- Summer engagement session - August
- Summer engagement session - July
- Fall engagement session - October
- Fall elopement - October
- Spring elopement - May
Example Galleries
Location
The trail starts from the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here is a map pin to the trailhead.
Crowds, Parking, and Entry Permits
- Rocky Mountain National Park is a highly visited park and one of the most popular places in all of Colorado. You can expect to see many other people in the park all year round.
- Dream Lake is not a private location at any time of the year, though summer through early fall (roughly end of May-mid October) is the busiest time of the year.
- Daily entrance fees are in effect all year. Here is the page about entry costs.
- From mid-May through mid-October, timed entry permits are required from 5am-6pm for the Bear Lake Corridor, where Dream Lake is. I will send you specific instructions for timed entry and when/how to get your permit. Here is the page about timed entry.
- Depending on the time of year and time of day, we may not be able to park at the Bear Lake trailhead because the parking lot fills. We may need to take the park and ride shuttle that leaves from a large parking area inside the park. I'll send you more specific info on this if I think it's likely we'll need to take the shuttle.
- During the busiest months, getting into the park can take an unpredictable amount of time due to traffic, lines, wildlife, etc. I may have you meet me at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center instead of at a location inside the park. That way we can follow each other into the park and can more easily stay together.
Weather + Seasons
- Dream Lake is located at about 10,000 feet above sea level and the weather can be really unpredictable!
- I usually say to be prepared for any weather at any point.
- December-March/April: Expect full winter conditions. The lake will be fully frozen and the trail covered in snow. Be prepared for anything from 10 degrees and snowing to 35 degrees and sunny. The lake tends to be colder and windier than other areas in the park during the winter.
- Mid April-May: Expect spring conditions. The lake will likely still be frozen through mid-May. There may still be snow on the ground into early June. Be prepared for anywhere from 20 degrees and snowing to 50 degrees and sunny.
- late May-early September: Expect summer conditions. The lake is thawed, the ground is lush, and the sun is out. Expect anywhere from 40 degrees and cloudy to 80 degrees and sunny.
- mid-September-November: Expect fall and early winter conditions. The lake will likely still be thawed, but it could snow at any time. Aspens tend to peak around the end of September. Be prepared from anywhere from 30 degrees and snowing to 70 degrees and sunny.
- The lake is gorgeous.
- It's relatively accessible, with only a mile hike to get there.
- The trail itself is really pretty and has several other views and points of interest.
- The trail is accessible year-round.
Reasons to love this location
- Dream Lake is only accessible via hiking. It's about a mile each way.
- Hiking a mile may sound easy, but this is not a regular flat mile at sea level. The way there is mostly uphill and has about 460 feet of elevation gain. The trail also sits at about 9,400 feet above sea level, so there is significantly less oxygen!
- The trail isn't difficult, but if you want to do it, know your fitness level and ability and be prepared for an actual hike, not a one-mile walk!
- I usually allow about 45 minutes to get to the lake and about 30 to get back down, which gives us enough time to take the hike at an easy pace and stop along the way for photos.
- Here is a link to the trail on AllTrails.
Dream Lake Trail
Dream Lake is, well, dreamy! This lake is one of the most scenic, famous lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's about a mile hike to get there, and the trail is gorgeous. You get to see Nymph Lake on the way, as well as sweeping views of Longs Peak and the Rockies. This alpine lake is famous for a reason!
Overview
- Rocky Mountain National Park does NOT allow ceremonies of any kind at Dream Lake.
- Wedding ceremonies can only take place in designated site locations within the park. Dream Lake is not one of them. Here is a page about ceremonies at Rocky Mountain National Park.
- According to the National Park Service, "In the park, all ceremonies are managed and require a Special Use Permit. A special use permit is required when there are two (2) or more people engaging in the activity."
Wedding/Elopement Ceremonies
Packing Lists
Summer Packing List
- Day hiking backpack
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes for the hike
- Shoes you can walk easily in for the photos (if different from your hiking shoes). Heels can be difficult because we're still walking around a lot of rocks, uneven ground, etc.
- Water! Lots of water!
- Sunscreen + sunglasses - Colorado sun is strong in the summer
- One warm layer
- Snacks
Fall Packing List
- Day hiking backpack
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes for the hike
- Shoes you can walk easily in for the photos (if different from your hiking shoes). Heels can be difficult because we're still walking around a lot of rocks, uneven ground, etc.
- Water! Lots of water!
- Sunscreen + sunglasses - Colorado sun is strong in the winter
- Two warm layers
- Pants
- Gloves
- Snacks
Spring Packing List
- Day hiking backpack
- Comfortable, sturdy, waterproof walking shoes for the hike
- Microspikes - I have pairs that you can borrow
- Shoes you can walk easily in for the photos (if different from your hiking shoes). I do not recommend heels or open shoes.
- Water
- Sunglasses + sunscreen
- Two warm layers, at least one insulating layer
- Gloves
- Hat/beanie
- Snacks
Winter Packing List
- Day hiking backpack
- Comfortable, sturdy, waterproof(!!) hiking shoes
- Microspikes - I have pairs that you can borrow
- I recommend keeping your waterproof hiking shoes on throughout.
- Three warm layers, at least one insulating layer, and one outer layer. I usually wear one base layer, one insulating layer, and one water/windproof outer layer.
- Hat/beanie
- Gloves
- Handwarmers
- Water
- Sunglasses + sunscreen on your face
- Snacks
Dream Lake takes more planning and logistics than other locations. I recommend allowing about 3-4 hours minimum to do Dream Lake. I'll send you specific logistics, recommendations, and plans for your day. Don't worry!
Pets
Pets are not permitted on any trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Leashed pets are allowed along established roads or in parking areas or in established campgrounds and picnic areas. Here is the park's pet policy.
Changing at the Lake?
Should you change at the lake or wear your elopement/photo outfits for the hike? Great question!
It's ultimately up to you and what you feel most comfortable doing. I've seen couples do it both ways. If your photo outfits are comfortable and easy to hike in, it might make sense to just wear them for the hike. If you're worried about the outfits getting dirty or sweaty, you might want to change at the lake.
There is no designated place to change at the lake, but there are trees and little areas off the main trail. I'd say most people change when they get to the lake, and then keep their outfits on for the hike back down.
