Why choose between salty coastlines, old-growth forests, or mounting peaks when you can experience all three in your elopement experience? The Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse regions in the world, and a perfect choice for eloping couples seeking adventure and scenic views on their wedding day!
The Olympic National Park sits on the Washington Peninsula. While this area is geographically close to Seattle, it is remote and wild. With mountain peaks and rugged coastlines, the Olympic National Park is full of natural beauty and solitude, and is unlike anywhere else in the world, making it a stunning backdrop for elopements.
If this sounds like your perfect elopement location, then you’re in the right place! This guide is going to walk you through everything you need to elope in Olympic National Park!
How to elope in Olympic National Park
- Hire your Elopement Photographer
- Choose an Elopement Date
- Choose a Ceremony Location
- Apply for Your Olympic National Park Wedding Permit
- Get Your Washington Marriage License
- Have an Epic Elopement!
Hire an Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer
Finding your photographer is a great place to start with planning your elopement because many elopement photographers will help you with planning your wedding experience (like I do!) and provide you with helpful resources and advice.
When looking for your elopement photographer, here are some things to look for to find the best fit:
- Approach to posing
- Editing style
- Planning assistance
- Familiarity with your elopement location
Choose an Elopement Date
Next you’ll want to decide on a date for your elopement. One of the really cool things about eloping is that you’re not limited to choosing a weekend date, which means you can choose a day that is meaningful to you and your partner (like an anniversary or a number that is special to you both). This also means you can opt for a weekday over a weekend to avoid crowds in the park!
Best Time of Year to Elope in Olympic National Park
One of the best parts about choosing to elope at Olympic National Park is that it’s accessible all year round! Unless you want to experience higher elevation parts of the park, the rain forests and coastlines of Olympic have mild temperatures throughout the year. But if you want to have the best odds of staying dry during your elopement, Summer is the best time to plan your elopement.
The Best Elopement Locations in Olympic National Park
Next you’ll want to narrow down your elopement ceremony location in the park. These are the best locations in the park for weddings:
Rialto Beach
Known as one of Washington’s most beautiful beaches, Rialto Beach is a picturesque oceanside elopement location! This is an especially perfect location for sunset ceremonies. There is a trail to the iconic “hole in the wall”, which is an easy 3.3 mile round trip hike if you want to add a little adventure into your experience.
Hurricane Ridge
If you’re looking for views of mountain peaks for your elopement, you’re going to love Hurricane Ridge! This part of the park is home to some of the most spectacular mountain views in the park, and it’s easily accessed by car, but you can add in a hike (like Hurricane Hill!) to see even more of the mountain views if you want to fully experience the beauty of this area.
Lake Crescent
This beautiful lake is a central point in the Olympic National Park, with the iconic Lake Crescent Lodge and several beautiful hikes nearby. It’s also a great spot to elope! Lake Crescent is surrounded by lush forests with hiking trails, waterfalls, and easily accessible beaches, making this a versatile elopement location!
Marymere Falls
Located right next to Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls is a stunning 90-foot tall waterfall. It’s accessed via a short and easy hike through beautiful forest scenery. This area is beautiful and makes for a gorgeous elopement location!
A quick note: although the falls are stunning, there’s no access to the base of the falls. However, there is a beautiful viewpoint where you can have the falls in the background!
Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is a picturesque beach, with moody weather and logs covering the rocky beach. It’s the perfect elopement spot if you want stunning coastline and all of the PNW vibes for your big day!
Hoh Rainforest
Eloping in the Hoh Rainforest will make you feel like you’re in a magical fantasy world. The best way to experience this rainforest on your elopement day is by hiking. The most popular trail is the Hall of Mosses Trail, which is an easy 1 mile hike through giant spruce trees dripping in moss, but there are several hikes within the Hoh Rainforest to choose from!
Other Locations
This list is by no means an exhaustive list of elopement locations in the Olympic National Park. It would be impossible to list every single location here. I don’t publish every location publicly to follow along with Leave No Trace principles. When we work together, I’ll find out exactly what you’re looking for in an elopement location to put together a list of completely customized recommendations for your ceremony and every other part of your day to help you find the perfect locations for your elopement!
Apply for Your Olympic National Park Wedding Permit
Once you’ve decided on a location for your elopement ceremony, you’ll need to apply for a Special Use Permit for your day.
Permits range in price depending on the size of the event. Permits for 1 to 10 people are $50 and 11-30 people are $150.
To apply for your permit, you will need to complete the application with details for your day and email it to the Olympic National Park office. They will follow up with the next instructions and payment information.
If you have questions about the permit process for your elopement, ask your elopement photographer and they should be able to guide you through the process.
How to Get a Marriage License for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
You can get your marriage license in any county in Washington for your Olympic National Park elopement. Marriage Licenses can be applied for in person or by mail, but it’s preferred for you to apply in person if you can.
To apply for your marriage license in person near the Olympic National Park, visit the Clallam County Recording Department at 223 E 4th Street, Suite 1, Port Angeles, WA. Payments are accepted in cash, money order, or credit/debit card.
You and your partner will need to bring photo identification when you apply. There is a 3 day waiting period once issued and you can use your license anywhere in the state of Washington.
Start Planning Your Elopement Experience
Now it’s time to start planning all of the fun, meaningful moments of your elopement day! In addition to exchanging vows, you can add anything you want into your wedding experience. Feel free to think outside the box and fully customize this day to the two of you.
Need some inspiration? I’ve got you covered!
Epic Ideas for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
- Elope next to the magical Marymere Falls
- Get married surrounded by moss covered trees in the Hall of Mosses
- Hike to a stunning alpine lake to exchange vows
- Rent a cozy a-frame Airbnb for your elopement
- Elope on the coast at sunset and stargaze on the beach
Top Things to do on the Olympic Peninsula
- Tidepooling
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking/Backpacking
- Stargaze
- Snowshoe Hurricane Ridge in the winter
- Kayak or paddle board
Top Hikes in Olympic National Park
If you want to add a little adventure and experience all of the natural beauty in this area, then a hike is a great option to add into your elopement day! Whether you want an easy hike or a challenge, there are trails for all levels of hikers! These are the best hikes in the Olympic National Park to include in your elopement.
Marymere Falls
This short and easy hike is a perfect option for couples looking to experience nature without dedicating the majority of their day to hiking. This trail takes you through beautiful forests and ends at the gorgeous Marymere Falls! It’s mostly flat until the very end, with a short climb to a viewpoint of the falls (highly worth the trek!).
Location: Crescent Lake
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 314 ft.
Mt. Storm King
This hike is possibly the most iconic view in the entire park, but it’s not for the faint of heart! Mt. Storm King is a tough hike straight up with almost no switchbacks. It’s a tough hike, but well worth the effort for the views overlooking Crescent Lake and the Olympic Mountains.
Location: Crescent Lake
Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 4.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,106 ft.
Sol Duc Falls
Another iconic waterfall in the Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Falls is an easy out-and-back hike to an overlook of the falls. It’s another easy hike, meaning it’s a perfect option to add onto your elopement day!
Location: Sol Duc Valley
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 259 ft.
Hall of Mosses
If you’re looking for moss covered forests for your elopement, this is the trail for you! The most popular rainforest trail in the park, the Hall of Mosses is an easy hike through the epic beauty of the Hoh Rainforest.
Location: Hoh Rainforest
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.1 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 82 ft.
Where to Stay During Your Elopement
You’ll want to book your lodging for your elopement as early as possible to ensure you get the best options for your dates. Here are the top lodging options in and around the Olympic National Park for your elopement.
Olympic National Park Lodge’s:
Kalaloch Lodge
Location: Forks
Season: Year Round
Accommodation Types: Lodge rooms, cabins, campsites
Lake Crescent Lodge
Location: Lake Crescent
Season: Spring through Early Winter
Accommodation Types: Lodge rooms, cabins, cottages
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Location: Sol Duc Valley
Season: Spring through Autumn
Accommodation Types: Suites and cabins
Kalaloch Lodge
Location: Forks
Season: Year Round
Accommodation Types: Lodge rooms, cabins, campsites
Lake Crescent Lodge
Location: Lake Crescent
Season: Spring through Early Winter
Accommodation Types: Lodge rooms, cabins, cottages
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Location: Sol Duc Valley
Season: Spring through Autumn
Accommodation Types: Suites and cabins
Olympic National Park Campgrounds
Olympic National Park Airbnb’s
Create a Timeline for Your Elopement
Once you’ve figured out what you want to include in your elopement, it’s time to start putting it together in a timeline!
A well planned timeline will help your day run smoothly and ensure you get the right locations at the right times for the best lighting, least amount of crowds, and allows time for transportation from one location to the next.
If you’re not sure where to start with building your timeline, ask your photographer! I include a custom made timeline in all of my elopement packages and work with couples to plan their day to include all of the important moments in a way that flows naturally and is stress-free.
Olympic National Park Elopement Timeline Examples
If you’re not sure how much time you need for your elopement, you may find it helpful to see some example timelines. That’s exactly why I’ve included two examples here for you!
Learn about the benefits of an all-day elopement!
6 Hour Sunset Elopement Example Timeline
3:30am – Meet up at the Hall of Mosses for the first-look.
4:00pm – Do first look in the rainforest.
4:30pm – Hike and explore together.
5:30pm – Drive to the ceremony location on the coast.
6:30pm – Arrive at Ruby Beach. Have a picnic dinner on the beach.
7:30pm – Explore the beach and take some romantic golden-hour photos.
8:00pm – Find the perfect ceremony location and set up.
8:30pm – Sunset ceremony and vow exchange.
9:00pm – Celebrate being married! Take some beautiful sunset photos on the beach
9:30pm – Photography coverage ends
8 Hour Elopement Example Timeline
12:00pm – Meet up at Airbnb for getting ready and detail pictures.
1:00pm – Do first look at Airbnb.
1:30pm – Drive to the ceremony location on Crescent Lake.
2:30pm – Arrive at the lake. Get out and explore to find the perfect ceremony location.
3:00pm – Wedding ceremony and vow exchange.
3:30pm – Celebrate being married! Pop some champagne and take some “just-married” pictures.
4:00pm – Have a picnic dinner by the lake.
5:00pm – Drive to Hurricane Ridge.
6:15pm – Arrive at Hurricane Ridge. Hike and take in the view while taking some epic photos.
8:00pm – Photography coverage ends.
What to Pack for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
There are a few special items you may want to add to your elopement packing list. These items will ensure you have a fun, safe, and comfortable experience!
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Clear umbrellas
- Sun protection, including hat, sunglasses, and SPF
- Park map (you can get one from a visitor center in the park)
- Binoculars for spotting wildlife
- Water and snacks
- A tablecloth for picnicking
- Bug spray
- Garbage bags to pack out any trash
Check out my elopement packing list for a complete packing list!
Have an Epic Elopement!
All of your planning comes together and you get to celebrate your wedding day in the beauty of the Olympic National Park! Enjoy having the best wedding day ever!
Common Questions about Eloping in Olympic National Park
Can you get married in Olympic National Park?
Yes, you can! A special permit is required for weddings taking place within the National Park, which we’ll talk about more further on. This guide is going to walk you through everything you need to plan your Olympic National Park wedding!
Do you need a permit to get married in Olympic National Park?
Yes, as mentioned before, you will need a permit for your wedding taking place within the National Park. Click here to jump ahead and learn about permits >>
How much does it cost to elope in Olympic National Park?
You will need a Special Use Permit for your wedding in Olympic National Park, which costs between $50-$250 (depending on the size of your wedding) as well as an Entrance Pass, which costs $30, which means the cost to elope in Olympic National Park is between $80-$280.
Are reservations required in Olympic National Park?
No, Olympic National Park does not require a reservation to get into the park and there is no timed entry in this park.
How to Get to Olympic National Park
You have two options for getting to Olympic National Park from Seattle. You can drive south through Tacoma or you can head north and take a ferry across the sound. I personally prefer to take the Edmonds to Kingston ferry for a nicer drive and a fun boat ride.
Leave No Trace
It’s important that when we explore exciting locations like the Olympic National Park that we preserve it for future visitors and to protect the ecosystems within it. That’s why Leave No Trace is so important! These principles for safe and sustainable recreation help keep nature beautiful by promoting responsible recreation outdoors.
Following Leave No Trace includes having a plan for your day, coming prepared, following local regulations around campfires, and always picking up after yourself (pack it in, pack it out!).
Check out my full guide to planning a Leave No Trace elopement!
Olympic National Park Elopement Packages
If you’re ready to start planning your Olympic National Park elopement, I have some great packages for you! As a born-and-raised Washingtonian, I would love to help you plan an amazing wedding experience on the Peninsula.
My Washington elopement packages include planning assistance (which includes location recommendations, permit assistance, and a custom made timeline for your day!), photography coverage starting at 6 hours, GIFs and polaroid photos from your day, and more!
Check out my Washington elopement packages for more information or contact me to get started planning!
I hope you found this guide helpful and found the inspiration you need to start planning your big day in one of Washington’s most beautiful regions!
Happy eloping!
