Olympic National Park Elopement
National Park Elopement Locations
Rialto Beach is a very special place along the Pacific Northwest coast in the Olympic National Park, especially for an elopement. I met up with Hilary and Alejandro at the cutest tent Airbnb in Forks, which is just a few miles from the beach to get ready. The two are quite the duo! Alejandro moved to the Pacific Northwest from the South and eventually ended up meeting Hilary, a Seattle local, at a neighborhood dive bar. In the past several years of them dating they have shared many memories and adventures. Spending birthdays adventuring in places like Crater Lake National Park and along the Oregon coast, taking day trips to Canada and more! With these two you bet the hiking boots can always be found in the trunk of the car and laughter will be in the air. Alejandro may look like Noah from the Notebook, but sounds just like Matthew McConaughey and may remind you of him if you would’ve been there to witness him running along the coast drinking Keystone’s. Hilary is graceful, sweet and her whole face and smile lights up in the presence of him. She is ready for adventure and listening to her recall winter sport memories will bring you right along for the ride.
If you are looking to elope in the Pacific Northwest and some place like a rain forest, snowy mountain top, lake views or a beach sounds appealing to you look no further than Olympic National Park. This National Park has it all and is a perfect spot for a four hour elopement or a two day elopement! Rialto Beach brings some sort of peace and feels like quite a fairy tale place especially on a day where you can catch a stunning sunset. Olympic National Park has several dreamy beaches for you to consider eloping on though, giving you options for days. Other than the beach you can elope along the many rivers, waterfalls or under the magical HOH rain forest. Rain forest and unreal beaches not your thing?? Do not worry hop to the peak of Hurricane Ridge for amazing views and hang out with the friendliest deer ever. When snow is still gracing the pines it is quite a treat. I have always struggled to find the words for how I feel about Olympic National Park, but it really is such a magical place and as an elopement location it is mind blowing-ly beautiful and serene.
Read below for more National Park Elopement Locations!
National Park Elopement Locations
In the last couple of weeks I have told you all about some epic elopement locations at State Parks and on Forest Service or BLM land. So you may be wondering why I have been telling you about all of these amazing places to elope over National Parks. Here is the thing, National Parks are grand, but they are also extremely popular destinations for hikers, climbers, families and elopements!! I fully support eloping in National Parks and encourage folks to elope there, but I also encourage couples to broaden their options and consider other epic places so locations do not get too much traffic. The best way to explain this is to tell you about one of the problems that Leave No Trace Behind strives solve, crowded parks. Consider Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. This place blew up on Instagram and in the last few years it is always super crowded, new parking lots are beening built, a bus system and railings have also been put into place. Rather than visiting a scared place it almost feels as if you are visiting a theme park. Yosemite is beyond amazing and the views will leave you feeling small and in wonder of the world. Taft Point has become an extremely popular elopement location and that is amazing! At the same time, there is a huge chance you may not be the only couple there eloping anymore when you arrive and the park is going to be closing down Taft Point and Glacier point for some time next year to build more parking! So here I am to say (again!) when choosing an elopement location, pick a place that feels special to you, your relationship and not based on trending locations on social media.
Joshua Tree National Park in California - The desert is pure magical and this desert will blow your mind with the killer sunsets, dark starry night skies and if you find the right nook pure quietness. This place is great if you want to camp the night of your elopement, rent a super cute Airbnb or stay in a resort in Palm Springs. Check out this beautiful elopement in Joshua Tree.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona - The Grand Canyon is vast and one of those places you can not really put into words or explain the feeling of standing on the rim among the red rocks. Grand Canyon opens up a lot of options for what type of elopement you have. There is the option to back pack Rim to Rim and get married in the bottom of the canyon, elope on the rim, or pull a permit when they open in Feb to venture to Havasu Falls.
Zion National Park in Utah - This park is in Southern Utah and you may know it for the dare-devil hike, Angel’s Landing. The park has amazing views and is actually really close to a lot of other great adventures and the quaint small town of Kanab.
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah - Bryce Canyon is not too far from Zion at all! Really you could do both parks in the same weekend. Bryce Canyon is a fantastic place to elope at in the winter, I can not compare another sight when the hoodoos are slightly covered in snow! For more information on winter specific elopement locations click here.
Arches National Park in Utah - Another Utah National Park and a desert classic. When you think of the Southwest sometimes I can not imagine it without the red rock arches. The park is just right outside of Moab, offering places to stay and eat.
Mt Rainier National Park in Washington - Whew!!! This park completely stole my heart this summer and it is bound to bring your hearts together. Yep, that was cliché, but in all seriousness, I am not joking!!! The park is huge and lots of different options elopement locations. If you elope here in the summer you will be blessed with being surrounded by beautiful wildflowers! For elopement locations within the park click here and to see a session in the park click here.
North Cascades National Park in Washington - Insane mountain views. You have come to the right park my friends, if that is what you’re looking for. Have your hiking boots ready for this one because the best way to see this park is to be out on the trails in back country.
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon - The color of the lake is insanely mind blowing. This park can be a bit quieter than some of the others. While if you elope here in the summer all the trails will be open and you can enjoy all of the park. Although, if you elope here in the winter there is just something so magical about the white snow covered peaks surrounding the lake.
Denali National Park in Alaska - Where the bears roam and maybe one of the most peaceful places to say your vows and the spend the day with your partner. Visiting this park in general requires a certain level of planning, but can you say hello sled dogs?!
Sequoia National Park in California - This National Park meets King’s Canyon National Park and offers a large variety in landscape. Beyond it all the red wood trees standing tall are so magically, but better yet imagine reading your vows in one!
Grand Tetons and Yellow Stone National Park in Wyoming - The chance to elope around some amazing wildlife is bountiful here. The mountain ridge of the Grand Tetons is awe capturing and sure to give you all the wilderness vibes as you come together as one!
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado - I do not know about you, but what could be more fun on your elopement day than romping around huge sand dunes and being surrounded by amazing mountain views!! This park is so fun, but has so much more to offer than sand like rivers, lakes, lush forest and mountains. The nearby camping will give you so many stars to gaze at in the evening!
The Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina - Even as an NC native, I did not know that the Smokey Mountains is the most visited National Park! Eloping here in the fall is beyond breathe taking and sure to give you all of those warm cozy vibes with hundreds of colorful leaves around you in the mass mountain views.
National Parks to elope at Outside of the United States……
Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland - Glaciers and waterfalls, need I say more? Iceland always blows my mind, but this region has so many unique places to elope. On the right night you could even enjoy the Northern Lights together.
Banff National Park in Canada - This park is becoming wildly popular as an elopement location. I can totally see why with its epic mountain peaks and beautiful waters. If you’re looking to hop skip out of the country, but not go too far consider this gem!
Torres del Paine National Park in Chile - Confused? One word: Patagonia. Another growing popular elopement location over the years. This park is packed with iconic views, glaciers and grasslands. I have never met a soul that has been here, hiked here, or eloped here that has not said it changed their lives, blew their minds and was the most amazing place they have been.
Fiordland National Park in New Zealand - Just google it. Wow! Insane views packed with mountains and water. This is a place where the adventure is bound to match your love. Explore this park by an epic road trip, hiking the trails or taking a helicopter to see the views from above!
Greenland National Park, Yes in Greenland - Let’s just be honest here. I am obsessed with Greenland. This National Park is the LARGEST in the world. You may be asking why this one is on the list. I am not sure what more of a reason you need other than it being in Greenland and the largest park, but if you need more reasons, I got you! Greenland National Park is an arctic paradise, wildlife is extremely abundant, Northern Lights and pure quiet. Imagine a winter wonder land elopement with just you two around. You down??!?! Let’s chat <3
Of course, there are tons of other options for National Parks to elope at here in the states and outside of it! I am sticking to the advice I always give my couples and telling you of those that I feel the most draw to. No matter what if you are eloping in a National Park do your research, practice Leave No Trace Principals and contact the park’s rangers to pull proper permits, know your restrictions and be prepared.
Check out these epic Olympic Naitonal Park Wedding Vendors…
Flourish Flowers
So I am a total sucker for a florist that is ethical in their practices. Look no further if you are looking for a florist in Washington that does right by mother nature. She has DIY options as well and grows her own flowers! Check her work out here.
Hair & Makeup by Joey
Joey is a badass hair and make up artist based in Washington. She will drive any distance to make you look like the most beautiful version of yourself. She is a delight to work with and professional! If you need a HMUA for your elopement day check out her work here.
Boho Tent Airbnb Stay
Check out this boho chic Airbnb here.
