Hermit Park Wedding & Elopement Guide
Posted On | March 24, 2025
If you’re looking for a peaceful, picturesque spot for your wedding with the stunning backdrop of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, a Hermit Park Open Space wedding in Estes Park is a fantastic choice. Nestled just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, this location offers all the beauty and seclusion you’d want for a memorable day, while still being easy to access. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a Hermit Park wedding!
Quick Facts about Hermit Park Open Space Weddings
Why Couples Love Hermit Park Open Space
There are plenty of reasons why couples choose a Hermit Park wedding. First, its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park makes it easy to incorporate stunning mountain views and iconic landscapes into your wedding photos. Unlike the often-busy areas within the National Park, Hermit Park is much less crowded, offering a more private and intimate setting for your ceremony. Additionally, if you’re planning on inviting a larger guest list, this venue can accommodate up to 150 people—ideal for those who want to gather friends and family without the space limitations you might find in more popular parks. Plus, because it’s a hidden gem in the area, you can often secure a reservation even if all the ceremony sites in the national park are already booked!
Location
Estes Park, Colorado, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park
CAPACITY
Can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 150 people
Cost
$500 for a full-day permit plus a $10 day pass for each vehicle
Accessibility
Handicapped accessible at the pavilion only
Restrooms
Vault toilets are available for use near the pavilion
Seasonal Availibility
Hermit Park is only open March 1 through mid-December
How to Reserve
Hermit Park Pavilion can be reserved up to 24 months in advance at www.larimercamping.com or by calling 970-577-2090.
Where is Hermit Park?
Located in Estes Park, Colorado, Hermit Park Open Space spans 1,362 acres of breathtaking scenery. The park offers stunning views of Longs Peak, which provides an awe-inspiring backdrop for any outdoor event. The site is perfect for nature lovers and anyone looking for a wedding venue that combines rustic beauty with easy accessibility.
Hermit Park Pavilion Coordinates
Where Can You Get Married at Hermit Park?
Hermit Park offers several stunning locations for your ceremony depending on your group’s size.
Hermit Park Pavilion Wedding
The Hermit Park Pavilion is the best option for groups over 10 since it has an easily accessible space for your ceremony, as well as a covered reception space. It can accommodate up to 150 people.
Ceremonies are typically held in the pavilion’s adjacent 2.5-acre meadow, surrounded by aspen groves and ponderosa pines. You are allowed to bring in chairs and tents if desired.
The Pavilion is the only place to hold your reception in the park and is equipped with stone-wrapped columns, picnic tables, a gas fire pit, and a large grill. Potable water, vault toilets, a sand volleyball court, and horseshoe pits are all available nearby. Electricity is also available via a generator upon request, making it a great option for an Estes Park pavilion rental!
Hermit Park Overlook Elopement
This secret quarter-mile hike is one of the most scenic locations to hold your ceremony in the park. It has gorgeous views overlooking Estes Park and the surrounding mountains and tends to be pretty private since it’s touched off of the main trail. You also have the option to continue around 1.5 miles up the trail to another overlook with 360-degree views. This Hermit Park elopement location is best for small groups, as it can only accommodate 10 people total, including the couple, guests, and vendors. It’s a great spot to say “I do” before meeting up with loved ones or heading into Rocky Mountain National Park to explore!
Hermit Park Meadow Elopement
This quarter-mile hike is another great option for couples looking for privacy and would dream of getting married in a peaceful meadow. Ideal for intimate gatherings, it can accommodate up to 10 people in total, including the couple, guests, and vendors. This Hermit Park elopement location is a popular horse trail, so be sure to watch where you step!
How Much Does a Hermit Park Wedding Cost?
The cost to reserve the Hermit Park Pavilion is relatively affordable compared to other wedding venues in the area. A $500 permit gives you access to the pavilion for the entire day, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. You’ll also need to purchase a $10 day pass for each vehicle entering the park. A $25 photography permit is required for your photographer/videographer, which they will need to obtain themselves. Reservations for the Pavilion can be made up to two years in advance and is available for weddings from mid-May to the end of September.
If you would like to hold a small ceremony with under 10 people on one of the four trails in Hermit Park, you are only required to obtain the $10 day pass for each vehicle, along with a $25 photography permit (which they will need to obtain for themselves)
Keep in mind that during the off-season (mid-December to March), Hermit Park is closed.
What Are the Rules for a Hermit Park Wedding?
If you’re eloping or planning a small ceremony, you’ll be glad to know that a Hermit Park Open Space elopement is a great option for couples looking for a more intimate setting. But there are a few rules to be aware of:
- Set-Up & Clean-Up: Set-up can begin at 8:00 AM, and cleanup must be completed by 9:30 PM.
- Alcohol: Not allowed at the pavilion, but you may have it at individual campsites. No kegs or glass bottles allowed.
- Catering: You can bring in your own caterer, food truck, or rental company. Just be sure to have any catering vehicles identified with a logo or business card.
- Entrance permits: All vehicles in your party must have a valid day pass.
- Decorations & Games: Only temporary decorations are allowed, and nothing should damage the natural environment or disturbances to other park visitors.
- Music: Acoustic music is allowed, and noise must be kept at a reasonable level.
- Pets: Pets are allowed as long as they’re leashed and attended.
- Public Access: While the pavilion and its amenities are reserved for your event, other areas of the park remain open to the public.
- Wedding Exit Tosses: Flower petals and bubbles are okay but must be cleaned up; fake flowers, fake flower petals, seeds and rice are not allowed.
Best Time of Year for a Hermit Park Wedding
The best time of year to get married at Hermit Park is during the summer or fall months.
By early June, the snow is typically gone from all of the trails in the park. Summer has long, warm days, lots of greenery, and blooming wildflowers, as well as the best chance to see the milky way at night.
As fall approaches, the leaves typically begin to change in late September and are gone by early October. The temperatures start to cool down with snow often arriving by early October.
Hermit Park is closed from mid-December through March, so winter/early spring weddings are not an option.
Best Time of Day for a Hermit Park Wedding
Because the pavilion is only available between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, it’s important to plan your ceremony within these hours if reserving this space. For the best light throughout the park, we recommend a late afternoon/early evening ceremony.
How to Get Married at Hermit Park
- Choose Your Date – Consider the season and typical weather conditions – summer and fall are best!
- Reserve the Pavilion – If you are planning on having more than 10 guests, be sure to reserve the Hermit Park Pavilion here. If you are planning to get married on one of the trails with under 10 people, no advance reservation is needed!
- Hire a Photographer – We specialize in Estes Park elopements and know all the best spots nearby! Be sure whoever you hire obtains their $25 photography permit – we have an annual one already!
- Plan Your Attire – Regardless of where you’re getting married at Hermit Park, the terrain can be uneven, so choose comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Get Your Marriage License – Pick it up at any Clerk and Recorder’s office in Colorado. Learn more here.
How to Have a Camp Wedding at Hermit Park
Book Early
Hermit Park is a popular wedding location, so make your reservation as soon as you can to secure your date.
Consider a weekday Hermit Park wedding to avoid crowds.
While Hermit Park isn’t as busy as the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. weekends do still get pretty busy. A weekday elopement offers more privacy, easier parking, and a quieter, more intimate experience.
Plan for a quiet, nature-filled experience.
While the pavilion and meadow are reserved for your event, the park’s trails and other areas are open to the public. Embrace the peaceful atmosphere and use the stunning natural beauty of the park for your photos.
Dress for the outdoors.
While the pavilion provides shelter, Hermit Park is an outdoor venue. Be sure to dress appropriately for the season and bring layers if you’re planning a fall or early spring wedding.
Leave No Trace
Hermit Park is a beautiful natural space, so be sure to follow all the rules to preserve its beauty—use temporary decorations, respect wildlife, and avoid anything that could disturb other visitors. Following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace is a great way to ensure the park will remain pristine for decades to come!
Give yourself (and your guests!) time to adjust to the altitude.
Hermit Park sits between 7,880-8,964 feet in elevation depending on where you’re at in the park. If you’re coming from a lower elevation, arrive at least a day or two early to acclimate. Stay hydrated and avoid excessive physical activity to prevent altitude sickness.
Watch out for wildlife.
Hermit Park is home to diverse wildlife, including moose, elk, and deer. Always keep a safe distance and stay alert. While moose and other wildlife are generally peaceful, it’s important to respect their space. Be sure to avoid feeding wildlife, and clean up after your event.
Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray.
The sun is strong at high altitudes, even on cloudy days, so sunscreen is essential. In warmer months, mosquitoes and other bugs can be persistent. Bug spray will keep you comfortable during your ceremony and photos.
Hermit Park Wedding Pictures
Real Hermit Park Weddings
The Proof Is In The Pudding! Check out a few of the Hermit Park weddings We’ve Photographed
Kaitlin & Sara
Laura & Charles
Hayley & Richard
Caitlin & Alex
Hermit Park Wedding Photographers
Who We Are
We’re two born and raised Coloradoans who have spent our whole lives exploring every corner of this state.
Larissa (left) is the person who always chimes a smiley “hi!” on the hiking trail.
Bailey (right) is the person who will absolutely cry at your wedding.
Together we’ve planned and photographed 400+ elopements and small weddings in Colorado (100+ in the Rocky Mountain National Park alone), collectively been to 46 countries, and agree that cracking a local beer around a campfire is the best way to end a day.
We’re More Than Just Photographers
We’re here to make this process easier than “accidentally” binge-watching the newest season of your favorite show.
Every single elopement package includes:
Hermit Park Wedding Packages
What’s Included
4+ Hours of Photography Coverage With A Hermit Park Photographer
We intentionally document your day with both digital and film. Includes high-resolution digital images, printing rights, a shareable online gallery, and free album design.
Full Small WEdding Planning Assistance
When we say we help with it all, we mean it. Location scouting and ideas. Vetted, LGBTQ+ allied, Estes Park wedding vendors who know elopements. Recs for activities to do on your elopement day. Stress-free timeline planning. Planning resources and ideas. Unlimited communication because we never leave you high and dry.
Overwhelmed with How To Plan A Colorado Elopement?
Download Our Free Colorado Elopement Planning Guide & Checklist
40+ pages of ideas, tips, and a step-by-step checklist to make your dream elopement come to life.
Are You Freakin’ REady?
We’re 100% here for whatever day you’re dreaming up. Fill out our contact form to start chatting.
Are You Freakin’ REady?
We’re 100% here for whatever day you’re dreaming up. Fill out our contact form to start chatting.
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