Thinking about getting married at Hidden Valley? This is a local elopement photographer’s guide on everything you need to know about Hidden Valley, one of the designated wedding ceremony locations in Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado.
Nina Reed Photography is authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hidden Valley is a bit of a hidden gem among the wedding locations in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I wish more couples would choose it for their ceremonies. While I’ve only photographed ceremonies in the large meadow so far, I think a shades spot in the trees or by the creek would look incredible for elopements without guests.
Hidden Valley was a ski area until the last lift closed in 1991, and it’s still a popular place for uphill skiing and even sledding in winter. (I did part of my avalanche training here!) There are no major hiking trails that start from here; only a gentle stroll along a creek through the spruce and fir trees. What it lacks in sweeping mountain views, it makes up for in privacy, wildflowers, and a good chance of seeing moose at dusk and dawn. And if you’re after big views, just head up to Trail Ridge Road for sunset photos after your ceremony!
Where exactly is Hidden Valley?
Hidden Valley is located at the last big curve before Trail Ridge Road starts climbing up above the tree line, and is impossible to miss if you’re driving highway 34 west over the mountains as it’s clearly signed at the turn-off. The trailhead is large and with plenty of parking, but is rarely at capacity. (I’ve never seen the lot more than half full.) There’s also a warming hut here, as the trailhead is popular in the winter months, and it’s one of the few restrooms inside the park that has running water.
You should be able to find Hidden Valley by name in most map apps, but you can also find it here on Google Maps. Just make sure that you download the directions before leaving Estes Park, as cell phone service is spotty inside the park.
Practical Information for Weddings at 3M Curve
Max number in party: 30 people
Number of vehicles allowed: 10
Permit: $300
The wedding permit for Hidden Valley costs $300. I include the permit cost for couples who book me as their photographer, as I maintain an annual permit with the park and work here often. The permit does not give exclusive use of the area. All sites remain open to the public. National Park entrance fees still apply for every car.
Permits are available up to one year in advance, starting on the first day of the month you want to marry. For example, if you want to elope on August 8, 2027, you can apply for a permit starting on August 1, 2026. June and September are usually the first months to fill up, and the remaining summer months aren’t far behind, but it’s fairly easy to get a permit for weekdays in winter.
Because Hidden Valley is less popular than other ceremony sites like 3M Curve and Sprague Lake, it can be easier to get a reservation here even on weekends and in the busy summer months, but you should still apply early to get your first choice of date/time and location.
Want to learn more about getting married in Rocky Mountain National Park? After photographing over 70 elopements and engagements in the park, I wrote a complete guide to each of the designated ceremony locations with all my best tips. You cead the whole guide here, or check out my pricing then contact me to see if I’m the right photographer for you.
These are breathtaking! I love the mix of mountains and forest. Any suggestions on areas within Hidden Valley to take photos or say vows? Hoping to marry there next year!
Hi Madison! Hidden Valley is not a huge area, so you’ll have no problems finding beautiful places for your own elopement! Just avoid walking onto wildflowers and minimize impact on nature if you go off trail anywhere by sticking with durable surfaces.
Since you have seen the area, would it be easy for those in a wheelchair or elderly to participate in the elopement?
While the trail at Hidden Valley is wide and well maintained, it’s a bit uphill, so it might not be the easiest for someone in a wheelchair. Sprague Lake and Lily Lake are the two easiest accessible ceremony sites in Rocky Mountain National Park, since both are flat, wide trails. Lily Lake is the shortest walk from the parking lot, while Sprague Lake is a bit longer. You can read more about accessible trails in the park here.
I keep drooling over these pictures! Is the picnic table in Hidden Valley or was that somewhere nearby? My fiancé and I are eloping here next month! Do you have any suggestions for short nearby hikes?
The picnic tables are at Hidden Valley! alltrails.com and Rocky Mountain National Park’s official website are great places to find hikes in the area. Have so much fun eloping!
Thanks for posting this information. It is really helpful for us because we are planning on having our ceremony there in June 2022. I took a visit to the park this past weekend and loved the location. The only downside is that the trail is uphill and could be hard for some. BUT there are decent spots near the visitor center where you can have a lovely ceremony, as well. The smell in the air and the sound of the water flowing nearby is the perfect aesthetic for us nature-loving couple. Plus, Hidden Valley is a stop on trail ridge road and you take that to see the big mountains shown above. It’s perfect for pictures! 🙂
where did they purchase the vow books? beautiful
I’m not sure, but you’ll find many similar ones if you search “leather vow books” on Etsy!
These pictures and the area are beautiful! Where did they say their cows in Hidden Valley? My fiancé and I are getting married there in August; but we’re from Arizona so we are not the most familiar with this area. We’re just searching for beautiful great locations to have the ceremony in Hidden Valley! 🙂
That dress!! Any info on it?
Also do you have to get a permit to elope at hidden valley.. any additional info would be great.
The dress is called Rowen by All Who Wander! And yes, you do need a permit to elope at Hidden Valley (or anywhere else in RMNP)—the RMNP wedding guide I have linked at the top of this post will give you all the info you need.
These photos are stunning! They inspired us to elope here this year. ☺️ What time of day did they have the ceremony? Trying to figure out the best lighting for that area! ☀️
Hey! This was in the early afternoon, around 2pm if I remember correctly—but it was overcast when they exchanged their vows, so the light would look quite different on a sunny day. Ask your photographer for help with your timeline so you can plan it based on what else you’re doing, too! 😊
We want to get eloped in hidden valley….is it a hike to get to where you eloped or is it close to a road?
If a hike, how long until you get to where you guys where?
It’s a short walk from the parking lot—definitely not a hike! Maybe 3-5 minutes?
Nina, these are absolutely gorgeous!
I am looking at eloping in RMNP next year, where are the 2nd and 3rd locations you have pictures of? They are so so beautiful and the mountains behind them are just magnificent!
Trail Ridge Road! Best place to get big mountain views without a long hike in RMNP 🙂
These photos are beautiful!! After you were accepted for a permit for hidden valley did you need to get an additional permit to take photos on trail ridge road? Thank you!
I have an annual Commercial Use Authorization with Rocky Mountain National Park, so I apply for the permits on behalf of my couples. But if you’re applying for your own wedding permit, and your photographer does not have a permit, you just need to put down any portrait locations on the permit application (something like “we want to take photos at this trail name after our ceremony” and that covers you.
Is this location open in the winter? We love this spot but would want it in the snow!!
Hidden Valley is open in winter, although it’s actually much busier in the snow! It’s a popular place to take kids sledding, and there are also a lot of backcountry skiing courses etc that use Hidden Valley as their starting point. That being said, you can still have it feel more private—but early morning or late afternoon on weekdays will be best for privacy.
Hi! Your photos are stunning!! My fiancé and I are taking our engagement photos in RMNP in a few weeks and I’ve been trying to nail down locations. I know I want to take them on trail ridge road but can’t figure out which pull offs are best. Do you remember which stops your last two locations were? Thank you!!
These are beautiful! What time of year were they taken?
This was mid-July in 2020!