13 Most Beautiful Places to Elope in Montana
If you want to elope while surrounded by incredible mountain views, but without the crowds, then you’re going to love eloping in Montana! With wide-open spaces and some of the most beautiful mountains you’ll ever see, Montana is a gorgeous state with so many unique elopement locations to choose from.
As an elopement photographer based out of North Idaho, I venture across Montana for both work and play. Every time I pass through this state, it gets harder and harder to leave it. It’s just so beautiful!
Narrowing down exactly where you want to elope in Montana is a great first step in your planning process. Once you figure out a specific location or region in the state, planning everything else will become much easier.
That’s why I’ve gathered the top places to elope in Montana: to help you find exactly the kind of location that you’re searching for and to help plan your dream elopement experience!
13 Best Places to Elope in Montana
Glacier National Park
The most well-known elopement location in Montana is Glacier National Park. And for good reason! The mountains here were carved by alpine glaciers, giving them their unique U-shaped valleys and iconic jagged peaks. They are stunning! This park can get crowded in the peak summer season, but it’s worth it for an incredible backdrop and unique wedding experience!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: July through early September for the most access to the park. June or mid-September for fewer crowds.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, waterfall chasing, kayaking on Lake McDonald, taking a boat tour, wildlife watching, and photography.
Red Lodge, Montana
This mountain town is the gateway to the iconic Beartooth Highway, which leads into Yellowstone National Park. But if you want to avoid the crowds of Yellowstone and have a more off-grid experience, it’s also the perfect basecamp for eloping in the nearby Beartooth Mountains.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: Drive the Beartooth Highway into Yellowstone, hiking, and backpacking.
Kootenai National Forest, Montana
This corner of Montana is tucked between Canada and Idaho, and is filled with beautiful, remote scenery. This is possibly one of the best places to elope in Montana if you want maximum privacy and a big adventure! With mountains, forests, and even alpine lakes, this corner of the state has a lot of scenic elopement locations to choose from!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through October
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, 4x4ing, camping, and backpacking.
Flahead National Forest
If the crowds of Glacier National Park are too much, the Flathead National Forest surrounding the park is a perfect alternative elopement location! Here you’ll find lakes, mountains, and forests galore, perfect for an adventurous and secluded elopement experience.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: Rafting, wildlife watching, hiking, camping, and boating.
Flathead Lake, Montana
Famous for its crystal-clear waters and the surrounding mountains around it, Flathead Lake has a lot to offer eloping couples. With two State Parks and National Forest land surrounding it, there are plenty of easy-to-access locations as well as adventure opportunities nearby for whatever kind of experience you’re seeking.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through August
Activity Recommendations: Swimming, picnicking, camping, hiking, sailing, and water skiing.
Whitefish Lake State Park
State Parks are one of my favorite spots for elopements and micro weddings because they’re easy to get to and often have incredible scenery. Whitefish Lake State Park is close to the charming small town of Whitefish and only an hour from the iconic Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, which means you can celebrate in both! This State Park has camping, boat ramps, and gorgeous mountain views.
Learn about how to plan a State Park wedding with my complete guide!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through October
Activity Recommendations: Camping, boating, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a popular starting point for couples exploring Yellowstone National Park, but it’s also a great basecamp for elopements, both urban and adventurous. Here you’ll find panoramic mountain views, and within a few hours’ drive, you can find yourself in the Absaroka Mountains, the Beartooth Mountains, or even inside of Yellowstone National Park, where you can wander through geysers and canyons.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, fishing, camping, backpacking, exploring breweries, and hot spring soaking, or, in the winter, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
If you want a real adventure elopement, the Helena-Lewis National Forest is filled with remote and beautiful scenery! Inside these 2.8 million acres of public land, you’ll find rivers, canyons, mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and lots of wildlife due to how remote this area is.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: July through September
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, 4x4ing, and boating.
Custer-Gallatin National Forest
If the mountains of Yellowstone are calling you, but the crowds of a National Park are overwhelming for your wedding experience, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is the best of both worlds. Covering over 3 million acres, this public land is full of adventure opportunities. Here you can surround yourself with nature without contending with the crowds of Yellowstone.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, waterfall chasing, and 4x4ing.
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky is an outdoor paradise, no matter what time of year you decide to elope! Want to get married on the slopes? What about hiking to an alpine lake in the summer? This part of Montana is a perfect elopement destination in both summer and winter! You also won’t be far from Yellowstone National Park if you want to stop by either on your wedding day or during your honeymoon.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September for warm weather, December through February for snow.
Activity Recommendations: Hiking, camping, mountain biking, taking a scenic lift ride, going ziplining, white water rafting, and horseback riding. In the winter, skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, take a snowmobile tour, and Nordic skiing.
West Yellowstone, Montana
West Yellowstone is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. This is easily the best spot to stay for an adventurous Yellowstone elopement thanks to its close proximity to the park and amenities like dining and lodging. If you don’t want to share vows inside the park, the nearby Hebgen Lake has some incredible viewpoints with fewer crowds and no permit required.
Check out my full guide to planning an elopement in Yellowstone National Park!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: May through October
Activity Recommendations: Taking a guided wildlife tour, hiking, geyser watching, camping, backpacking, picnicking, and waterfall chasing.
Whitefish, Montana
This cute little mountain town is less than an hour away from Glacier National Park, making it a perfect place for your Montana mountain elopement. Whether you want to explore the gorgeous Whitefish Lake or the historic downtown Whitefish, this charming town has plenty to see and do!
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: Exploring Glacier National Park, swimming in Whitefish Lake, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, camping, mountain biking, and in the winter, skiing, snowboarding, and dog sled tours
Lolo National Forest, Montana
This quiet National Forest has some unique landscapes to explore, including alpine lakes, pinetree forests, historic railroad biking paths, and even hot springs. The Lolo National Forest is ideal for couples who want a more remote and rugged elopement experience close to nature.
Best Time of Year to Get Married Here: June through September
Activity Recommendations: Biking the Hiawatha Trail, soaking in hot springs, hiking, fishing, and exploring historic sites.
Ready to Elope in Montana?
Eloping in Montana is perfect for couples who aren’t afraid to get their hems dirty and stray off the beaten path—literally! In fact, Montana has some of the most remote yet gorgeous scenery I’ve ever seen!
Just be forewarned, you may not want to return home after seeing such beauty!
If you’re ready to start planning your elopement, but maybe aren’t quite sure where to start, I’m here for you! I offer Montana elopement packages that include customized location recommendations, permit guidance, timeline planning, and more, along with photography coverage of your day to make every step of your elopement experience fun and easy.
Happy eloping!
