There’s nothing quite as romantic as wandering through a magical forest, breathing in the clean air as sunlight filters through the trees. Whether high in the mountains or near the coast, a forest elopement is a wonderful way to spend your wedding day close to nature in a relaxing setting.
Eloping out in nature means you can make the day as exciting or casual as your heart desires. You can set up a charcuterie board picnic with all of your favorite treats, hike to a scenic viewpoint to exchange vows, go on a horseback trail ride, or even sit around a campfire roasting marshmallows.
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I can tell you that some of the most beautiful forests you’ll ever see are in this region! With lush green ferns and moss-covered tree trunks, the Norwest is home to beautiful old-growth forests straight out of a fantasy novel. You won’t find a more magical spot to elope than a PNW forest!
These are the best forests for your elopement in the PNW, as well as some tips for planning your forest elopement.
The 9 Most Incredible Forest Elopement Locations in the PNW
Hoh Rainforest
This is possibly the most famous rainforest in the United States, and for good reason! The Hoh Rainforest is built of enormous trees dripping in moss. This forest is part of the Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula in Western Washington and it’s a magical backdrop for a forest elopement!
Check out my complete guide to eloping in Olympic National Park!
Location: Washington
Best Time of Year: April through June
Permit Information: A Special Use Permit must be applied for and costs $50
Activity Recommendations: Hike through the trees, take a scenic drive, or have a picnic.
Quinault Rainforest
This is another of the Olympic National Park’s famous rainforests and another great place to elope! Located just an hour from the famous town of Forks, the Quinault Rainforest and is filled with beautiful moss-covered trees, making it perfect for Twilight fans. There’s a diverse range of places to explore nearby, from mountain tops to waterfalls, meaning you don’t have to choose just one beautiful landscape for your day!
Location: Washington
Best Time of Year: April through June
Permit Information: A Special Use Permit must be applied for and costs $50
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, scenic driving, camping, picnicking.
Inland Temperate Rainforest in Idaho
Did you know that North Idaho is home to a rainforest? Reaching into Canada, northeast Washington, north Idaho, and western Montana, this is one of the largest rainforests and the only inland temperate rainforests in the world! The best part? It is filled with hidden gems and secluded spots for an adventurous and intimate elopement experience. Explore rainforests of old-growth forests, sparkling remote lakes, and rugged mountain peaks in this hidden gem.
Check out my complete guide to eloping at Priest Lake!
Location: Idaho
Best Time of Year: June through early October
Permit Information: A permit will likely not be needed, but will depend on the specific location.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, mountain biking, ATVing, backpacking, camping, picnicking, 4x4ing, climbing.
Siuslaw National Forest
The Siuslaw National Forest is along the Oregon coast and is incredibly diverse! From moody rainforests to magical ocean beaches to sand dunes. The forests here are filled with ferns and there are a dozen waterfalls nearby to explore with the coast nearby, which means you can explore forests and the ocean on your elopement day if you want.
Location: Oregon
Best Time of Year: April through October
Permit Information: No permit is required for elopements, however, you will need to get a letter signed by the District Ranger.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, forest bathing, waterfall chasing, 4x4ing, camping.
Mt. Rainier National Park
While Mt. Rainier is known for its majestic mountain views, it’s also home to whimsical forests that will have you feeling like you’re walking in a fairytale. Mt. Rainier National Park is filled with beautiful fields of wildflowers in the summer and old-growth forests to explore. There’s cozy cabin lodging outside of the park and camping inside the park, which means you can have an elopement experience that’s as adventurous or luxurious as you want.
Check out my complete guide to eloping at Mt. Rainier National Park!
Location: Washington
Best Time of Year: July through September
Permit Information: A Special Use Permit must be applied for and costs $250
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, camping, backpacking, hot air balloon tour, biking, picnicking, wildflower viewing, waterfall chasing.
Colville National Forest
One of the best options if you want to be as far from crowds as possible. The Colville National Forest sits in the Northeast corner of Washington and is virtually unknown, making it a perfect location if you want to spend your elopement in a secluded location, far from other people. This National Forest has some incredibly gorgeous lakes, winding rivers, and beautiful Ponderosa Pine trees to explore.
Location: Washington
Best Time of Year: May through October
Permit Information: No permit is required for elopements, however, you will need to get a letter signed by the District Ranger.
Activity Recommendations: Paddle boarding, hiking, camping, 4x4ing, backpacking, waterfall viewing.
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Tucked away in the Southwest corner of Oregon, just a few miles inland, is a magical forest of redwood trees in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. While they’re smaller than the iconic redwoods of California, this area is less known, making it easier to find privacy for your elopement while still surrounding yourself with the epic beauty of old-growth Redwoods.
Location: Oregon
Best Time of Year: May through September
Permit Information: No permit is required for elopements, however, you will need to get a letter signed by the District Ranger.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, camping, picnicking.
The Redwoods
No list of incredible forests would be complete without the Redwoods in Northern California! These massive trees are protected by a National Park and a State Park and will have you feeling like your on another planet (Endor, anyone?) while walking among these massive and beautiful trees.
Location: California
Best Time of Year: April through June
Permit Information: A Special Use Permit is required for all elopements and costs between $100-$200 depending on your chosen location.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, picnicking, scenic driving, camping, kayaking, horseback riding.
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
There’s a reason Idaho is lovingly called “the gem state,” and it’s not just because of its rich mining history but also because of its beautiful landscapes. Escape into the beautiful mountains of North Idaho and elope in the rugged and wild beauty of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests! This region has mountain lakes, rolling mountains, winding rivers, and dense forests. And the best part? You won’t have difficulty finding a secluded spot for your day!
Check out my complete guide to eloping in Idaho!
Location: Idaho
Best Time of Year: June through September
Permit Information: No permit is required for elopements, however, you will need to get a letter signed by the District Ranger.
Activity Recommendations: Zip lining, 4×4 tour, hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, paddle boarding, picnicking.
Other Forest Elopement Locations
While I always want to share the most inspiring locations with you, I don’t share all of my best places online to keep with Leave No Trace. This list is just a starting point! I spend countless hours location-scouting and discovering hidden gems to share with the couples who elope with me.
I would love to provide you with a customized list of magical forest locations! Send me a message, and let’s plan your forest elopement together!
Permits for Your Forest Elopement
Many popular forest locations will require a permit for your elopement however, not all locations do. It’s important to do your research and work with a photographer familiar with permits to ensure you follow the location rules and regulations.
If a permit is required for your location, it will typically cost somewhere between $50-$200 and will need to be applied for at least a month in advance.
Permit assistance is something I include in all of my elopement packages. That way, my couples don’t have to stress over if, when, or how to apply for a permit for their elopement.
Forest Elopement Tips
Choosing the Best Time of Year
The great thing about eloping in a forest is that you can access most of these beautiful locations year-round! While many forests are at their most beautiful in the late spring or early summer, the PNW is known for its Evergreen trees, meaning they’re green and beautiful all year round, with warm sunny days in the summer or adventurous but beautiful snowy scapes in the winter!
When choosing a date for your forest elopement, take your location into account and find out:
- When is the best time of year for your ideal weather?
- When is the peak busy season, and how important is it to avoid other people during your elopement?
- Does this forest have any seasonal closures?
- What is the permit process for this location?
Research these and anything else you may want to account for to have the best experience possible!
Pack the Right Gear for Your Forest Elopement
Having the right equipment is essential when planning an adventurous elopement. Your specific needs will depend on your individual plans, but in general, here are some essential items to have for your first elopement:
- Comfortable shoes and/or hiking boots
- Bear spray if in an area with bears or cougars
- Umbrellas, for just in case
- Navigation (map, compass, GPS)
- Water and snacks
- A quality backpack to carry all of your gear in
Check out my complete guide to planning a hiking elopement for more information!
Eloping in a forest is a magical way to celebrate your wedding! Finding the right location can be a big challenge, but hopefully, you’ve found some locations the sparked your interest. Take your time, do your research, and have fun. After all, eloping is all about the journey, right?
If a forest elopement is calling your name, then I would love to help you plan and photograph your elopement experience! I specialize in helping couples craft incredible elopements surrounded by nature, then capture them to keep the memories close by forever.
Happy eloping!
