The Best Places to Elope in Washington State in 2022

Places to Elope in Washington

Are you dreaming of eloping in Washington state? Are you overwhelmed by the huge amount of stunning locations here? Having a hard time choosing a specific location? Well, I’ve got good news for you, I know allllllll the best places to elope in Washington and I’m happy to share them with you!

I’m a born and raised Washingtonian and I’ve spent my entire life exploring, scouting, and experiencing what this incredible state has to offer. Washington has an absolutely mind-blowing amount of public and federal land, but that doesn’t mean every spot is ideal for an elopement.

What makes a location ideal for an elopement?

There are 3 main factors I encourage my clients to consider when choosing an elopement location.

1. Privacy
2. Scenery
3. Accessibility 

Privacy – There’s no getting around it, Washington State is a popular place for outdoor adventures. Popular parks and trails can be busy with hikers and tourists during our short summers, holiday weekends, and Spring Break. But don’t let that deter you from eloping here. Choosing a weekday, at sunrise or sunset, will ensure privacy for your elopement ceremony. If you’re set on a weekend date, we can certainly find a secluded location for you, but it may require a little more hiking or choosing a less-known location.

Scenery – Let’s keep it real, part of the reason you’re choosing Washington as an elopement location is because of the epic scenery! And I don’t blame you one bit because it really is spectacular here! Washington’s landscapes are wildly diverse. We’ve got rugged coastlines, glaciated volcanoes, endless meadows of wildflowers, the bluest rivers, waterfalls as tall as skyscrapers, old-growth forests, and more. I recommend choosing scenery that makes you feel comfortable and happy. Some folks prefer the beach, some folks prefer the mountains, luckily we have both here in Washington!

Accessibility – Another perk of eloping in Washington is that we have locations for everyone! Truly, accessibility to the outdoors here in Washington is unmatched. Accessibility, for you and your guests, is something to keep in mind when choosing an elopement location. From roadside viewpoints to 10-mile hikes, we’ve got it all, and I’ll help you choose the best spot for your needs.

Check out this awesome resource for ADA-accessible trails in Washington!

Where to Elope in Washington State

As I mentioned earlier, Washington State has an astonishing amount of public land. 19.8 million acres to be specific. There are 3 national parks, 9 national forests, and 142 state parks. Yeah, 142!! Wild, right?! 

So how the heck do you choose where to elope in Washington State?! Let’s break it down into easy categories with my top 3 locations for each location!

Washington’s National Park Elopement Locations

Washington State has 3 National Parks.

1. Mount Rainier National Park
2. Olympic National Park
3. North Cascades National Park

You absolutely can not go wrong choosing any one of these parks. Some of my all-time favorite days have been spent in these national parks. There’s a magic about these places that’s hard to put into words. Thinking about them as I’m typing this makes my heart skip a beat.

Let’s rank ’em!

Mount Rainier Elopement

If you know me personally, and you’re reading this, it’ll come as zero shock that I’m ranking Mt Rainier as the #1 elopement location in Washington State haha! Mt Rainier is nothing short of iconic. A 14,410ft glaciated volcano surrounded by wildflower meadows, turquoise lakes and rivers, massive waterfalls, historic fire lookouts, and old-growth forests – it’ll take your breath away!

My top 3 elopement location recommendations in Mt Rainier National Park are:

1. Paradise
2. Sunrise
3. Pinnacle Saddle in the Tatoosh

Reach out for specific trails and coordinates!

Olympic National Park Elopement

Olympic National Park is probably the most diverse national park in Washington State. It spans almost the entire peninsula of the state, which means it includes the coast, the Olympic Mountains, a few gigantic lakes, and an actual rainforest.

My top 3 elopement location recommendations in Olympic National Park are:

1. Ruby Beach [closed for the 2022 season] / Consider Rialto Beach instead
2. Hurricane Ridge
3. Lake Crescent

These 3 don’t even come close to the amount of incredibly picturesque locations in Olympic National Park. Reach out for a more extensive list.

North Cascades National Park Elopement

The North Cascades, also known as “The American Alps”, is a place like no other! Jagged mountain peaks, more than 500 lakes (yes, really, 500!), epic fire lookouts, diverse wildflowers, and more! The North Cascades has some of the most easily accessible mountain views.

My top 3 elopement location recommendations in North Cascades National Park:

1. Diablo Lake – lower lake, not the overlook, overlook is closed to elopements
2. Ptarmigan Ridge
3. Washington Pass Overlook – super easily accessible!

Reach out for a more in-depth list!

Washington’s National Forest Elopement Locations

There are 9 national forests within Washington State. Washington’s national forests are less busy, less restricted, and just as beautiful as the national parks. As an added bonus, obtaining permits for national forest elopements is also easier and cheaper!

My top 3 National Forest Elopement Locations are:

1. Olympic National Forest
2. Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
3. Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Let’s look at some specific locations in each of these national forests!

Olympic National Forest Elopement Locations

Olympic National Forest holds a special place in my heart because my husband and I got married here at a private campground in 2017. This national forest is adjacent to Olympic National Park and has some absolutely stunning landscapes. 

I truly can’t narrow my favorites down to 3 so let’s do 5!

1. Lake Cushman – this is where I got married 🙂
2. Mt Ellinor – is in my top 3 hikes of all time
3. Mt Townsend – check out this backpacking engagement session on Mt Townsend
4. Mt Storm King
5. Lake Quinault and Quinault Rainforest

Check out this awesome interactive map from Olympic National Forest for more elopement location ideas in the area!

Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Elopement Locations

This national forest is HUGE. 1.7 million acres type huge haha! It spans from the Canadian border to the top of Mt Rainier National Park. It’s vast, diverse, and has a ton of incredible locations! 

Yet again there are too many for a top 3 so here’s my top 5 Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Elopement Locations:

1. Artist Point
2. Winchester Mountain
3. Snoqualmie Falls – special access required
4. Franklin Falls
5. Picture Lake

If you’re looking for a waterfall elopement location in Washington, Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest is the right choice for you!

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Elopement Locations

I grew up in Lewis County so Gifford Pinchot was basically my childhood backyard. I’ve spent many days in this magical place hiking, swimming, and snowmobiling! Saying there are hidden gems here is a HUGE understatement. It’s one of the least visited national forests in Washington, providing ultimate seclusion.

Here are my top 3 Gifford National Forest Elopement Locations:

1. Mt St Helens – technically it’s own national monument
2. Lewis River Falls
3. Muddy Meadows – the ultimate private mountain backdrop

If you’re looking for solitude, this is the place for you!

Washington’s Best State Park Elopement Locations

Remember earlier when I said Washington has 142 state parks?! Still blows my mind haha! Our state park system is a true treasure. Washington’s State Parks covers 123,000 acres, have over 400 miles of trails, and receive 4o million visitors per year.

State Park elopements can be stunning, special, and affordable. Many of Washington’s State Parks even have structures and buildings that are perfect for small wedding and elopement receptions.

Y’all there are 142 parks, there’s no way I can narrow it down to a top 3; so here’s my top 1o Washington State Park Elopement Locations.

1. Cape Disappointment
2. Lake Wenatchee
3. Deception Pass
4. Cama Beach
5. Palouse Falls
6. Kitsap Memorial
7. Olallie
8. Camano Island
9. Sun Lakes-Dry Falls
10. Salt Creek Recreation Area

Washington’s state parks are super diverse and a great place to elope!

Washington Elopement Photographer

Hey, hi, that’s me! If you’re looking for an experienced, trustworthy, and down-to-earth Washington elopement photographer, look no further! I’ve been exploring Washington State with a camera in hand for over a decade. I know all of the best places for your elopement and I know how to capture your day in a low-key, authentic, and artistic way. I’ve mastered elopement day timelines. And I’m an expert at photographing couples in epic landscapes, blending the two flawlessly.

I’d love to hear more about your dreams for your elopement day and help you plan! Reach out here to get the ball rolling!

Washington Elopement Packages

You’ve got a lot of options for elopement packages in Washington State. There are a ton of photographers and vendors! It’s always been (and still is) my advice to choose a photographer that you vibe with! Someone you feel comfortable spending your entire elopement day with! If you feel like we’d be a good fit and you’re interested in my elopement packages, keep on reading.

• I offer half-day and full-day coverage, but most of my clients go with full-day elopement coverage. It’s the best bang for your buck!
• Both of my Washington elopement packages include guidance in choosing a location, vendor connections, and timeline planning.
• My elopement packages include a complimentary engagement session. I LOVE photographing and getting to know my clients before their elopement days. Who wants a total stranger showing up on their elopement day?! None of that here!
• Your elopement package also includes an online image gallery of fully edited high-resolution images and a personal print release. Your photos are completely yours! No hidden fees!

Check out my Washington elopement package prices here.

Washington State Elopement Locations

There ya have it, folks! My top Washington State elopement locations. You really can’t go wrong with any of the locations on this list. Washington has so many picturesque, landscape-diverse, out-of-this-world elopement locations!

Ready to start planning or have questions about any of these locations? Please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can chat more!

Looking for more elopement tips & inspiration?

Check the below blogs out for more inspiration & Washington State elopement planning tips

How to Elope in Washington State: 10 Steps to Follow

How Much Does It Cost to Elope? 

Mt Rainier Elopement Timeline

Cara + Zach’s Mount Rainier Adventure Elopement

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