Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy

Are you searching for some of the best places to elope in Washington? Can’t decide which national park, state park, or national forest would best suit your best day ever? I get it! The Pacific Northwest (specifically Washington State) truly does have so many elopement locations for you and your love to say “I do,”! But, have no fear, as your Washington elopement photographers, we are here to help you narrow down the best Washington elopement locations (and trust, there is something here for everyone!).

Below, we have outlined our top 5 picks for places to elope in Washington State, and have included details on the best times of year to visit, facts about each location, and additional resources to help you plan your dream elopement in Washington State. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the most beautiful elopement locations in Washington state!

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Table of Contents

• Top 5 Places to Elope in Washington State
  • Snoqualmie Valley
  • Mt Rainier National Park
  • North Cascades National Park
  • The Olympic Peninsula
  • Eastern Washington
• Ready to Decide Where to Elope in Washington State?
  • Need some Additional Planning Resources? We’ve Gotchu!

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Top 5 Places to Elope in Washington State

Snoqualmie Valley

Why Snoqualmie is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington State

First up on the list of our favorite Washington elopement locations is Snoqualmie Valley. This area of Washington state is such a PNW gem. With waterfalls, alpine lakes of turquoise water, and forest service roads that lead to remote trailheads, there are endless locations to choose from. Plus, each of these locations are all within a relatively short distance from each other, so you can experience all this natural beauty all in a single day.

On top of that, the Snoqualmie Valley is lower in elevation, which means there are snow-free areas, even in winter. It’s also only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, making it a convenient place for elopements with guests from out of town! And the best part? Dogs are allowed in almost every part of this national forest (best news ever, right)! If you’re thinking about bringing your pup of honor with you to celebrate, definitely check out this planning guide for tips on including your furry friend in your elopement.

Best Time of Year to Elope in Snoqualmie

One of the best things about Snoqualmie (aside from the fact that they are dog friendly, of course) is that this area is accessible year round meaning you can elope here in any season!

Because the Snoqualmie Valley area is lower in elevation, there are plenty of snow-free areas, even in the winter! But, if a winter wonderland elopement is your vibe, there are options for you too! After exploring the snow-free forests, we can head up to the mountains near Snoqualmie Pass for a snowy celebration.

Best Places to Elope in Snoqualmie, Washington

Snoqualmie Pass: This area is filled with alpine lakes, mountains to summit, and waterfalls to chase! Plus, there are great food and brew options available like the CommonWealth Restaurant and Dru Bru! Check out this elopement in Snoqualmie Pass to see just how magical it really is!

North Bend: Surrounding this little fem of a mountain town are deep forest trails and epic mountains to climb. This is Mollie’s backyard and one of the places we photograph and explore often with our couples, so it’s safe to say we know this area like the back of our hand! Katie and Mick planned a gorgeous two-day wedding in North Bend, which truly shows off the beauty of North Bend!

Mountain Loop Highway: Just one hour from Seattle, the Mountain Loop Highway winds through the Western portion of the Cascade mountain range. It offers dense forest floors, alpine lakes, fire lookouts, waterfalls, and even ice caves! This area holds some of our absolutely favorite hikes, drive up overlooks, and campgrounds, and it has fewer crowds than many of the surrounding areas making it the best places to elope in Washington!

Thinking about getting married in Snoqualmie? Check out our full elopement planning guide here!

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Mt Rainier National Park

Standing at 14,411 feet, Mt Rainier is guaranteed to give you the perfect backdrop for your elopement. This Washington national park offers giant douglas firs (our favorite type of pine trees!), waterfalls, wildflower meadows, fire lookouts, alpine lakes, views of the surrounding Tatoosh Range, and, of course, Mt Rainier herself. 

Why Mt Rainier National Park is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington

Mt Rainier is the tallest mountain in Washington and the entire Pacific Northwest. It really is one of the most iconic features in the state of Washington. With stunning viewpoints as you drive up to Paradise, this park has something for everyone. Whether you are hoping for a quick out-and-back hike for your elopement or a multi-day backpacking trip, Mt Rainier National Park has endless trails waiting for you to tie the knot. And don’t worry, we have trail recommendations in my back pocket that we are ready to share with you for your own Washington elopement!

Best Time of Year to Elope at Mt Rainier

While Mt Rainier National Park is accessible year round, there are a few months in which the park especially comes to life – July through October! During summer months the park is flooded with wildflowers (and visitors, so we’ll have to plan accordingly). But with the sun also means a higher chance to clear weather an a chance to see this majestic mountain.

As fall approaches, the leaves begin to change colors and snow starts to appear on the top of the mountain, giving off a magic that you have to witness to truly understand. 

When it comes to eloping at this national park, here are some of things to consider when choosing your season and day of the week:

Best Washington Elopement Locations in Mt Rainier National Park

Have I convinced you that Mt Rainier is one of the best Washington State elopement locations? If you’re still on the fence about this beautiful Washington treasure, here is a quick breakdown of some of our favorite locations in and around the park!

Grove of the Patriarchs: On a rainy day, this hike will be a lifesaver! This trail takes you through old growth pines that act as a natural canopy to block some of the rain. We love this hike because there are plaques along the trail that tell you the history of all of the pine trees, and it’s an easy hike that is absolutely beautiful. 

Trails off of Paradise Visitors Center: For the most part, the trails in this area are accessible year-round. These trails take you right up next to Mt Rainier, making for some stunning elopement backdrops. 

Trails off of Sunrise Visitor Center: These trials hold one of our favorite hikes in all of Mt Rainier National Park! One thing to keep in mind is that the trails in this area are only open during the summer due to weather. 

Thinking about getting married at Mt Rainier National Park? Check out full elopement planning guide here!

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North Cascades National Park

Known as the Alps of America, it is no surprise that the North Cascades is one of our top choices on this list of best places to elope in Washington. The North Cascades are truly the underdog that always wins if you ask us. With jagged peaks, snow capped mountains, and alpine lakes that are only accessible by hiking, the North Cascades truly provide some of the most stunning views in the whole state (if not the country)!

Why North Cascades is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington State

Did you know North Cascades National Park is one of the least-visited national parks in the nation? This means you just might get an entire mountain to yourself for your elopement! With remote trails that few know about, the North Cascades hold some of our favorite spots elopement locations in Washington.

Just because it is remote doesn’t mean these trails are not accessible. There are tons of hiking trails in the North Cascades that are perfect for elopements with guests. Many of them are even drive up locations that require little to no hiking. Need an ADA-accessible location for your elopement? Check out these locations all across Washington State!

Best Time of Year to Elope in the North Cascades

Our favorite months to visit North Cascades National Park are August through October. During these months you’ll get to experience wildflowers and the beautiful fall foliage that comes as the seasons change. 

Best Places to Elope in North Cascades National Park

Snow covered mountain peaks: The trails off of Artist Point, near Mount Baker, are so dreamy (especially at sunrise). They’re amazing for snowshoeing during the winter, and provide incredible views of Mount Baker. Want to learn more about what an elopement at Artist Point looks like? Check out our planning guide here for more planning tips and photos!

Diablo Lake: From the lakeshore peaceful docks to stunning overlooks, Diablo Lake offers amazing views of the lush mountains and bright blue lake water. 

Ross Lake Resort: Created by the damming of the Skagit River, Ross Lake is a great place to elope if you want to include friends and family as part of your day. Ross Lake Resort is a glamper’s dream and fishing in this area is open summer through fall (anyone looking to catch their reception food?).

Fire lookouts: Two of our favorite fire lookouts in Washington are in North Cascades! Following the devastating series of forest fires in 1910 that swept across Idaho, Montana and Washington, early fire protection became a priority to the Forest Service. That is when fire lookouts began to be built across the country to help with forest fire detection. Because of the high location of these fire lookouts, the views from these mountain tops stretch as far and wide as your eyes can see making for some pretty perfect places to elope in Washington!

Thinking about getting married in the North Cascades? Check out full elopement planning guide here!

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The Olympic Peninsula

The Olympic Peninsula is across the Puget Sound from Seattle, and is home to some of the best Washington elopement locations. This area is known for its beaches and, of course, Olympic National Park, which features hot springs, rainforest, whitecap mountains and the rugged coast. If you thought Washington was only filled with mountains and forests, then you’re in for a treat because the Olympic Peninsula has some of the best (and most diverse) views around!

Why the Olympic Peninsula is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington

Eloping on the Olympic Peninsula will truly give you the best of so many landscapes and terrains. Like we mentioned earlier, this stretch of Washington land features hot springs, rainforests, whitecap mountaintops and a rugged coastline. You could begin your Washington elopement day on the coast and end it at sunset at a mountain overlook (how epic is that?)! There are so many possibilities of what your elopement day could look like on the Olympic Peninsula. 

Best Time of Year to Elope on the Olympic Peninsula

The Olympic Peninsula is accessible for elopements year round (yes, seriously)! Some months will be moodier than others, but hey, that’s what Washington is known for. If you’re thinking about getting married on the Olympic Peninsula, here are some weather planning tips to consider: 

Best Washington Elopement Locations on the Olympic Peninsula

Hoh Rain Forest: The Hoh Rain Forest is a region of lush, green canopy with mosses and ferns covering the terrain. It’s located on the west side of Olympic National Park, and is about a two-hour drive from Port Angeles. Emma and Arsh held their beautiful elopement at this location and it was stunning!

Lake Crescent Lodge: Built in 1915, Lake Crescent Lodge is a quant, base camp where you can enjoy “the charm of a turn-of-the-century resort.” This lodge features antique furniture, stone fireplaces, and a sun porch where you can watch the sunset over the lake. How cozy does that sound?! Speaking of cozy, that’s exactly what this elopement was!

Hurricane Ridge: There are tons of hikes to explore during your elopement at Hurricane Ridge and it’s a Washington elopement location that tends to be open year-round. Check out Jessica and James’ moody elopement photos at Hurricane Ridge here. 

Best Beach Elopement Locations in Washington

With rugged beaches and massive rocks emerging out from the ocean, the Washington coast is hands down one of the best places to elope in Washington. With most beaches right off of Highway 101, these beaches can be easily accessed and some even offer camping opportunities! Here are my recommendations for the best Washington beach elopement locations for your elopement:

• Ruby Beach
• Second Beach 
• Rialto Beach
• Cape Flattery (fun fact: this is the furthest northwest tip of the contiguous U.S.)

Ready to elope on the Olympic Peninsula? Check out full elopement planning guide here!

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Eastern Washington

Just like the North Cascades, eastern Washington is another underrated Washington elopement location. While Western Washington is known for its moody, overcast skies, eastern Washington is known year-round sunshine. This makes it the perfect location for an epic sunset during your elopement at any time of year. 

Why Eastern Washington is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington

If the jagged mountains and old growth pines are not your ideal location for your elopement, then eastern Washington is the place for you. With tall grass prairies, ponderosa pines, rocky hills, epic waterfalls, and sunsets that light up the sky, eastern Washington is the perfect spot for your elopement. 

Best Time of Year to Elope in Eastern Washington

Where to Elope in Eastern Washington

Palouse Falls: Palouse Falls State Park is super remote and secluded, which makes for some epic backdrops without all of the onlookers. Palouse Falls stretches down 198-feet near where the Snake and Palouse Rivers meet and was first discovered by local tribes. These falls hold incredible significance for the Palus Indians because their largest and oldest village once stood near the Falls.

Lake Chelan: Lake Chelan State Park is a 139-acre camping park on the forested south shore of Lake Chelan. The park offers boating and camping opportunities, plus there is also the Lake Chelan Wine Valley in this region, which produces wines unique to Eastern Washington. Cheers, anyone?

Spokane: Spokane is the largest city in eastern Washington. According to Visit Spokane, this town features “a unique combination of outrageous outdoors and amazing attractions, incredible arts and delectable dining, and a historic past living seamlessly with a vibrant future. From thrilling whitewater or downhill adventures, to inspiring art and powerful Broadway performances, the Spokane region offers enough activities to pack your adventurous elopement timeline.

Ready to elope in Eastern Washington? Check out full elopement planning guide here!

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Ready to Decide Where to Elope in Washington State?

Whichever location you choose for your Washington elopement, we’re here to help you plan your best day ever (with the most stunning backdrop, of course).

Contact us if you have questions about where to elope in Washington. We’d love to help you choose the perfect destination that represents you and your love.

Need some Additional Planning Resources? We’ve Gotchu!

Click away through the resources below to get answers to all your most important elopement questions!