When thinking about areas with incredible scenery, Idaho should definitely be on the list! With incredible scenery, including a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon, more hot springs than almost any other state, mountains over 12,000 feet tall, and the world’s only inland rainforest, there’s no shortage of incredible elopement locations in Idaho!
This state is filled with diverse, wild landscapes that will leave you feeling awestruck by nature’s beauty here.
As an Idaho local, an elopement photographer, and an adventure enthusiast, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this beautiful state that I am fortunate to call home.
These are the best Idaho elopement locations: rivers, mountains, canyons, and lakes galore!
Coeur d’Alene
Not only is Coeur d’Alene the perfect blend of adventure and luxury, but it’s an easy place to get to with an international airport nearby. Surrounded by thousands of acres of public land in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the charming town is home to the famous Coeur d’Alene Resort right on the lake. Walking around downtown feels like walking in a Hallmark film with shops and lake access within walking distance. There’s no shortage of beautiful views and epic things to do here!
Check out my complete guide to eloping in Coeur d’Alene!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through October for warm weather, December through February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Lake cruise, hiking, ziplining, 4x4ing, relaxing by the lake.
Idaho Panhandle National Forest
Located in Northern Idaho, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is actually comprised of three National Forests: the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, the Kaniksu National Forest, and the St. Joe National Forest.
Within these 2.5 million acres of public land, you’ll find epic mountains filled with alpine lakes, magical woodland forests, and beachside access to some of the most gorgeous lakes in the country.
Find more epic elopement locations in North Idaho!
Best time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October offer the most accessibility here.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, off-roading, picnicking, and backpacking.
McCall
McCall is another lake resort town known for its year-round recreational opportunities, from skiing in the winter to lake activities in the summer. Payette Lake is the star of the show, with its clear glacial water and mountains surrounding it. Ponderosa State Park offers camping and access to hiking and biking trails with incredible lake views. There’s even a day-use area where you can elope for an easy but beautiful ceremony location.
Everything you need to know about planning a State Park wedding!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September for warm weather, January through February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Skiing, hiking, biking, skiing, and swimming.
Stanley
The towering peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains surround Stanley in Central Idaho. Filled with hot springs, alpine lakes, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails, this area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and eloping couples. Whether you want to hike, relax at the Redfish Lake Lodge, or stargaze under one of Idaho’s dedicated dark skies, there are so many different ways to experience this area.
Learn more about eloping in Stanely!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June or September
Activity Recommendations: Soak in natural hot springs, stargazing, mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking.
Priest Lake
The beautiful and remote Priest Lake sits in the northernmost portion of Idaho. This lake is 19 miles long and surrounded by National Forest Land and two State Parks perfect for elopements. This area is part of the Inland Temperate Rainforest and is home to beautiful old-growth cedar trees. You can experience the beauty of Priest Lake by staying at one of the area’s lodges for a more relaxed experience or exploring the area with a guided 4×4 tour or a combination of both.
Learn more about eloping at Priest Lake!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October for warm weather or January and February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, boating, picnicking, swimming, 4x4ing, snowmobiling, kayaking, paddleboarding, backpacking.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Ever dreamed of visiting the moon? Well, this is the next best thing! Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a unique landscape of lava flows and sagebrush in Central Idaho. The park is accessible year-round, with groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter and hiking trails in the summer. Two lava tube caves inside the park can be explored to immerse yourself fully in this incredible place.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: Star gazing, exploring lava caves, hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing in winter.
Farragut State Park
While there are many great parks in Idaho, none beat Farragut State Park for an adventurous wedding venue! It’s located on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille in north Idaho. What makes this area beautiful is the mountain towering around the sparkling blue lake. The park has water access, hiking trails, and campgrounds, and it is open year-round, which makes it a great elopement location in the winter and summer.
Learn more about eloping at Farragut State Park!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September for warm weather, January through February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Paddleboarding, hiking, camping, picnicking, disc golf, and snowshoeing.
Island Park
What makes Island Park so unique isn’t so much the area itself but rather its proximity to Yellowstone National Park or the nearby St. Anthony Sand Dunes. Due to its remote location and proximity to Yellowstone, this is a great place to watch wildlife or explore the nearby mountains.
Learn more about eloping in Yellowstone National Park!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: watch wildlife, 4×4 on sand dunes, explore Yellowstone National Park
Salmon
If you want to really get off the beaten path, Salmon can offer you a true Idaho experience. Surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountains, Salmon is surrounded by public land to explore via hiking, 4×4, or even rafting. Central Idaho is an incredible spot for stargazing because of its dedicated dark skies, and Salmon is the perfect home base for an adventurous wedding experience.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October
Activity Recommendations: Soak in a hot spring, stargazing, 4x4ing, and camping.
Wallace
This is one of my personal favorite locations in the entire state of Idaho. Wallace is a tiny mining town near the Montana border in North Idaho. The town has a fascinating mining history and fantastic food, as well as being a central spot for exploring the surrounding mountains. There are hiking trails, breweries, skiing mountains, and ziplining nearby.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October
Activity Recommendations: Take a mine tour, hike, and take the gondola up Silver Mountain.
More Idaho Elopement Locations
While this guide is a great place to start researching elopement locations in Idaho, this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are simply too many incredible places to list in one article. That’s why I include location scouting and recommendations in all of my elopement packages.
Plus, I keep the best locations just for my couples to follow Leave No Trace and to provide my clients with the best options for their big day.
This state is truly incredible, with so much to explore! Whether you want a laid-back elopement or a day filled with exciting excursions, Idaho has something incredible for you.
Happy eloping!
