Blue hour photos taken during Olympic National Park elopement

About Olympic National Park Elopements

There are so many places that you can elope in in the state of Washington, but one of my personal favorites is Olympic National Park. There is so much biodiversity in the park, and it covers such a large portion of the state that you can almost have whatever you want for an elopement day.

ONP is one of Washington's most loved and visited national park. This park is accessible to the coastal beaches, the lush rainforests, and the snow covered mountain tops. It's a location worth eloping in! Plus, all it takes is a ferry boat ride or a scenic drive to get to it from Seattle.

With such a large amount of land and most of it being very remote, how do you elope in Olympic National Park? Hopefully this guide will help answer this question for you!

Sunrise Cape Flattery elopement at Olympic National Park — Olympic National Park Elopement

Olympic National Park Elopement Packages

An Olympic National Park Elopement is a one-stop shop for capturing all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. This location has everything you could ever wish for for an elopement: epic waterfalls, lush rainforests, coastal beaches, and stunning mountains. Whether you want to say your vows on the coast, or up by the mountains, you can do everything here! Your Washington elopement photographer (me!) will make sure to find the best locations to have the wedding day of your dreams.

For most eloping couples hiring a photographer will be one of —if not the most— expensive things that they do. Elopement photographers are charging thousands of dollars to capture your adventure, but there is a reason for that (and it’s the same reason that this is the first step): elopement photographers like me will help you plan your whole day. You aren’t only paying for our photography skills, you are also paying for our expertise in the area and our knowledge of other local vendors that you will need/want to hire.

Learn More About Olympic National Park Elopement Packages and Pricing

Olympic National Park Elopement Locations

Olympic national park is an amazingly diverse place with almost every type of landscape Washington has to offer crammed into it (the notable exception being the desert). There are beautiful beaches that rival the Oregon Coast, there are tall snow capped mountains, there are lakes, there are rivers, and there are miles and miles of lush green rain forest; so once you know that your elopement will be in Olympic National Park you will need to decide what type of landscape you want as your back drop.

Need to find the perfect Olympic National Park elopement location? No worries, I got you! Though most couples elope in one of the 3 scenic destinations, you can travel to several locations within a couple hour drive from one another!

Here are the top 9 places to elope in Olympic National Park

1. Hurricane Ridge- Nestled in the heart of Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge is a breathtaking gem that captivates visitors with its rugged beauty and awe-inspiring vistas. As you ascend the winding mountain road, the anticipation builds, and suddenly, you find yourself surrounded by a panorama of towering peaks, lush meadows, and sweeping valleys.

2. Ruby Beach- Following along the rugged coastline of Washington State is one of the most popular costal beaches to elope in! A stunning beach is ready for you right from your car. Because this place is so accessible, I highly recommend coming here during the weekday to minimize crowds.

3. Hoh Rainforest- Stepping into the Hoh Rainforest feels like entering a different world, where massive trees stretch towards the sky, their moss-covered branches creating a mystical canopy overhead. The air is damp and rich with the scent of earth and vegetation, while the gentle patter of raindrops adds to the enchantment. As the wettest part of Washington, be sure to bring an umbrella!

4. Lake Crescent- Located on the North side of ONP, you’ll find one of the most stunning lakes in Washington! Surrounded by mountains, hikes around it, and just a short walk to some beautiful water falls, Lake Crescent is one of the best places to elope in ONP year-round!

5. Madison Falls- Also found on the North side of the park and just a few miles from Port Angeles lies Madison Falls. This is a short hike, where dogs are allowed, so you can be in the park while enjoying your fur babies to be part of the wedding! While the falls themselves are breathtaking, the surrounding nature is equally captivating, with old growth trees surrounding you. The landscape is adorned with vibrant ferns, wildflowers, and moss-covered rock formations, creating a stunning backdrop for any elopement.

6. Sol Duc Falls- If your looking for old-growth forests, subalpine lakes, and snowy peaks, consider eloping in Sol Duc Falls! Clocking in at just 1.6 miles round trip, this hike offers one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Washington!

7. Kalaloch Lodge- Nestled on one of the most Western points in Washington lies a beautiful lodge with small cabins hugging the coast line. Although it is a drive to get here, I can assure you it’s well worth the trip!

8. Lake Quinault Lodge- Imagine waking up in a beautiful lodge, with a homey and outdoorsy feel and stepping outside and watching the sun come up over Lake Quinault. With many hikes nearby, this place would be amazing to elope in.

9. Rialto Beach- Another popular Washington coast elopement destination. With stunning rocks, sandy beaches, and the perfect spot for a stunning sunset elopement, you really can’t go wrong with Rialto Beach!

Couple kissing during their Olympic National Park elopement — The Staircase Entrance to ONP has a lot very close to the parking lot

Olympic National Park Wedding Permit

To get married anywhere in the ONP, you will need a wedding permit. As your elopement photographer, this will be one of the things I will do for you! I will make sure to get the appropriate special use permits so that you have one less thing to worry about! You do need to apply for a marriage license on your own, however.

Couple walking at the beach during sunset for their Olympic National Park elopement

Best Places to Stay in Olympic National Park

Now that you’ve landed on a location you can pick your lodging. There are many towns, resorts, and camping options scattered in and around Olympic National Park. While it may seem intimidating to have to not only pick a place to stay but also pick what town that place is in let me give you a little bit of advice: pick somewhere that is less than an hour from where you want to elope.

For example: if the location that you have chosen for your elopement is Second Beach you really only have three options for where you will stay. You can get a hotel or vacation rental in the town of Forks (don’t worry, I haven’t seen any vampires walking the streets in years), you can car camp just outside of town, or you can backpack in and camp on the beach —requiring a permit. Another thing to keep in mind when searching for somewhere to stay is that your photographer will likely have plenty of suggestions.

Below are some of the places couples enjoy staying when eloping in Olympic National Park.

Lake Crescent Lodge

Lake Crescent Lodge is located on the shores of Lake Crescent. There is a lovely cabin and lodge where you can stay at within walking distance to the water.

Kalaloch Lodge

Kalaloch Lodge is perched on a small cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's the closest place to stay near the Ruby beach area.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge is the closest lodging option if you're thinking of a Hoh rainforest elopement! They have great food and has always been a lovely stay.

Sol duc Hot Springs resort

This resort is located on the north side of the park. This lodging is perfect for being able to reach the alpine lakes, the coast, and even Hurricane ridge area!

Olympic National Park Cabins or campgrounds

There are many AirBnB options for lodging around ONP. In addition, this houses some of my favorite campsites in Washington! If you need additional recommendations for lodging, I am here to help your with anything you need while planning your Olympic National Park Elopement!

Washington Coast Elopement — Take Time to Enjoy Your Day

When to Elope in Olympic National Park

Many areas of this park including Lake Crescent, the waterfalls, and the coastal beaches are open year-round. However, most couples elope in Olympic National Park between late May to Early October.

About Your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer

Photo of Olympic National Park elopement photographer

Hey! This is Doug, thanks so much for reading my ONP guide! As you are considering eloping, remember to take some time with your partner to breathe in each others existence. This is your wedding day and it is about you and only you. If you ever feel rushed or like you need to pay attention to someone else’s wants and needs take a breath and focus on yourself. Enjoy it!

Do you have more questions about an ONP elopement? Or are you ready to dive in and start planning? Let's chat have me as your elopement photographer. I’ll help you plan your perfect day and capture every moment with you and your partner. Just fill out this quick form below and I’ll get in touch with you within the next 2 business days!