On the hunt for the perfect Washington elopement location for your big day? Woohoooo – I’m stoked that you’ve chosen this beautiful state to celebrate in! Whether you’re local & just went to Google to search “places to elope near me,” or you’re traveling in from out of state and are wondering where to elope in Washington state, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got inside info on 7 of the best places to elope in WA, from national parks to forests to spots on the water & more. 

Skip ahead to the location you want to take a look at, or grab a glass of your fave beverage & read through each one if you’re still up in the air! Happy exploring!

Already know where you want to elope and are just looking for a cozy place to stay? Head over to my guide to 9 Amazing Cabins for Your Adventure Elopements in Washington!

What Are the Best Places to Elope in Washington State?

In my experience, these are the best places to elope in Washington state:

• Olympic National Park
• Mount Rainier National Park / Gifford Pinchot National Forest
• North Cascades National Park
• Mount Baker Snoqualmie Forest
• Leavenworth
• San Juan Islands
• Vantage

Where can I elope in Washington State?

Wherever elopements are legally permitted! You can elope in any of the national parks as long as you get the appropriate Special Use Permit, in the national forests as long as you get a permit if you have a group of over 75 people, or in any state parks as long as you, again, get the appropriate Special Use Permit. Some parks do have specific locations that are off-limits for photos or legal ceremonies, so be sure to pay attention to each specific park’s permitted ceremony locations. If ceremonies aren’t permitted at your ideal spot, then you can simply take informal elopement portraits there instead!

How much does it cost to elope in Washington state?

Great question! This article will be diving into the best locations rather than into budget tips or Washington elopement costs, so I’d recommend popping over to my blog post about the Cost of Eloping in Washington, where I delve into all the costs you’ll need to consider + some of my best money-saving tips.

Now, let’s get into what you came here for!

WA Elopement Location #1: Olympic National Park

About Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is by far one of the most versatile elopement locations in the state, being that it has moody beaches, unique rainforests, cascading waterfalls, clear lakes, mountain views, and all the lush greenery you could ever dream of! The central part of the park is just under 2.5 hours from Seattle, and the northernmost area of the coast is a 4.5-hour drive. ONP encompasses nearly a million acres and over 70 miles of coastline, making it an incredible place for couples looking to go on a true adventure & explore everything the PNW has to offer.

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

If you just can’t decide on one type of scenery that Washington has available to you, Olympic National Park will be perfect for you since it NEARLY has it all – except for the desert. It’s easy to hit multiple locations within the park for your elopement as well, if you’d like a little variety + extra adventure on your elopement day!

Best Elopement Locations:

• Hurricane Ridge (see a full elopement example here)
• The Hoh Rain Forest
• Lake Crescent
• Ruby Beach (check out this real-life elopement for inspo)
• Marymere Falls

Olympic National Park Elopement Permit Info

Being that it’s a national park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit to elope in Olympic National Park in addition to paying the $30 entrance fee (or getting a $55 annual pass instead).

I always recommend starting the permit process as early on as you can, so you have plenty of time to follow every step of the process and get your permit in time! The park office says that permits typically take 3-4 weeks to process, but that depends on the season & how busy the office is.

Here’s how to obtain your Olympic National Park elopement permit:

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

4. If your permit request is approved, you’ll receive a permit with the applicable terms & conditions in the mail
5. Sign the permit and return it to the park for final approval

The NPS also asks that you email the park office to inform them of your wedding, and to let them know you’ll be applying for a permit. This way they can respond to you with any specific details you’ll need to know before starting the permit process!

Olympic National Park Elopement Planning Guide

For even more info about eloping in Olympic National Park, head to my full Olympic National Park elopement planning guide here!

WA Elopement Location #2: Mount Rainier National Park / Gifford Pinchot National Forest

About Mount Rainier National Park

One of Washington’s most popular tourist spots (and one of the most visited NP’s in the country), Mount Rainier National Park NEVER disappoints. Located in southeast Pierce County, the park is just a 2.5-hour drive south of Seattle, making it a super doable weekend trip for an elopement – but also a dream location for a longer adventure with lots of time to explore the whole area!

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest spans 1.32 million acres, and extends into Mount Rainier National Park from the south. The forest is home to many of Washington’s beautiful mountains & volcanoes, including Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, meaning there are endless gorgeous forest spots for an elopement in the green trees of WA! 

Why Mount Rainier is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington

Mount Rainier NP offers up some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ll ever find – and a lot of it is fairly easily accessible, too! There are tons of hiking opportunities for every skill level, from quick walks from your car to moderate hour-long hikes to full day hikes or overnight trips. 

Best Elopement Locations:

• Sunrise (take a look at Carye & Kyle’s Mount Rainier sunrise elopement for inspo!)
• Paradise
• Grove of the Patriarchs
• Longmire
• Tipsoo Lake / Naches Peak Loop

Mount Rainier National Park Wedding Permit Info

The size of your group is what determines where in the park you’re able to hold your ceremony. Make sure when you’re counting your group size that you include yourselves, your guests, and all your vendors.

Here are the deets, taken straight from the National Park Service’s website:

• 1-60 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include select trails, picnic areas, roadside locations, and campground amphitheaters.
• 60+ participants: may use campground amphitheaters.

What’s allowed during ceremonies:

• Small decorations (ask park office about specifics)
• What’s not allowed during ceremonies:

What’s not allowed during ceremonies:

• Roping off/blocking any areas
• Chairs, tables, awnings, etc.
• Confetti or anything similar

Here’s how to get your Special Use Permit:

1. Fill out this application form
2. Send the completed application to mora_special_use@nps.gov   
3. Once your application is received, you’ll get a Permit Application Number & info on how to pay the $60 non-refundable application fee.
4. If your request is approved, you’ll receive a permit.
5. Sign the permit and return it to the park for final approval.

Your application must be submitted at least 4 weeks before your requested date, but I recommend doing it as soon as possible! The last thing you want is to be worrying about your permit the month of your wedding, or potentially have to change your date last minute. 

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Elopement Permit Info

Luckily, you won’t need to get a Special Use Permit to get married in the Gifford Pinchot NF unless you’re having a group of over 75 people!

Mount Rainier Elopement Planning Guide

For more details on eloping at Mount Rainier (including seasons + weather, a packing list, & more), check out my Ultimate Mount Rainier Elopement Planning Guide!

WA Elopement Location #3: North Cascades National Park

About North Cascades National Park

Just under 3 hours from Seattle, the alpine landscape of the North Cascades is an unbeatable backdrop for an intimate elopement in Washington state. Driving along the North Cascades Highway thru the mountains is one of my favorite pastimes, because literally everywhere you stop, you’re gifted with unreal views of jagged peaks, snow-capped mountains, and forested valleys all around you!

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

The North Cascades make for an epic elopement location for many reasons, one of them being that many spots in the mountain range are pretty dang easily accessible. If you simply drive along State Route 20, especially in the area nearest to Whatcom County & Bellingham, you’ll come across multiple stunning blue lakes, campgrounds, and forest hiking areas. The Cascades have plenty of hiking opportunities of different difficulty level, so you can easily find one that fits your vision for your elopement day.

Best Elopement Locations:

• Diablo Lake
  • Thunder Knob Trail
• Ross Lake
• Washington Pass Overlook
• Cascade Pass Trail

Check out Leslie + Andy’s Romantic Winter Elopement in North Cascades National Park for beautiful winter elopement inspiration!

North Cascades National Park Elopement Permit Info

To elope in the North Cascades, you’ll have to obtain a Special Use Permit (which you could’ve probably guessed by this point). The park asks that you email them here for specific info about your permit based on the location you’d like to elope at + your group size, and then they’ll send you the application form + direct you to pay a $50 non-refundable application fee at pay.gov. 

One quick note I wanted to include about Diablo Lake: if you look up any wedding photos of Diablo Lake, you’ll most likely see couples & visitors standing on a cliff overlooking the bright blue waters. Unfortunately, due to land damage and too many visitors not following rules, that popular cliffside spot is now completely off-limits for elopements & weddings – despite other couples & photographers still using it and ignoring that rule.

Luckily, there are multiple trails along the lake that’ll get you similar beautiful views, such as Thunder Knob Trail, and you can also have your ceremony at the foot of the lake on the beach!

North Cascades Elopement Planning Guide

You know the drill by now – I’ve got a full North Cascades Elopement Guide all ready for you here!

WA Elopement Location #4: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest

About Mount Baker

The Mt. Baker Wilderness/Snoqualmie Forest is one of the northernmost spots in the state, west of the North Cascades and just over a 2.5-hour drive from Seattle. If you’re a fan of winter sports like skiing & snowboarding, Mt. Baker is a dream for you, as it’s one of the most visited forests in the country & gets incredible snow!

Why Mount Baker is One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington

Mt. Baker has no shortage of stunning PNW landscapes, from glacier-covered peaks to forested valleys to mountain meadows & more. With hiking trails galore, it’s the perfect area for a gorgeous mountain elopement in northwestern WA, especially for couples who are down for a hiking adventure!

Some of the most popular spots to visit (and that are a dream for an elopement) include Artist Point & Heather Meadows, which is actually just down the road from Artist Point. The final 1.8 mile stretch of road up to Artist Point closes down for the winter, so you’ll have to hike up that portion to get to the top, or stick to the just-as-beautiful Heather Meadows & Austin Pass Picnic Area instead. I adore the Artist Point area because you can hike as much as you want to, or you can simply hop out of your car and be at epic views!

Mt. Baker Elopement Permit Info

Lucky for ya, only weddings & events of 75+ people require a Special Use Permit. So no need to worry about obtaining a permit to hold your ceremony in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest!

WA Elopement Location #5: Leavenworth

About Leavenworth

If you’d like to elope in the more central part of Washington, Leavenworth is absolutely a place you need to consider! It’s a small, Bavarian-styled village in the Cascades, full of German beer, tons of delish food, small shops to explore, and countless opportunities for adventure out in nature. Leavenworth is one of the most charming, unique towns you’ll find in all of Washington, truly like no other in the PNW!

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

Visitors come from all over to visit Leavenworth, not only for its Bavarian style that takes you out of the real world & puts you right into a fairytale, but also for all the outdoor activities it has to offer. Head to the Wenatchee River for some white water rafting or chilling on a beach in the summer, drive into the mountains to go skiing, hiking, biking, or even horseback riding.

Best Elopement Locations:

• Colchuck Lake – an absolutely breathtaking alpine lake with a 6-mile round trip hike
• Icicle Ridge – super close to the main part of Leavenworth, and tons of beautiful wildflowers in the spring!
• Lake Valhalla – this trail has multiple route options and takes to you an incredible alpine lake

Leavenworth Elopement Planning Guide

I recently published an entire blog post filled with info to help you plan your Leavenworth elopement – check it out below for more information about weather, local vendors, fun activity options, & more!

WA Elopement Location #6: San Juan Islands

About the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are a dream elopement location for any couples who love being on the water, and want to explore beautiful islands off the Washington coast! These islands are an archipelago that boast gorgeous PNW landscapes, lots of wildlife, & plenty of cute small towns to explore. You’ve got three main islands to choose from (or you can totally hit up multiple): Orcas Island, San Juan Island, & Lopez Island, all of which have breathtaking locations & hiking opportunities galore. 

Why the San Juan Islands are One of the Best Places to Elope in Washington

The SJ Islands would be an amazing location option for you & your partner if you feel most at peace by the water, and if you’re wanting to explore multiple different areas for your elopement. Take a ferry from Seattle, say your vows on San Juan Island, and the next day, take a trip to Orcas Island for some whale watching + to explore the town. Or say your vows in front of the lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park, then head to Friday Harbor to explore a super charming little seaport. The itinerary options are endless!

Best Elopement Locations:

• Lime Kiln State Park – SJ Island
• Friday Harbor – SJ Island
• Mt. Constitution / Moran State Park – Orcas Island
• Point Colville – Lopez Island
• Watmough Bay Trail – Lopez Island

San Juan Islands Elopement Planning Guide

For more deets about eloping in the SJI including the yummiest places to eat, fun ideas for your SJI wedding, and timeline examples, head to my SJI Elopement Planning Guide here!

WA Elopement Location #7: Vantage

About Vantage

Finally, we’ve made it to the desert area of Washington, the east side of the state. Vantage is the prettiest desert area WA has to offer, sitting along I-90 at a major road junction along the Columbia River. It’s far from the lush environment that western WA provides, but there’s something special and unique about the desert landscape! 

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

The sunsets in this area of Washington are hard to beat, since the dry sunny days often lead to clear skies and gorgeous colors overlooking the cliffs of the desert. You can check out one of the most unusual fossil forests in the world at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park if you’re interested in old petroglyphs, head to Horses on the Hill for a great view of Lake Wanapum, or check out the Gorge Amphitheater on a bluff overlooking the river. 

Vantage is definitely a super different vibe than the rest of the locations in this blog post, but the magical sunsets + golden hour lighting and views of cliffs standing above the Columbia River is still an absolutely gorgeous option for an elopement!

Washington Elopement Planning Resources

Whewwww that was a long one! I hope you found it super helpful to go through 7 of the most amazing locations in WA for your elopement, and that now you’ve narrowed it down to at least just a couple spots for your big day.

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For even more WA elopement planning tips, tools, & resources, take a look at some of my recent blog posts below! Happy planning! And when you’re ready to book your Washington elopement photographer to tag along with ya, you know where to find me (here!) 😉

Washington Mountain Elopement Guide: Best Locations & More

15 Accessible Hiking Trails in Washington for Your Elopement & Guests

How to Have an Epic Hiking Elopement in Washington State