5 Scenic Locations In Washington State For Your Elopement
I’ve lived in Washington State almost my entire life (besides a few years spent in Boise, ID) and I know I may be biased but I believe it is hands down one of the best places to live and has some of the most diverse landscapes and ecosystems you can find. Mountains jet to the sky right next to the ocean, a few rainforests, dry grassland, basalt rock and fields that have the most wheat production in the United States. Stunning landscapes abound offer great backdrops for your elopement ceremony. With so many variations of landscape it can be enjoyed by people looking for all levels of adventure on their wedding day. This blog post is specifically geared to the couple that is looking for a really adventurous day. Hiking, biking, mountain biking, etc, you name it. In this post I also looked for a balance between the west and east side of the state because they both offer very different things. Most people think of Seattle (the west side) when they think of Washington State but I wanted to offer up some options that are closer to Spokane and the east side too! I’ve had first hand experiences in all these places and love planning trips so if you’re looking to elope in the state of Washington hit my inbox here and let me know what you’re envisioning for you wedding day. I can be a guide and friend alongside you in the planning process and help with permits, vendor recommendations, and reservations as well. Within each description of these places I do point out any permits you might need or just general knowledge to have if you’re looking to elope there! Now let’s dive into the good stuff.
Mt Rainier National Park
I think this one is pretty obvious right off the bat as a top tier elopement ceremony destination. I mean beautiful volcanic (yes she could blow up someday) mountain surrounded by lush green forests? Amazing. The mountain’s native name is Tahoma, which means “the source of nourishment from the many streams coming from the slopes” and she’s a beaut. 14,411 feet of rock, ice, and snow and access to activities all year round. Depending on your activity of choice for your elopement day you can come in the dead of winter or the heart of summer! Winter activities include sledding, ranger led or self led snowshoeing, snowboarding and skiing. In the summer you can hike, backcountry camp, or climb to the summit of Tahoma. Even if you’re not into full blown mountaineering you can hike to Camp Muir which sits around 10,000ft and does not require the same level of knowledge, permits, or gear as summiting the mountain, although I would highly recommend doing your research and talking to people who have done the hike. It still is not a walk in the park! Also the wildflower bloom every year during the summer is absolutely phenomenal and even if you’re not getting married I suggest you see it for yourself sometime, it’s spectacular. There is also a plethora of fire lookouts that you can hike to in and outside the park that offer fantastic 360º views of Tahoma, and on clear days you can see Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and even Mt. Hood way out in the distance.
Having your elopement ceremony at a fire lookout can be incredibly romantic and provide amazing views for you and any guests you ask to join!
In the summer months do be prepared for crowds, going on a weekday might mean less traffic and more views for you during an intimate wedding ceremony! So no matter what outdoor adventurous things you like to get in to you can find almost all of them here.
So you want to elope in Mt. Rainier National Park, great, now what? Depending on what you plan to do there are a number of steps. If you’re looking to camp in the summertime inside the park click here to checkout campgrounds and snag a spot for you and your guests. Be aware, they do fill up quickly so make sure you are planning well ahead of time! Another side note for planning is if you want your furry friend to be a part of your wedding day. Unfortunately the National Park Service does not allow dogs on any trails inside Mount Rainier National Park although you can have them in parking lots and campgrounds, click here for more info on pets in the park.
After you’ve settled on a place to stay whether inside or outside the park you will have to apply for a “special use permit” to have your ceremony in the park. Here is the link to the parks Permit & Reservation page, if you scroll about halfway down you will run into the “Special Use Permits” of the page that goes over what is covered by that, weddings being one of them. There is an application to fill out and then email in and once that is done there is a $60 non-refundable fee to be paid as well. The park recommends sending this information in at least four weeks in advance to your elopement ceremony. They do also have rules for where your elopement ceremony location can be at depending on how many guests you plan to have. When we work together to make your amazing Mount Rainier elopement happen I will help you through all of this and make sure certain permits have been turned in on time and we are following the proper protocol! I will also always go over best practices to leave no trace having a ceremony in the outdoors (more on that at the end of this blog). Also here is a link to the fees for getting into the park, for you and for your guests. It costs $30 for unlimited entry for one vehicle and it’s passengers for 7 days. There are other pass options as well and there is info for camping fees on that page too. Or if you find yourself wanting to visit a lot of national parks in a year, you can pay $80 for an America the Beautiful Pass and have access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas in the US!
2. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park on the peninsula of Washington is definitely one of the most diverse places you could choose to elope in the state! Within a day you can easily access the beautiful mountain views at Hurricane Ridge, wander through the Hoh rainforest, and still make it to the coast for sunset. Olympic National Park is accessible year round and offers plenty of activities for adventurous couples! This park offers many campgrounds and lodges to stay at for you and your guests. Lake Crescent Lodge has got to be one of my favorite spots by far. The lodge was built in 1916 and boasts beautiful rooms with antique furniture taking you back to another time. This lodge is nestled right on the beach of Lake Crescent and has a restaurant with lake views as well as a gift shop. They also have camping and cabins available right next door. Near the lodge is where you’ll also find the most Instagrammable (is that a word?) ranger station in the US. You’ve probably seen it a million times but truly for me it never gets old.
If you like to hike there are plenty of trails throughout the park. Mt Storm King (pictured at the top of this section) is a short 4 mile hike but it is a tough one. It’s all vertical and the last bit of the hike requires you to hoist yourself up with a rope as you scramble up the last bit of trail. But the views are SO worth it. You can see all of Lake Crescent (second deepest lake in the state) and even catch views out to the ocean on a clear day. This one is great for a couple who loves a tough hike with an insane pay off and incredible backdrop for your elopement ceremony. Also with the difficulty of the hike your odds of having the space to yourself is a lot better, especially for those weekday elopements (wink wink!).
If you’re into hiking but nothing that serious there are plenty of other trails to be found. Marymere Falls is close by and the Hoh Rainforest has many paths as well. Or if you prefer mountains, Hurricane Ridge can be accessed just outside of Port Angeles and you can drive right to the top! It’s accessible almost all your round but can have road closures during the winter due to snow and ice.
The views of the Olympic Range from Hurricane Ridge is unmatched, another great elopement ceremony spot!
Finally, the coast. Olympic National Park offers 73 miles of coastline but is close enough to access other areas of the coast that are outside of the park as well. If you take a drive down highway 101 that follows the coastline you can run into a beach pull off practically every other mile. Depending on your guest count there are a number of options of beaches for ceremonies. Ruby Beach is a popular beach that has beautiful rocks jetting from the sea, but does come with quite a crowd during the busy season. If you are wanting something more private or just the two of you there are plenty of other beach pull offs that can be parked at and with a short walk you can have the Pacific Ocean all to yourself.
La Push is another great place to get to some amazing beaches, but does come with its crowds of course (I mean y’all ever heard of Twilight?). Rialto Beach has amazing sunset views and a very long coastline so you can walk pretty far to get away from the werewolves and vampires. Did I mention I love Twilight? Anyways…there is also First, Second, and Third Beaches. First Beach is right in town and usually is fairly busy, but if you like to surf and haven’t tried your hand at surfing in the PNW this is a great spot for an adventurous couple looking to catch some waves on their wedding day! Second and Third Beach take a little more time to access requiring you to hike in but that does give you a better chance of more privacy for your vows. You can apply for a permit to camp at Third Beach if you’re looking to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean.
Here are some more details if you think Olympic might be a good fit for you: dogs are allowed in certain areas of the park. Please read through this page on the National Park Service website to find out exactly where furry friends can go. Leashed dogs are allowed on Rialto Beach and First Beach in La Push but are not allowed at Second Beach or Third Beach. You will have to apply for a special use permit through the NPS here to have a ceremony inside Olympic National Park and email that in. They don’t give a time frame on their website but I would say to turn in that application at least four weeks before your wedding day. The pass fees for Olympic are the same as for Rainier. $30 for a 7 day unlimited access pass for your vehicle and whoever is in your vehicle.
Like I mentioned previously, Olympic National Park is great for the couple that wants a little bit of everything incorporated into their elopement day! A sprinkle of mountains, a dash of rainforest, and a scoop of coastline can make your wedding day one for the ages.
3. The Enchantments
The Enchantments are located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (central Cascade Range region) and is a hiker and backpackers paradise. Jagged peaks loom over hundreds of alpine lakes and ponds and offer miles upon miles of trails. Some of these areas are open during the winter but there are seasonal road closures to be aware of. This area is one I would highly recommend hitting in the summer time to have better access to trails. Bonus to hiking in the summer if when you get to your designated alpine lake, you can say your vows together and then you get to jump in for a swim before heading back down! Fall is a beautiful time in the Enchantments as well if you’re a sucker for autumn colors. I would recommend doing some research to find hikes that show it off!
If you think hiking or backpacking in the Enchantments is right up your alley then renting an AirBnB in Seattle or Leavenworth is a great idea too! Then you can tack on a few days before and/or after to relax and recharge.
This region of Washington is truly magical and its seclusion makes for a great opportunity to spend alone time with your partner as well as some friends and family who make the trip to come witness your wedding.
Here you can find the All Trails list of best hikes in this region so you can scout and pick a few favorites. Word for the wise though, a lot of these hikes are not for the faint of heart, and don’t forget that if you plan to elope at the top that you will carrying more gear than you’re probably used to! But if you and your boo are willing to buckle up your packs and haul yourselves up into the mountains the payoff is so worth it. This place is truly meant for the adventurous souls who want more privacy on their wedding day. Bring a hammock and you can relax in between the trees taking in the break-taking view you worked so damn hard for.
Some information that is good to know before you head into the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: there is a lottery every year for overnight backpacking permits in the backcountry. Here is a link to the government website that gives you dates, prices, and limits on the backcountry lottery if that is something you are interested in as part of your elopement festivities. Unfortunately your furry friends are more restricted in this area as well, I would suggest spending time looking at hiking trails on the Washington Trails Association website or All Trails if you are looking for something you can do with your pup involved. You can filter the hikes listed on these sites to clearly show you whether or not pets are allowed on certain trails to make it easy on you! You will also need a Northwest Forest Pass most likely for wherever you park your vehicle in these areas.
4. Palouse Falls State Park
I think Palouse Falls does not get the love and appreciation it deserves. Palouse Falls State Park Is a two hour drive south from Spokane, about 25 minutes outside of the teeny tiny town of Washtucna and if you weren’t looking for it you would have no idea it’s there. The falls are burrowed in with the sagebrush and basalt rock that surrounds it. Most people have no clue this 200ft waterfall exists. You can view it from above on an ADA accessible trail that has informational placards sprinkled throughout with knowledge of how this place came to be.
The views around it change so drastically with the seasons and can make for such beautiful backdrops. Plus I’ve seen plenty of amazing sunrises and sunsets at Palouse Falls, truly breathtaking.
In the winter the snow and ice gives off Iceland vibes hard core.
The spring is the best time to see the falls themselves because of all the snow melt coming down to the river that feeds it. Summer can be incredibly hot but if you can make the hike to the upper falls you’re rewarded with a dip in the cool running water. Cooler temps in fall makes for great hiking weather. And because of its secluded nature, you’re usually not seeing large crowds, perfect for an elopement ceremony, amirite?
The area has a few first come first serve camp spots and there is a RV park in the town of Washtucna. If you’re not up for camping or have guests who would like to stay elsewhere the town of Colfax is about an hour east with some hotel options, Ritzville is an hour north, and Spokane is two hours away. Still a very easy and beautiful drive for a day trip out to the falls!
Palouse Falls is an amazing choice for an elopement, especially if you’re looking for something on the east side of the state.
Don’t get me wrong I love the west side as much as the next person but the east side has her own gems to offer!
Palouse Falls does come with more precautionary measures than some other spots though. I promise I’m not trying to scare you off, just keeping it real for these places that don’t have all the resources that national parks do! The ADA accessible trail is great, its cement and has a fence along the whole trail so you can’t get too close to the edge but other hiking trails around the falls, to the upper falls, and to the base of the falls do not. They are open air and if you’re not paying attention it can end fatally. If you decide to check out Palouse Falls just watch your step and make sure to keep all pets on leashes! Another precaution is to make sure you are set with enough water, snacks, and first aid. It gets extremely hot in the summer and there is no provisions for 17 miles. Also being a smaller state park there may not always be a park ranger or staff there and cell phone service is virtually non existent. So just make sure you are prepared!
You need a Discovery Pass for Palouse Falls State Park which you can pick up at REI or have your checkbook/cash ready and you can fill out a paper slip and leave it in the drop box. It’s $10 for a day pass and $30 for a yearly pass. If you live in Washington and like to do a lot of outdoor activities I would recommend getting the yearly pass to save yourself some money. Plus you can get a new Discovery Pass every year when you renew your car tabs so easy peasy!
5. Mount Spokane State Park
Mount Spokane is another east side gem that should get a lot more notoriety than it does. Less than hour northeast of the city of Spokane you can easily stay in town to make a day trip to the mountain or you can camp at one of the campgrounds in the state park.
Mount Spokane State Park is one of the largest state parks in Washington at 13,919 acres of land to recreate on. Mount Spokane is another great spot for year round activities depending on what you like to do. Winter offers snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, as well as snowboarding and skiing at the local lodge. In the summer there are over 100 miles worth of hiking and mountain biking trails to keep you busy.
She has a few hidden gems as well! At the summit of Mt Spokane you can find the Vista House. The Vista House was built in 1934 and is a stone structure that has become a tourist destination. You can access it in the winter time as well, it just takes a little more effort. It can be accessed in the winter by snowshoeing the road to the summit or skinning up on skis.
It does make for a beautiful spot to host your elopement ceremony in the summer though if you plan on having some family or friends there!
Right outside the door you can enjoy the views all around you. In the summertime you can drive to the summit of the mountain (June-October) and look over the Selkirk Mountains and see Hayden Lake out in the distance.
Another great spot on the mountain is the Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout. It’s a 2.7 mile hike in to the lookout from the Selkirk Lodge and is only open during the spring and summer months. But the coolest part about it is you can rent it out to stay in for a night or two!
If you’re looking for something adventurous for your elopement and don’t want to stay in one of the standard campgrounds you can rent out the amazing Quartz Mountain fire lookout with great views for as many nights as you’d like!
Mt. Spokane is great for the couple that really wants to do lots of activities throughout their wedding day. You can stay at the lookout and hike the trails surrounding it or you can stay at a campground on the mountain and treat yourself to some early morning laps on your mountain bikes (prepare to have a friend shuttle you though or you will have to peddle all the way back up!). In the winter you can snowshoe to the frozen Vista House and say your vows overlooking the frozen trees or take some laps at Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard park! Possibilities are endless, you can even cap off your day down on Greenbluff in the orchards and have a beer or pick some fresh fruit and flowers.
You do need a Discover Pass to access the state park which you can pickup at your local REI or hit the self-use pay station in the park. Discover Passes are $30 for the whole year or you can buy a one day use pass for $10. If you would like access to the Vista House for your ceremony or reception you can get in contact with the park here (scroll down to ‘Activities’ and look under Picnic & Day-Use Areas) there is a phone number to call to see about availability for a reservation.
Some final thoughts….
I hope you found this post helpful, I tried to provide as many resources and as much information as I could! Plus if you book your adventurous elopement with me I will be there every step of the way to help you secure permits and scour All Trails to find some good spots for you to say your vows.
One last things, please make sure you are practicing Leave No Trace practices while enjoying your beautiful and venturesome day! Here are the seven principles of leave no trace:
Plan Ahead + Prepare
Travel + Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly (pack it in, pack it out)
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
If you would like some more info on Leave No Trace principles and your elopement please check out Adventure Instead’s blog post about it here and when we work together I will also be happy to answer any questions you have and actively will be making sure we are adhering to these rules.
