- Fall elopement - Sprague Lake Ceremony + Dream Lake
- Winter elopement - 3M Curve Ceremony + Sprague Lake + Moraine Park
- Spring elopement - Sprague Lake + 3M Curve
- Spring engagement session
Example Galleries
Location
Sprague Lake has its own parking area within Rocky Mountain National Park. Here is a map pin.
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. Pets are allowed in the parking lot and the picnic area at Sprague Lake.
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.
- Sprague 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 Sprague 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. You do NOT need a timed entry permit if you have a ceremony permit.
Weather + Seasons
- Dream Lake is located at about 8,799 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 likely be fully frozen and the trail covered in snow. Be prepared for anything from 10 degrees and snowing to 35 degrees and sunny.
- Mid April-May: Expect spring conditions. The lake may still be frozen into early May. There may still be snow on the ground. 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. Great mountain water views and mountain views.
- It's super accessible.
- It's one of the park's designated ceremony sites.
- The trail is accessible year-round.
Reasons to love this location
- Sprague Lake is accessible with only a short walk from the parking area.
- The dock where ceremonies take place is about a 10-minute walk from the parking area. The trail is mostly flat and gravel.
- The trail all the way around the lake is about 0.8 miles.
- Here is a link to the trail on AllTrails.
Sprague Lake Trail
Sprague Lake is a beautiful lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's easily accessible, and it's one of the designated ceremony locations within the park! There's a flat, easy trail that goes around the perimeter of the lake.
Overview
- Sprague Lake is one of the designated ceremony locations within the park! Ceremonies take place at the dock.
- You will need to apply for a special use permit to have a ceremony at Sprague Lake. Here is a page about ceremonies at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wedding/Elopement Ceremonies
Packing Lists
Summer Packing List
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Shoes you can walk easily in for the photos (if different from your walking 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 light layer
- Snacks
Fall Packing List
- Comfortable walking shoes
- 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!
- Sunscreen + sunglasses
- Two warm layers
- Pants
- Gloves
- Snacks
Spring Packing List
- Comfortable walking shoes
- 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
- Comfortable, sturdy, waterproof 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
