How to Elope at Priest Lake, Idaho
Perhaps the most underrated lake in the entire state of Idaho is Priest Lake. Located in the far north of the Panhandle, this lake is surrounded by National Forest land that offers peace, quiet, and natural beauty. Priest Lake is a beautiful elopement location for adventurous couples looking to immerse themselves in nature on their wedding day!
And while there are plenty of exciting ways you can explore this area (hiking elopement, anyone?), there are plenty of easy-to-access, relaxing locations too.
As a North Idaho local and an adventure elopement photographer, I don’t think there’s a better spot to elope if you want old-growth forests and complete solitude while you celebrate your wedding! Today, I’m sharing all about this beautiful place to help you plan a unique elopement at Priest Lake.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
An Introduction to Priest Lake
Priest Lake is actually made up of two lakes: Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake. At 19 miles long and 300 ft. deep, Priest Lake is one of Idaho’s most beautiful lakes! The lake is home to an Idaho State Park and borders virtually endless National Forest Land, providing loads of adventure opportunities all year round!
The lakes are surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, which reach into Idaho, Washington, and up into Canada. This area is truly wild and a peaceful elopement location for couples wanting a beautiful, natural, and remote setting for their wedding experience.
How to Elope at Priest Lake
Eloping at Priest Lake is actually quite easy, and I’m going to walk you through everything you need to plan your day!
- Choose an Elopement Date
- Book Your Elopement Photographer
- Decide on a Location
- Plan the Details of Your Day
- Have an Amazing Elopement at Priest Lake!
Choose an Elopement Date
The first thing you’ll want to narrow down is when you want to get married. One of the beautiful things about Priest Lake is that it’s accessible year-round and there’s really no “bad” time to elope here! Here’s a rundown of the weather here to help you decide what’s going to be the best fit for you.
Spring
Cool and dry with snow at higher elevations, Springtime is when you can start to get outdoors! Late Spring is a great time because the weather begins to warm up but visitors are still few and far between, meaning privacy is easy to come by.
Summer
The snow is gone, the trails are open, and everything is lush and green. This is the perfect time if you want to explore the mountains or get out on the water! This is also going to be the busiest season, but you can still find a quiet spot if you’re willing to wander off the beaten path.
Autumn
As the weather begins to cool off, snow will begin to fall on the surrounding mountains and you may even get views of some colorful larch trees. Early Autumn is a beautiful time at Priest Lake due to the comfortable temperatures, snow-free trails, and less crowds.
Winter
With an average snowfall of 72” each year, Priest Lake is a winter wonderland! If winter activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or even curling up next to a cozy fire is your vibe, then you’ll love Priest Lake in the winter time!
Book Your Priest Lake Elopement Photographer
Your first really big decision you’ll need to make is choosing an elopement photographer. I always recommend working with a photographer that helps with planning and booking them as early in the process as possible.
As an Idaho elopement photographer local to Priest Lake, I would love to help not only document your day but help you plan it as well! I include customized location recommendations, a custom made timeline for your day, permit assistance, and more in all of my photography packages. Sound like something you’re interested in? Send me a message and let’s chat about your plans!
Take your time in researching your photographer until you find someone who not only takes beautiful photos but is also someone you get along with. Hop on a phone call with them and get to know each other. You’ll be spending your entire elopement day together, so it’s important that you get along easily and like their approach to posing and photographing your day.
Decide on a Location for Your Elopement
Priest Lake is 19 miles long, with State Parks and National Forest Land along its borders, which means there are a lot of different locations to choose from. The next thing you’re going to need to do is choose an elopement location. A big decision, I know! That’s why I’ve compiled a list of some of the best elopement locations on Priest Lake to help you out.
When deciding on a location, keep in mind the time of year you’ll be getting married and how the weather might effect your location. While Priest Lake is beautiful all-year round, some areas aren’t easily accessible in the winter.
The Best Priest Lake Elopement Locations
Next you’re going to have to narrow down a location for your elopement. A big decision, I know! I’ve compiled a list of some of the best elopement locations on Priest Lake to help you out.
Priest Lake State Park
There are actually two parts of this Idaho State Park: Priest Lake State Park and Priest Lake State Park Lionhead Unit, both offer beautiful lakeshore access, wooded campgrounds, and panoramic views of the lake. Intimate weddings are allowed in the park with the option of renting an indoor building for winter weddings.
Best Time of Year: Anytime of year!
Permit Information: No permit is needed for weddings with less than 25 people, but you do need to let the Park Manager know about your plans by calling them at 208-443-2200. An Idaho State Parks Passport is required for all vehicles entering the park.
View Location on Google Maps: Priest lake State Park; Priest Lake State Park Lionhead Unit
Tip: Book the day-use area to have a private spot if you’ll be eloping in the summer, as the park can be busy this time of year.
Ledgewood Picnic Area
A day-use area, the Ledgewood Bay Picnic Ground has its own private beach on the sandy shores of Priest Lake. There are a dozen picnic spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is an especially beautiful spot for a sunrise ceremony!
Best Time of Year: Summer or early Autumn
Permit Information: No permit is needed for weddings with fewer than 75 people.
Tip: Get there early because parking is limited and will fill up on a sunny day!
Hanna Flats Cedar Grove
Surround yourself with old-growth cedar trees on this easy walking path. The Hanna Flats Cedar Grove Trail is a short and easy 0.5 mile round trip trail that will make you feel like you’re walking into a magical forest!
Best Time of Year: May through October.
Permit Information: No permit is needed for weddings with fewer than 75 people.
Tip: Add this spot to your day if you want an easy, scenic hike!
Kaniksu National Forest
The Western shores of Priest Lake are part of the Kaniksu National Forest, which is part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. In these beautiful woods, you’ll find magical old-growth cedar forests and beautiful mountain views with endless hiking, 4×4, and horseback riding trails.
Best Time of Year: Lake Spring through early Autumn
Permit Information: No permit is needed for weddings with fewer than 75 people.
Tip: There are some great adventure rental companies in the area for 4×4 and horseback tours for a fun adventure!
Other Locations
There are lots of other beautiful elopement locations on and around Priest Lake. In keeping with Leave No Trace, I don’t share all of my best spots online to help keep them beautiful, but if you work with me, I’ll send you a customized list of locations based on the specific requirements you’re looking for in your day. Contact me and let’s find your perfect location!
Start Planning the Details of Your Elopement
Now we get to start on the really fun part, filling in the details of the day. This is where you get to decide what fun and meaningful moments you want to include in your day! Remember, how you celebrate this day is completely up to whatever is fun and important to the two of you!
In addition to your wedding ceremony and portraits, what would make this the best day ever? Maybe it’s watching the sunset over the lake, going on a hike to an alpine lake, or maybe it’s celebrating with your family at the beach. Start writing down all of the fun things you want to include in your day!
Learn how to plan a first look.
Elopement Day Activities to Inspire You:
- Go on an ATV ride in the mountains
- Take a scenic hike among ancient Cedar Trees
- Have a picnic on the beach
- Backpack on the shores of Priest Lake
- Watch the sunset
- Stargaze around a bonfire
- Take a guided snowmobile tour
Need more inspiration? Check out my guide to 50+ elopement day activity ideas!
How to Get to Priest Lake
If you’ll be coming from out of town for your elopement at Priest Lake, you’ll want to fly into the Spokane International Airport. From there, I recommend booking lodging in Idaho near the lake, which I’ll go into next.
Lodging for Your Priest Lake Elopement
Priest Lake is a couple hours drive from Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, which is why I recommend booking your overnight accommodations for your elopement at a location closer to the lake. That way you can spend less time driving and more time exploring and celebrating! Here are some of the best accommodations for your Priest Lake elopement:
Elkins Resort
Located on the shores of Priest Lake, the Elkins Resort is the best place to stay if you’re eloping on the lake! The resort offers cozy cabins, each with a unique layout and rustic vibe. They also have on-site dining and activity rentals available. This is a popular wedding venue for larger weddings, but perfect for intimate elopements as well!
Hill’s Resort
The Hill’s Resort is in the town of Priest Lake, also with lakeside beach access. They offer a variety of accommodations ranging from cozy intimate cabins to their lakefront chalets, which is perfect if you plan on bringing family and friends along to celebrate with you! They also provide on-site dining and a variety of activities throughout the year.
The Inn at Priest Lake
Perfect for couples wanting simple accommodations, the Inn at Priest Lake offers hotel-style lodging in Coolin, which is on the south end of Priest Lake.
Vacation Rentals
If you want something truly unique or need more space, a vacation rental such as an Airbnb might be the best fit for you. Here are a few of the best cozy rentals near Priest Lake for your elopement:
- Priest Lake Family Cabin
- Waterfront Cabin in Nordman
- Escape to the Lake Cabin in Nordman
- Luby Lodge in Priest Lake
- Family Retreat Cabin in Priest Lake
Create a Timeline for Your Day
Once you have a list of everything you want to include in your day, you’ll need to organize it into a timeline. This is something I do for all of my clients and include in all of my elopement packages. Creating timelines is an art form, and it’s important to leave enough room in your day to keep everything running smoothly and stress-free.
Priest Lake Elopement Timeline examples
Having a hard time getting the bigger picture? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Below are two example timelines to help you envision your own elopement day and how it might flow.
12 Hour Elopement with Family on Priest Lake
8 Hour Winter Adventure Elopement at Priest Lake
Get Your Idaho Marriage License
You’ll need to apply for your marriage license in person at one of the County Recorders’ offices. The closest offices are in Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene. You will need to appear with your partner and bring approximately $30 cash (or you can pay with a card, but there will be an additional processing fee), your social security numbers, and proof of identification and age (this can be a driver’s license or passport).
Bonner County Recorder’s Office
1500 US-2 #335, Sandpoint, ID 83864
Kootenai County Recorder’s Office
451 N Government Wy, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
You will receive your marriage license the same day, and there’s no waiting period in Idaho, which means you can get married the day you receive your license! Idaho also doesn’t require any witnesses, which makes the state ideal for elopements.
Have an Amazing Elopement at Priest Lake!
All that’s left now is to get married and celebrate! Hooray, it’s going to be such an amazing day!
A Priest Lake elopement is such a beautiful way to celebrate your wedding in an intimate and meaningful way. The natural beauty is awe-inspiring and you’re going to love every minute of your day!
Hey there, I’m Tiana!
Priest Lake Elopement Photographer
As a North Idaho local, I love spending time at Priest Lake! From hiking in the mountains to watching the sunset over the lake, I know all of the best spots, the way only a local can.
That’s why I love helping couples get married here. If you’re looking for guidance for the best locations, lodging, and a fun photo experience, I’m your gal!
Priest Lake Elopement Packages
To check my availability, just contact me here for a free planning consultation, and we can get started!
Every Package Includes:
Pricing Info:
$4,200 for all of the above, including 4 Hours of Photography. Only Available in North Idaho.
$6,800 for all of the above, including 8 Hours of Photography, anywhere in ID, WY, MT, or WA.
Half-Day, Full-Day, Multi-Day, & Custom Packages Available
No Added Travel Fees. Sales Tax May Apply.
Happy eloping!
