Last week, my husband and I drove out to the San Juan mountains in western Colorado — and I fell in love! We initially planned to camp out near Ouray for the weekend, but since our plans were a bit last-minute and their campgrounds were already booked, I found a fantastic RV park in Silverton and it ended up being perfect for our trip.
We were able to rent out a SXS (side-by-side) off-road vehicle right from our campground, and spent a whole afternoon driving it around some BLM land north of town. Everywhere we went, we saw waterfalls streaming down the mountains and some of the most dramatic panoramic views of peaks I’ve ever seen.
I also thought several of these spots would be just perfect for an adventurous elopement, and can’t wait to come back to this place again soon!
Here are some of the highlights of our SXS adventure:
Our ride for the day!
Some seasonal waterfalls on the mountain sides from snow melt in the spring.
The view from Stony Pass!
Located at over 12,000 feet, this spot at Stony Pass would make for a dreamy location to say your vows for an elopement!
Another great spot along the route is Animas Forks, a ghost mining town. These ruins here would also make for some great portraits or for a vow ceremony. And last but not least, California Pass had some of the best views I’ve ever seen–not just in Colorado, either!In this region, you can even stop to park and hike down to Lake Como, with some of the bluest water and just perfect for an adventurous elopement ceremony backdrop.
To wrap it all up: the view coming down Hurricane Pass on the other side of the loop made for stunning scenery on our way back down.
Eloping in the San Juan Mountains? Contact us!
Our photo and video team loves capturing intimate and adventurous elopements, especially in Silverton, Colorado!
Skyewater Photo + Film is a photography and videography team that specializes in destination weddings and adventure elopements in Washington + the US. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful wedding video or an adventurous elopement photographer, contact Skyewater Photo + Film for your big day!
Your Photographer, Videographer + Collaborator
An introvert at heart, I always value real connection, stories, and conversation over surface-level interaction any day of the week.
Having documented 200+ weddings and elopements on camera over the last decade, if there’s one thing I’ve realized it’s that I have a knack for being the calm, welcoming, and intuitive energy couples didn’t even realize they needed.
So, I invite you to think about what it would feel like to be fully present, unapologetically yourselves, and care-free on your wedding day instead of worrying about what everyone else wants. And take comfort in knowing you have my full support, every step of the way.