Best time of Year to elope in Ouray

Summer: Late June-August

Ouray in the summer is full of towering waterfalls pouring down canyon walls, endless alpine basins tucked high in the San Juans, fields of wildflowers, and rugged mountain roads leading somewhere beautiful around every corner — summer in Ouray feels unreal. It’s the best season for Jeeping and hiking, when the high country finally opens up and the mountains are at their absolute greenest.

By mid to late summer in July and August, the waterfalls are still flowing strong but a little calmer, alpine lakes have fully thawed, and the wildflowers are usually exploding across the mountainsides in July. Summer afternoons in Ouray often bring quick mountain storms rolling through, but they usually pass just as fast as they arrive. Most of the high alpine Jeep roads and trails stay snow covered until late June or even early July depending on the winter snowpack, so “summer” doesn’t really start until at least late June.

Fall: September-early October

Fall in Ouray feels straight out of a dream. The San Juan Mountains light up with endless groves of glowing golden aspens, covering the canyon walls and mountain passes in color. Crisp mornings, warm sun, and the contrast of gold trees against rugged peaks make it one of the most beautiful times of year to be here.

September usually brings the most stable weather, with sunny days, cool evenings, and very little rain. By late September and early October, the fall colors are at their peak, and the mountains start catching their first light dustings of snow up high. Most hiking trails and Jeep roads stay accessible through early fall unless an early storm rolls through, which makes it one of the best seasons for scenic drives, alpine overlooks, and cozy chilly autumn days in Ouray.

Winter: November-March

Winter in Ouray is slower, quieter, and incredibly beautiful. The high alpine roads and many hiking trails disappear under snow, but the entire town turns into this cozy little mountain escape surrounded by frozen waterfalls and snow covered peaks. If you’re dreaming of a true winter wonderland, January and February are usually when the snow is at its deepest and the mountains feel the most magical.

Jeep trails and high elevation hikes aren’t accessible in winter, but there’s still some other things you can do instead. You can spend the day snowshoeing through the forests, soaking in the hot springs while snow falls around you, snowmobiling into the backcountry, or ice climbing on the frozen waterfalls Ouray is famous for. Winter elopements here feel intimate and peaceful — perfect for couples who love the mountains at their quietest.

Spring: April-early June

Can’t say I recommend spring at all, sorry! Spring in Colorado has really unpredictable weather, gray skies, muddy trails, and nothing is green until at least early-mid June. Most trails and roads that are unpaved are inaccessible until late June (sometimes even later if there’s a lot of snowfall). The ski runs close in March, usually, and the remaining snow is very slushy. I no longer photograph spring weddings in the mountains, and recommend my couples schedule for a different time of year.