The Pacific Northwest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the country - the top left corner of the US is jam packed with mountains, waterfalls, forests, coastal scenery, and more! Generally considered to include Washington, Oregon, and parts of Idaho and California, the PNW is the perfect elopement destination no matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for.

In this guide, you’ll find the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest, and a few tips for planning your unique day!

Best Places to Elope in the PNW for Mountain Views

The PNW has some of the most incredible mountain views - with jagged peaks, snow capped summits, and trails filled with alpine lakes and wildflowers. Here are the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest for mountain landscapes!

North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades National Park is less visited than Washington’s other parks, but it’s one of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest! The incredible scenery, along with the relative remoteness of the park makes it a great place to explore on your elopement day. Check out the Heather Maple Pass Loop for a gorgeous hike, or the Washington Pass Overlook for an easily accessible spot!

Mount Hood, Oregon

Mount Hood is Oregon’s most prominent peak, offering miles of trails for hiking and skiing, and plenty to explore! As the second most climbed mountain in the world, this PNW elopement location is perfect for couples looking to adventure - whether that’s summiting the mountain or strolling along the wildflower meadows below.

Best Places to Elope on the PNW Coast

The rugged coast of the PNW is jaw dropping, with rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, and sea stacks poking through the water.

Ruby Beach, Washington

On the Washington coast, remote beaches sprinkle the shoreline. You can spot tide pools by the sea stacks when the tide is low and explore the beaches lined by pine forests, with Ruby Beach being one of the most popular spots on the Washington coast!

Brookings, Oregon

The beaches in Washington are remote and rugged, while the ones in Oregon are usually bordered by cute beach towns! Brookings is located in the south of the state, close to several rocky beaches. One of my favorite spots is the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, famous for the stone bridges that connect the sea stacks!

Best Places to Elope in the Forest in the PNW

The magical pines, towering Redwoods, and dense wooded groves found all around make for some of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. Here are some of the most scenic backdrops!

Del Norte, California

In Northern California, just past its border with Oregon, you’ll find the incredible coastal Redwood trees, towering high above, reaching into the foggy mist that often rests close to the ocean. You can walk the trails through the trees, and end up on the rocky coast!

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park covers nearly all of the Olympic Peninsula on the west coast of Washington. You’ll find incredible, diverse scenery - including woodsy forests. Check out the Hoh Rainforest, a mossy, temperate rainforest, or the pine trees that line the mountain sides at Hurricane Ridge!

Best Places to Elope in the PNW Desert

The desert may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the PNW, but on the east side of Washington and Oregon, you’ll find some incredible, unique landscapes!

Alvord Desert, Washington

The Alvord Desert is one of the most remote, best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. The desert is several hours of driving away from anywhere, which means you’ll enjoy some solitude on your elopement day! The desert is surrounded by mountains, and there’s even a hot spring.

Painted Hills, Oregon

In eastern Oregon you’ll find a landscape that looks like it came straight from Mars! The Painted Hills are formed by different colors of sediment, creating striped hills and brightly colored layers. You can walk along the hills and feel like you’ve been transported from the PNW to another planet!

Best Places to Elope Near Hot Springs in the PNW

Did you know that the Pacific Northwest has natural hot springs all over? I can’t think of anything more relaxing than a sunset soak to end a day of adventures!

Cougar Hot Springs, Oregon

The Cougar Hot Springs in Oregon are one of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the national forest, there are several cascading pools of different temperatures, with clear blue water surrounded by pine trees.

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs, Idaho

The three tiered Rocky Canyon Hot Springs are close to Boise, Idaho, and offer hillside pools with views of the river! It’s a gorgeous place to relax, and the perfect place to spend your elopement day.

WASHINGTON-ELOPEMENT-1 copy.jpg — **RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON**

Best Places for Waterfall Elopements in the PNW

The waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest range from small streams to cascading falls - and they make some of the best elopement backdrops!

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge has the highest concentration of waterfalls in the country, making it one of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. The gorge borders Washington and Oregon, but the south side is more scenic, with more falls to see. Check out easily accessible places like Horsetail or Wahclella Falls, or hike a little to reach Punchbowl Falls or Oneonta Gorge.

Palouse Falls, Washington

Palouse Falls is located in the desert region of eastern Washington, with a huge waterfall plunging over the rocky landscape. It’s easily accessible, but crowded - so be prepared to navigate around other visitors if you elope here!

Tips for Eloping in the Pacific Northwest

Eloping comes with some extra logistics - and here are some tips to make your elopement in the PNW absolutely perfect!

Be Prepared for Any Weather

The weather in the Pacific Northwest is infamously unpredictable - especially during the rainy season, which is pretty much any time that isn’t summer. October to June, you can expect rain most days in many parts of the PNW - but it’s often interrupted by sunshine, and rarely pours harder than a light drizzle. No matter when you elope, be prepared with rain gear and extra socks! If you’re hiking, trails are often muddy after long periods of rain. The good news is that the overcast weather makes for great photos, and it’s all part of the adventure!

Research Elopement Permits

Many elopement locations in the PNW (and everywhere else) require a permit to have a ceremony. The rules vary depending on the location, so after you’ve decided where you’ll elope, do some research and figure out if you’ll need a permit!

Hire a PNW Elopement Photographer

As an elopement photographer, along with documenting the best day of your life, I provide each of my coupoles with a customized list of the best places to elope! Some couples are looking for long hikes, others want a more relaxed day - some want hot springs, others want mountains. Contact me, and let’s talk about what you’re dreaming of for your day!

The Best Places to Elope in the Pacific Northwest