The Best Elopement Destinations in Olympic National Park
Tie the knot amid the wondrous beauty of the Olympic Peninsula
Washington’s North Western coast is home to one of the world’s greatest natural treasures, Olympic National Park. Home to temperate rainforests, glacier capped mountains, and a rugged coastline like no other, This pristine stretch of Washington’s pacific coastline is as diverse as it is beautiful. It’s no wonder adventurous couples the world over choose to elope to this awe inspiring landscape. This national park is a wedding venue like no other. You can say I do among the lush ferns and mosses in the Hoh Rainforest, gaze out together across the mountain tops at Hurricane Ridge, hold each other tight beside the crashing waves and towering rocks at Rialto Beach or stroll the shoreline of Crescent Lake of of the most pristine lakes you’ll ever see. Elopements in here are an experience you will never forget. But with so many incredible landscapes it can be tough to decide where should you have your elopement in the park. With over five years experience photographing elopement adventures on the peninsula, I’m here to help.
First, where can you even have your wedding ceremony here?
Some national parks have designated areas where you can have weddings of various sizes. Olympic National Park is not one of those. So the process is simply find which locations you like, then apply for a permit. Obviously ceremony locations that block other park visitors from getting through aren’t going to fly so smack dab in the middle of the trail is not a good pick. Sensitive locations where there is a high chance of damaging the environment are also going to be rejected. Since the park does not have any official guidelines posted It is best to email the park with your questions.
My Favorites
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Things to consider When Picking a location
Many of my couples select locations like Ruby Beach for their elopement photos imagining stunning sunsets with colorful clouds and golden light. But often times nature has different plans. The Olympic peninsula is a wild outdoor wedding venue with even wilder weather. Even though just thirty minutes up the road it might be gloriously sunny in the Hoh Rainforest it can be pouring rain where you are at. The weather can be unpredictable on the Peninsula so be prepared for anything and having a backup plan in place certainly isn’t a bad idea. When I first tried to photograph the stunning mountain views of Hurricane ridge I was greeted with a wall of fog limiting visibility to just a few feet. But don’t worry, bad weather here can make for some of the most incredible photos.
My Favorite Elopement Locations & wedding venues in Olympic national park
Hoh Rainforest
Probably the most popular of Olympic national park’s wedding venues, the Hoh Rainforest deserves every ounce of that fame. The regions heavy rainfall has given birth to one of North America’s most beautiful temperate rainforests. Complete with towering trees covered in hanging mosses and a carpet of ferns one step into this place and you’ll think you’ve been transported to Jurassic Park. All without the worry of T-rex’s of course. Probably. In recent years the number of ceremony sites has decreased leaving the Maple Grove one of the few spots for a wedding. If you are eloping with just the two of you there are a few secluded spots that can still work.
My Favorite Things: the Hall of Mosses, the turquoise waters of the Hoh River, the sea of ferns, plenty small clearings for an intimate wedding ceremony.
Rialto Beach
Thus far Rialto Beach has been my favorite stretch of the Washington’s coastline. The dense woods reaching right to the beach, the towering sea stacks, tide pools, and gnarled piles of driftwood make it an absolute wonder to behold. If you’re eloping to the Olympic Peninsula, or just visiting, you have to check this place out. I also highly recommend it as your elopement destination. A short hike down the beach puts you in the designated Olympic wilderness, which means you can get a permit and camp right on the beach. Can’t beat that. It is about a two mile hike down the beach to get the best of what Rialto has to offer, but it is so worth it.
My Favorite Things: Tide pools, Hole-in-the-wall arch, beach camping, driftwood galore, lush coastal forest.
Sol Duc Valley
This little slice of heaven is not as well know as some of the regions of Olympic National Park, but the Sol Duc Valley has quickly become one of my favorite spots. The drive up the valley is breathtaking, but don’t forget to stop along the way at the various viewpoints to see the rushing river makes its’ journey from the falls above down lichen covered rocks and past towering forest to the sea. Another big perk here, soaking in mineral hot springs the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. That alone makes this an olympic elopement destination worth considering. But man oh man does this trailhead get busy. Plan to be there as early as possible
My Favorite Things: Waterfalls and the turquoise river that flows out from them, lush forests, luxurious hot springs
Ruby Beach
Another pristine example of the Olympic Peninsula’s stunning coastline. And one of the most popular beaches on the washington coastline. Kalaloch and Ruby Beach offer easy access to sea stacks, tide pools, and pebble beaches littered with massive chunks of driftwood. Many eloping couples make these beaches their destination due not only to their natural beauty but their central location. Both the Hoh and Quinault Rainforests are less than 35 minutes away. Need another great reason to make Ruby or Kalaloch Beach your destination? They are some of the few beaches in Olympic National Park that allows dogs. As a little cherry on top the parking lot has been recently renovated so there are new bathrooms and no more mud!
My Favorite Things: Tree Root Cave, Pebble Beaches, Dog Friendly, Sea Stacks, Tide pools, Driftwood.
HURRICANE Ridge
As one the most easily accessible mountain areas in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge is a unique elopement destination on the peninsula. On a clear day you’ll be delighted with it’s stellar views of the parks snow capped mountains. Here you can explore mountain top meadows and see how the landscape is changed by strong winds and heavy snowfall. The only downside to Hurricane Ridge is its’ unpredictability. Cloud cover can block the views, and 75 mile per hour winds can howl across the ridges. Thankfully the ranger station at the base of the mountain road can give you the current conditions before you make the drive. Sadly I learned this the hard way and made my way to the top only to be met with a wall of fog. But if conditions are right this place is magical for a sunset shoot.
My Favorite Things: Mountains, Mountains, Mountains! Quiet meadows, snow, and killer views of the Peninsula and beyond.
Marymere FALLS
Beginning at the Storm King Ranger Station a short hike will take you past Lake crescent and into the rainforests of the Olympic National Park. In addition to the beautiful Falls you’ll find beautiful bridges spanning fern lined rivers, Old growth forests, and even a stunning slice of Lake crescents shoreline. It’s an easy hike and it does get crowded in the afternoon but morning session here are incredible. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Tackle the Mount Storm King trail and be rewarded with unparalleled views of Lake Crescent.
My Favorite Things: Sprawling forest scenes, a beautiful waterfall, and a picturesque river perfect for elopement adventures.
Lake Crescent
This massive freshwater lake sits nestled in a valley a short distance from the sea. With lodges and resorts lining its shoreline you’ll have no problem finding accommodations. A short drive from the lake will have you in Port Angeles where food and shopping options are plentiful. Positioned on the north side of the Olympic peninsula it is close to the Sol Duc area and isn’t too terrible far from spots like Rialto Beach and Hoh Rainforest.
My Favorite Things: Mountains views, a stunning shoreline with water that is unbelievably clear.
Lake Ozzete
Lake Ozzete is a little off the beaten path on the Olympic Peninsula. With miles of hiking trails traverse foggy forests, quiet lakes and rugged coastlines. With camping and backpacking options, some right on the beach, the Lake Ozzete area is a great option for your elopement adventure. Besides a general store there aren’t much in the way of services in the area so be prepared to drive if you forgot something.
My Favorite Things: The 9 mile loop that makes up the coastal trails is spectacular. Just watch out for the tides!
Additional Information For Olympic National Park Elopements
For starters, please be respectful park resources in general and always do your best to tread softly. Always avoid walking and standing on grasses, plants, and tree roots in the park. We should always strive to follow leave no trace guidelines and keep the park pristine. Olympic National Park is one of this worlds treasures, let’s keep it that way for all future generations can enjoy
All elopement ceremonies in the park do require a permit. Below you can find the special permit application and apply from there.
Locations inside the national park, and outside of campgrounds, do not typically allow pets. There are exceptions like Ruby Beach.
While the park website does not state restrictions on equipment or decorations, do keep in mind the park is for everyone, it’s good to be as unobtrusive as possible.
