When thinking about areas with incredible scenery, you probably don’t think of Idaho, but did you know Idaho is home to 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? The landscapes in Idaho are wild and incredibly diverse, which is why it’s one of my favorite places for elopements.
To top it off, Idaho is tragically underrated, which means finding a beautiful and peaceful location without swarms of people around is much easier than in the neighboring states.
As an Idaho local, an elopement photographer, and an adventure enthusiast, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this beautiful state I call home. Over 60 percent of the state is public land and can be used for hiking, camping, off-roading, and escaping into nature. That’s a lot of land! Which is why I’ve done the hard work and gathered the top elopement locations in Idaho for you.
These are the best Idaho elopement locations: rivers, mountains, canyons, and lakes galore!
Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene is the heart of North Idaho and provides the perfect combination of luxury and outdoors. The Coeur d’Alene resort is at the center of downtown, with a beautiful hotel, restaurants, and hiking all within walking distance. There are tons of hiking trails and activities to do nearby.
Check out this couples elopement 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, boating, hiking, ziplining, relaxing by the lake.
McCall
McCall is another lake resort town known for recreation opportunities year-round, 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.
Farragut State Park
Located on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille, Farragut State Park feels remote but is still close to amenities. The park offers hiking trails through the forests of pine trees, several campgrounds, lakeside access for boating and swimming, and a day-use area perfect for elopements!
See this couple’s elopement at Farragut State Park!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through September.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, paddleboarding, swimming, and camping.
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: June through September for warm weather or January and February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, boating, swimming, 4x4ing, snowmobiling, kayaking, paddleboarding, backpacking.
Coeur d’Alene National Forest
If you want to get really adventurous for your elopement, you will love the Coeur d’Alene National Forest! Part of the greater Idaho Panhandle National Forest, this area is filled with endless hiking trails, 4×4 roads to explore, mountain lakes, and stunning views within the 726,000 acres of public land.
This National Forest is a choose-your-own-adventure location with plenty of easy-to-access locations and hard-core off-road options, so you can choose whatever fits your adventure style.
Read my full guide to eloping in Coeur d’Alene!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: July through October.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, 4x4ing, backpacking, picnicking, camping, and horseback riding.
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.
Round Lake State Park
Round Lake State Park is another great elopement location if you want to be surrounded by the beautiful scenery of North Idaho while still being close to town. Located 15 minutes south of Sandpoint, Round Lake is a small but beautiful park with an easy hiking trail around the lake, a campground, two day-use areas, and an amphitheater you can reserve for your elopement.
See this couple’s post-wedding photo session at Round Lake State Park!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October.
Activity Recommendations: Picnicking, kayaking, hiking, and camping.
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 of 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 homebased for an adventurous wedding experience.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October
Activity Recommendations: Soak in a hot spring, star gazing, 4x4ing, and camping.
Wallace
Known for its mining history, proximity to the mountains, and its claim to be the “center of the universe”, Wallace is a charming and quirky town in North Idaho near the Montana border. If you like old quirky towns, exploring hiking trails, and local breweries, then Wallace is a great place to elope! The town is great year-round, with two incredible ski mountains close by and endless hiking opportunities in the summer.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October for warm weather. December through February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, explore the historic downtown, bike the Hiawatha Trail, or go ziplining. In the winter, skiing and snowmobiling.
Priest Lake
If you haven’t noticed, Idaho is filled with gorgeous lakes, and Priest Lake is no exception! Located in the Northwest corner of the Idaho Panhandle, Priest Lake has virtually endless locations to choose from for your elopement, ranging from rugged mountain peaks for adventurous couples to lakeshore resorts overlooking this sparkling lake.
Check out my complete guide to eloping at Priest Lake to learn more!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October for warm weather, or, January through February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, backpacking, boating, camping, 4x4ing, or snowmobiling in the winter.
The Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains of North Idaho are the perfect place to elope if you want epic mountain peaks and an adventurous wedding experience. Filled with alpine lakes, beautiful mountain forests, and incredible views, these mountains are tough to beat. This area is a perfect elopement location if you want a true adventure for your elopement experience, with hiking, 4×4 roads, and complete solitude.
View my full guide to planning a hiking elopement!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: July through September
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, backpacking, camping, and 4x4ing.
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 keep with Leave No Trace and to provide my clients with the best options for their big day.
There you have it, the best adventurous elopement locations in Idaho!
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!
