Hermit Park Wedding with Hiking, Paddleboarding, and Dogs

Hermit Park is one of my favorite dog-friendly wedding locations in Estes Park! It’s not only perfect for an elopement, but for an intimate wedding too.

What I love so much about this day is it began with an adventure! A sunrise hike to the top of a mountain, where you can look out over all of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. From the top, you can see a beautiful meadow by the trailhead, and that’s where we watched family begin to gather and set up the beautiful wedding arch for the ceremony.

Then, we hiked down to meet everyone in the meadow where A & P shared a beautiful wedding ceremony, looking back up at the summit of the mountain they had just been on top of.

This day was the perfect mix of an adventurous elopement and an intimate wedding. It consisted of everything the couple loved, just as it should.

Real magic happens when you say YES to wedding day plans that excite you. To a day that is so you.

Scroll on to see their beautiful wedding day, and be inspired by P’s incredible wedding dress with a long train and A’s black suit and cowboy hat, the perfect wedding attire for a Colorado mountain wedding.

And learn how to have your own Hermit Park wedding below, too!

Sunrise Hike with Private Vows and the Dogs

Talk about the most beautiful Estes Park morning light! The hazy skies made for a brilliantly warm sunrise. And the best part? We had the summit all to ourselves! Waking up early in the morning sure does have its perks. Plus, mornings tend to be the best weather window during Colorado summers!

Kruger Rock Wedding Photos

A laid-back wedding day timeline like this isn’t just about avoiding stress; it’s about creating the space to truly savor your day.

While we had the summit all to ourselves, we took our time savoring the view and taking some romantic couples photos. The magic truly unfolds when you give yourselves time to make memories on your day rather than just going through the motions.

Hermit Park Wedding Ceremony

Near the homemade wedding arch, family began gathering in the meadow for the intimate wedding ceremony. The view was of Kruger Rock, where the couple had hiked at sunrise that morning. A beautiful full circle moment.

Hermit Park Pavilion Wedding Celebrations

Hermit Park is perfect for an outdoor wedding with a little bit of coverage under their (super nice!) pavilion.

Did you know that you can rent this pavilion for your own wedding ceremony + celebrations of up to 150 guests? The pavilion has nearby restrooms, electricity available, sand volleyball courts, and horseshoes. Everything you need for an outdoor gathering in the mountains.

Learn more about how to have your wedding at Hermit Park and see a full list of the best Estes Park intimate wedding venues here.

Paddleboarding & Wedding Photos at Lake Estes

Lake Estes is a large lake with excellent mountain views! Not only does it have a bike path that loops the entire lake, but you can actually rent boats and pontoons and get out on the water here! Or, like this couple, bring your own SUPS and enjoy a wedding day paddle.

Colorado Wedding Vendor Shoutout

Photography: Story Maker Photo

Florals: Enchanted Florist

Hair & Makeup: Rotella Beauty

Estes Park Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographer

If you’re looking for a local Estes Park, Colorado wedding photographer, I’d love to meet! Fill out the inquiry form below and let’s start dreaming up your day.