Recreation Activities for a Wedding Weekend in Aspen

Are you planning a wedding in Aspen or visiting the area? Planning recreation activities while you are here should be on your list!  Enjoying some quality time together in the beautiful outdoors gives family and friends from both sides time to bond and can help relax and de-stress the bride and groom. From fishing to hiking to rafting there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Here are some ideas for fun activities you can plan for your family, friends or your wedding party.

For the adventurous: Raft down the river or take a jeep tour

Renée Fleisher, Director of Group Services from Blazing Adventures shares that “rafting and jeep rides are very popular with guests who come here to celebrate a wedding. It is a great opportunity for the two families to get to know each other.”

There are a variety of rafting trips and jeep tours for all levels of experience and interests.

For the explorer: Plan a guided fishing trip or horseback ride

If you are looking for a way to create amazing memories, plan a breakfast group horseback ride or enjoy a half or full day of fishing. Your group can enjoy the surroundings all year round, with beautiful snowcapped mountains in the winter, brilliant foliage in the fall, and wildflowers in the spring and summer.

For the outdoorsman: Take a scenic hike or bike ride

Enjoying a hike is a wonderful way for your guests to bond and also see the stunning views of Aspen. Matt Kuhn, Trails Manager for the City of Aspen tells us, “There are also many hiking opportunities around the area, and one of our favorites is the Ajax Trail. Hikers traverse the base of Aspen Mountain with great views of town and Smuggler Mountain. Those willing to venture out of a bit can explore trails around the Maroon Bells and other public lands in the valley.” These hikes are not for the faint of heart, with the Aspen Mountain hike taking about 2 hours and bringing you up to a height of 3,000+ vertical feet. Another trip up, Little Nell Run, takes hikers from the gondola to Spar Gulch at the top. This is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch on the sundeck and take in the breathtaking views.

(Aspen Mountain, 675 E. Durant Avenue call 970-925-1220 for more information)

Other beautiful hikes include American Lake and Cathedral Lake. These trails are difficult as well rising over 2,000 feet through groves, boulder fields and switchbacks. The trip will take you about 2-3 hours and is about 6 miles roundtrip. Pack water, snacks, layers and wear hiking shoes. After taking in the scenic views, your group can head to Pine Creek Cookhouse for lunch.

(Pine Creek Cookhouse, 11399 Castle Creek Road call 970-925-1044 for reservations)

For those that prefer biking, there are a number of trails for visitors to enjoy. Matt Kuhn shares, “One of the most popular bike rides in the valley is to rent a bicycle in Aspen and ride along the Rio Grande trail. Cyclists can ride from Aspen as far as they are comfortable, and one of the most popular destinations is to ride to the Woody Creek Tavern which is about 8 miles one way from Aspen.”

For the sports enthusiasts: Enjoy 18 holes Do you have golfers in your group? The semi-private, par-72 Snowmass Club golf course is a great place to play. Book tee times for your group and begin your day at the practice area. After tackling the bunkers, challenging greens and sculpted fairways, visit the Black Saddle Bar and Grille for something to eat.

(Snowmass Golf Club, 0239 Snowmass Club Circle, call 970-923-5600 for tee times)

For the fitness fanatic: Battle the stand up paddle board

Book an instruction class for the newest passion in Aspen, stand up paddle boarding (SUP). Whether you are looking for instruction on still water or the river, it is a great workout and thrilling activity to try. The Aspen Kayak and SUP academy offers full and half day lessons as well as kayak expeditions on the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers for beginners and advanced paddlers.

For the foodie: Enjoy local cuisine

Foodies in the group will enjoy sampling local cuisines through a food tour or cooking class. Renée shares, “Another option for weddings is to take over either our small, less expensive Sunset Dinner at Burlingame Cabin or the version at the Lynn Britt Dinner that accommodate 60-65 (guests) and more with a tent. In the past many people have used these venues for their Rehearsal Dinners.”

At the Burlingame and Lynn Britt Cabin’s you can spend the evening by the campfire, enjoy conversation, live music, and s’mores under the stars. What a great way to kick-off your wedding weekend!

These are just a few of the many options for recreational activities those getting married in or visiting Aspen can participate in. Whether you choose rafting, hiking, biking or even a hot air balloon ride, any of these adventures will be an unforgettable experience and create great memories for everyone!

A special “thank you” to Matt Kuhn and Renée Fleisher for their input. To find out more about the specific recreation packages available at Blazing Adventures, visit their listing here. Click here for a complete list of Aspen hiking and biking trails.

Kelsey Stamps

Hey, I’m Kelsey! I studied Social Psychology at CU Boulder and now split my time between writing about dreamy Aspen wedding spots, clever planning hacks, and real talk on international marriages (yep, American guys and foreign girls). I also run a small psychology practice, helping couples navigate love, culture, and everything in between. Connection and honesty are my non-negotiables.