Epic Mount Rainier Elopement Locations

One of the biggest questions I get asked is where do we elope? Washington state offers literal THOUSANDS of places to pick from, with few needing special permission. In my twelve years of photography, I’ve found a few favorites for your elopement. 

Epic Mount Rainier Elopements on the South Side

Out through Elbe and Ashford, you can enter Mount Rainier National Park through the Longmire Entrance. This area of MRNP boasts some of the easiest locations to get to for incredible views of the mountain. Keep in mind, elopements inside MRNP require a permit for the day, and you’ll want to apply for these a few months in advance to make sure you have the proper approval. The last thing you’d want is to have a ranger ask you to leave the park on your wedding day. 

My favorite location on this side is the Carter Falls trail. It’s part of the larger Wonderland Trail, but right at the beginning has a beautiful view of Mount Rainier. You’ll want to book a stay at the Cougar Rock campground which is just across the road from the trailhead. There you’ll find bathrooms and tent camping, perfect for eloping and then snuggling up under the stars on your wedding night. 

If you prefer something a little less “roughing it” for your wedding night, Altimeter Cabin in Ashford is a short 5 mile drive outside the Longmire Entrance. The cozy cabin makes for a romantic stay, and their small event space offers the option to have a catered dinner for you and a few guests. 

Mount Rainier East Side Elopements 

Head out 410 towards Yakima and you’ll find some epic views of Mount Rainier. One thing to keep in mind is you’ll be traveling along the edge of MRNP, so some areas will require permits while others will not and it’s kind of hit or miss. I would recommend taking a drive out this direction with your map in hand and mark a few potential locations you fall in love with. 

Two of my favorite locations on this side are along the Naches trail loop. I hiked this loop along with Kylee + Evan for their engagement session and it has tons of gorgeous spots. You could easily just start hiking and find a spot along the way for your elopement. From the parking lot head towards the left of Tipsoo Lake, up the trail and around. The hike takes you out of MRNP at the over road bridge and follows the Pacific Coast Trail. About halfway, there’s a little pond that makes a wonderful backdrop for photos (when it’s been wet enough that year).

The second spot is in MRNP so you’ll need a permit but Tipsoo Lake is worth it! During the summer, this is the sought after wildflower location. From the opposite side of the road (at the official Naches Trailhead) there are beautiful views of Mount Rainier. However, it’s an extremely popular spot in the late summer on weekends, so I highly recommend a weekday (Monday-Thursday) if you’re hoping to utilize this spot.  

North West Elopements

When it comes to epic elopements, it can feel like you have to do a ton of hiking to find the good spots. On the North West Side of the Mountain is Crystal Mountain Resort. This particular spot is one of the most under utilized areas of the mountain, likely because it’s well known for being a ski resort. The area seems a bit bare in the summer, but there are plenty of pretty hiking trails around. Keira + Wade eloped there in 2019 with a ride on the gondola to the top, an exchange of vows and then lunch with their whole crew. This is one of the ways you can elope with your friends and family, without losing any of the epic views. 

Live like the Mountain is out

Around here the phrase “Live like the mountain is out” is an important one to always remember. I’ve had elopements and engagements in the middle of summer who were hoping for mountain views. We’d traveled anywhere between two and four hours only to have the mountain hidden behind the clouds. By extending our stay in the area for an extra couple hours, we’ve managed to find the mountain more often than not when the sun burns off the cloud cover. Be sure to visit the area you’re planning to elope prior to the day so you can adjust your expectations if needed. 

The truth is you don’t have to go far for epic mount rainier elopements. You can find them in almost every area around MRNP as long as you have someone who knows where to look.