Lily Lake Wedding Guide – Rocky Mountain National Park

Lily Lake is one of the best wedding locations in Rocky Mountain National Park because:

• It’s easily accessible, and outside the main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park
• The lake offers a 3/4 mile handicap accessible trail that loops the entire lake
• There are numerous hiking trails around here including Estes Cone and Twin Sisters just across the street
• You have easy access to picnic tables and a fishing dock
• There’s lot of unique wildlife here including moose, muskrats, tiger salamanders, and more
• It’s incredibly scenic

Look one way and you’ll see the perfectly framed Longs Peak, one of the tallest mountains here in Colorado! Around the lake you’ll also spot truly unique rock formations, aspen groves, dense pine forests, and plenty of big mountain views.

Getting to Lily Lake

Lily Lake is conveniently located about 7 miles from downtown Estes Park. About a 15 minute, incredibly scenic mountain drive!

Since it’s located outside of the main entrances to RMNP, there are no entrance station wait lines. The parking lot is just off the road, and the lake itself is just a 30 second stroll beyond that. Parking can fill up quickly here, especially during the peak seasons May-October. If necessary, there is overflow parking just across the street at the Twin Sisters trailhead.

3 Wedding Ceremony Sites at Lily Lake

Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area

This Lily Lake wedding ceremony site is the only site in the park where you can host a simple picnic or short reception with food. This ceremony site can also accommodate a party of 30, whereas the other two sites accommodate parties of up to 15 and 20 people.

The walk to this ceremony site is a flat .25 mile walk.

Lily Lake Dock

The dock is located very close to the parking lot meaning it’s typically the area with the most foot traffic. The dock offers sweeping views of lakes and mountains and can accommodate parties of up to 15 people.

Lily Lake Trail

The suggested site along the Lily Lake trail offers beautiful views of Longs Peak! There’s a short path that veers off the main path and can accommodate a small ceremony. There’s a single, simple wooden bench here.

How to Apply for a RMNP Wedding Permit

Each year a limited number of wedding permits are available through Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s important that you apply for your permit as soon as possible.

Apply for a wedding permit up to one year in advance from your desired wedding month. For example, if you would like to marry on November 15, 2026, apply for your permit on November 1, 2025.

Lily Lake is a favorite wedding ceremony site in Rocky Mountain National Park and can accommodate up to 30 guests. This number includes yourselves and any on-site vendors.

How to apply for a permit for Lily Lake:

(or any wedding ceremony site in Rocky Mountain National Park)

1. Check the website to make sure there is still availability for your desired month
2. If so, download a Special Use Application
3. Email your completed application to romo_fees_permits@nps.gov
4. Once approved, they will send a Special Use permit to you with instructions for signing and payment.
5. Make sure you have the approved permit with you on your wedding day!

The cost for the permit is $300. Can you think of a more affordable wedding venue that is this scenic?!

Find out more information and apply for your wedding permit here.

Best Time of Year for a Lily Lake Wedding

Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is open and accessible year-round! So, with a valid wedding permit, you can have your wedding here any day you wish.

Lily Lake, and the National Park in general, are busiest between the months of May and October. So if seclusion is important to you, consider eloping at sunrise or in the early morning hours. Weekdays are generally less busy in the National Park than weekend dates, too.

You can expect the fewest visitors in the National Park between November and April, but we do experience a lot of winter weather during these months! Prepare yourself for cold temperatures and potential snow during this time of the year. Plan to bring lots of warm layers that you won’t mind being in photos.

Winter and Early Spring

This is the view just a short walk from the parking area, looking toward Lily Mountain

Amazing views of Mount Meeker and Longs Peak from the parking lot!

When you first walk up to Lily Lake, this is the view you’ll see! Believe it or not, these photos were taken in May. As you can see, the weather can still be quite wintery this high in the mountains at that time of year.

Walk back from the Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area ceremony site.

Summer

The view looking toward Twin Sisters.

This is the best spot to see moose, especially in the early morning hours! They like to graze in this marshy area beside the boardwalk portion of the trail.

Unique rock formations known as “Jurassic Park” amongst rock climbers. Look closely, and you may see some people scaling these rocks!

August wedding ceremony at Lily Lake Southside Picnic Area Wedding Site.

Fall

In the fall time, the plants and trees around the lake have a beautiful warm glow to them!

Longs Peak poking out from the clouds with Autumn foliage in the foreground.

This dock is located very close to the parking lot and a popular spot for weddings.

Featured Lily Lake Weddings & Elopements

Here are some real weddings that took place at Lily Lake!

• Snowy wedding portraits at Lily Lake
• Northern Lights at Lily Lake

More Resources

• Estes Park Wedding Guide
• How to Get Married in Rocky Mountain National Park
• Estes Park Wedding Venues
• Rocky Mountain National Park Timeline Tips
• How to Plan an Elopement or Micro Wedding

Meet Your Lily Lake Wedding Photographer