The best honeymoon spots in Colorado

Planning a honeymoon in Colorado? It already sounds like the trip of a lifetime! Colorado is the perfect destination if you love the outdoors, exploring, and sightseeing. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, a cute cabin getaway, or relaxing at a luxury spa resort, there’s something for everyone. 

I’ve been lucky enough to call the mountains of Colorado home for the last 14 years as a wedding photographer, and I’m so excited to share some of my favorite places that would make for a fun and romantic Colorado honeymoon. 

• Best time to visit Colorado for a honeymoon
• Best towns to honeymoon in Colorado
• Colorado honeymoon road trip itinerary
• Things to do on a Colorado honeymoon
  

Best time to visit Colorado

Colorado is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning and what town you’ll be in. Elevation plays a big role in weather, and Denver can be very different than the mountain towns. Once you’ve narrowed down your location, be sure to check the best times to visit and their local forecast.

Weekends and holidays can get busy, especially in the popular areas. Think about if you’d rather be more relaxed and quiet, or more lively with lots of events to choose from.

• Summer (June-August) – is perfect if you’re dreaming of wildflowers, hiking, and warm days exploring the mountains.
• Fall (September–October) – is such an amazing time in Colorado. Aspen leaves turn yellow with gorgeous views. Fall can bring larger crowds, especially in the leaf-peeping areas, but jaw-dropping views.
• Winter (December–March) – is the perfect time for a snowy vacation. Cozy cabin vibes, hot tubbing, and warm drinks. If you’re looking to go on a ski honeymoon, you’re in the right place!
• ‘Mud season’ (April–May, and late October, November) – is underrated but beautiful. You’ll still see snow on the peaks, it’s not as busy, and you may be able to find better deals. Some trails or activities can be closed or muddier due to the change of the seasons, and restaurants and shops may close for a few weeks.

Where to honeymoon in Colorado

Aspen

Aspen is a gorgeous honeymoon destination with the perfect blend of luxury and outdoorsy vibes! It has all the Colorado outdoor mountain activities, but it’s also the mecca for high-end shopping and experiences.

Where to stay in Aspen:

• The Little Nell – 5-star, ski-in/ski-out hotel in downtown Aspen
• Hotel Jerome – an iconic, luxury hotel in downtown Aspen

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is such a special place to visit! It has a mix of outdoor activities and a cute downtown! It’s probably the busiest mountain town, so if you’re looking for more activities and a more lively destination, this is a perfect destination!

Where to stay in Breckenridge:

• The Grand Colorado on Peak 8 – a perfect ski-in/ski-out resort if you’re on a ski honeymoon
• Gravity Haus – modern hotel right on Main Street

Vail

Vail is a magical little place for a romantic and luxurious honeymoon. It has more of a European resort feel, but quaint and charming. It can be quieter than the rest of the other mountain towns, so it’s a perfect spot for relaxing in the mountains.

Where to stay in Vail:

• The Sonnenalp – a unique European-inspired hotel in the heart of Vail
• Four Seasons – the perfect modern and luxury hotel with an amazing spa
• Piney River Ranch – if you’re looking for an outdoorsy, ‘glamping’ experience.

Telluride

Telluride is one of the most magical places in Colorado! It’s a bit of a trek to get to, but so worth it! If you’re looking for a unique and small, more laid-back mountain town, this is it!

Where to stay in Telluride:

• The Madeline Hotel – is a ski-in ski-out luxury hotel
• Hotel Telluride – is a perfect downtown option

Estes Park

Estes Park is another popular spot to check out. If you love visiting National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park is a gorgeous place to explore with accessibility for everyone!

Where to stay in Estes Park:

We stayed in The Historic Stanley Hotel and loved our stay! Be sure to do a ghost tour of the haunted property. While we didn’t have any ghost experiences, it felt spooky and was so fun! There were a few places to eat that were on-site. We loved the Cascades Restaurant and stopped there for dinner, dessert, and a few nightcaps!

Steamboat

Steamboat is another cute Colorado ski town to add to the list! It has more of a western flair and is not too far of a drive from Denver. Be sure to add in a trip to one of my favorites, Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

Where to stay in Steamboat:

• Steamboat Grande – for a luxury ski-in/ski-out hotel near downtown
• Vista Verde Ranch – for a unique secluded western ranch and cabins

Devils Thumb Resort

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a gorgeous, remote resort and working ranch that’s secluded outside of Winter Park. If you’re looking for a peaceful log cabin, these are so cute! They offer all the amenities plus adventures like horseback riding or cross-country skiing.

Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs has been on my Colorado bucket list since I moved here! I still have yet to make it there, but can’t wait for the day I do! The resort is in a super remote location, so you’re in nothing but nature, but with rustic luxury cabins, massages, hot springs, and chef-prepared gourmet meals!

Colorado’s mountain towns are perfect for couples who like to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and are looking for something a little more adventurous or outdoorsy. Think casual, small towns with adventurous activities like skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, camping, rock climbing, and pretty much anything nature-related.

If you’re not into anything too adventurous, these towns also have cute downtown areas and still plenty to do.

Colorado honeymoon road trip itinerary

This itinerary works best for couples with 10–14 days who want to explore multiple areas of Colorado, balance city time with mountain towns, and include a few longer drives along the way. If you’re working with fewer days, I recommend choosing one or two mountain towns and staying put longer.

Day 1: Start your honeymoon off in Denver

Starting your honeymoon in Denver is a smart way to ease into Colorado’s elevation before heading into the mountains. While Denver is fun, most couples use this day as a soft landing rather than packing in too much.

Spend the afternoon walking around Union Station, biking through nearby neighborhoods, or grabbing dinner and drinks. If you’re feeling up for it, Golden and Red Rocks are easy add-ons, but don’t overdo it on your first day.

Stay somewhere central and walkable, like The Ramble Hotel or The Crawford Hotel, so you can keep the day low-key and get a good night’s sleep before driving the next morning.

Day 2: Drive to the mountains 

Breckenridge, Vail, or Aspen are great choices for your first mountain stop and work well as a home base. Expect the drive from Denver to take 2–4 hours, depending on traffic, weather, and which town you choose.

Renting a car gives you the most flexibility (but shuttles are popular if you don’t want to drive), especially if you plan to explore nearby areas. An SUV with 4-wheel drive is helpful in winter, but not always necessary in summer.

Once you arrive, keep the day intentionally light: check in, wander around town, grab a meal, and get oriented. This is a good day to acclimate, not to push big hikes or activities.

Day 3: Explore surrounding areas

Use this day to explore without moving hotels. Most mountain towns have plenty to do within a short drive, whether that’s riding a gondola, floating the river, or hiking to an alpine lake.

This is also a good day to decide if you want to stay put longer. Many couples realize they could easily spend several nights in one town.

Day 4-6: Stay at Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs should be high on your bucket list! It’s pretty remote and well worth the experience, so plan this as a dedicated stop rather than a quick overnight.

The drive takes time, but once you arrive, you can settle in and won’t want to leave. It’s perfect for slowing down with spa treatments, soaking, incredible meals, and unplugging together. This is the most “stay put” portion of the trip, and it’s worth giving it multiple nights.

Day 7: Explore around Telluride

After Dunton, Telluride is a town not to miss, and you could easily spend a few days here. Spend the day exploring town, riding the gondola, or going on one of Telluride’s incredible hikes. Compared to earlier stops, Telluride feels quieter and more tucked away, which works well after a few spa days.

Day 8: Drive to Steamboat

This is one of the longer driving days, so plan accordingly. Leave earlier in the day, take breaks, and keep your plans simple once you arrive.

After checking in, head to Strawberry Park Hot Springs or save it for the next morning. Steamboat has a relaxed, outdoorsy feel and is a nice change of pace after the more luxurious towns earlier in the trip.

Days 9–10: Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park

From Steamboat, head toward Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. This area works well toward the end of the trip when you’re ready for scenic drives, short hikes, and wildlife viewing rather than full adventure days.

Wrap up an evening with a drink or dinner at The Historic Stanley Hotel, then enjoy one last mountain morning before heading back toward Denver.

Final days: Settle back down in Denver

Spend the last few days winding down in Denver. You could either stay closer to downtown if you still want more time in the Denver area, or you can stay closer to the airport if you just want to relax.

Optional add-on: Palisade

If you’re into wine and want something different, Palisade is a great optional stop with wineries, orchards, and a slower pace. It works best as an add-on if you’re extending your trip rather than squeezing it into a shorter itinerary.

Fun things to do on your honeymoon in Colorado

Colorado is an ideal honeymoon destination if you want unique outdoor activities, cute mountain towns, and some of the best views in the U.S.

• Soak in a hot springs
• Ride in a gondola at one of the ski resorts
• Explore Red Rocks or go to a concert
• Take a historic train ride through the mountains
• Horseback ride or carriage ride through the mountains
• Book a guided fly-fishing trip
• Dog sledding in Breckenridge for a winter honeymoon

Looking for more Colorado bucket-list experiences? Here are more fun things to do in Colorado for couples.