Looking to elope in Grand Junction, Colorado? These are some of my favorite spots!

Colorado National Monument

One of my favorite spots in Colorado that feels so unique to our landscape out here is Colorado National Monument. It was the first place I ever visited before I moved out here, and it is such an overlooked part of the National Parks System - which means you can easily find some privacy along the trails. If you’re looking for a red desert scape in Grand Junction, this is the spot!

Activities for an elopement day at the Colorado National Monument include: ranger led hikes, personal hikes, rock climbing, driving around, picnics, and camping!

Permits run $100 and super easy to obtain via the rangers at the permit office! For more information on how to elope at Colorado National Monument, check out this in depth guide.

Western Colorado Botanic Gardens

If you’re looking for some gorgeous greenery during the winter months, I can’t recommend the botanic gardens enough. There are a few different greenhouses you can take photos in, and they are so lush and vibrant, even when everything outside is dead. Just imagine it’s 32 degrees outside, you’re worried about finding trees that aren’t dead or dying from October to June - and you have this warm, humid, tropical landscape to explore! And it’s all here in this high desert paradise.

Activities you can do on your elopement day at the Western Colorado Botanic Gardens: feeding their tortoise, exploring the grounds, smelling all the flowers, chasing butterflies, a plant scavenger hunt, and more!

Permits range $75 to $100.

BLM land

One of my favorite facts about Grand Junction is that it is over 70% of BLM land, and now the government headquarters for the Bureau of Land Management is located right here in GJ as well! The BLM land out here is diverse and offers rolling green hills for a few weeks in early June, 360 degree views of the valley, and stunning sunsets on the Book Cliffs. The area can be pretty muddy from late April to mid-June so I recommend avoiding it around that time.

Activities to do around the BLM land in Grand Junction your elopement day include: hiking, mountain biking, riding motorbikes, off roading, picnics, camping, having campfires, and more!

The Grand Mesa in the Summer

Just a quick drive outside of Grand Junction is the Grand Mesa. The tallest flat top mountain the world, the Grand Mesa has hundreds of lakes to explore, miles of trails, and no shortage of great spots to camp. Most snow on the Mesa melts around mid to lake June, with wildflowers popping up and peaking around early to mid July.

If you plan on heading to the Grand Mesa for your elopement, it’s a good idea to arrive a few days early to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet!). And make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Some great activities you can do on your elopement day on the Mesa include: paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, or really any water sport. Fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, off roading, road biking, rock hounding, camping, picnics, renting cabins, and more!

The Grand Mesa in the Winter

The Grand Mesa in the winter is just as amazing of a location for a winter elopement. It is usually packed with snow from December until mid June when it begins to melt away. You’ll definitely want some type of traction device; snowshoes, micro spikes, or cross country skis, to give you some stability off trails and roads! But it’s an awesome spot if you’re looking for tons of snow, dusted pine trees, and frozen lakes!

If you plan on heading to the Grand Mesa for your elopement, it’s a good idea to arrive a few days early to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet!). And make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Some great activities you can do on the Mesa in the winter: rent cabins from Mesa Lakes Lodge, ice skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, etc.

Vineyards and Orchards in Palisade

If wine tasting is your thing, then the vineyards and orchards in Palisade will totally be your jam! No pun intended! From grassy arching branches of orchards, and the lush green vines and grapes that line the vineyards, to the old structures and barns that are scattered through the area - the orchards and vineyards in Palisade are another great spot to elope in Grand Junction!

There are quite a few locations that allow weddings, reach out and I can give you a list of my favorite!

Little Park Road Area

If you’re looking for views like Colorado National Monument but want a bit more privacy, then Little Park Road is for you. There are quite a few trailheads, and it’s most popular and known for it’s beautiful hikes and mountain bike trails. Little Park Road is perfect if you’re looking for a sunrise elopement as well!

Activities you can do around Little Park Road for your elopement: hiking, mountain biking, camping, off roading, and picnics!

Little Bookcliffs

The Little Bookcliff area is one of my favorite spots for sunset as the sun sets right between these beautiful Mesa’s and into this canyon. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot the wild horses as well!

Activities you can do on your elopement day at Little Bookcliff Area: hiking, exploring, and picnics!

Fruita Paleo Area

Because we have so many amazing hikes around Grand Junction, there really isn’t a shortage of accessible and beautiful locations. This one is another one of my favorites and reminds me so much of the Paint Mines that are so popular on the front range. There are rolling rocky hills in various colors of blue and pink. And because it’s a large trail system with different off shoots and social trails, you can really find a spot to yourselves.

Best activities to do on your elopement at the Fruita Paleo Area: hiking, biking, and picnics!