Farragut State Park Wedding & Elopement Guide
Getting married at a State Park is perfect for couples who want a low-key wedding close to nature. Farragut State Park, located in North Idaho, might be one of the best alternative wedding venues in the region thanks to its incredible scenic views!
Sitting on the shores of one of the country’s prettiest lakes, this park offers panoramic mountain views, water access, and hiking trails that take you through pine forests. The gorgeous scenery makes for an adventurous backdrop for weddings of all sizes.
As a local elopement photographer, I’ve helped tons of couples plan incredible wedding experiences in this Idaho State Park. Today I’m going to show you everything you need to plan a Farragut State Park wedding or elopement.
Can you get married at Farragut State Park?
State Parks aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when looking for a wedding venue. But let me assure you, weddings are most certainly allowed at Farragut State Park. I’ve attended and photographed many!
Farragut State Park is a very popular alternative wedding venue in North Idaho thanks to its affordability and gorgeous scenery! State Parks are a great option for couples who want to be close to nature on their wedding day while remaining easily accessible to their loved ones.
Read my full guide to planning a State Park wedding to learn more!
As a local Farragut State Park wedding photographer, I love helping couples get married here. Farragut offers a mix of mountain views and water access, with activities such as hiking and paddleboarding in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter, making it ideal for couples seeking an adventurous elopement experience!
How to Plan Your Farragut State Park Wedding
- Decide on a wedding date
- Choose a location for your wedding ceremony
- Book your wedding vendors
- Obtain your Idaho marriage license
- Get your Idaho State Park Pass
- Have a wonderful wedding at Farragut State Park!
When is the Best Time of Year to Get Married at Farragut State Park?
Deciding on a wedding date is going to be your first big decision. Since this is an outdoor-only wedding venue, it’s very important to know what kind of weather you can expect.
Generally, I recommend choosing a date between mid-June and early September for the warmest, driest weather. However, this is also going to be the busiest time of the year for the park. If you’re okay with slightly cooler temperatures, May and late September can be a great time of year with far fewer crowds.
In the winter, much of the park is closed down, but it can still be accessed if you’re willing to snowshoe or cross-country ski. This is great if you want to capture some gorgeous snowy bridal photos!
Tips for Avoiding Crowds at Farragut State Park
This State Park is a popular spot for locals during the summer months for camping, hiking, and swimming. Which means you’ll need to strategize a little if you want to avoid crowds. Here are my best tips for having a secluded elopement at Farragut State Park.
Choose a Weekday instead of a Weekend
My biggest piece of advice for avoiding crowds during your Farragut State Park wedding is to steer clear of weekends. For the least amount of crowds, plan to elope on a Tuesday or Wednesday. This will be the most effective option for avoiding crowds for your elopement.
Avoid Mid-Day
Midday, between 10am-4pm, is the busiest time of day. It’s best to avoid the busiest areas of the park during these hours to avoid crowds. This is also the harshest lighting for photos, so it’s best to avoid scheduling your ceremony during these hours if you want soft, dreamy lighting.
Reserve one (or both!) Day-Use Shelters
If you plan to bring more than a few guests to your Farragut State Park wedding, you may be required to reserve the day-use shelters. Since both shelters are right next to each other, I recommend reserving both for bigger weddings for the most privacy.
Farragut State Park Wedding Locations
Bigger weddings will need to be held at either the Sunrise Day-Use Area or a group campground, but intimate weddings and elopements have more flexibility to roam throughout the park. Farragut State Park is over 4,000 acres of land, which means there are a lot of choices when it comes to choosing an exact location!
When it comes to choosing an exact location, a good photographer should be able to help guide you to the best locations. I include location scouting in all my elopement photography packages to help my couples find the perfect spots for their vows, portraits, and post-ceremony celebrations. If this is something you’re interested in, send me a message and let’s chat about your wedding!
Below are some of the best locations for wedding ceremonies in Farragut State Park.
Sunrise Day-Use Area
This is by far the most popular spot for wedding ceremonies of all sizes in Farragut State Park, thanks to its easy access and plentiful space. There are also two reservable day-use shelters here, plus pit toilets onsite. It’s centrally located, with boat docks, cabins, and forest trails within walking distance.
If you’ll be hosting a wedding with more than 5-10 people, the park may require you to reserve the day-use area for your wedding. If you’ll be having a wedding with 50+ people, I highly recommend renting both day-use areas to have space to spread out and maximum privacy.
You can view more information about the day-use areas, including how to reserve them, here.
MacDonal Viewpoint
This is an easy-to-access viewpoint of panoramic mountain views. It’s a go-to spot for elopement ceremonies and portraits because it’s so gorgeous! There are also hiking trails you can access from this point if you want to venture closer to the water and explore further.
This spot is ideal for elopements or intimate weddings with fewer than 10 people.
Farragut Group Campsites
The park has 4 group campgrounds, which can make for a fun summer-camp style wedding experience. The group camps can host up to 400 people and have vault toilets nearby. The sites will need to be reserved in advance by contacting the park.
You can find more information about Farragut’s group campgrounds and reservations here.
Permits for Weddings at Farragut State Park
While you don’t need a permit to get married in Farragut State Park, you will definitely need an Idaho State Parks Passport for every vehicle entering the park. The annual pass costs $14 for out-of-state visitors and $10 for Idaho residents.
You may be required to reserve one of the day-use areas for your wedding, depending on the size. Call the park to confirm whether you need to make a reservation.
Lodging for Your Farragut State Park Wedding
These are some of the best lodging options closest to Farragut State Park for you or your wedding guests.
Hotels Near Farragut State Park
The Lodge at Sandpoint – 30 minutes away
A waterfront boutique hotel offering waterfront views on Lake Pend Oreille. Located just a few minutes from downtown Sandpoint, this lodge offers cozy hotel-style accommodations.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene – 40 minutes away
Sitting on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, this resort is in the heart of town. The resort includes a private golf course, spa, two restaurants, and lake views. It sits in the middle of downtown and has plenty of eating and entertainment within walking distance.
The Roosevelt Inn in Coeur d’Alene – 40 minutes away
The Roosevelt Inn is a converted schoolhouse, originally built in 1905. It is Coeur d’Alene’s oldest remaining schoolhouse and is now a charming inn within walking distance of everything Coeur d’Alene has to offer.
The Blackwell in Coeur d’Alene – 40 minutes away
This historic home is now a charming hotel in the heart of Coeur d’Alene. The Blackwell features local artwork and historic features such as clawfoot tubs, and even has an adorable gazebo!
Red Lion Templin’s Hotel in Post Falls – 50 minutes away
If you’re searching for a more traditional hotel stay, the Red Lion Templin’s in Post Falls offers a comfortable stay while still remaining easily accessible. They offer on-site dining (with dozens of additional dining options nearby), an indoor pool, and river views.
Airbnb’s for Your Farragut State Park Elopement
There are so many Airbnb options in North Idaho if you are looking for a unique place to stay. From converted fire lookouts to custom-built tree-houses to cozy A-Frame cabins.
If you’re looking for the best short-term rentals in North Idaho, check out these Airbnbs!
Camping in Farragut State Park
If you want a more adventurous option, Farragut State Park has 223 individual campsites for tent camping or RV’s, 7 group camps, and 10 cabins for a variety of overnight accommodations within the park. You can reserve your site ahead of time by contacting the park.
Getting Your Idaho Marriage License
You’ll need to obtain your marriage license from the County Recorder’s Office. You don’t need to be an Idaho resident to get married here, but your ceremony must take place in Idaho. The closest County Recorders are located in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.
Note that in Kootenai County (Coeur d’Alene), they require you to complete an online application BEFORE visiting the Recorder’s Office.
To obtain your Idaho marriage license, you will need the following:
- $28-$31 cash (credit cards are accepted, but there is an additional fee)
- Have your Social Security Numbers
- Have your government-issued photo identification
Once you receive your marriage license, you’ll give it to your officiant to perform your wedding ceremony. There’s no waiting period, meaning you can get married the same day you receive your marriage license! Though I recommend planning on getting it at least one day before your wedding ceremony to keep your wedding day stress-free.
Read my full guide to getting an Idaho marriage license for more information!
Activity Ideas for Your Farragut State Park Elopement
If you and your partner are seeking adventure and natural beauty, I highly recommend spending time exploring Farragut’s hiking trails. Ranging from easy hikes to strenuous mountain climbs, there’s something here for you, no matter what your level of adventure is!
Hikes in Farragut State Park:
- Idlewilde Bay – 3.3 miles round-trip with 331 ft. of elevation gain
- Squirrel Cache Trail – 1.3 miles round trip with 154 ft. of elevation gain
- Scout Trail to Bernard Peak – 16.7 miles round-trip with 3,526 ft. of elevation gain
Get Out on the Water
Lake Pend Oreille is one of the biggest and deepest lakes in the country! The park has lots of shoreline to access the beautiful sparkling waters for swimming, paddleboarding, and boating. There is a dedicated swimming area at Beaver Bay with a nearby inlet with calm waters and stunning mountain views, perfect for paddleboarding.
Camp Overnight
With campsites for tent camping or RVs, as well as cabins, there are options for any camping style you prefer! Tucked away in pine forests with lake access nearby, this location offers a fun camping experience for adventurous couples.
Snowshoeing & Cross-country Skiing
North Idaho is beautiful in the winter, and Farragut is a beautiful spot in the snow! Farragut maintains several trails for winter activities, including dedicated snowshoeing and cross-country skiing routes. Check out Idlewilde Bay for a great 3.3 mile snowshoe adventure!
Check out this blog post with 50+ elopement day activities for more ideas
Farragut State Park Wedding Photos
Here’s a little visual inspiration of weddings and engagement photos that were taken at Farragut State Park.
Ready to Start Planning Your Farragut State Park Wedding?
If you want to plan an intimate wedding or elopement in Farragut State Park, I would love to help you! I specialize in helping couples plan adventurous weddings in Idaho, and as a local, I would love to guide you to the best views to make this day incredible!
Send me a message, and let’s start planning your wedding in the scenic beauty of Idaho!
Happy eloping!
