One of the most popular places for a nature elopement in Washington state is Mount Rainier National Park! With cascading waterfalls, rushing rivers, fields of wildflowers, and towering mountain peaks, Mount Rainier is hard to beat! This Mount Rainier elopement guide will walk you through everything you need to know about eloping in the national park- from picking the date to figuring out the permitting for your ceremony!
Here’s what’s in this Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Guide:
- Mount Rainier Elopement Locations
- The Best Time for a Mount Rainier Elopement
- Mount Rainier National Park Wedding Permits
- Getting Legally Married at Mount Rainier
- Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Timelines & Things to Do
- Mount Rainier Elopement Packages
Mount Rainier Elopement Locations
Whether you’re looking for a long hike or something easily accessible with just as beautiful of a background, Mount Rainier has plenty of gorgeous places to choose from for your elopement. You can choose to say “I do” next to a rushing waterfall, surrounded by wildflowers, or with epic views of the mountains behind you.
The Best Hikes for a Mount Rainier Elopement
If you’re the adventurous type, Mount Rainier National Park has countless hikes of all lengths that would make the ideal spot for your ceremony. Whether you prefer lengthy hikes up the mountain or shorter lakeside strolls, here are a few of the best hikes for a Mount Rainier elopement.
Mount Fremont Lookout
This 5.7-mile out-and-back trail has the best sunrise views of Mount Rainier! Though the trail to the old fire lookout is moderately challenging, it’s extremely worth it – especially at sunrise. The soft hues of the sunrise against the mountains and throughout the valley create a gorgeous backdrop for any elopement! After your ceremony, stop by Frozen Lake on your way back to the trailhead to check out the incredible alpine lake.
Skyline Trail Loop
Skyline Trail Loop is the ultimate “choose your own adventure” trail with lots of trails that branch off to places like Myrtle Falls or the Nisqually Glacier! The main trail is a 6.2-mile loop that takes you to explore glacier views and panoramic vistas. This would be the perfect trail to spend all day exploring all that Mount Rainier has to offer!
Naches Peak Loop
From the parking lot at Tipsoo Lake you’ll find a few different trails you can take but Naches Peak is one of the best! I recommend going clockwise since it’s a little easier and to get the best views while you’re hiking. On the trail, you’ll come across 4 lakes and around the sides of Naches Peak. If the 3.3-mile loop isn’t long enough for you, you can extend your hike up to Dewey Lake for some great views of Mount Rainier!
Pinnacle Peak
One of my personal favorite hikes, this lesser known spot has incredible views of Mount Rainier and is far less crowded than any of the hikes near the Paradise Visitor Center. Its a steep two mile hike up but the views are so worth the effort!
The Best Easily Accessible Mount Rainier Elopement Locations
You don’t have to hike to enjoy the beauty of Mount Rainier! If you don’t want to go on a hike or just want something a little easier to get to, there are tons of gorgeous locations that you can drive right up to or that are just a short walk from the parking lot! Here are a few of the best easily accessible Mount Rainier elopement locations!
Tipsoo Lake
One of the most beautiful places in Mount Rainier is Tipsoo Lake! The lake is surrounded by wildflowers in the summer and is one of the most popular places to stop in the park. The parking lot is just a short walk from the lake, but parking is limited so get there early! It’s only accessible in the summer due to snow road closures, so it’s important to check the conditions before you go! If you’re up for a longer adventure, a lot of great trails start here too!
Reflection Lake
Reflection Lake really lives up to its name! Being the most iconic place in Mount Rainier, you can see a beautiful reflection of the mountain against the calm lake. It’s beautiful year-round with wildflowers in the summer, changing leaves in the fall, and snow in the winter – though you’d have to snowshoe to get there after November!
Grove of the Patriarchs
This accessible path is a very short trail that goes through old-growth forests. Only about a one-mile loop, Grove of the Patriarchs has boardwalks and dirt paths, with an incredible suspension bridge over the river that takes you to a grove of ancient forest growth.
Paradise View Points
You definitely don’t have to hike to get epic views of Mount Rainier! There are multiple places you can drive to and get amazing views of the mountain.
Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls is only a .8 mile roundtrip hike to an amazing waterfall with views of Mount Rainier in the background! This is one of the easiest hikes in the park and is paved until you reach the waterfall.
The Best Time for a Mount Rainier Elopement
After deciding where you want to elope, it’s important to know what to expect when you plan the date for your elopement. Weather and crowds can look very different from season to season, so knowing what you’re getting into will help you avoid any surprises when your wedding day comes. To help you figure out what the best time for your Mount Rainier elopement is, I’ll tell you a bit about each season and share a few tips on avoiding crowds!
Summer
The best time for good weather in Mount Rainier National Park is in summer. The snow has melted by mid-July, the wildflowers are in full bloom by August, and you can access most of the trails on the mountain. Summer is a great time to visit Mount Rainier, but it’s also the most popular time so there will be plenty of people around. There is also a risk of wild fires this time of year which is why we always have a backup plan!
Fall
In my opinion, the best time for a Mount Rainier elopement is early fall (September/October). The leaves changing colors and lingering wildflowers bring tons of color to the mountains and valleys in the park. The reflection of all the colors on the lakes create beautiful backdrops to any elopement! Snow begins to fall in the park starting in October, so if you want to make sure that you’ll be able to reach your dream elopement spot, be sure to plan for early fall. For some fall inspiration, check out this post!
Winter
Mount Rainier National Park is covered in snow during the winter with snow chains required from November until May! Because most roads close due to snow, you won’t be able to reach every place in the park by car. If you like snowshoeing, this can be a really adventurous time to elope! I always make sure to check the road conditions on the morning of your elopement and have a Plan B so we don’t run into any surprises on the day of your wedding!
Spring
The hardest time of year to elope in Mount Rainier National Park is the spring (March-June). The weather this time of year is incredibly unpredictable – you can start your day with sunny skies and be stuck in the rain or snow by lunchtime. There is still a ton of snow high in the mountains, a risk of avalanches, and the roads don’t start opening back up until May or June. The melting snow and spring rain make this the best season for seeing the waterfalls at Mount Rainier National Park!
Avoiding Crowds When You Elope at Mount Rainier National Park
The weather is a big part of deciding when to elope at Mount Rainier National Park, but something that’s just as important to consider is how crowded it can be during each season. When you’re surrounded by tons of people competing for the most Instagrammable spots, it’s hard to stay in the moment. Good thing I have a few tips for avoiding crowds when you elope at Mount Rainier National Park!
The best way to avoid crowds is to plan your elopement for a shoulder season – this is typically late spring or early fall. When you elope in a shoulder season, you’ll be able to avoid the summer vacationers but still reap the benefits of nice weather in the park.
Both the day of the week and time of day are also important factors in crowd levels wherever you decide to elope. Typically, weekends are way busier than weekdays and you’ll especially want to avoid eloping on a holiday weekend. As for the time of day, sunrise and sunset are both wonderful times to elope since you’ll find fewer people around – plus, the lighting is usually incredible around those times of day!
There are tons of gorgeous places to elope at Mount Rainier National Park, but if you want to avoid the crowds, you should find a lesser-known location for your ceremony. The more popular locations will be crowded most of the time, so we can look for a beautiful, secluded place for you to say your vows!
Mount Rainier National Park Wedding Permit
When you elope at Mount Rainier National Park, you’ll need to get a wedding permit from the National Park Service. The Special Use Permit costs $275 and needs to be submitted at least 4 weeks before your elopement date (though I recommend submitting it as soon as we have your location figured out). Depending on who you want to have at your elopement, you may be restricted in where you can get married. At most places they only allow elopements Tuesday-Thursday now and allow less than 8 guests (though there are some exceptions). I help all my couples find the best place for you to say “I do!”! Even if the place you want isn’t an approved location, we can always go explore the park after you say your vows.
Getting Legally Married at Mount Rainier
The fun part of eloping is deciding when and where you want to have your ceremony, but it’s not official until you sign your marriage license! Mount Rainier National Park is in Pierce County, but it’s easiest to get your license online through King County. I remind all of my couples when its time to get their license and am here to answer any questions!
Your marriage license has to be signed by an officiant and two witnesses. You can choose to hire someone or have one of your friends or family members get ordained through the Universal Life Church. Luckily, I’m already ordained and can do all the legal paperwork for you!
Elopement Timelines and Things to Do When You Elope at Mount Rainier
Choosing to elope means you’re deciding to make your wedding day all about your love! That means that you can make your elopement anything you could ever dream of! Whether you want to go on a long hike, spend the day relaxing just the two of you, or enjoy some time with your family, Mount Rainier National Park has plenty of gorgeous places for you to elope. Here are a couple of examples of what a Mount Rainier elopement could look like!
Mount Rainier Elopement With Family
9:00 Your granddad cooks up a wonderful breakfast at the cabin, and you enjoy some time with your family.
10:30 You and your partner sneak away for a little nature walk around the Airbnb, spending some quiet time together.
11:30 You start your hair and makeup, and you and your partner split up to get ready.
1:30 You both get dressed and put on your elopement attire with your family
2:00 You do a first look outside the cabin, seeing each other all dressed up for the first time!
2:30 After a few photos, you and your family pile into two cars and drive to your ceremony location at Reflection Lakes
3:30 You arrive at Reflection Lakes, and after taking in the view from the parking lot, you have a quick snack before beginning the ceremony.
4:00 You all take a walk to your ceremony spot with epic views of the mountains, then your mom officiates your ceremony and you exchange your vows.
5:00 You’re married! After lots of hugs and excitement, you take some photos with your family
5:30 You all head back to the parking lot, where you sign your marriage license
6:00 Your family goes back to the Airbnb to get dinner ready, and the two of you explore a little, taking some couples photos as the sun begins to set.
7:30 You drive back to the cabin for dinner and cake!
“Just Us” Hiking Elopement
4:00 AM You wake up early and have a quick coffee and breakfast together in your cabin
4:30 The two of you get ready for the day together, doing your hair and makeup
5:00 You’re finished with hair and makeup, so you pack the car and take off for the trailhead!
5:30 You arrive at the trailhead for Mount Fremont Lookout, lace up your hiking boots, and start hiking through the forest
7:30 At the top of the hike, you get dressed in your elopement attire and do your first look
8:00 After you take in the jaw-dropping views of the ridge line, we’ll begin your ceremony and you’ll exchange your vows! After your ceremony, we take a few more photos with the hues of the sunrise against Mount Rainier.
8:30 Head back down the trail to enjoy other parts of the hike
9:30 Arrive at Frozen Lake to take some photos and have some cake to celebrate your ceremony!
11:00 Change and pack up your things to head back to the car
12:00 At the car, you’ll sign your marriage license and then head back to your cabin
12:30 Arrive at the cabin to spend the rest of the day together
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people can we invite? I recommend keeping it to less than 8-12 guests. Any more than this and there are only a few places you can have your ceremony in Mount Rainier National Park (and they aren’t as scenic as hiking on the trails).
- When should we apply for a permit? Once we have decided on a ceremony location, you should apply for your permit as soon as possible! The minimum amount of time is 4 weeks for processing.
- Where should we stay during our elopement? The closest towns to Mount Rainier National Park are Packwood and Ashford. Both require about an hour drive to get to the Paradise Visitor Center.
- When is the best time for wildflowers? Late July to mid August is the best time to see wildflowers! The Sunrise area of Mount Rainier is my personal favorite and the snow doesn’t even melt here until July!
- What should we wear for our hiking elopement? Comfort first! Make sure to bring hiking boots, layers for warmth and rain, and the 10 Hiking Essentials. Check out my guide to a hiking elopement in Washington for even more packing essentials!
- Do you offer planning help or timeline guidance? Yes! I help with location ideas, permits, timelines, vendor recs, and more. I’ve photographed a ton of elopements at Mount Rainier and love helping couples plan a day that actually feels like you.
Mount Rainier Elopement Packages
When you elope, one of the most important things you’ll have to do is find an elopement photographer. As your elopement photographer, I not only want to capture all the moments that make your elopement unique, but I also love helping you plan a day that’s perfect for you! As someone who is always down for an adventure, I’m ready to do whatever you imagine your elopement to be. From giving you personalized recommendations for every part of your elopement – like the best places to stay and things to do – to creating a detailed timeline to help you get through the day, I want to make your elopement the best day ever! Whatever you choose to do on your wedding day, I’ll be excited and ready to join you!
Get in touch and let’s start planning your dream Mount Rainier National Park elopement!
