How to elope in olympic national park

February 26, 2026

The state of Washington is one of our favorite destinations for adventurous elopements, and Olympic National Park is just one of those many reasons! This epic state park, consisting of about 922,650 acres of pure beautiful wilderness, has some of the most diverse yet epic scenery in the US.
In this guide, we're going to tell you everything you need to know about planning an epic elopement in Olympic National Park!

Table of contents:

Emily

Owner + Lead Elopement Planner, Photographer & Videographer

MEET THE
LOVE UNCHARTED

team!

Heyyy, I'm Emily! The founder of Love Uncharted and the OG elopement photographer of the crew!
When I'm not busy planning and documenting epic wedding days, you can find me exploring on two wheels, loving on my fur babies, or day-dreaming about my next adventure!

yASMINE

Elopement Planner & Photographer

Elopements have allowed me to bring my love for photography and adventure together in such an epic way!
When I'm not scouting for locations or taking photos of an awesome couple on their wedding day, you can find me hitting the trails!

When to Elope in olympic National park:

There are many different ways people would describe elopements. For us, however, it's quite simple- doing whatever your heart desires! Whether that's celebrating your closest friends and family in a place that is special to you, or seeking the wildest adventure in a destination you've always dreamed of visiting!
The number one thing you need to remember is that there are no rules, no expectations, and no limits when it comes to having a truly memorable elopement!

Summer (July- September)

Summer is an incredible time to elope in Olympic National Park for many reasons- warm weather, wildflowers, and lower chances of rain! You also get to enjoy longer daylight hours and all of the trails and roads being open and accessible!

However, Olympic National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country, and summer time is the peak of tourist season for Olympic. While the weather is ideal, be prepared for a lot of tourists, and even lines for entry at places like Hoh Rainforest.

Fall (Late September- october)

You know that iconic fog that really gives the moody and dramatic vibe? Fall is the best time to visit Olympic National park if you're wanting that signature PNW vibe for your elopement! There are also fewer crowds during the fall, which means you're more likely to have a more intimate experience!

One thing to keep in mind is that rain becomes more frequent, and daylight hours get shorter during the fall mnths, so being flexible is crucial.

Winter (November- March)

As you can probably guess, Washington gets some pretty ntense winters! While Olympic doesn't get as much snow as other parks in Washington, such as North Cascades and Mount Rainier, there are still areas within Olympic, such as hurricane Ridge, where snow is likely and there are trail and road closures. You can check road statuses here!

While you can expect some very cold temperatures and a lot of snow and rain, there are far fewer crowds! 

Spring (April- June)

Spring is a great time to elope in Olympic National Park- so long as you are down for anything and have a solid backup plan! You can get sunshine, rain, or even snow in the higher elevations. It can be warmer one day, with temperatures dropping the next. The rainforest is vibrant, there are fewer crowds than summer being a shoulder season, and some higher elevation roads may be opening back up!

Where to elope in Olympic National park:

Olympic National Park is one of those other-wordly kinda places. It is a very large park, with a variety of scenery! Whether yoou're dreaming of mountain views, lakes, the coast, a vibrant rainforest, or cascading waterfalls- there are so many options!
One thing to consider is the drive-times between locations. It could be a several hour drive from one side of the park to the other as there are no cut through roads, so if you're wanting to visit multiple different locations, dedicate at least a full day!


The Pacific Coast:

There are several stunning beaches along the west side of Olympic National Park where the land meets the roaring pacific coast! Consider Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, Kalaloch (which is home to the "Tree of Life"!) and other, lesser known spots!

why it's perfect for an epic elopement:

  • If you're dreaming of an epic sunset during your elopement, it really doesnt get any better than being right on the coast!
  • When you think of the PNW you typically think of waves crashing along the rocky shore, and this is where it's at!
  • There truly is no better way to get the cinematic, "Holy shit" kinda photos than having the wild pacific ocean in the background!

Things to consider:

  • The tides are no joke, and can qickly go from nothing to something within minutes. When you're planning your elopement on the coast, be sure to check the ocean's tide schedule to get a better idea of what your coastal ceremony will be like.

Lake Crescent:

One of our favorite lakes in the PNW- Lake Crescent! This stunning lake tucked away in the northern part of Olympic National park has some of the most stunning mountain views!

why it's perfect for an epic elopement:

  • Depending on what side of the lake you're on, you can get a beautiful sunrise and sunset at this epic location!
  • Easily accessible at several different ppoints around the lake.
  • Perfect for those looking to go swimming, kayaking, or boating for their elopement!
  • Has a super cozy lodge right by the lake!

Things to consider:

  • Some spots around the lake are more known and visited than others, especially in the summer months. 

Hoh Rainforest:

Hoh Rainforest is the largest temperate rainforest in the US and is a very popular location for tourists visiting Washington and Olympic National park! 

why it's perfect for an epic elopement:

  • If you are dreaming of towering, mossy trees, ferns, and a truly fairytale vibe- this is the place to be!
  • There are a lot of very accessible trails that allow you to explore the rainforest, while still feeling very secluded.
  • Brings a different vibe to your elopement, versus the usual mountains and lakes.

Things to consider:

  • In peak season, you can sitting in line for literal *hours* to enter. Consider timing your visit in the off-season, shoulder months, and earlier in the day to avoid the large crowds.
  • If you want a very similar vibe to the Hoh Rainforest without the large crowds, consider other rainforest zones, like Quinalt Rainforest, which are lesser known and often less crowded.

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is an easily accessible area that gives you an epic view of the mountains! 

why it's perfect for an epic elopement:

  • Perfect to enjoy at sunrise and sunset.
  • Offers both short, easy trails and longer hikes that both offer epic views.
  • A good chance of seeing wildlife!

Things to consider:

  • Since Hurricane Ridge is at a higher elevation, some of the roads, such as Hurricane Hill, are closed for the snow season and wont open until June.
  • Washington weather can be unpredictable, especially in the winter and spring, so flexibility and a solid backup plan is crucial!

Other iconic locations in Olympic national park

  • Lake Cushman
  • Lake Quinalt
  • Mount Storm King
  • Cape Flattery
  • La Push Beach
  • Marymere Falls
There are so many diverse options for where you can elope in Olympic National Park. If you want help planning your epic elopement in this beautiful Washington National Park and need help finding other locations,planning your timeline, and more- we're kinda experts at this whole elopement thing!

Permits and Fees for an Olympic National Park Elopement

Like most National parks, you will need to obtain a special use permit when holding a ceremony within the park. Permits are required, and unless you want to risk your elopement being disrupted and recieving fines, I'd highly recommend getting them!

Special use permits:

Olympic National park requires all couples who are holding a ceremony within the park to obtain a Special Use Permit if your group size has 5 or more people (which includes vendors, so if it's just the two of you and your photographer/ videographer- you won't need a permit!) There is a non-refundable $50 application fee due when returning your completed application.

Park Entrance Fees:

Olympic National park has entrance fees that are required for those visiting the park, and they do not accept cash. You can either:

  • Pay $30 per private vehicle (which grants entrance into the park for 7 consecutive days.)
  • Use your America the Beautiful pass.

Even if you obtain a Special Use Permit, you are still required to pay entrance fees.

Obtaining a marriage license in the state of washington

If you're looking to obtain your marriage license in the state of Washington, here's what you need to know and what you will need to bring when picking up your license:

  • You can obtain a marriage license in any county of Washington, even if you are eloping in a different county.
  • There is a three-day waiting period from the day you apply to the earliest day you can legally get married.
  • Washington requires two witnesses and an officiant to sign the marriage license.

A marriage license in Washington can cost anywhere from $64- $172 depending on which county you obtain your license from. Many areas have risen the price to $172 in 2025.

Want to include your fur babies in your elopement?

Like most National Parks, Olympic has a lot of restrictions on dogs entering the park. While majority of trails, buildings and beaches do not allow dogs under any circumstances, there are a few places where your four-legged baby is permitted to be!
Keep in mind that when bringing your dog to these specific locations where dogs are permitted, your dog must be on a leash (6ft at most) at all times.

Trails:

  • Spruce Railroad Trail (Lake Crescent)
  • Madison Falls Trail
  • Peabody Creek Trail
  • July Creek Loop Trail.

Beaches:

  • Rialto Beach (parking lot to Ellen Creek)
  • Kalaloch beaches (between Creek 1 and 4)
  • Ruby Beach.

Campgrounds/ Developed Areas:

  • Drive in campgrounds
  • Picnic areas
  • Paved or dirt roads, such as parking lots
Service animals are an exception to these rules and may accompany their owner to all park locations. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Looking for places to stay in and near Olympic National park?

There are so many diferent options for both lodging and camping within Olympic National Park, as well as in surrounding areas outside of the park!

Resorts & Lodges:

Campgrounds:

There are also some areas outside of the park that are great places to find lodging and activities that still keep you within a short drive of the park!

the North Side:

  • Port Townsend
  • Port Angeles

The West Side:

  • La Push
  • Kalaloch
  • Forks

Olympic National park has so much more to offer than just epic views...

When most people are thinking of eloping, they don't intitally think to include some epic activities and experiences into their elopement timeline! However, not only does it make for some badass photos, it also fills up the day with some excitmenet versus driving around and looking for scenic spots!

There are so many fun things you can do in and near Olympic National Park, such as:
  • Having a picnic on the beach
  • Boating and paddling
  • Fishing
  • Tidepooling
  • Hiking and Backpacking
  • Whale watching tours (one of our FAVE activities! We highly recommend PudgetSound!)
  • Camping

You need an olympic national park photographer who truly understands epic elopements

We have spent years mastering the art of elopements in some of the most surreal and epic destinations across the globe, and Olympic National park is one of our favorite places to plan epic wedding days!
While we're pretty good at documenting the adventure (if i do say so myself,) we also do SO MUCH MORE for our adventurous couples.

Some things you can expect when booking your elopement with us in Olympic National Park is:
  • Experts who have spent years planning unique elopements.
  • A team of two hype girls who are honored to celebrate your big day with you.
  • Expert advice on locations, weather, and other logistics.
  • A timeline that is designed to keep your day running smoothly (as well as a backup plan because well, it's Washington!)
  • Help booking other vendors, such as HMUA's, florists, private chefs, etc.
  • Recommendations on local activities that can add some fun to your elopement.
  • Answers to all of your questions!

Olympic national park ELOPEMENT PACKAGES

Photo and Photo + Video Packages Available.

What Every Washington Elopement Experience Includes:

From 4 Hours to Multiple Days of Coverage that Preserves your Epic Day

In-Depth Planning to create your Personalized Elopement Experience

No Added Fees- All Travel Costs for the Whole Crew are Covered

Experiences Starting at $3,400
Couples Typically invest $5,400

Pricing Includes Tax + Travel.

FAQ ABOUT ELOPING in olympic national park

"Do I need a permit to elope in Olympic National Park?"

"Do I need a permit to elope in Olympic National Park?"

It depends on what your dream elopement looks like! If it will be just the two of you and your photographer, you won't need a permit! However, if your group has 5 or more people (including vendors,) then you will need to obtain a Special use Permit!

"How much does it cost to elope in Olympic National Park?"

"How much does it cost to elope in Olympic National Park?"

You can elope in Olympic National park for as little as the cost of entry and your marriage license! Marriage licenses in Washington typically cost between $64 and $172, and entry is $30 per vehicle. However, we typically find that our couples spend anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000+ depending on what they have planned for their experience! Keep in mind that this also includes airefare, lodging for several nights, rental car, wedding attire, vendors, activities and more!
Choosing to elope doesn't necessarily mean choosing the cheaper option (though it definitely can be,) it just means you are investing into an experience that is worth the money! Think about it, you're basically having your dream vacation AND marrying your best friend!

"When should we book our elopement photographer & videographer?"

"When should we book our elopement photographer & videographer?"

We can plan an epic experience with as little as a few weeks notice, however, we recommend you book your elopement photographer and videographer as soon as possible- even if you aren't sure when or where you will elope!
We have helped couples plan a truly epic wedding day when all they knew is they wanted somewhere scenic and full of opportunities, so even if your ideas are vague, don't hesitate to reach out!
There are endless possibilities when it comes to planning a truly unique and epic elopement! While these are only a handful of adventurous ideas, there are no rules nor limits when it comes to what your wedding day can look like.
The most important thing is that your elopement makes your wildest dreams come true, and that the day truly aligns with you and your partner!

Not sure where to start when planning your epic elopement?
We are a team of adenture-loving elopement experts who have planned and photographed unique elopements across the world!
Click here to learn more about eloping with Love Uncharted!

Follow us on Instagram!