10 Best Places to Propose in Colorado
Yeeee old Colorado. Colorful Colorado because of the variety of colors and scenery. The Centennial State, because it became a state in 1878, 100 years after the yeah you probably don’t care.
BUT Colorado is stunning. With 4 National Parks, 10 total National Park Units (those other ones that are called ‘National Monument’ or ‘National Historic Site’), high mountains and low desserts - we’ve got it all.
So it’s no surprise we see about 84+ million visitors every year (except … maybe this year?). Maybe it’s the recreational marijuana, maybe it’s the mountains. We’ll never know.
But the next time you’re in Colorado, or maybe you live here, and you want to propose to your significant other, consider these places for that perfect-stunning-cant-be-anywhere-but-Colorado backdrop.
Let’s start it off! In no particular order…
01. Best spots in Colorado to propose: Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Great Sand Dunes are these little hills of sand located in something called the San Luis valley. Just kidding, they’re ginormous. You’ve probably seen the San Luis Valley featured on alien or crocodile documentaries, as it totes a UFO watchtower, as well as a crocodile park that Joe Exotic himself would be envious of. Nearby Crestone is known for its spirituality and portals (fun fact, it’s the only place in Colorado with an open-air cremation site). The valley truly has something for everyone. But I digress.
The dunes themselves sit flush up against the Sangre De Cristo (“Blood of Christ”) mountains, named because of the alpenglow on the mountains as the sun sets on them. Great Sand Dunes National Park features the tallest sand dune in North America, Star Dune. And while the Sand Dunes are .. just that, they also exhibit other impressive features.
It is one of the few places in the world where one can experience surge flow, basically a cool technical scientific term for rhythmic waves. If your partner is particularly fond of the beach but you live in landlocked Colorado, bingo!! This spot is for you.
It also has dope ass mountains, alpine lakes, and some cool technical 4x4 roads. You can learn more about my favorite hike at the Sand Dunes that is actually nowhere near the dunes themselves, called Medano Lake, at my blog on the Ultimate Colorado Honeymoon Road Trip.
02. Best spots in Colorado to propose: The San Juan Mountains
If you live in western Colorado you may be thinking, wow Kimberly, can you narrow it down a bit for us? But the San Juan Mountains really are that spectacular. And while the west slope recreates in them frequently, they’re hardly visited by the millions of people in the front range because of the 7.5 hour drive.
So if you’re looking for somewhere completely new to propose, this is the spot. The San Juans have impressive 4x4 roads, waterfalls that cascade hundreds of feet, and the most unreal looking glacial blue alpine lakes. Imagine: your partner has given enough hints that it’s time, so you rent a remote cabin, take a jeep rental up Animas Fork overlooking the alpine lakes and green rolling hillsides. There isn’t a toilet in sight, so don’t get too nervous. The sun is setting, you just ate a charcuterie board and you might be half brie at this point. You’ve got the champagne ready. THIS IS IT.
If you and your partner love wildflowers, steep impressive mountains, or feeling like you’re going to poop your pants because of the cliff edge your car is on (adrenaline junkies! ) - this proposal spot is for you.
03. Best locations in Colorado to propose: Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Another impressive National Park that calls itself home in Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is (I think) one of the most overlooked National Parks in Colorado. You can usually find a campsite here on a weekday, or a weekend in the off season (April/May is GREAT as it’s usually warmer by then!).
There are two entrances to the park, the North and the South. While the South entrance boasts amenities like toilets, a visitor center, a developed campground, and trails, the “undeveloped” North entrance can afford you privacy and seclusion if that’s what you’re on the hunt for. Take your pick! An audience for your proposal, or just the two of you. It’s got something for everyone!
04. Best locations to propose in Colorado: Blue Mesa
Blue Mesa Reservoir, Curecanti National Recreation Area, the largest lake in Colorado; whatever you want to call it, it’s a spectacular backdrop for a proposal. 94 miles of shoreline and 341 feet at the deepest point, the history of Curecanti itself is pretty spectacular.
Blue Mesa is THE place to be if you like being on the water. As the largest body of water in Colorado, it offers fishing, paddle boarding, swimming, etc. You know, all those water activities. BUT there are also hikes all around the Mesa, as well as “boat in only” campgrounds. Second to the water itself, is the view of the night sky at Blue Mesa. Talk about shooting for the stars!
If you like being slathered in sunscreen, aren’t terrified of a monster grabbing your feet while you’re swimming and dragging you down underwater, or feel most at home on the water, then this is the spot for your proposal!
05. Best locations to propose in Colorado: Buena Vista
I’ve mentioned Buena Vista a few times on my site, probably because it’s my favorite mountain town in the state. It truly has everything, including proximity to Denver and the front range. It’s got alpine lakes, short hikes, long hikes, cool tunnels, rivers to run, hot springs!
Imagine this. You want a quant getaway to propose, but don’t want to drive too far. No matter where you are in Colorado, Buena Vista will always be under a 3 or 4 hour drive. You spend the day hiking to Lost Lake, ski touring, or running Browns Canyon. You’re relaxing with a six-pack of Eddyline beer at your campsite with a private hot spring. The sun is setting, your hands start to get sweaty, this is it!! This is the moment!
Buena Vista is a great spot to propose if you’re just ALL about Colorado. It’s the perfect middle of nowhere mountain town and has everything to offer that an outdoor enthusiast could want.
06. Best locations to propose in Colorado: Grand Mesa
The largest flat top mountain in the world, and what I think is one of the most underrated spots in Colorado. Yeah, it doesn’t have mountain peaks but it has lakes and seclusion and remote off the grid cabins. And trees so tall it will remind you of the Redwoods in California.
The Grand Mesa is the perfect location to get lost (both figuratively and literally) and is perfect if you’re the type of couple that goes hard in the outdoors. Bike touring? Yeah, you climb that 3000 foot mountain. Backpacking? There is one road up and over this thing, so about all else you’ll see is wildlife. Paddleboarding? This place has islands. ISLANDS! Mountain biking? Just wait till the Palisade Plunge is constructed and connected to the Kokopelli trail and then it’s a straight shot to the Whole Enchilada!
Just don’t forget to get your partner a diamond as big and epic as the largest flat top mountain in the world! Just kidding, we’re millennials, we don’t care about that.
07. Best places to propose in Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park
The last National Park on this list (sorry Mesa Verde), and equally the most popular in the state. Rocky Mountain National Park is so epic you really can’t do it justice through words. It’s just breathtaking and stunning and a real eye catcher if you’re just visiting and don’t have much time to explore elsewhere in the state.
While RMNP is often toted as being ‘overcrowded’ (it is, get to those trailheads early!), you can backpack or explore the West side of the park and kind of get away from it all. This location is perfect for your proposal if you’re short on time but want something so completely epic and mind-blowing. And that’s not to short this place on how amazing it is, it really is Colorado in its essence.
08. Best places to propose in Colorado: Palisade
Maybe I think the central part of the western slope is underrated because I never considered it before I moved out here, but it is another amazing location. Palisade boasts 30+ local vineyards in just a couple of square miles. It’s typically way warmer than the front range, and because it’s a small town, you just get that small-town local jive from people that treat you like a neighbor.
There is plenty to do in Palisade besides the vineyards too. There is rafting on the Colorado River, mountain biking in neighboring Fruita, hiking in Colorado National Monument, or you can just relax at your campsite on the 75% land that is BLM and watch the sunset on the Book Cliffs.
If you like cracking open a bottle of wine with every meal, discussing tasting notes and varieties, and want the experience of riding a bike from vineyard to vineyard or possibly not remembering your proposal the next morning, then Palisade is for you. (Just kidding, don’t bike and imbibe, call your local photographer who will be your DD!).
09. Best locations to propose in Colorado: Any alpine lake
Alpine lake alpine lake alpine lake. You’ve heard me talk about it before and you’ll hear me talk about it a thousand more times. Colorado has over 2,000 lakes. TWO THOUSAND. YOU GUYS. That’s like 1 lake for every 28,000 of us locals! But in all seriousness, there is something about hiking to an alpine lake and jumping in it in your skivvies to cool off from the high altitude sun rays that is so uniquely Colorado. Yes it’s cold, but that feeling will wake you up and invigorate you SO fast, you won’t even be shaking when you get down on one knee from nerves (it’ll be from the cold water)!
Proposing at an alpine lake is TOTALLY for you if you want a truly unique Colorado experience. Dripping wet, drying off on a rock together, hoping that the family that just walked up the trail didn’t witness you changing out of your wet underwear, type of experience.
10. Best places to propose in Colorado: Bridal Veil Falls
A 365-foot waterfall with a towering view over a box canyon mountain town? Sign me up baby! Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado, but there’s a catch.
The falls is a 4-mile round trip hike up 1,700 feet of steep switchbacking roads with drop-offs. The road is covered in snow 70% of the year, until it begins to melt in early June or July, depending on the snowfall for the year. During the small window of summer months, if you don’t have a weak stomach for cliffs, you can drive up!
Bridal Veil Falls is the perfect location for your proposal if waterfalls with epic views are your jam, if you like some adventure, and are just ready to do the dang thing!
I hope this list helps you to find the perfect spot to propose to your significant other in Colorado. There are so many unique wonderful places that you’re sure to find something that suits the two of you.
And don’t forget to reach out and inquire if you want some behind-the-scenes stalker photos of your proposal! I can even give you a list of recommendations for places to go afterward to celebrate (or heck, bring a bottle of champagne to pop after they say yes!).
