildflowers. We’ve seen moose and foxes up there too in the summer!

Fall: The aspens and other foliage start to turn in late September, early October – it’s always a little different every year when the colors really start to peak, but you really can’t go wrong in the fall at the Maroon Bells. Expect colder temps at sunrise and in the evening, but honestly the day time temps should be pretty comfy!
Winter & Spring: late October through early May is snow season – the road out to the Amphitheater is closed to road traffic and heavy snow on the road and trails is very likely.

Time of day:

The Maroon Bells is really known for its iconic orange alpenglow lighting up at sunrise. It’s totally worth trying to catch the sunrise there, but don’t let the internet give you the impression that sunset isn’t also amazing up there! So if you’re just not a morning person, it’s totally ok. One of the best elopements we’ve done at the Maroon Bells was a full day sunrise to sunset adventure that was stunning throughout the whole day.

Best day of the week:

At the moment, the Recreation.gov site reports that “Reservations are not accepted for Fridays and Saturdays in June, July and August. Additionally reservations are not accepted Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.” So its best to plan for a Monday-Thursday wedding! That’s going to be your best bet for finding lodging and dining in Aspen anyway.

How to reserve the Maroon Bells Amphitheater for a wedding or elopement:

Choose a few dates you’re interested in, and exactly one year out be ready to log on to Recreation.gov (link) at 8am MT to reserve your date! Pro tip: create your Recreation.gov account in advance and have your credit card info pre-saved to expedite checkout.
Complete your $200 payment, and be sure to completely finalize your reservation before you close the window.
If you’re just now finding this guide less than a year in advance, keep an eye out for spots to open up throughout the year! You can use the “next available” feature to track open dates.

Some FAQs

How do the shuttle system and parking passes work at this spot?

The main road to the Maroon Bells closes to cars from 8am-5pm in the summer and fall. Your reservation at the amphitheater will come with 5 parking passes that allow you to drive up the main road and park near the amphitheater. Anyone you can’t bring in 5 vehicles will need to park in Aspen and take the dog-friendly shuttle (link) – which might make renting third row SUVs or passenger vans a good idea! Also, if you arrive before 8am or after 5pm you’ll be able to drive in and park in the lot without a pass, perfect for sunrise or sunset!

How much does it cost to elope at the Maroon Bells?

It really depends! Your basic costs will be:

Amphitheater reservation $200
Marriage license $30-35
Parking in Aspen: $10-30 per car + shuttle reservations: $16 per person
Entrance fees: $10 per car

Beyond that, your budget will depend of the types of vendors and lodging you choose. Aspen is home to some of the most luxurious options for cabin rentals & dining, but if you’re on a budget don’t be afraid to look! Staying in a ski condo off season is a great option for you or an y budget-conscious guests.

Do you need a permit to have a ceremony at the Maroon Bells? What about for the photos?

Your reservation at the Amphitheater is your permit for the ceremony and wedding photos! Ceremonies are only allowed with a reservation, and have to take place at the Amphitheater – but anyone can take wedding, engagement or family photos all over the area as long as you’re otherwise following the rules of visitation and your photos are for personal use only. Anyone making photos to sell as prints or to use as content will need to arrange a commercial permit with the National Forest Service.

Are there places to explore before or after the ceremony?

Totally! The Maroon Bells Scenic Loop is nice and easy, a great way to stretch your legs and get into the aspens for a little variety. If you’re up for a slightly longer and more challenging hike, heading out to Crater Lake is an awesome way to spend the day. You can even hike right on up to summit each of the individual peaks, including the Maroon Peak fourteener – but that’s some extremely advanced mountaineering that only super experienced hikers should attempt.

Are dogs allowed at the Amphitheater and on the trails?

Yes! The whole Maroon Bells area is super dog-friendly. Even the shuttle from Aspen allows dogs on board. It’s incredibly important here to keep your dogs on leash at all times though – sightings are rare, but there are moose, bears and foxes in the area that you wouldn’t want your pups to encounter!

Is the ceremony site accessible?

Yes! That’s one of our favorite things about this venue. The path from the parking lot to the ceremony site is totally paved and easy to navigate. Something to keep in mind for anyone with mobility needs is that the seating area is about 100 feet from the car drop off point, and the path could be snowy or icy depending on the time of year. There are two different bathroom options in the area.

Can you take photos at Maroon Lake?

You may have seen photos online of people standing right along the lake shore, but as of a few years ago, the entire shore of Maroon Lake has been roped off for conservation. Definitely don’t step over the rope, but otherwise you can definitely get great shots along the lakeshore. In general, just stay on trail in this area.

Can you have a reception at the Maroon Bells Amphitheater?

Not a formal one. We’ve seen our couples with guests do a toast and pass around cupcakes at the amphitheater, or have a picnic if they’re alone, and that’s fine! But if you would need to bring in tables and chairs, have catering set up, or plan to have a dance party you should plan a different reception location. The closest spot is the East Maroon Portal Picnic Spot, which the Forest Service recommends for Maroon Bells wedding receptions. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234588

Is it weird to elope at the Maroon Bells Amphitheater if you don’t have any guests?

No not at all! While the seating is built in and can’t be removed, the best place to have the ceremony is right on the edge of the paved area – some rocks have been laid down to provide a durable surface. If you hold your ceremony right here, it’ll look and feel like you have a wild natural area all to yourself! We’ve definitely had couples worry it’ll feel weird and empty, but don’t worry, it’s just not a big deal once you’re there.