Ultimate Guide for an Olympic National Park Elopement
Do you dream of eloping somewhere beautiful, but can’t quite decide between the mountains, the beach or the forest? You want to share vows with your partner in a stunning locale, but you love the outdoors so much, it’s hard to choose exactly where. If this sounds like you, an Olympic National Park elopement could be the perfect fit.
In this massive park that occupies the majority of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, you’ll find snowy peaks, mossy rainforests, serene beaches all within a day’s drive of each other. Wild right?! My time in this area has allowed me to scout out plenty of jaw-dropping locations for couples who want to elope in Olympic National Park. I’m here to help you plan out your dream adventure elopement!
About the park
Olympic National Park covers nearly 1 million acres of the Olympic Peninsula and is home to three distinct ecosystems: high alpine mountains, lush rainforest and rocky coastlines. You can find elk, salmon and starfish all within the same park! The park’s biodiversity just a short ways from Seattle draws in 2.5 million visitors a year.
Its main features include Mount Olympus, which towers nearly 8000 feet over the park, the other-worldly Hoh Rainforest and the rock formations of Rialto and Ruby Beaches. If you’ve always pictured your marriage against a backdrop of powder-white peaks, moss-drenched forests or a foggy beach, then an Olympic National Park elopement is for you.
Choosing a season
Sometimes, the timing of when you want to get married chooses the season for you, but if you’re open to scheduling your elopement around the weather, here are the pros and cons of each season in the park.
Spring – spring is one of the best times for an Olympic National Park elopement. It’s not too crowded yet, and the landscape begins to come alive after a wet winter with wildflowers, waterfalls and wildlife. Keep in mind some areas of the park are still closed for winter conditions in early spring.
Summer – if a mountaintop wedding in a national park is your dream, elope in Olympic National Park in the summer. This is the park’s busiest season though, so you may have more onlookers along popular trails. A sunrise elopement can help us beat the crowds though!
Fall – the trees on the mountains begin to change, adding a vibrant backdrop to your Olympic National Park elopement photos. It’s also a great time for spotting wildlife as its salmon spawning season and elk are in rut.
Winter – if you’re one of those who thinks there’s nothing more romantic than a fresh coat of snow, then a winter elopement in the park will be a dream come true. If you want to avoid snowy conditions, the magical Hoh Rainforest provides enough tree cover to keep its unique climate nearly enclosed, even in the winter. Just be mindful of winter closures.
Best locations for an Olympic National Park elopement
The best part of Olympic National Park is its diversity – which means there are PLENTY of options to choose from when picking a ceremony site in the park! Whether you prefer mountains, lakes, beaches or even a rainforest, there’s a jaw-dropping backdrop for the wedding you’ve always pictured. From my time in the area, these are my favorite locations for an Olympic National Park elopement.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is the best way to access the Olympic range without technical climbing skills. This spot is located in the northeastern region of the park, just 17 miles south of the town of Port Angeles. During the winter, the road is typically only open on weekends and requires you to carry chains in your vehicle to get through difficult winter conditions. Be sure to check the Twitter account for current road conditions and closures. If you time your trip right, the mountaintop views stretch for miles though, and if we’re lucky we may even catch a cloud inversion!
Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent is also in the northeastern region of the park, just a short trip from the towns of Port Angeles and Port Townsend. It’s a glacially carved lake situated in the foothills of the Olympic mountains. An elopement here means serene waters framed by majestic mountain slopes. The lakeshore is easily accessible, but you can also add a hike into your wedding day with stops at Marymere Falls or Storm King.
Cape Flattery
Wrapping around to the north side of the Peninsula, we have Cape Flattery. While this isn’t technically inside the park, it’s in the region and stands out as it is the northwestern-most point of the contiguous US. The trail to the beach is 1.5 miles, but it’s fairly easy for guests who aren’t usually the hiking type. Because this is on tribal land though, you and all your guests need a Makah Recreation Pass to hike here, which can be purchased at the Makah Tribal Museum or Washburn’s Grocery. This trail closes for winter weather, so plan accordingly. In the summer sun, the beach’s waters glow turquoise blue.
Rialto Beach
One interesting feature of Olympic National Park is how the oceanfront portion of the park is separated from the mountain range portion. Both belong to the park though, and the coastline provides plenty of options for romantic elopements! Rialto beach is one of the most famous, thanks to its noteworthy “seastacks” or island rock formations off the shore. If you choose to get married on a beach in Olympic National Park, it’s VERY important that you plan around the tides. High tide on these jagged beaches can be extremely dangerous.
Second Beach
Down the road from Rialto Beach is Second Beach. Here, you can take a short hike to the shore and find tide pools, sprawling sand and more seastacks. Once again, tide charts are important to note before choosing this beach for your Olympic National Park elopement.
Ruby Beach
Further south, Ruby Beach is where the Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean. Its towering rock formations have been shaped by erosion and provide a dramatic scene for a beach wedding. Some rocks even have keyhole shapes bored into them by wind, sand and waves! It’s a romantic location that’s also close to Hoh Rain Forest for those who want a little variety in their elopement photo album.
Hoh Rain Forest
If you want your wedding to look like it came out of a literal fairytale, choose Hoh Rain Forest for your Olympic National Park elopement. It feels like you are entering a far away land when you step inside its moss-drenched landscape - you’ll be surprised you’re still in the US! This option is perfect for those who want an adventurous wedding but don’t want to hike in their wedding attire since it’s just a short, easy path through the forest.
This unique ecosystem gets an average of 140 inches of rain a year, so don’t be surprised if there’s moisture in the air for your engagement. We can still make it a dream come true! I renewed my vows in a foggy forest in North Carolina and the photos came out incredible.
Looking for something more off the beaten path in Washington?
Where to stay for your Olympic National Park elopement
Because Olympic National Park is so massive, you’re probably going to have to make a decision between staying close to the park’s attractions and staying somewhere cool and cozy. If you want to do less driving, you can find some modest accommodations near the park. But if you want to celebrate the start of your lives together with a more unique or upscale stay, you’ll have to do a little bit of driving. It’s a tradeoff, so it just depends where your priorities are at.
You’ll also have to decide whether you want to stay on the northeast side of the park, which is close to Crescent Lake and Hurricane Ridge, or if you want to stay on the westernmost Washington Coast close to the Hoh Rainforest and park beaches. There are nicer and more plentiful options near the eastern areas of the park, but if you’re choosing a beach ceremony and don’t want to drive, you may want to find a cabin or lodge on the coast. These are some of the places I loved in the area from my time there.
Port Angeles
If you’re looking for a cute downtown area with lots of shops and restaurants, you’re better off staying in Port Townsend. However, Port Angeles is close to the Heart o’ the Hills entrance to Olympic National Park, so it’s a convenient area to stay in if you’re eloping at Lake Crescent or Hurricane Ridge.
Lake Sutherland lakefront home
Large beachfront home for the whole family
Sequim
Sequim is situated between Port Angeles and Port Townsend and has plenty of chain hotels to choose from. The casino there has the most upscale lodgings in the area if you’d prefer that over a charming cottage or cabin.
Idyllic Farm House in a Plant Nursery
Port Townsend
If you want a cozy, coastal stay that’s close to a cute downtown area with plenty of options for coffee, food and even quaint bookstores, Port Townsend is the place to stay. It’s a seaside town with Victorian heritage that you’ll see reflected in much of the town’s architecture and style.
Eclectic Forest Cabin - Airbnb with a colorful personality
The Tides Inn & Suites - Victorian-inspired nautical cottage
The Belmont Historic Waterfront Hotel - original brick walls with modern, updated interiors
Lake Crescent Lodge
This historic turn-of-the-century lodge is within the bounds of Olympic National Park, so you’ll have to book well in advance as these accommodations fill up fast. It’s also only open from the beginning of May through the New Year, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a winter or early spring trip. The rooms are modest but the setting is an absolute dream. The lodge is nestled in the woods along the lakeshore and has a beautiful all-glass sitting room with views of the lake where you can enjoy your morning coffee.
Lake Quinault Lodge
Once you get over to the west side of the park, there aren’t as many lodging options. Lake Quinault Lodge, another park property, is a great choice though. Unlike Lake Crescent Lodge, this one is open year-round. It also has a restaurant on site, the Roosevelt Dining Room. This rustic lodge was built in the 1920s and is the perfect getaway for couples whose Olympic National Park elopement is at one of the park's beaches or in the Hoh Rainforest. Though it offers great views, don’t expect too much from the rooms or the pricey restaurant.
Western/South Side
Outside of the Lake Quinault Lodge, accommodations are pretty limited in this area. If cutting down on drive time is important to you though, these Airbnbs can get you close to the park’s western attractions.
Bright interior riverfront cabin
What to do in the Olympic Peninsula
You don’t want to come all this way just to get married and go home! I love elopement weddings because they’re an excuse to plan a whole trip around a huge life event and not just celebrate for one day. If you’re including family and friends in your elopement, it’s a great idea to provide them a list of things to do in the area since they made the trip to celebrate you too.
Food
The only thing that can make an adventurous national park elopement better is some tasty local food to go along with it! There are lots more options on the northeast side of the park.
Port Angeles
You’ll find more convenience spots than foodie spots in Port Angeles. These are your best options if you need a bite near the park entrance.
Sabai Thai - authentic Thai and my favorite spot from Port Angeles
Sapor - white tablecloth sit-down restaurant with locally sourced food
Spruce - classic bar food in a cabin atmosphere
The Coffee Box - cute coffee shop with sandwich selection inside Storm King Athletic Club
Port Townsend
This is my favorite area for for cute food spots, cozy coffee shops and more! There are so many gems in this little town.
Seal Dog Coffee Bar - homey coffee shop serving pastries and Seattle coffee
Velocity Coffee - another local favorite specialty coffee shop
Elevated Ice Cream Co. and Candy Shop - old-fashioned ice cream parlor with seasonal flavors
Reveille at the Commons - bright, fresh menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Fort Worden
The Castle - because why wouldn’t you want to dine in a castle to celebrate your marriage?
Western Side
Restaurant selection is sparse on this side of the park and definitely falls under the mom-and-pop category. Sometimes you need a close by place to grab a bite though, so I rounded up a few options if you don’t want to drive all the way to Port Angeles or Port Townsend for meals.
River’s Edge Restaurant - basic bar food in La Push
Creekside Restaurant - Kalaloch Lodge restaurant with pretty views
The Salmon House Restaurant - Rain Forest Resort Village restaurant on Lake Quinault
Activities
Hike – it’s a national park, so of course we encourage spending time outdoors! Hoh River Trail is a great way to see the rainforest, while Hurricane Hill provides sweeping views of the Hurricane Ridge area. Sol Duc Falls Trail is another popular stop!
Visit a lavender farm - this area is known for its stunning lavender fields in the summertime! There are plenty of lavender farms to choose from like Purple Haze in Sequim, who also has a downtown store selling all kinds of lavender gifts made by local artisans, and B&B Family Lavender Farm, whose fields are up against the backdrop of mountains from the park.
Go whale watching – did you know you can see orcas in the waters off the coast of the Olympic Peninsula?! We did a whale watching tour while we were there and saw 3 different types of whales! It was an incredible experience and I highly recommend planning this into your schedule. Check out Port Angeles Whale Watch Company and Puget Sound Express.
Stroll Port Townsend - this adorable little seaside town is definitely worth an afternoon of your time! I LOVE reading, so the quaint bookstores were my favorite thing here. Try William James Bookseller and Imprint Bookstore.
Permits for your Olympic National Park elopement
One of the logistics I help my eloping couples with is permitting! It can be confusing to know what you need in order to get married in a national park. Having an experienced elopement photographer on your side makes this step easy!
National Park Pass
If your dream is to get married in a national park, it’s likely you’ve spent enough time in them to be familiar with park entrance fees. Wedding planning can get overwhelming though and sometimes this small detail can get lost in the cracks! You’ll want to make sure you factor park fees into your special day. It costs $30 for a vehicle pass into the park, which lasts for 7 days.
Remember, all guests and vendors will need vehicle passes as well. But don’t worry, when you work with me, I’m already covered! I’m a card-carrying member of the national parks, which in my opinion is the best way to handle park entry. A national parks pass can be purchased online (or at the park gate) for $80 and it pays for itself with just 3 national park visits in a year.
Special Use Permit
Everyone who wants to get married in a national park has to get a special use permit. You pay a non-refundable $50 for a special use permit application, and then the National Park Service will send you a permit you have to sign in order to hold your Olympic National Park elopement. It’s an important step for anyone who wants an elopement like this!
Marriage License
Of course, another must-have is a marriage license. You’ll want to make sure you get a marriage license in Washington ahead of time, but not too early. Once you apply for a license, you have to wait 3 days to receive it. They’re valid for 60 days after that. Once it’s signed, you can return it in person or by mail to any county in the state of Washington!
Things to note as you plan your national park elopement
Plan ahead for weather - because this park is in an area of the country known for its precipitation and has high altitude mountains, you have to keep in mind that anything can happen when it comes to weather here. It’s not always sunny in the park, but that’s part of the beauty of it. Couples who are down for more moody photos in the classic PNW weather will love this locale. Even still, have a back-up plan just in case weather gets too severe
Check the tides - I mentioned it before, but it’s worth noting again: make sure you are aware of the tides if you plan on getting photos at the beach! While these rocky beaches are stunning, they can be dangerous at high tide.
Adhere to Leave No Trace principles - I’m a certified LNT Aware Photographer so this one is especially important to me! If you love the parks like I do, I recommend brushing up on LNT before your elopement so we make sure we’re taking care of the beautiful lands we’re using and keeping them pristine for future visitors to enjoy the park’s beauty.
Factor in extra time for extra locations - I get it. It’s hard to choose just one spot for your Olympic National Park wedding photos! If you want a little variety in your photos, let’s plan some extra time to drive between stops. I’m down to adventure all day for photos if you are! My suggestion is always planning a sunrise ceremony for the best lighting and most privacy. Then we can explore after that!
Let me help you elope in Olympic National Park!
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you are dreaming of the perfect Olympic National Park elopement, just like I’m dreaming of planning and photographing it too! I love working with adventurous couples who want to embrace all that nature has to offer on their wedding day. If this sounds like you, then book a cozy cabin, pick your favorite spot in the park and give me a call! I can’t wait to adventure alongside you.