Olympic National Park Elopement Guide
Updated For 2024
Washington Elopement Photographer
The mountains are calling…
Diversity is the word that comes to mind when people think of Olympic National Park. It’s an incredible place that covers over a million acres and includes a wide range of landscapes. You’ll find glacier-capped mountains, temperate rainforests, and even 70+ miles of prime coastline. No matter what backdrop you want for your wedding, it’s here! Olympic National Park is the perfect place to elope.
Parks are for lovers
How to Plan Your Elopement:
01) Choose your location
Lakes, mountains, woods, waterfalls, or beaches
Research weather & seasons in Northwestern Washington & plan according to the desired weather and activities you want to do
02) Choose the time of year
03) Apply for your permit & marriage license
Explore permit info below
04) Plan your activities
Hikes, backpacking options, places to kayak, etc
Best Locations in Olympic National Park
Mountains
As one of the easiest mountains to access in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge should definitely be on your elopement location shortlist. The ridge has a lot more amenities than some of the other mountain peaks on this list, with a visitor's center close by. Hiking to the top doesn’t have to be part of the wedding day, as there are plenty of scenic views on the trail—see the views from the Hurricane Ridge webcam! And at just 17 miles from Port Angeles, it’s easy to make your Hurricane Ridge elopement happen and return to the town for a low-key reception.
Obstruction Point is between Deer Park and Hurricane Ridge. The road to get to Obstruction Point is only open from July to October, but it’s hikable year round. Whether the road is open or closed, this area makes for a beautiful backdrop with the interior areas of Olympic National Park. This is easily one of the most diverse locations on the list as you have a mix of mountain, water, open areas, and forests.
If you’re looking for a place with fewer people for your Olympic Park elopement, then Deer Park is a solid option. It’s less populated during the Summer—you’ll still see people—and comes with incredible views, troves of wildflowers, and lush, dense forest areas. After the elopement, if you’re into camping, you’ll find some of the least light polluted night skies around.
To start, if you want to elope at the summit, the hike is steep, tough, and requires ropes—probably not happening. But no worries! There is over 5 miles of trail on the way to the top with views of Lake Crescent surrounded by all the splendors of nature. After eloping, you can drive down to Lake Crescent for some fun on the water, and you and any guests can find tons of lodge and cabin options.
Standing at over 6,000ft, Mt. Ellinor offers some of the best views of Olympic National Park from the top. But even if you don’t want to hike all the way to the summit, the trail around Mt. Ellinor is full of scenic wooded areas that make a perfect backdrop for a forest elopement. Afterward, there are tons of cabins in the area, and Lake Crescent is very close.
The trail to the summit of Mt. Townsend is 8.5 miles and climbs over 3,000ft. So, this is another elopement spot that offers tons of options even if you don’t want to hike all the way to the top. But if you do, the views are spectacular. On the other hand, there are plenty of forest, river, and mountain views around to set the scene for the perfect backdrop.
Lakes
For anyone seeking natural beauty, Lake Crescent delivers. Carved by a glacier, the lake sits next to the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. Its pristine water looks untouched and is completely surrounded by lush green forest. There are plenty of cabins and lodges around, so any guest can easily find a place to stay for a Lake Crescent wedding. Also, Port Angeles is very close.
Lake Cushman has it all. This 4,000 acre lake is another one in Olympic National Park carved out by glacial movement. With near-perfect water and forested shorelines, it has similar features to the other lakes in the park. Where it stands out is in the size. This makes it the perfect place to have a private elopement. Afterwards, you and any guests can enjoy any of the outdoor activities that make this location so great. Be sure to jump the Party Rock at Lake Cushman!
If you want to find a secluded place for an Olympic National Park elopement, Lena Lake is the place to go. There’s no driving right up to the lake. You and any guests will need to park a couple of miles south at the trailhead and hike the rest of the way. But once you’re there, it’s a wooded paradise surrounded by beautiful forest and high mountains.
Beaches
Ruby Beach is probably the second most popular beach in Olympic National park next to Rialto, but for many, it makes it a better spot for an elopement. With rocky, red sand, sea stacks, wildlife, weathered wood, and of course, the Pacific, it’s natural perfection. A Ruby Beach elopement or wedding will have you and guests awe-struck, and it will certainly be an unforgettable experience. Plus, Ruby Beach is dog friendly, so furry friends are welcome to be a part of the ceremony!
With sea stacks, tide pools, driftwood, the ocean, and superb sunsets, Rialto Beach has it all. It’s no wonder this is the most popular beach in all of Olympic National Park. You’ll find many of the same scenic views as Ruby Beach, and there are tons of hiking trails—like the famous Hole-in-the-Wall Trail—in the area. Plus, you might get a photobomb from any of the outstanding wildlife in the area, like sea lions, sea otters, eagles, and whales.
Waterfalls
If you’re chasing waterfalls—couldn’t resist—Marymere is the perfect choice for eloping. You only have to walk/hike a mile to get to the falls, and the trail is one of the most family-friendly in the entire park. Along the way, there are tons of extraordinary picture points. And while the falls are magnificent, they're smaller than many others in the park, so it’s easy to communicate.
Based on the water volume, the Sol Duc Falls can have up to four separate falls at one time. Each of the falls flow into the rocky canyon and the water moves on into the river. This is stunning to see and makes for one of the best spots to elope in Olympic National Park. The falls are in the heart of the Sul Duc Valley which is full of alpine lakes, snowy mountain peaks, wildlife, and other waterways. It’s easy to see them all from the various viewpoints, and those points make for some of the best picture spots.
Woods
Prefer the forest over the mountains? Hoh is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States and has over 24 miles of greenery next to the Hoh River. It’s quiet and has everything you think of when you picture the Pacific Northwest—ferns, trees, fog, moss, and lichens. Within the forest, there are tons of secluded places that make the perfect background for a picturesque Hoh rainforest wedding or elopement.
Weather & Seasons
While it’s possible to provide a lot of average temperatures and seasonal climates for the park, it has a diverse landscape with beaches, forests, mountain ranges, and valleys. The weather changes drastically from one area to another.
Without a doubt, the best time to visit and elope in Olympic National Park is between June and October, with greater chances of rain and fog in the Spring and Fall. Summer high temperatures are around 75 degrees on average—again, based on where you are—and there’s a lot of sunny weather.
The best thing you can do is pick a location, and research weather information for that specific area in the park. Always be prepared for inclement weather and pack accordingly. Cloud cover can roll in quickly in the mountains, so views & visibility are dependent on this often.
Permits & Marriage License
To get married in Olympic National Park, you’ll need three things:
Washington State Marriage License
Olympic National Park Special Use Permit - Wedding
Olympic National Park Pass
Special Use Permit
Before getting married, you must fill out a Special Use Permit form and send it in at least a month before the wedding—they say 3-4 weeks processing on their site, so the sooner the better. There’s a $50 fee, and it’s also recommended that you email the park or notify them by snail mail about your wedding. Here’s the mailing address:
Olympic National Park
600 East Park Ave
Port Angeles, WA 98362
If you have any other questions, visit the Olympic National Park Permit site.
National Park Pass
Even with the marriage license and special use permit, you’ll still need to pay the park entrance fee. Non-commercial vehicles cost $30 to enter the park and you can purchase them online beforehand and print them out.
Washington State Marriage License
Getting a marriage license is a straightforward process, but here are some important things to know about marriage licenses in Washington:
It’s possible to get a marriage license from any county, and the license is valid in the entire state. However, they require that you return the license back to the same county where you got it—but you can do it by mail!
A Washington state marriage license costs $69—nonrefundable.
The license if valid for 60 days
You may not get married on the same day you get your license. There is a three-day waiting period.
You must have an ordained officiant and two witnesses present at the wedding.
King County has a comprehensive marriage license website that answers any other questions you may have.
Hiking
Olympic National Park has thousands of hikes and trails with varying difficulty. But here’s a list of the top 10 to know about before you plan your visit and elopement.
Marymere Falls
East Fork Quinault River Trail to Enchanted Valley - Overnight trail
Mt. Storm King - Difficult!
Mt. Ellinor
Campgrounds
It was number 10 on the list above, but you’ll need some campground options if you want to stay in the park. Each site has different fees and regulations, and most require reservations. Be sure to visit the Olympic National Park camping website beforehand. Here’s a list of the top campgrounds.
ShiShi Beach
Enchanted Valley
Deer Park Campground
Dosewallips
Heart O'the Hills
Queets
Sol Duc Group Campground
Graves Creek
Altair
North Fork
Staircase
South Beach
Mora
Kalaloch
Lodging
Olympic National Park has tons of resorts, lodges, and cabins in all areas—and plenty of Airbnbs! Here’s a list of some of the top options, but you can also visit the Olympic National Park lodging site for other options by region.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Lake Quinault Lodge
Glen Ayr Resort, Hoodsport
Olympic Lodge, Port Angeles
Lake Crescent Lodge
The Pacific Inn Motel, Forks.
Kalaloch Lodge.
Quality Inn & Suites at Olympic National Park, Sequim
National Forest Service Cabin
Camp in the Park!
A packing list for Olympic National Park Trips
Before you go on any hike in the park, be sure to pack properly—and for the area in the park where you’re hiking. Hiking casually with jeans and a smartphone won’t cut it for long hikes. Here’s a list of essentials that anyone should have in their pack:
Topographic map of the area
First-aid kit
Candle or fire starter
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Compass—and know how to use it!
Flashlight with extra batteries
Extra warm-when-wet clothing
Pocket knife
Extra food
Matches in waterproof container
Park Pass
Washington Packages
-
Full Day $7,500
7 hours of coverage
3-5 locations + capturing any activities you do
Split or consecutive coverage
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
-
Half Day $6,000
4 hours of coverage
2-3 location
Consecutive coverage or $250 extra for split
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
-
Golden Hour $4,500
2 hours of coverage (elopements only)
1-2 locations
Sunrise OR sunset - to get the best lighting
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations and help planning your timeline
Let’s work together.
Fill out this form as detailed as possible and we’ll be planning together in no time!
