updated to reflect *new* 2024 permit locations and requirements
If you’re looking to have your wedding or elopement ceremony in Glacier National Park, you’ve probably gotten a Liiiiiitle overwhelmed with all the options. You’ll need to know where to get married in Glacier National Park. I mean, Glacier is absolutely STUNNING and if you’re biased like us, you think it’s the most magical place in the world. We were married in Glacier ourselves so it holds a special little place in our hearts. We even used some of these 6 Sweet Wedding Traditions to Include in Your Elopement. We’re here to help you narrow things down.
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT YOUR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WEDDING PERMIT
You have your choice of Big Kahoona (yes, I just said “big kahoona”) mountains, glacial lakes, deep blue rivers and cascading waterfalls. There are a lot of logistics to juggle and we want to make sure you find the best place for your Glacier National Park ceremony. There are lots of Venues in Glacier National Park.
glacier national park imposes a reservation system
Due to managing difficulties with overcrowding, construction happening on Montana Highway 2, and Covid precautions, there will be a temporary ticketed entry system in Glacier National Park for the 2022 season.
The Ticketed Entry System in Glacier National Park is a temporary system imposed for the 2022 season, starting on May 27th thru September 11th, 2022. The system will be imposed 11 hours of the day 6am-5pm at the West Entrance and St. Mary Entrance.
⅔ of entry reservation tickets will be released for 60 days before your event date for advanced ticket sales. Remaining tickets will be released 48 hours in advance, available up to the day of your park visit (assuming they are not sold out). The Going to the Sun Road (GTSR) Entry Reservation Tickets are $2 non-refundable. The GTSR Entry Reservation Ticket must be purchased in addition to the $35 Entrance Fee, valid for seven days. Reservations cannot be purchased at the booth, but must be purchased online. CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR RESERVATION TICKET.
FAQ’S ABOUT THE RESERVATION TICKET SYSTEM
where to get married in Glacier National Park
Whether it’s just you and your favorite person eloping and you’re up for a little adventure, or if you’re planning an intimate ceremony that’s grandma-approved, we’ll find you the perfect ceremony place. If you’re up for a little adventure, there are so many AMAZING options that open up. Our favorite ceremony spots require a little bit of a hike to get to, but it’s so worth it!
Keep reading as we break down the entrances into Glacier and the ceremony options within. Check out our blog post on HOW TO ELOPE IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK.
PEAK SEASON is defined as the 2nd Friday in May thru the 2nd Sunday in October.
NON-PEAK SEASON is defined as the 2nd Monday in October thru the 2nd Thursday in May.
ceremony locations in St Mary
St. Mary is a beautiful place to be married and we recommend you come in the early morning sunrise or later during the sunset so things won’t be so busy. The “American Alps” feel of St Mary is utterly breathtaking!
| Location | Participants (peak) | Vehicles (peak) | Participants (non-peak) | Vehicles (non-peak) | Availability |
| St. Mary Amphitheater | 30 | 6 | 30 | 10 | Year-round |
| Rising Sun Amphitheater | 30 | 6 | N/A | N/A | June-September |
| St. Mary Shoreline (Rising Sun Picnic Area) | 15 | 5 | N/A | N/A | June- September |
| Sun Point | 12 | 5 | N/A | N/A | Only before 2pm (issued time) |
| 1913 Ranger Station | 20 | 4 | N/A | N/A | Only before 2pm (issued time) |
| Red Eagle Trailhead | 12 | 5 | N/A | N/A | Only before 2pm (issued time) |
See the full Saint Mary Shoreline Sunrise Elopement here!
ceremony locations in Many Glacier
Many Glacier is one of the more accessible elopement spots for intimate weddings. With the Many Glacier Hotel that can be used as a basecamp, you and your guests (or heck, just you and your sweetie) have access to some stunning parts of Glacier National Park!
| Location | Participants (peak) | Vehicles (peak) | Participants (non-peak) | Vehicles (non-peak) | Availability |
| Shore of Lake Josephine | 15 | 3 | N/A | N/A | Before 9am or After 5pm |
| Many Glacier Hotel Beach | 15 | 4 | N/A | N/A | Before 9am or After 5pm |
| Many Glacier Hotel Green (behind lodge) | 15 | 4 | N/A | N/A | Before 9am or After 5pm |
| Many Glacier Hotel – SW Beach | 15 | 4 | N/A | N/A | Before 9am or After 5pm |
| Many Glacier Hotel Deck | 10 | 4 | N/A | N/A | Before 9am or After 5pm |
| Many Glacier Amphitheater | 20 | 10 | N/A | N/A | Before 9am or After 5pm |
See this full Many Glacier Elopement at Lake Josephine
ceremony locations in Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is great if you don’t have very much time to explore. You can basecamp in Whitefish or Kalispell for the breweries and fancy eating spots and still get in some rivers and lakes. This is also the most popular section of the park, so planning for “off” times is a MUST.
| Location | Participants (peak) | Vehicles (peak) | Participants (non-peak) | Vehicles (non-peak) | Availability |
| *Apgar Amphitheater | 15 | 3 | 30 | 15 | Before 10am or After 5pm |
| *Apgar Picnic Area | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | Not available April/May 2022 |
| Fish Creek Amphitheater | 30 | 12 | 50 | 20 | Year-round |
| Fish Creek Picnic Area | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | Year-round |
| Avalanche Amphitheater | 20 | 4 | 30 | 15 | After 6pm |
| Avalanche Picnic Area | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | After 6pm |
| *7 Mile Pullout (Sandy Point) | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | 8am-4pm |
| *10 Mile Pullout (Jackson Bay) | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | 8am-4pm |
| *Sprague Picnic Area | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | Sunrise – 7pm |
| *Lake McDonald Lodge Beach | 15 | 5 | 30 | 10 | Year-round |
| Ryan Beach | 15 | 4 | 20 | 6 | Year-round |
**Road Closures**
Going to the Sun Road from Apgar to Lake McDonald Lodge will be closed from 10pm-6am June thru September 2022 due to construction.
See this full elopement at 7 Mile Pullout
See this full elopement at Apgar Amphitheater
See this full elopement at Ryan Beach Meadows
See this full 10 Mile Pullout Elopement
See this Full Sprague Picnic Area Elopement
See this full Lake McDonald Lodge Elopement
ceremony locations in Two Medicine
Two Medicine is one of the quietest areas in Glacier National Park, which makes it an ideal place for a wedding or elopement ceremony. Whether it’s the big kahoona mountains, glacial lakes or roaring waterfalls you’re after, Two Medicine has it all. Another plus of Two Medicine is that you could easily have up to 30 people attending your wedding if you are on the shoreline of the lake.
| Location | Participants (peak) | Vehicles (peak) | Participants (non-peak) | Vehicles (non-peak) | Availability |
| Pray Lake | 30 | 6 | N/A | N/A | Before 10am or After 4pm |
| Two Medicine Campground Group Site | 12 | 6 | N/A | N/A | Sunrise-Sunset |
| Two Medicine Campground Amphitheater | 30 | 6 | N/A | N/A | 8am-5pm |
| Two Medicine Picnic Area | 12 | 6 | N/A | N/A | Before 10am or After 4pm |
| Walton Picnic Area | 15 | 3 | N/A | N/A | Sunrise-Sunset |
See this full Two Medicine Elopement
ceremony locations in North Fork
| Location | Participants (peak) | Vehicles (peak) | Participants (non-peak) | Vehicles (non-peak) | Availability |
| Juniper River Access | 12 | 3 | N/A | N/A | Sunrise-Sunset |
| Bowman Lake | 12 | 3 | N/A | N/A | Before 3pm (issued time) |
| Kintla Lake | 8 | 2 | N/A | N/A | Sunrise-Sunset |
how to get married in Glacier National Park
Jake and I were married in Glacier National Park in 2019, so we’ve been through this process. We recommend limiting the number of cars that will be included in your wedding by considering transportation options or limiting guest count. No confetti or glitter, or tossing petals are allowed at any location in the park. It is important to abide by the Leave No Trace guidelines.
Glacier National Park issues permits are $125 and issued through the National Park Service. You can fill out your wedding ceremony application with one of the above locations. Some of these locations are closed in the off-season months, and you can check in with the office if that’s the case.
You can mail your application with your fee or email it and call in with a credit card number.
Glacier National Park Special Uses
PO Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-5960
glac_sup@nps.gov
Glacier National Park wedding officiants
You will need an officiant registered with the state of Montana (it could be a friend or family member) or a professional in the area. Having a professional officiant can make a world of difference to make your ceremony special. The wedding ceremony in the video was done by Sarah Harding, a very talented officiant.
Kate Berry – hello@kateberryjoyful.com
Sarah Harding – harding.sarah4@gmail.com
Sally Hanger – sallyhanger@gmail.com
Tom Paris
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