How to choose dog-friendly elopement locations in Colorado
Any dog-lover knows that dogs are family, so leaving them behind on your wedding day isn’t an option. But how can you pick an elopement location that is both beautiful, and dog-friendly? Beyond providing example locations, I’ll share the 5 things you MUST include in any elopement location to make sure that your pup is happy, healthy, and safe.
5 Things Your Elopement Location Must Have to be Dog-Friendly
Make sure to incorporate these 5 things into your location scouting, so that nobody gets left behind. Or chat with a local elopement photographer who knows the best dog-friendly places in their area.
WATER
In the summer months, the mountains can get hot! It is important to pick a spot with a river or lake access so your pup can cool off in addition to drinking the water we pack in. Give your pup a chance to dunk in a cool stream, swim in an alpine lake or even play in some snow!
2. Safe Trails
Make sure that trail is paw-friendly! It might sound silly, but keeping your pup away from cactus and other thorny plants, as well as jagged rocks, ensures that they get to enjoy the entire adventure too. It helps to pack some emergency paw supplies just in case (my favorite is Paw Soother from Natural Dog).
3. Shade
Because your dogs are also out hiking (and doing so in a fur coat). Having trees and shady areas ensures that no one overheats on the walk, either on the way out or back. If you are hiking above tree line with no shade, make sure to plan your ceremony around sunrise or sunset, so that the majority of time spent outside is out of the sun.
4. Space (for you and other wildlife)
Because you might see an animal on the trail. For everyones safety, make sure to pick places that give other wildlife plenty of room to get around you on the trail, or exit to another location. Moose, deer, elk and bear frequent mountain trails in the summer, and the best way to keep everyone safe is to give these animals some much needed space and distance.
5. Accessibility
A lot of high mountain locations in Colorado are tough for dogs (and people) to get to. Make sure to pick a location that can easily be accessed by foot, so your dog doesn’t have to climb/repel to a location. Or check out my blog on mountain towns with dog friendly gondolas, so you and your dog can ride to the top of the mountain in style!
Can you Elope in Rocky Mountain National Park with Your Dog?
Since RMNP is world-famous, I get asked this question a lot. And while you can technically elope with your dog in the park, here is why I DON’T recommend it.
Dogs are not allowed on any trails or nature areas
Which means your lovely pups can’t stand next to you in the designated elopement areas in the Park, and have to stay in the car or parking lot while you say your vows.
Dogs are restricted to parking lots and roads.
Which means hot pavement, no water, sitting in the car, and trying to walk on very, very busy roads instead of trails.
There are massive amounts of cars and tourists.
In the summer months the roads can be packed with bumper-to-bumper cars and clogged with people, which makes walking roads or parking lots with your dog dangerous.
There are lots of wildlife in tight spaces.
Which adds to the bottleneck of traffic, the frequent stopping tourists, and the anxiety your dog will feel being trapped in the car.
My Favorite Dog-Friendly Elopement Locations in Colorado
Since I specialize in dog-friendly hiking elopements, I am always trying to find the best places with safe trails and lots of water and shade. That’s why these areas in Colorado are my absolute favorites for dog-friendly elopements:
Brainard Lake
A high alpine lake that is easily accessible by car. Perfect easy walks, picnics, fishing and playing in water.
Blue Lake
A high alpine lake at the end of an easy 2.5 mile hike. Incredible wildflowers, privacy and 360 mountain views. Streams and water accessible all the way up.
Lake Dorothy
For the most adventurous, Lake Dorothy is one of the highest alpine lakes in the range. At the base of two intersecting ranges, this area has the most stunning mountain views around and is very private and secluded.
Plan for Your Dog Too
To make sure that no one gets left behind due to heat, crowds or tourist-traps! And always reach out to a local expert like me if you aren’t sure how to pick a place that is dog-friendly. I always scout every location with my 3 dogs in tow; if they approve, I approve.