Olympic National Park: one of the most absolutely stunning places in the Pacific Northwest. Getting to bring couples to this park is one of the biggest honors I get to have, and it’s truly a dream location for an outdoor elopement. So today I’m giving you all the resources you’ll need about how to elope in Olympic National Park – consider it your ultimate guide!
Throughout this blog post, you’ll learn about:
The best places to elope in Olympic National Park
Choosing the right time of year for your elopement
How to get your ONP wedding permit
Where to stay near the park
Your Olympic National Park elopement photographer
Vendors to hire
Fun activity ideas for your elopement
Sample elopement timelines
Sound good to you? Let’s dive right in!
Best Places to Elope in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a dream within a dream, and there is so much diversity and dimension inside the park. There are majestic, snow-capped mountains, mossy rainforests, beautiful foliage, and clear lakes – providing the perfect scenery for an outdoor elopement.
It can be hard to choose from all the endless options, so let’s go through the types of locations you can pick from inside of the park. I won’t go into super-specific locations since my best location knowledge is saved for my couples, but this should help you figure out what type of scenery you’re going for (and if you want to hit up just one spot, or multiple locations on your elopement day).
Mountains
I mean, this is an obvious one – pretty much anywhere you look in Olympic National Park, you’ll be able to see some sort of mountain peak(s) in the background! There are plenty of spots to get to incredible mountain views – ask me about some of my favorites when you inquire! 😉
Beaches
The beaches along the Olympic Peninsula are truly something special. They’re not the type of beaches you’ll find in California or Florida – they’re exactly what you’d imagine the PNW to be: moody and beautiful as hell. Instead of sun & palm trees, you’ll find driftwood, jagged rock formations, and tidepools. The Washington coast is the perfect place for any couples looking to have a beach elopement, and also have lush rainforests and waterfall hikes nearby.
Rainforests
I could go on and on about the lush greenery inside of Olympic National Park, because it truly is everywhere. Since the Olympic National Forest & Peninsula get so much rainfall throughout the year, these rainforests are some of the greenest you’ll ever see! Each forest area in the park has multiple walking and/or hiking trails to choose from, and is filled with stunning trees that make you feel so damn small. Later on in this article, I talk about a specific rainforest that is a must-visit!
Lakes
Not only does Olympic National Park have mountain views, rainforests, and hikes galore – it also has beautiful lakes! Whether you want to have a lakeside elopement ceremony, or you simply want to have a lake to spend time at with your friends & family if you’re eloping in the summer, you’ll find out about a perfect lake to visit further down in this blog post.
Waterfalls
And finally, the park also has beautiful waterfalls hidden in between the trees. You’ll find multiple waterfalls to explore and that offer great hiking opportunities, if that’s the kinda thing you want to do for your elopement!
Choosing the Right Time of Year For Your Olympic Peninsula Elopement
It’s important to make sure you choose a time of year for your elopement that all of the trails/roads/areas you want to visit will be open! Monitor the NPS website to keep an eye on trail conditions and potential road closures once your date gets close, especially in the colder seasons.
Spring
Spring is an incredible time to visit the park since that’s when extreme weather conditions start to calm down and temperatures start to warm up. However, I do recommend visiting in later spring to avoid any late snow that might come with the end of winter/beginning of spring. Snow and icy weather can cause trail & road closures that could prevent you from accessing your dream location(s)!
Summer
Summertime is obviously when you’ll get the warmest temperatures & least chance of rain throughout the park. But be sure to consider crowds and other visitors – the popular spots in the park will get much busier during the summertime (and at sunset + on weekends). To avoid crowds as much as possible, find a more secluded spot to elope, and elope at sunrise + on a weekday if you’re able to!
Fall
Fall in the park is absolutely breathtaking, with the tree colors changing all around you. It’s a dream for an outdoor elopement! Just keep in mind that temperatures can decrease fast once fall hits, and rain will be more likely. Higher elevations will also experience much cooler temperatures and potentially snow/ice, so aim for early fall and be prepared to have backup plans.
Winter
Winter is not the best time to elope in Olympic National Park, since the park gets a lot of rain and snow then. I’d recommend looking into skiing or other winter activities instead of eloping if you’re dying to get to the park in the wintertime!
Olympic National Park Wedding Permits
Before anything else, remember you’ll need to pay a fee to enter the park. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, and that fee will cover seven days in the park for you. Or if you’re planning on visiting the park more than once throughout the year, opt for the $55 annual pass instead!
Now let’s talk wedding permits. To get married inside of Olympic National Park, you’ll need to obtain a Special Use Permit, just like you do in most national parks.
It’s important to start the permit process as far in advance as possible, to make sure you have plenty of time to follow every step & get your permit in time! Even though the NPS website says Special Use Permits typically take 3-4 weeks to process, it can vary depending on the season. You don’t want to have to worry about your permit arriving at the last minute!
Here’s how to get your Olympic National Park wedding permit, from start to finish:
1. Download the Special Use Permit Application from the NPS website
2. Fill out the form and print it
3. Mail your completed application, along with the $50 nonrefundable application processing fee (by check or money order made out to the National Park Service) to the address below:
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Ave
Port Angeles, WA 98362
3. If your permit request is approved, you’ll receive a permit with the applicable terms & conditions in the mail
4. Sign the permit and return it to the park for final approval
The NPS also recommends emailing the park office to inform them of your wedding, and to let them know you’ll be applying for a permit. That way, they can respond to you with any specific details you’ll need to know!
Where to Stay on the Olympic Peninsula
Oceanfront Olympic Cabin – Forks, WA || $325/night
Guests: 6
Bedrooms: 2
Beds: 3
Bathrooms: 1
- Lake Crescent Lodge – Port Angeles, WA
Riverside Cabin with Hot Tub – Port Angeles, WA || $284/night
Guests: 4
Bedrooms: 1
Beds: 2
Bathrooms: 1
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Photo by Airbnb
ONP Vacation Home – Forks, WA || $283/night
Guests: 10
Bedrooms: 3
Beds: 3
Bathrooms: 2
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Photo by Vrbo
Quiet Tiny Home Escape – Beaver, WA || $149/night
Guests: 6
Bedrooms: 2
Beds: 3
Bathrooms: 1
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Photo by Airbnb
Rainforest Hideaway – Forks, WA || $85/night
Guests: 4
Bedrooms: 1
Beds: 2
Bathrooms: 1
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Photo by Airbnb
Your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer
Hiii, that’s me 😉 In case you don’t know me, I’m Emma, and I’m an adventure elopement photographer based out of the PNW! I absolutely adore Olympic National Park, so taking couples there to elope is one of the coolest things I get to do in this “job” of mine.
I’m experienced in most areas of Washington, and as a lover of the outdoors & all things nature, Olympic National Park is included in that. I’ve photographed the area many times along with visiting, so I know allll the best spots to take you to.
If you’re searching for your perfect adventurous, encouraging, & experienced Olympic National Park elopement photographer, I may be your gal! Contact me here & let’s start planning your dream ONP elopement experience.
Olympic National Park Wedding Vendors
Finding the right vendors is one of the most crucial parts of planning your elopement! Lucky for you, I’ve got tons of elopement experience (obviously), which means I know plenty of amazing vendors in Washington state. Below are some of my favorite Washington wedding vendors I highly recommend reaching out to for your elopement!
Florists
Rusted Vase Co.
The London Plane
Al & Bloom
Hair & Makeup
Seattle Beauty Boss
Amanda Dang
Planners
Tapestry Event Co.
The Greatest Adventure Wed
Bridal Gowns
The Dress Theory Seattle
A And Bé Bridal
Blue Sky Bridal
Interested in seeing how much your elopement might cost you? Check out my article on the Cost of Eloping in Washington State for estimates & tips!
Fun Elopement Activity Ideas
1. Spend time on Lake Crescent
Who doesn’t love spending some time on the water in one of the most beautiful places in Washington?
Bring your loved ones along to hang out at the lake the day of/before/after your elopement, and spend time relaxing by the water. Lake Crescent sits right in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains, with forests and mountain peaks surrounding it – so the views truly can’t get any better.
Pack a book to read, bring along a picnic for lunch, or rent equipment from Lake Crescent Lodge for a fun afternoon of water activities! What better way to celebrate than grabbing a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and breathing in the fresh air with your best friends & fam?
2. Hike to Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is a beautiful waterfall right near Lake Crescent – making it perfect for a pre-lake-swim hike! The hike to the falls is only 1.8 miles roundtrip with a gain of just 500 feet, so it’s nothing too crazy. It’s a perfect hike to do with your loved ones the day after you elope, or even just the two of you on the morning of your elopement if you want to get some fresh forest air. Then you can easily hop over to Lake Crescent for some lakeside fun!
3. Go camping at Kalaloch
If you’d rather spend a night under the stars, enjoying the great outdoors, than in an Airbnb, go camping at Kalaloch! Kalaloch is the area of the park that’s home to Ruby Beach, one of my absolute favorite beaches in all of Washington. People are most familiar with this area because of La Push Beach and Forks, as it’s where the Twilight series took place. But Ruby Beach is nestled in the rocky part of the Pacific Ocean, with stunning rock formations, driftwood, and all the classic PNW moodiness.
You can make a camping reservation at Kalaloch ahead of time and end your elopement day looking up at the stars, breathing in the fresh PNW air, and being fully present with each other. What better way to start off married life, am I right?
4. Take a stroll through the Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the most breathtaking parts of Olympic National Park. It’s full of mossy trees, lush green foliage everywhere you look, and unique roots & tree shapes – in short, it’s the dream destination for an outdoor forest elopement.
Set aside some time on your trip to explore this rainforest, whether you want to simply walk around and see where the canopy takes you, or you want to follow a trail such as the Hoh River Trail. This forest is a MUST-see.
5. Go biking on the Olympic Discovery Trail
If you’d rather hop on a bike than walk around or hike, head to the Olympic Discovery Trail! This trail is 135 miles long and provides the perfect location for you to ride your bikes together, or even go horseback riding if that’s more your thing.
6. Drive to Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is another must-see, simply because it’s a super easy location to access and provides absolutely breathtaking views. It’s located 17 miles south of Port Angeles and is easy to drive to, as long as the road is open (check the NPS website for weather & road conditions). You’ll get amazing views of the Olympic Mountain Range and plenty of green forests!
7. Explore Port Angeles
Port Angeles is the perfect place to stay for your Olympic National Park elopement since it gives you great access to the park & surrounding areas. There are plenty of things to do in town, from finding yummy local seafood & seasonal cuisine to shopping at local stores to visiting wineries. I highly recommend finding time in your elopement experience to explore the town and bring along your loved ones, if you’d like to!
Timelines for your Olympic Peninsula Elopement
Let’s go through a couple of sample timelines to give you a feel for what your Olympic National Park adventure elopement could look like!
4-Hour Elopement Timeline on the Olympic Peninsula
2:30 pm – Arrive at the beach parking lot, get ready & into wedding attire!
3:00 pm – Head down to the beach and explore together, get epic photos along the rugged coastline
4:00 pm – Ceremony amongst incredible rock formations
4:15 pm – Celebrate! Sign marriage license & pop champagne
4:45 pm – Head back to car to grab cozy, warmer clothing to wear over your wedding attire
5:00 pm – Have a yummy picnic on the beach
6:10 pm – Start up campfire, cozy up, and have some hot drinks
6:30 pm – Coverage ends and we part ways as you head into full-on honeymoon mode
12-Hour Sunrise Elopement Timeline in Olympic National Park
2:30 am – Meet at the designated trailhead (hair & makeup is done, wedding attire is packed!)
3:00 am – Start hiking on up!
5:30 am – Arrive at the location, change into wedding attire
6:30 am – Private letter-reading, and say your vows as the sun rises over the coast
7:00 am – Sign marriage license
7:30 am – Have breakfast burritos, coffee, & mimosas; exchange gifts with one another
9:00 am – Head a little further down the trail and take time to explore, have quality time, & revel in the natural beauty around you
10:30 am – Quick break & refuel before heading back down
11:00 am – Head down the mountain, you wear your “just married” sign on your backpacks
1:30 pm – Arrive at the trailhead where you’re met by your closest friends & family to celebrate!
2:00 pm – Tailgate/picnic with your people
2:30 pm – We bid adieus and you take the rest of the afternoon to chill by the lake, go explore Port Angeles and have a night out, or celebrate however feels best to you
For even more elopement timeline tips, check out my article all about How to Create Your Adventure Elopement Timeline.
More Washington Elopement Resources
Looking for more Washington elopement information & resources like this? I gotcha covered! Check out some of my recent blog posts below!
