The Complete Guide for Your Olympic National Park Elopement (Updated for 2024!)
Location guidance, permits, weather, what to bring, and when to elope at Olympic National Park
Have you ever pictured yourself saying your vows atop Hurricane Ridge or along the Pacific Ocean? How about in the Hoh Rainforest surrounded by green everything? Or on the shores of a perfectly crystal clear lake? If these locations sound like your ideal wedding, then Olympic National Park is the place you should elope. I’ve put together this guide for you, not only to help you with all the details of planning, but to inspire you to find the perfect location to say your vows!
Top Reasons to Elope at Olympic National Park
Waterfalls? Check. Dramatic beaches? Check. Suuuuper tall mountains? Check. Super cool fog half the time? CHECK.
If you want to get away from everyone, there are plenty of trails to hike ranging in distance and elevation gain that will guarantee a quiet, peaceful elopement for you and your boo thang.
Any season is the perfect time to elope here! You can bring your snowshoes in the winter months (and let’s be real, some of the Autumn and Spring months, too), and your hiking boots and a day pack in the summer months. Olympic NP truly has it all!
Checklist to Eloping at Olympic National Park
Pick the season and general time you want to elope
Book your photographer
Choose a general location for your ceremony
Secure a special use permit at least four weeks before your elopement date
Book accommodations in or around the park
Apply for a marriage license
Pack your bags
Plan ahead to Leave No Trace
Seasons at Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of those parks that most areas are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - they never close! That being said, the road conditions are like night and day in summer versus winter. Getting to the places you want to go might be a little challenging, but the park truly is open ALL the time! Make sure you check the road status before heading out if you’re going to be there during a shoulder season like Spring or Fall! The only area that closes regularly is the road to Hurricane Ridge in the winter.
Summer
It’s safe to say that Summer is THE most popular (and most accessible!) season of the year at ONP. The air gets warm and the sun comes out more frequently, and just about everywhere is walkable! If you’re looking for a killer scenic drive, Hurricane Ridge Road is where it’s at. You can pull off every few miles and look at the Olympics and end your trip up where the Hurricane Ridge Visitor center used to stand.
If you’re heading to the Olympic Coast, things will be a little busier but you’ll still be able to get your little piece of coastline to yourself because it’s SO massive.
Summer is also a spectacular time to elope at Olympic National Park (isn’t that why you’re here anyway?!). If you want to take a hike to somewhere remote to say your vows, there are pleeeeenty of opportunities for that throughout the park. Plus, the beaches are perfect for watching the sun set every night, and you can’t get a better sunset than the West Coast.
Fall
The Fall can be hit or miss when you get into late September and October. Those shoulder seasons at high elevation are always unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan to elope there! Rain is more frequent but so is that gorgeous fog and sometimes even a cloud inversion. The beaches are cooler and less visited, so this could be the perfect time to have Ruby beach or Rialto beach allllll to yourselves. Plus the rainforest areas start to quiet down and are still just as beautiful and easy to access!
Winter
Olympic National Park in the winter is one for the books, folks. The Hurricane Ridge area accumulates more than 400 inches of snow each year on average!! The coast also gets between 100-140 inches of rain during these months, so pack some layers if you’re headed out there.
There are a ton of winter activities to partake in, like snowshoeing and skiing! Just be careful when it comes to avalanches - there’s a much greater risk during the winter so always make sure to check the Northwest Avalanche Center before you head out.
Lower areas in the park like the coast and Hoh Rainforest rarely see any snow, so they are typically accessible year-round.
Spring
Another shoulder season that brings unpredictable weather, Spring can give you 70-degree temps OR freezing temps below 30 degrees! Bring plenty of layers if you’re planning to elope between March and July. Most of the lower elevation trails will be snow-free and you’ll have a jaw-dropping view of the Olympic range. It is still considered the tail end of the rainy season in March, but things start to warm up and dry out by April and May.
Choosing a General Location for Your Elopement CeremonY
Hurricane Ridge Area
The highest driveable point in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge Road is a great way to access tons of trails and some stellar views. Many trailheads in the area start here like the 50-mile Press Expedition Traverse! Of course, if you’re looking for something that can be done in a day, Hurricane Hill and Sunrise Ridge Trail are going to be right up your alley.
The Coast
If you’ve ever been to the coastline in Washington, you know that it’s generally very dramatic and beautiful, but I have to say… ONP features some of THE best beaches you’ll see on the West Coast. Ruby Beach has massive sea rocks that stick out of the ocean (kinda like Haystack rock in Cannon Beach!) and makes for an incredible backdrop. If you want to watch the sun go down behind those rocks while saying your vows, I want to be there to photograph it because it’s guaranteed to be amazing!! Be prepared for wind and the chance of a little drizzle.
Lake Crescent
One of the most notable lakes in Olympic National Park is Lake Crescent! The crystal clear water is not to be missed. Even if you don’t say your vows here, I’d highly recommend spending some time along the lake if you get a chance. You’ll usually find Blacktail deer roaming nearby and the water is so clear and crisp, it makes me want to get in immediately (cold plunge, anyone?). PLUS there is tons of old growth forest just a short walk from the lake, so you can see quite a lot in a short amount of time.
Hoh Rainforest
And lastly, one of my other favorite areas is the Hoh Rainforest. Considered one of the seven wonders of Washington state, Hoh is exactly what you think it is - a temperate rainforest filled with old-growth forests, ferns and moss for miles, and tonnnnnns of rainfall. Seattle gets about 36 inches of rain annually, while Hoh gets over 14 feet per year! So yeah, it’s pretty damn cool. Oh, and did you hear about the mountain goats that were relocated out of ONP via helicopter?
Other areas
There are quite a few other areas not to be missed in Olympic National Park - Sol Duc Valley, Ozette, Quinault Valley, Kalaloch, Lake Cushman, and so many more. You could spend days in the park and still not see each area!
Permits and Fees Required to Elope at Olympic National Park
Just about any national park is going to require some form of permitting for you to hold your ceremony and take photos throughout the park, so I’m here to make it SUPER easy for you (because I actually went through this process myself!).
The National Park Service website outlines all the different types of permits you need for different activities in the park. You’ll need a Special Use Permit that is $100 to hold your ceremony and to allow your photographer to be there.
Also, don’t forget about the entrance fee to the park! It’s $30 per vehicle, or you can get a year-long America the Beautiful pass for $80 that gets you into all U.S. National Parks, plus you get reduced rates to camp in national forests and other perks!
Book Accommodations in and Around the Park
Obviously you’ll want somewhere to stay before and after the ceremony, so I’ve put together a list of some of the best cabins, campgrounds, and hotels to stay at in the area!
Cabins:
Hurricane Ridge area- This sweet house near Port Angeles, a cabin with a view, or this adorable A-frame are all elopement ready
Olympic Coast area- A super rustic A-frame that’s basically camping, this chic cabin perfect for you and a couple of guests, or a cute tiny home!
Lake Crescent area- a cabin with Lake Sutherland views, this cozy cabin right outside the park, or this log cabin resort
Hoh Rainforest area- not too many cabins around this area! You’re better off finding something near Ruby beach.
Campgrounds:
All of your Olympic National Park campground needs can be found on the National Park Service website! Kalaloch campground, Heart O the Hills campground, Kalaloch campground, Mora campground, and a few others are all listed there.
Hotels/Inns:
Hurricane Ridge/Lake Crescent area- Lake Crescent Lodge
Olympic Coast area- Kalaloch Lodge
Hoh Rainforest area- Sol Duc Hotsprings Resort
Book Your Olympic Elopement Photographer
You’re going to need someone who knows the lay of the lands, knows trails that are off the beaten path, and knows a ton about Olympic National Park.
Luckily for you…
I can be your Elopement Photographer!
Aside from spending time on the Olympic peninsula for my own hiking adventures, I’ve photographed couples all over the place so I can give you the inside scoop to make sure you feel comfortable, prepared, and like your day is truly one-of-a-kind.
My elopement packages all include the following:
An unforgettable experience where you’ll feel comfortable as ever in front of the camera
Elopement planning (just like this guide!) specific to your location, plus vendor referrals, permit assistance, timeline planning, and general guidance and consultation!
High-resolution downloadable digital images ready to print and share
Travel within Washington state is included!
Take a peek at my pricing page if you wanna get this show on the road and start planning your perfect elopement already!
Apply for a Marriage License
It is a requirement for you to apply for your marriage license yourself - thankfully in Washington, getting a marriage license is pretty straightforward! You can apply for the license as soon as you're within 60 days of your elopement, and you can apply for it in any county, as marriage licenses are valid anywhere in Washington.
When you're ready, head to any county's marriage licensing website (King County, Snohomish County, or Pierce County are great options). The state will then mail you a packet containing all the paperwork you'll need, so don't forget to bring that entire envelope with you on your elopement day.
On your day, I (or whoever your officiant is) will fill out everything on the license and show you where to sign, then I'll take the license and submit it to the state, as the officiant is legally required to submit it themselves. I'll drop yours in the mail within just a couple of days of your elopement. Most counties say to plan for 2-3 weeks for the license to be processed, and then you'll be able to order official copies right from them online or over the phone.
In Washington state, you need two witnesses to sign your marriage license. If you're eloping without any guests, we can always have other people in the area sign as witnesses. It's never been an issue in the past for my couples who elope alone!
**Don't forget! There is a three day waiting period for marriage licenses in Washington, meaning from the day you make the payment for the license, you must wait three days before getting married.
Pack Your Bags for Your Elopement!
You probably won’t forget to bring your wedding attire or the wedding rings, but eloping has its own set of logistics! I’ve made this list for you so that when the day comes, you’ll be prepared, comfortable, and look gooooood.
LAYERS. Yes, even under/over your wedding attire. This could mean a winter jacket if it’s snowy, a rain shell for any other time of the year, and at least something to throw on if the temperature drops. If your ceremony is at sunset or sunrise, I’d recommend gloves and earmuffs (and maybe even fleece leggings to go under a dress!) because there’s nothing worse than being cold when you just want to be outside. That being said, it can get warm even up in the Sunrise area! Plan ahead.
Sunscreen and bug spray because you’re definitely going to be exposed to the elements at such a high altitude
Headlamp or flashlight, especially if we’ll be on any trails close to sunrise or sunset
SNAAAACKS. Seriously, even if we’re doing a short hike out to your ceremony spot, you’re gonna want at least water and something to give you a little energy. Some folks bring a beer to crack open immediately after making it official, or you could get creative and put together a mini-charcuterie board to snack on!
Bear spray and/or knife. I’ll always be carrying both in my pack, but extra protection never hurts.
A compact mirror and makeup for touchups
Things that I always pack for elopements:
Camera gear and backups, obv.
The 10 hiking essentials - GPS, headlamp, sunscreen, basic first aid kit, knife, waterproof matches, emergency bivy, food, water and extra water, and layers of clothes!
A Bluetooth speaker if you want to have a first dance after saying your vows or if you want to get your groove on during photos!
Sturdy hiking boots
Bobby pins and safety pins, a small comb, and a small can of hairspray
How to Leave No Trace at Your Elopement
Aside from a deep love for our planet, I truly believe any outdoor-goers should be observing the Leave No Trace Center’s 7 principles. This means we’ll always stay on trail to keep the wildflowers alive and protect the environment, refrain from shooting off confetti cannons, pack out all of our trash, leave wildlife alone, and respect other people visiting the park!
Planning ahead is key! Know where you’re going, bring the 10 hiking essentials if we’re leaving the car behind, research where you can’t go off trail, and how to stay safe in this specific environment.
Stay on the trail, especially in fragile alpine environments! The wildflowers that pop up throughout ONP are so delicate, that walking through or sitting down in them will damage them for up to a decade. It’s not worth it for a photo, PLUS I’m not too shabby at getting creative angles to make it look like you’re in a field of wildflowers without ever touching them.
Pack everything out that we take into the wilderness. If we stop for a snack, put the wrappers in your pack and throw it away later. If you want to celebrate after the ceremony, wait to pop a confetti cannon until you get back to your AirBNB or on the pavement (with a broom present!).
We likely won’t come too close to any wildlife because we’ll be talking and letting animals know we’re around, but if we do stumble across something we will make a plan to exit the area and leave it alone.
Respecting other visitors is so important! While your elopement is super duper important to you, it might be just another day to anyone else, and they deserve to have the same great experience in the park as you, so we won’t be blocking off any trails or asking folks to move or leave the area for a photo.
P.S. I wrote a whole blog post about this and how Leave No Trace applies to eloping couples!
Do the damn thing!
Now that you know exactly how to go about eloping in Olympic National Park, start planning! Or if you want someone to do the work for you, contact me and I’ll do eeeeeeeeeeverything from location scouting to timeline planning (and everything in between!). Grab your boo, dream up your perfect elopement, and do the damn thing.
