Planning / Rocky Mountain National Park / 3m Curve
3M Curve Colorado Wedding & Elopement
Venue Guide | Updated for 2025
3M Curve Wedding & Elopement Guide
Interested in getting married at 3M Curve in Colorado? You’re in the right spot! As Rocky Mountain photographers, we’ve been to 3M Curve countless times and have insider tips to help you plan your 3M Curve wedding or elopement in RMNP.
Discover the location, how to get a permit, the cost, best time of year, accessibility, how many guests you can invite to your 3M Curve wedding and more. All your questions about 3M Curve in Colorado will be answered below!
How to plan a 3M Curve wedding
Below are the five simple steps to getting married at 3M Curve.
Why Get Married At 3M Curve In Colorado?
Looking for the best location for your Rocky Mountain National Park wedding or elopement? 3M Curve is it! Here are a few reasons why:
beautiful Mountain Backdrop
As photographers, 3M Curve is our FAVORITE ceremony venue in Rocky Mountain National Park. It offers unmatched, panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Tucked Away From Crowds
3M Curve is more secluded than other ceremony locations in RMNP. In fact, it doesn’t even appear on Google Maps! You’re more likely to have a private, intimate ceremony with nobody around.
Available Year-round
3M Curve is one of the ceremony locations that is available and easily accessible year round, even in the winter.
your photos will be stunning!
If beautiful photos are important to you, choose a 3M Curve wedding or elopement!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Ultimate How To & Location Guide
3M Curve Colorado Wedding FAQs
QUESTION
01
Where is 3M Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park?
3M Curve isn’t marked on maps, making it more of a secluded location than other viewpoints in Rocky Mountain National Park. The coordinates for 3M Curve are 40ยฐ22’50.3″N 105ยฐ36’12.1″W.
It’s located right by Deer Mountain Trailhead, just three miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and a 15 minute drive from Estes Park.
There’s no hike required to reach the ceremony site, just a short walk on a dirt trail. The short trail from the parking lot to the ceremony area is manageable but can be rocky. It is not wheelchair accessible.
Parking is available off-road near the curve, but there’s limited parking available at the trailhead. There is a 3 vehicle limit for your ceremony, so be sure to carpool! Restrooms and other facilities are not available at the trailhead, so come prepared.
3M Curve Wedding Cost
The cost to get married at 3M Curve in Colorado starts at just $330!
The main cost is the ceremony permit which is $300, obtainable through the Rocky Mountain National Park website. You will also need a Colorado marriage license, which is $30 and can be obtained at any local county clerk and recorder office. Lastly, you will also need to pay the park entrance fee which is $30/vehicle, unless you have a pass.
Additional costs to elope include a photographer, videographer, officiant (optional, as you can self-solemnize in Colorado), attire, post-ceremony celebrations, lodging and travel.
QUESTION
02
When to have a 3m curve wedding
the best season and timing
Summer is a popular time of year because it’s one of the best seasons for hiking different trails around RMNP. It offers the warmest temperatures (though it still gets chilly in the mornings and evenings) but afternoon rain storms are common in the mountains.
Fall is one of the busiest times of year in RMNP as everyone is going leaf peeping- however, you won’t get fall colors at 3M Curve.
Winter is one of my absolute FAVORITE times of year for a 3M Curve wedding because there are much less tourists in the park, and the snow covered ground and mountains is just stunning for photos.
Spring is a bit unpredictable, it could be a beautiful, 65 degree sunny day or it could snow. Plus, the trails can be muddy (it’s known as “mud season” here when things are melting and muddy).
Regardless of what season you choose, make sure your wedding date is a weekday (Monday through Thursday is best) to avoid crowds as much as possible, as RMNP gets busy! The best time of day for your ceremony will depend on your wedding date (since the sun changes positions throughout the year). Ask your photographer what time you should set your ceremony for!
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