A wedding at the overlook in Ridgway State Park. © Debby Ledet.

A wedding at the overlook in Ridgway State Park. © Debby Ledet.

Weddings and Special Events

Envision your picture-perfect special event amid the diverse, stunning scenery of Colorado's state parks. Many state parks offer event venues and locations for hosting that perfect group gathering from weddings to family reunions to work picnics and more.

Available Venues

The amphitheater with stage and bench seating at Lathrop State Park.

Amphitheaters

Outdoor amphitheaters offer bench seating and a podium. They're suitable for school groups, ceremonies, and relaxed meetings.

Auditorium at Roxborough State Park.

Auditoriums

Auditoriums feature theater-style seating, screens, and AV equipment. Ideal for small group meetings or media screenings.

Lyons overlook at Roxborough State Park.

Overlooks

Overlooks feature excellent views with small decks or clearings that are ideal for pictures and intimate ceremonies.

 A group picnic area shelter at James M. Robb State Park.

Receptions (Group Picnic Area)

Group picnic areas offer picnic space for large groups and are perfect for receptions and birthday parties. Amenities vary by park but many include a shade shelter, concrete pad, large barbecue grill or fire ring, and picnic tables.

Find the Perfect Backdrop

    Castlewood Canyon outdoor amphitheater with wooden benches.

    Castlewood Canyon

    The Pike’s Peak Amphitheater is an outdoor rustic area with split log benches and a view of Pike’s Peak and the front range. It can seat up to 100 people.

    Cheyenne Mountain's amphitheater with stone benches.

    Cheyenne Mountain

    Prairie Falcon is an outdoor amphitheater with rock step, amphitheater-style seating that can seat up to 160 people.

    Auditorium.

    Cherry Creek

    The outdoor amphitheater offers bench seating, a podium, and a fire pit. It can seat up to 100 people.

    Auditorium.

    Mueller

    The outdoor amphitheater has a wooden platform for ceremonies and bench seating for up to 100 guests. The area i nestled in aspen and conifer forest with a view of Pikes Peak.

    Staunton Marmot Burrow outdoor Amphitheater with wooden bench seating.

    Staunton

    The amphitheater is a rustic outdoor setting with an arch for ceremonies and bench seating for up to 60 guests. School groups, meetings, and weddings are welcome.

    Castlewood Canyon outdoor amphitheater with wooden benches.

    Castlewood Canyon

    The Pike’s Peak Amphitheater is an outdoor rustic area with split log benches and a view of Pike’s Peak and the front range. It can seat up to 100 people.

    Cheyenne Mountain's amphitheater with stone benches.

    Cheyenne Mountain

    Prairie Falcon is an outdoor amphitheater with rock step, amphitheater-style seating that can seat up to 160 people.

    Auditorium.

    Cherry Creek

    The outdoor amphitheater offers bench seating, a podium, and a fire pit. It can seat up to 100 people.

    Auditorium.

    Mueller

    The outdoor amphitheater has a wooden platform for ceremonies and bench seating for up to 100 guests. The area i nestled in aspen and conifer forest with a view of Pikes Peak.

    Staunton Marmot Burrow outdoor Amphitheater with wooden bench seating.

    Staunton

    The amphitheater is a rustic outdoor setting with an arch for ceremonies and bench seating for up to 60 guests. School groups, meetings, and weddings are welcome.

    The Roxborough State Park auditorium has theater-style seating.

    Roxborough

    The auditorium at Roxborough State Park has theater-style seating, screens, and AV equipment.

    The Roxborough State Park auditorium has theater-style seating.

    Roxborough

    The auditorium at Roxborough State Park has theater-style seating, screens, and AV equipment.

    Two people lean on the rail at the Bridge Canyon Overlook.

    Castlewood Canyon

    The Bridge Canyon Overlook is a deck-like outdoor area overlooking the canyon. There is no seating available, but you may bring your own chairs. The overlook can hold up to 60 guests.

    Children look out over the railing at the Ridgway visitor center overlook.

    Ridgway

    The overlook at the visitor center gives a dramatic backdrop of the San Juan Mountains and Ridgway Reservoir. Perfect for wedding ceremonies, it can accommodate up to 100 guests.

    The Lyons overlook with a view of the Fountain Valley rock formation.

    Roxborough

    Roxborough offers two overlooks for special events: Fountain Valley overlook features a cleared area with a backdrop of geologic rock formations. Lyons overlook has a wooden deck with a view of the Fountain Valley formation. Both locations can accommodate up to 25 guests each.

    Two people lean on the rail at the Bridge Canyon Overlook.

    Castlewood Canyon

    The Bridge Canyon Overlook is a deck-like outdoor area overlooking the canyon. There is no seating available, but you may bring your own chairs. The overlook can hold up to 60 guests.

    Children look out over the railing at the Ridgway visitor center overlook.

    Ridgway

    The overlook at the visitor center gives a dramatic backdrop of the San Juan Mountains and Ridgway Reservoir. Perfect for wedding ceremonies, it can accommodate up to 100 guests.

    The Lyons overlook with a view of the Fountain Valley rock formation.

    Roxborough

    Roxborough offers two overlooks for special events: Fountain Valley overlook features a cleared area with a backdrop of geologic rock formations. Lyons overlook has a wooden deck with a view of the Fountain Valley formation. Both locations can accommodate up to 25 guests each.

    Group picnic areas are ideal for large groups wanting space to sit and eat (typically 50 or more people) including wedding receptions, family reunions, and birthday parties. Amenities vary by park but many include a shade shelter, concrete pad, large barbecue grill or fire ring, and picnic tables.

    Most parks offer a group picnic area but check with the specific park to see what their group picnic space includes.

    A covered group picnic area at Ridgway State Park.

    Weddings and Special Events

    Special Activity Agreements and Other Permits

    A special activity agreement (SAA) or photography permit may be required if you want to hold an event or group activity or use the park for commercial or special activities. Contact the specific park for details on what activities require an SAA.

      Weddings or events may require a special activity agreement and/or permit. Please visit the webpage for the specific park where your event will be held for more information on whether a permit is required and how to apply.  

      Wedding and special event photos taken by a professional portrait photographer may require a photography permit. Please visit the webpage for the specific park where your event will be held for more information on whether a permit is required and how to apply. 

      Stay Overnight

      After the celebration, honeymoon with us! Stay in one of our cabins or at one of our campsites, spending time alone together in the outdoors and enjoying all of the beauty and activities state parks offer.

      cabins

      Cabins

      Golden Gate Canyon, Mueller, Navajo, State Forest, Steamboat Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Vega State Parks all offer cabin stays.

      Reserve a Cabin
      yurts

      Yurts

      Golden Gate Canyon, Mancos, Pearl Lake, Ridgeway, State Forest, and Sylvan Lake State Parks all offer yurt stays.

      Reserve a Yurt

      Special Events

      Conference Rooms

      Conference Rooms are available for meetings and business functions. These rooms can host 20 to 50 people and most contain white boards and video/PC presentation systems.

      The following state parks offer conference rooms for reservation:

      • Castlewood Canyon
      • John Martin Reservoir
      • Lathrop
      • Lory
      • Ridgway
      • Yampa River