Silverton Area Wedding Location Ideas

We will be in the Silverton area in a few weeks and staying at the Opus Hut for 2 nights. The reason we are in the area is we are looking to scout out some potential free mountain wedding locations.

It will be a very small wedding, literally just us and a few immediate family/friends. No big ceremony, no big crowd, just us. We originally thought about backpacking with a few friends and doing something on the summit of a mountain, but we would like our parents there and they would never survive the hike. We are looking for someplace that can be driven to, even if it requires high clearance 4x4, and that my 72 yr old mother can get out and walk around without much concern. She is active, still works, and doesn't have any health concerns, but she is coming from flatlands and wont be used to the elevation. SHORT hikes are ok if they are easy.

I've google searched and found all the common things, Ice Lakes Basin, Alta, Crater Lake, etc., but these are the same places that everyone finds. I don't want to be there with everyone else. I'm hoping someone will be willing to share some lesser known locations, or even places that may be known but not "instagram known", whether it be by replying to this thread or even sending a PM so it's not public.

(We are even considering renting the entire Opus Hut and doing everything there. I haven't been there yet, but it looks pretty awesome from photos.)

We are also looking in some other areas, Medicine Bow NF, some areas around Aspen I know about, Twin Lakes. I'm fairly familiar with the Estes Park area so I'm not actively scouting there yet, but I do have a couple spots in mind. If theres anywhere else in Colorado that I should consider I'm open to suggestions.

 

Do you have any local vendor contacts yet? Like an officiant? Grab them on the horn, tell them you are shopping, and ask them what they have seen in their professional lives.

Oh, and edit - Outdoor weddings are awesome, but have a popup tent on hand or be prepared to be at the mercy of the fates of the weather.

Edit-edit: Altitude sickness is going to be a concern for all of those locations. Hopefully everyone in your party has recent experience walking around in thin air, or they are able to spend days slowly acclimating as they road trip up that direction.

 

Our officiant will be a friend of ours, so they aren't local to the area. I have been researching some local to CO photographers and plan to reach out to them, but I'm hoping to find that special to us spot and not something that is a frequent go-to.

Most of us have plenty of experience at elevation, the only one I'm really "concerned" about is my mother so we will have as much acclimatization time as we can prior. It's one of my concerns with renting the entire Opus Hut since it's at 11.6k, but before I cross it ff the list I want to go there first. This is also why I have other areas I'm looking at with some lower elevations.

 

Ridgeway, CO road= CO7 (also not my pic but at work)

This pic (Sneffels in main Mtn) is from a hill next to road but valley below is not a strenuous effort to get down or up (you know your parents ability better than I can guess).

CO7 you can see continuing on left in Aspen tree gap, ends at a trailhead with plenty of room (has horse trailer parking too). Rarely see more than a car or 3 driving to this point. Trailhead is Blue Lakes and that is a popular hike in summer.

AMS (Altitude sickness) is really affected by exertion, driving and walking shouldn't cause this. However, sleeping at altitude (even Denver) can be rough at first.

Also, know of Place by Basalt which will have more people (High clearance strongly advised) but equal view- DM me.

Also CO5 (what I have heard) & CO9 (Less advised)- Runs through RL Ranch (RL= Ralph Lauren, you might of heard of him) and they can be strict about leaving road

 

All thee of those roads look promising. I'll give them a drive, thanks!

 

If RL ranch gives you crap on CO9 remind them its a public road.

 

I live in the area and would second all of the above concerns about altiturde sickness. You should have a plan B in case some of the party can't deal with the effects, and unfortunately, coming from elsewhere, you won't know that until you're here. Altitude sickness affect some people as low as 8,000'. Do your research.

By the way, you don't legally need a wedding officiant in Colorado. Just for show or to please your mom.

 

Great tips from others here so far. I agree that Ridgway has big time views with minimal effort. You can see Sneffels from many places around there without doing much more than driving to the spot. Ridgway State Park may even have a pavilion you can reserve to reduce weather risk too.

While in that area, Ouray is a beautiful town that any local photographer would be able to narrow down a spot.

Congrats and have fun!

 

Drove with my in-laws from Durango to Silverton and few years back. My MIL started getting sick and 3/4's of the way and we had to turn around.

Beautiful area for sure.

 

These are good suggestions.
Of these, County rd 7 would be my first choice.

There is lots of parking and easy walking access to the valley on county rd 7. Near the horse trailers, drive back towards the valley to the end of the rd. You will see a hunter’s tent camp. Park there.
This photo taken from that location.

Walk the valley for preferred location.
I’ve seen one wedding there.

The top of last dollar rd might also be a good spot. But I’ve seen two wedding photo shoots at this location over a tree day period.

I don't know this photographer. Just a link I pulled up to show the location. This spot is best at last light. Drive to the top of the road. Stop at the camp sites and trees. Park on the road and walk out onto the grassy knoll.
Edit:
Good location for a photo shoot. Not ideal for a wedding. Requires 50 yard hike up a steep hillside. No trail, and the party will be exposed to possible weather.
Proximity to the road means possible noise and dust from vehicles.

https://www.shellcreekphoto.com/last-dollar-road-engagement-session-in-telluride/


County rd 9 may be good for less crowds. Drive to the end of the road for the public lands, and location.

 

Just outside Silverton, this might be a little more than you're looking for:

Eureka Lodge el. 9925'

Location

 

For those quests that you are concerned about have them check with their primary care provider and tell all quests to start focusing on hydrating at least three days prior to arriving.

 

I lived in Silverton for several years. Hundreds of beautiful locations in/around SW Colorado and the four Corners, but as a former EMT, my recommendation would be: bring oxygen. My wife has had altitude sickness and it is a serious problem. Also, watch alcohol consumption if people are not climatized, booze hits hard at altitude. Have a beautiful wedding and good luck!

 

A place to get hitched?
Well…

 

A buddy of mine once recommended the Alpine Loop—there are a few pull-offs with killer views, and some are pretty easy to get to with a 4x4. It’s great because you can enjoy the scenery without too much hiking, which sounds like it’d be good for your mom.

The Opus Hut could be an awesome choice too. I’ve seen pictures, and it looks incredible. Feels like the kind of place that’d make the whole day feel special. Oh, and for the wedding vibe, I’d totally recommend checking out https://www.gentlemansguru.com/product-category/wedding-tuxedos/ for ideas. I’ve seen some sharp looks there that’d go perfectly with a mountain backdrop.