10 Adventurous Washington Elopement Destinations Near Seattle

After photographing weddings for 10 years and endlessly exploring Washington as not only an intimate wedding and elopement photographer but also personally and recreationally, I’ve spent a LOT of time analyzing locations that would set the stage for a dreamy elopement in Washington state. Some of the greatest gems I stumbled upon during weekend get-aways.

Do you want to know something that makes my heart burst with all kinds of excitement?! Helping you find the PERFECT location in Washington state to fulfill your elopement vision! Oftentimes choosing where to elope is the most challenging part of this whole adventure—but it’s also one of the most important parts! That’s why I’m sharing my top locations for where to elope in Washington state.

All MMP clients receive a fully-customized location list as part of our services along with a 93 page elopement guide! You can also check out our FREE PNW Washington Elopement Guide HERE.

Where to Elope in Washington State: Adventurous Elopement Locations

One thing I love about Washington elopements is that there truly is a location option for every couple and their unique vision. You can experience a little bit of everything with some hiking boots, a backpack and car! I hope this list of elopement locations helps you to decide where to elope in Washington State. 

1. Mount Rainier National Park: Longmire, Paradise, Reflection Lake, Sunrise Visitor Center, Mount Fremont Lookout, Tipsoo Lake + More

This is one of the most popular locations to elope in Washington State, and for good reason! No matter how many times I go to Mt. Rainier, I am always captivated by the beauty of this park. 

Regardless of what season you’re wanting to elope in, Mount Rainier has stunning options for you – from accessible locations you can easily drive to, to locations that require more adventuring and will give you more intimacy.

Some of the most popular regions of Mount Rainier include Paradise, Reflection Lake, Sunrise Visitor Center and Tipsoo lake. If you’re set on Mount Rainier being the best place to elope in Washington state, here’s more information on how to plan your Mount Rainier Elopement.

To see examples of Mount Rainier elopements in a variety of seasons, here are some of my favorites… 

Hiking Elopement at Mount Rainier National Park | Snowy Mt. Rainier Elopement at Paradise | Destination Elopement at Mount Rainier National Park

2. North Cascades National Park: Diablo Lake, Ross Lake, Picture Lake, Bagley Lakes, Heather Meadows and Artist Point + More

The North Cascades are by far one of my personal favorite places for a PNW elopement which is why I included it in another post featuring my top 10 North Cascade locations! Located in Northern Washington, there are SO many options, both inside the National Park and in surrounding National Forests. This also means there are dog friendly options for those of you hoping to bring your dog sidekicks to your elopement. The closest large city to this location, Bellingham, is one of my favorite towns in Washington! 

To see examples of North Cascades National Park elopements in a variety of seasons, here are some of my favorites… 

Summer Elopement in The North Cascades  | Artist Point Elopement | Diablo Lake Elopement

3. Olympic National Park: Ruby Beach, Lake Crescent, Cape Flattery, HOH Rainforest, La Push Beach, Lake Quinault Hurricane Ridge and Lake Cushman along with many other gorgeous spots! 

If you haven’t figured out where to Elope in Washington State yet, the Olympic National Park truly has it all! From rugged peaks and alpine lakes to fields of flowers and distinct coastlines – it’s no wonder people choose to go here for their Washington elopement.

Because of the boundless variety and beauty this park has to offer, I’ve written a blog post going more into the details of what an elopement might look like for you. If Olympic National Park is on your PNW location Wish List, check out my guide with all the details you need to help you elope there! 

How to Elope in the Olympic National Park

And of course, you wouldn’t want to miss out on these cuties if you’re planning an elopement at Hurricane Ridge!

Hurricane Ridge Elopement

4. Mount St. Helens: Johnston Ridge observatory, Windy Ridge, Loowit Falls, Coldwater Lake and More

A PNW classic, Mount St. Helens has such a unique beauty to offer. With viewpoints in lava flows, and gorgeous meadows in the summer, Mount St. Helens is a beautiful place for your Pacific Northwest elopement. This area is really unique and the wildflowers here in early Summer are absolutely breathtaking.

As an extra bonus, most locations are in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, making it a great location for dog-friendly elopements.

Foggy Mount St. Helens Elopement

5. North Bend through Snoqualmie Pass : Franklin Falls, Gold Creek Pond, Lake Kachess, Twin Falls, Snow Lake, Gem Lake and more! 

This gorgeous location is convenient to Seattle and one of the closest locations to access. From waterfalls, rivers, lakes to mountains, this area of the state is accessible and beautiful all four seasons.

Snowy North Bend Elopement | Rattlesnake Ledge Engagement

6. Leavenworth: Lake Wenatchee State Park, The Enchantments, Colchuck Lake + more

This cute little Bavarian-styled villages sits beautifully next to an outdoor enthusiasts playground. It has the perfect balance of small town delights with quick access to beautiful locations and a plethora of accommodations. A short drive from the main strip, Lake Wenatchee offers clear waters, mountain views, forested pathways and a rocky shoreline. There’s also many great hiking trails, river access locations, mountain views and fields of wildflowers all within a short drive of Leavenworth’s city center and especially off of Icicle Creek Road!

Lake Wenatchee Elopement

7. Vantage

Located in central Washington, Vantage is just past the city of Ellensburg and offers a completely different environment than that of Western Washington. Offering a desert vibe with canyons, towering rock walls, fresh sage and the most stunning sunsets, this place makes my rock-climbing heart happy and those warm-toned photo dreams come to life!

8. Mount Adams 

Located on the eastern side of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Adams is one of the most underrated areas to elope in Washington state. Because it’s less popular, this is a great option for the mountain-loving adventurers who want a more intimate and adventurous elopement. 

There are a variety of location options depending on your preferences. For accessibility and the ability to bring loved ones, Takhlakh Lake is a beautiful location with campsites all along the lake. 

For a more adventurous elopement, Killen Creek Trail provides you with stunning mountain views, beautiful meadows of wildflowers, and clear alpine lakes. A few miles in, this hike intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail and if you go north an additional mile there is a small, lesser-known lake just off the trail that is a great place for a more intimate elopement. 

Many locations in this area do require a higher clearance vehicle, but with a little extra planning Mount Adams is an amazing location for your PNW elopement.

9. The Washington Coast

For those who dream of a unique coastal elopement, Washington state does not disappoint. One additional benefit to choosing a coastal elopement is more open spaces to disperse from any crowds that might be there, allowing for more intimacy for your day. Ruby Beach is one of the most well known and visibly recognized locations but there are many more wonderful gems along the coast of Washington. 

Summer Elopement at Ruby Beach | Ruby Beach Elopement

10. The San Juan Islands – San Juan Island and Friday Harbor, Lime Kiln Point State Park, Orcas Island, Lopez Island

Continuing with the coastal vibes, the San Juan Islands are an archipelago off of the Washington coast accessible via fairy from Anacortes. Meshing the beauty of Washington with Island life environment, it truly is an intimate and unique remote destination. Each island has something different to offer and there’s always plenty of beautiful boating, kayaking and whale watching opportunities.

Roche Harbor Venue Feature 

Best dog friendly locations

These are some of my favorite dog-friendly elopement locations in Washington:

• Artist Point
• Kachess Lake
• Vantage

I’ve also shared my top 3 tips for planning a dog friendly elopement that you can check out HERE.

Ready to book your elopement in Washington state?

Can’t wait to hear from you! 

Washington truly has it all, and I hope this helps you narrow down where to elope in Washington state. To see more pacific northwest elopements photographed by MMP, click here!

Comment below and let me know what you think the best places to elope in Washington are! 

-Meg