Washington has some of the most varied terrain a state can offer, from beach to mountains and from sand dunes to alpine lakes. Whether you’re local to the state or traveling here for your elopement, this guide is for you!

Hi, I’m Cherlyn, an elopement photographer in Washington and I know just how overwhelming planning for an elopement can be. Don’t worry, I’m here for you! I’ve compiled a list of all my favorite elopement locations in this guide and am excited to walk you through how to pick one that’s the perfect fit for you. PS I have hiked over 200 different trails, climbed over 100 peaks, and explored so many nooks and crannies of this state, so you’re in great hands with me!

Without further adieu, here are the best places to elope in Washington:

Table of Contents

• Mountain Views
• Glaciers
• Rock Climbing
• Fall Colors
• Oceanside

 

Mountain Views

Mountain Loop Highway

I grew up spending a lot of time here, so I might be biased when I say that the Mountain Loop Highway is the best place ever! But seriously, it’s got such an amazing variety to offer and a pretty short drive away from Seattle. As you drive past Granite Falls, it’s like you’ve entered a new realm. With Mt Pilchuck in the foreground of your drive and then forests and tall peaks lining the highway, it quickly feels like an escape from the city.

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Darrington or Granite Falls
• ACTIVITIES: Swim or paddle board on an alpine lake; Scramble a peak; Trail run to an old ghost town; Hike to wildflowers with Glacier Peak in the background; Picnic by ice caves
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

For many Seattleites, hiking is a popular weekend or summer weeknight activity. We love the easy access to mountains all along the I-90 and WA-2 corridors, which bound the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I mean, the name says it all! A protected wilderness that features alpine lakes? Sign me up! The area lives up to the name, teeming with the most concentrated number of lakes in the state, there are more than plenty of alpine blue lakes to explore here. 

• CLOSEST TOWNS: North Bend, Cle Elum, Index, or Leavenworth
• ACTIVITIES: Backpack through several alpine lakes; Trail run along the PCT; Scramble some of the tallest peaks in the state; Soak in a natural hot spring; Pick blueberries off the side of the trail
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

North Cascades National Park

Alpinists love the North Cascades because of all the remote and rugged peaks to climb. The nickname for the North Cascades is the American Alps and having been to the alps, I can confirm that the North Cascades has the same vibe. The most impressive peaks you’ll find in all of Washington, and the whole USA. But there’s still plenty to do and see even if you’re not a climber here!

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Marblemount, Sedro-Woolley, Glacier, or Mazama 
• ACTIVITIES: Stay overnight at a lookout; Ferry across the largest lake of the state; Hike to a peak; Climb one of the Bulgers (highest 100 peaks in WA); Travel on a glacier; Paddleboard on the greenest lake; Watch alpenglow from a plane; Ski amazing fresh powder
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: All seasons! Winter or spring for skiing and snowshoeing. Mid-summer to early fall for hiking

Mount St Helens

In 1980, Mount St Helens demoted itself from the 5th highest peak in Washington to the 99th. But it made for a gorgeous new landscape in the last 4 decades. It now brims with wildflowers and a gorgeous lake that sits under the mountain. It’s a shorter drive from Portland, but still only a 3 hour drive from Seattle! 

• CLOSEST TOWN: Castle Rock
• ACTIVITIES: Explore lava caves; Hike to the crater rim; Backpack through wildflower fields; Star gazing; Spring skiing
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

Olympic National Park – Interior

The Olympic National Park is divided into two areas: coastal and mountainous. If you’re looking for mountain vibes, you’ve got to check out some of the hikes! But if you’re into moody forest vibes, this park has got it all for you.

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Port Angeles, Hoodsport, Brinnon
• ACTIVITIES: Stroll through a mossy rainforest; Check out waterfalls; Watch sunset from a peak; Backpack with views into the Puget Sound and Seattle skyline; Climb the tallest peak on the peninsula; Hike through several alpine lakes
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

Ready for an elopement with mountain views and wildflower vibes?

 

Glaciers

Mount Baker Wilderness

When permits are hard to obtain for overnight elopements in the North Cascades National Park, the Mount Baker Wilderness offers a great alternative without compromising impressive peaks. Between Mt Baker itself and Mt Shuksan and other nearby mountains, there’s so many amazing, epic views here.  

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Glacier, Concrete, or Sedro-Woolley
• ACTIVITIES: Ice climbing on a glacier; Scramble a long route with a summit; Explore alpine lakes; Camp in a fire lookout; Find fields of red huckleberry bushes in the fall; Hike along a ridge with mountain views
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer or Fall

Rainier National Park

If you’ve lived in Washington long enough you’ll probably start saying “she’s out” whenever you get a clear view of Mt Rainier as you’re driving on the highway. It’s the tallest peak in Washington and the 5th tallest in the contiguous US. While climbing Mt Rainier requires mountaineering skill (and yes, I’ll photograph your elopement if that’s what you want), there’s soooo much to explore within the park that is beautiful year round. 

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Ashford or Enumclaw
• ACTIVITIES: Climb on a glacier; Hike amongst the wildflowers; Check out one of the many lookouts within and near Mount Rainier National Park; Ski from Camp Muir; Stroll through old forest growths; Watch sunrise from Sunrise
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer or Fall

Glacier Peak Wilderness

The Glacier Peak Wilderness always feels so remote. In general it takes at least 2 hours to drive to a trail in the wilderness. But this means hikes are often less crowded than others in the state. Plus, you get to see Glacier Peak up close! It’s known for its wildflower hikes and autumn colors, great for hiking and backpacking for your ceremony.

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Index, Darrington, or Leavenworth 
• ACTIVITIES: Enjoy fields of wildflowers; Hike through golden larches; Scramble on rugged peaks; Hike to the top of a mountain or ridge
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer or Fall

Henry M Jackson Wilderness

Some of my favorite hikes are located here! Fun fact: Henry M Jackson was a US Senator from Washington and a huge proponent for protecting the environment and creating many of the other wildernesses in the state. The PCT runs through a large portion of it, it boasts a handful of glaciers, the best wildflowers

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Index or Darrington
• ACTIVITIES: Scramble a remote peak; Paddle board on the greenest alpine lake; Hike on a glacier; Backpack to one of the best views of Glacier Peak
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

Ready to find the best location for your epic elopement with glacier views?

 

Rock Climbing

Frenchman Coulee

For the rock climbers, Vantage is such an amazing spot to elope! If you time it well, you could even hit up a concert at the Gorge Amphitheater venue next door. The basalt columns were created by cooling lava and are now one of the destination climbing spots for sport climbing in Washington. 

• CLOSEST TOWN: Vantage
• ACTIVITIES: Rock climbing; Backpacking to lakes carved by ice age flood; Paddle along the Columbia River; Bike to wineries and go wine tasting
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Spring or Fall

Washington Pass

Both the pinnacle of alpine climbing and a gorgeous location, Washington Pass is such a fun destination! From easy fall hikes to more strenuous climbs, there’s no shortage of places to explore. Don’t forget to stop by the Mazama store for their famous baguettes.

• CLOSEST TOWN: Mazama
• ACTIVITIES: Picnicking at a viewpoint; Trad climbing on Liberty Bell; Hiking in between golden larches; Visiting alpine lakes; Backcountry skiing in spring on open terrain; Mountain biking or cross country skiing
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer or Fall

Icicle Creek

There’s so much to offer near Leavenworth for whatever activity you can dream of. It’s next to the aptly named Enchantments and its lesser known sister, the Chiwaukum range. It’s a great destination for the off season when everything is still snowy and cold in Western Washington, it’s usually dryer with better weather. 

• CLOSEST TOWN: Leavenworth
• ACTIVITIES: Bouldering and rock climbing; Wine tasting in Wenatchee; White water rafting; Backpacking to alpine lakes; Hiking to golden larches; Roam through the best wildflower fields; Horseback ride in the mountains; Mountain biking in the hills
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Spring, Summer, or Fall

Fall Colors

Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness

This is a special place in my heart. It’s one of the few places in Washington where you get miles of golden larches in the valleys as you climb above them. You can even approach it with a ferry ride up Lake Chelan.

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Twisp or Methow
• ACTIVITIES: Backpacking the lake shore trail; Hiking to golden larches; Scramble a peak
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Fall

Pasayten Wilderness

If you love tall peaks, there’s a lot of approachable (less technical) peaks here that require a bit more miles to hike into, but you’re rewarded with some amazing views. But there’s also locations you can simply drive up to for less intensity.

• CLOSEST TOWN: Mazama
• ACTIVITIES: Mountain biking, hiking to larches, backpacking and scrambling peaks
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Fall

Teanaway

This is the perfect off-season location with usually great weather and views into the famous Enchantments. It’s great for some low-angle backcountry skiing, early wildflowers, and fall larches.

• CLOSEST TOWN: Cle Elum
• ACTIVITIES: Hiking to wildflowers; Backpacking near alpine lakes; Exploring golden larches
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Spring or Fall

Eloping in Washington in the fall? I’ve got you covered!

 

Oceanside

Ruby Beach

The Washington coastline has some of the most unique terrain with sea stacks that illuminate at sunset. Ruby Beach is one of the many amazing locations!

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Queets or Hoh
• ACTIVITIES: Tide pooling for sea anemones; Birdwatching for tufted puffins, western gulls and other coastal birds; Camping in the Olympic National Park; Exploring the Hoh Rainforest; Wander around sea stacks and driftwood
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

Rialto Beach

A different but similar landscape to Ruby Beach but with a more vast area to explore. Miles of easy beach walking at low tide, sea stacks and tidal wildlife

• CLOSEST TOWNS: La Push or Forks
• ACTIVITIES: Walk on the beach at sunset; Tide pooling for ochre sea stars; Backpacking and beach camping; Clamming and crabbing
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Summer

San Juan Islands

The islands are some of the best escapes from the urban city life in Seattle. They are a short ferry ride away and there is plenty to explore by private boats! The islands are often in a rain shadow from the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island, so it’s often more dry when it’s rainy in the Puget Sound.

• CLOSEST TOWNS: Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Rosario, or Lopez Island
• ACTIVITIES: Biking around the islands; Kayak camping; Hiking to a viewpoint; Explore a lighthouse; Go crabbing
• BEST TIME TO ELOPE HERE: Year-Round

So where will you choose to elope? Let’s chat and figure out the best location for both of you!

 

A quick note: In this guide, I mentioned general areas because I want to keep the exact trails hidden so I can share them with my eloping couples! This is to be respectful of Leave No Trace principles and my personal attempt to reduce crowds on trails that cannot sustainably handle high traffic hiking. As your elopement photographer, I will work with you to find the best trails and will hold nothing back from you!