Best US Mountain Elopement Locations

Mountains are MADE for adventure elopements!! If you’re looking to elope in the mountains, we can’t wait to help make your dreams come true. Check out our list of the Best US Mountain Elopement Locations below (in our humble opinion), and let us know if there’s a mountain you’d add to this list!!

grand teton national park (wyoming)

Just 30 miles away from Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park is the place to be for a unique mountain elopement in Wyoming. These rigid mountains offer beautiful valleys, lakes, and rivers making it an awesome place to hike, ride a bike, kayak, fish, and GET MARRIED! 

The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is from mid-May to late September when all the visitor centers, hiking trails and other park activities, including kayaking and fishing, are open and accessible. You’ll need a permit to get married in Grand Teton National Park, and the fee is $200. The permit application must be received in the park no less than thirty days prior to your event. Once the permit has been approved and issued, it will be emailed to you. Make sure to have a copy of your permit with you during your ceremony!

Fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – it’s actually IN the park! There are some pretty cool lodging opportunities within the park, and of course you can camp under the stars! We recommend planning your trip at least 6 months in advance as camp and lodging reservations fill up quickly! Pets are allowed inside Grand Teton National Park, but they must be leashed at all times and are not permitted on hiking trails, inside visitor centers or other facilities. Aka: your pup(s) may go anywhere a car may go: roads and road shoulders, campgrounds and picnic areas, parking lots, etc. Make sure you know bear etiquette (yep, it’s a thing) and bear safety before you go – running into a Grizzly Bear is no joke!!

If you’re thinking about a Grand Teton-Yellowstone tour, we’re here for it! Check out our Yellowstone National Park Adventure Session here.

glacier national park (montana)

Home to the Big Sky State, Montana, Glacier National Park is so breathtaking, it’s been deemed ‘Crown of the Continent’! Whether you want a short hike and an iconic background, an overnight camping adventure, or to just drive Going-To-The-Sun-Road (honestly do all of the above), Glacier has it all. Even better news – it’s in our backyard so we know all the ins and outs of the park! It’d be our honor to show you our favorite hidden gems while you and your honey tie the knot. 

The best time to elope in Glacier National Park is July and August if you’re looking for a warm weather elopement. That being said, the mountains are gorgeous throughout the year – just make sure to check the road conditions. We’ve loved Glacier in all seasons – check out this elopement in Spring, and here’s a winter adventure session! Lake McDonald, you have our hearts. Plan to fly into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), and then it’s a quick drive 35 minute drive to the entrance of Glacier National Park. 

Did you know you can see the Northern Lights from Glacier National Park? From September to April, when it is winter/spring in the northern hemisphere, you have a chance to see them! There are so many great hiking and camping spots in Glacier. Start here for epic hikes, and reserve a camp spot here. Heads up: you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for a Grizzly Bear should you see one. We’re talking bear spray, a loud noise maker (we’re fond of cow bells), and reading up on what to do if you encounter a Grizzly. 

Alright – let’s talk about getting married at Glacier National Park. There are limits to where you can get married (Heads up: you cannot get married at Logan Pass BUT you can totally take pictures after you get married!), and you’ll definitely need a permit. So…

Step 1: Download a Special Use Permit application. 

Step 2: Use the information found here and on this wedding area guide to fill out your application with as much detail as possible. (aka – be very specific. “Sunrise” or “afternoon” or “various locations” are not accepted). 

Step 3: Send your completed application and $125 payment in the form of check or money order by mail to Glacier National Park, Attn: Special Park Uses, PO Box 128, West Glacier, MT 59936 or e-mail a digital copy to glac_sup@nps.gov. 

Step 4: Once they have received your application and payment, the park will write a final permit and send it to you either in the mail or through an e-mail. You then need to sign and return a copy to the park in either the self-addressed envelope included with your permit or by replying to the e-mail. Your permit is not valid until they have received a signed copy back from you.

We also wrote a whole blog about Glacier National Park’s Ticketed Entry System. Enjoy!

lake tahoe (california)

With the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe had to make this list. Tahoe is a truly unique elopement destination where the fresh mountainous air meets a sandy beach (or rocky if that’s your vibe!), and the sunrises and sunsets are unparalleled. We love this area, especially for the hikes and adventure opportunities – almost everything is easy to access! Good news: you really can’t go wrong with the seasons in Tahoe – it all depends on what you and your honey are looking for because there are four full sweet seasons to take advantage of! 

There are many ways to elope in Tahoe – on a beach, in the mountains, at a resort, the list goes on and on! Depending on where you’d like to tie the knot, there may be permits required. While weddings may occur on national forest land and are open to the public, they are first-come, first-serve. It’s best to double-check if you need a special use permit for your outdoor ceremony on National Forest land based on location and when all else fails, call (530) 543-2600 to confirm your plans.

Lake Tahoe lies in both California and Nevada. If you’re flying into the area, plan to fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and drive into Tahoe (about an hour drive, and there is a shuttle!). To get married in California, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license at any County Clerk’s Office in California. Take a valid ID and $90-$100 cash or check. Marriage licenses in California are valid for 90 days, and you don’t need to get married in the county you receive your marriage license. You can even get married the same day you pick up your marriage license! If you’re traveling from outside of CA, check out El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra Counties to obtain a license when you arrive. 

To be married in Nevada, you’ll want to ensure your officiant is certified in Nevada. You can search here to see if your officiant is legal to facilitate marriages in Nevada. If you’re traveling from out of town, you can obtain a license at Washoe, Carson City, and Douglas Counties in Nevada on your way to Tahoe.  

For location details, permit info and more how-to’s in Tahoe, check out our full Lake Tahoe Elopement Guide here!

mount denali (alaska)

As North America’s highest mountain, Mt. Denali is found in Denali National Park, Alaska, and is just waiting for you to explore its wonders! There’s hiking, you can check out wildlife, bike, hang out with some sled dogs (!!) and enjoy so many other adventure opportunities. Summer from May to September is the optimal time to elope in Alaska, where you can enjoy temperatures from 33 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Pro tip: check out Alaska’s Daylight Hours Calculator to make sure you know what to expect with the amount of daylight!

Plan to fly into Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) and rent a car to drive the roughly 2-hour drive to Denali National Park. To obtain a marriage license in Alaska, submit your application to the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. There is a three-day waiting period after submitting your application, and the license fee is $60. In addition, you’ll need to apply for a special use permit to be married in Denali National Park and Preserve. The permit has a $200 application fee, and must be submitted a minimum of ten days in advance.

Without trying to be that super excited, over the top aunt when you ask her to hang out, we’d absolutely LOVE to help you plan your Alaskan elopement. You should definitely reach out. 

maroon bells (colorado) 

Located just outside Aspen, Colorado, Maroon Bells is a mountain range known for being the most photographed place in Colorado! The beautiful alpine lake is surrounded by colorful mountain views and could be the perfect place for your adventure elopement with its nearly 300 square miles of rugged mountains, glacial valleys, meadows, forest, lakes, creeks and waterfalls.

While the summer months are the most popular time to visit this elopement location, Maroon Bells is a gorgeous elopement location year-round! Definitely plan for a week-day or sunrise elopement during the summer if you can, to avoid crowds. There is a $10 entrance fee for Maroon Bells, and to access Maroon Bells, fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) and drive into Aspen or straight to Maroon Bells! That being said, Aspen is a fantastic place to stay before/after/during your elopement in Maroon Bells.

north cascades mountains (washington)

North Cascades Mountains is a National Park located in the northern region of Washington state, with a mountain range stretching all the way into Canada! From strenuous hikes with rewarding views to camping with your honey under the stars, or fishing and boating on the lakes (you can even boat-camp!), this park is suited for everyone and anyone looking for a mountain elopement in Washington. 

While the North Cascades National Park is open 7 days a week, the bst time to visit is mid-June through mid-September. Apply for a Special-Use Permit here to get married in the North Cascades National Park – the cost is $50. The park is free to enter, and takes about 2-3 hours to drive through. Plan for a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Also known as Sea-Tac) (SEA) to North Cascades National Park. There are special rules for pups (they’re allowed in certain areas of the park, but not all) – so if you want to bring your furry friend(s) along with you, here’s where they’re allowed!

pocono mountains (pennsylvania)

Looking for an East Coast mountain to elope in? The Pocono Mountains (aka Poconos) have it all! From hiking, biking and white-water rafting to a scenic train tour along the region’s railways, and a brew pub in the afternoon to dining in an elegant restaurant in the evening. You can even ski the slopes by day and relax in a historic bed & breakfast at night! 

Fly into Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) to access the Poconos within 30 miles. Summer, Fall and Winter are all great seasons to elope in the Poconos. Check out these 8 quaint and cozy Poconos towns to visit, especially if you’re planning a fall wedding!

To elope in the Poconos, a fee of $50 in cash or money order is required. Each Pocono County (Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon Counties) fees vary. Note: there is a 3-day waiting period upon applicants’ appearance in the Marriage License Bureau, and the application must be handed in within 60 days of your wedding date. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the issuance and may be used in the Poconos.

san juan national forest (rocky mountains, colorado)

With over 1.3 million acres of land, San Juan National Forest has so much to offer you and your future spouse when considering eloping in the mountains. The terrain ranges from high-desert mesas to alpine peaks with thousands of miles of back roads and hundreds of miles of trails to explore. You can go OHV (Off-Highway Vehicles) Trail Riding and OHV camping (hello!), backpacking, day hiking, and mountain biking! Talk about an adventure elopement.

Heads up: The San Juan Mountains are notorious for violent afternoon thunderstorms. If you’re planning a hiking elopement, start early and check out the park’s Lightning Safety Guidance when planning your trip, and make sure to read up on other helpful tips here. Pro tip: Elevation here ranges from 7,000 to 14,000 feet. HYDRATE!! And make sure to plan for food – it helps prevent altitude sickness! (un-fun fact: forgetting about snacks is one of the top things couples forget when planning their elopement! Here are the other top 10 things couples forget when planning their adventure elopement. We’ve gotchu.

Dogs are allowed – we repeat – dogs are allowed at San Juan National Forest! Yes, we’re excited to adventure with your pup(s). Plus to having an elopement rather than a wedding: no need for a permit on this mountain! Just make sure to get your marriage license in Colorado. Plan to fly into Durango Airport (DRO) and then drive about two hours to get to the National Forest. 

yosemite national park (california)

SUCH a great mountain to end this list with. From epic hikes, to cascading waterfalls, Yosemite National Park offers simply incredible backdrops and endless adventures! Not to mention, check out the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite – a romantic resort where you can relax together after your adventure elopement! 

Fly into Fresno airport (FAT) and plan to drive around an hour and a half to the park entrance. There is a shuttle that will drop you off at the visitor’s center if you’d rather take a shuttle! Note: many of the roads close during winter, so make sure to read about Yosemite road conditions, specifically Tioga Pass if you’re planning a winter elopement (during the months of November to May). The best times to visit Yosemite are May through September, and definitely wake up at least once for a sunrise – you won’t regret it. 

A permit to elope in Yosemite costs $150, and must be scheduled more than 21 days prior to your wedding and may be scheduled up to one year in advance. Good news: if you plan to elope with less than 11 people in attendance, you can elope anywhere in the park aside from riparian environments and open meadows! Note: if you would like more than 11 people to join you, make sure to plan to be married in one of these thirteen designated wedding ceremony locations. 

yosemite elopement sample timeline

11:00am – Meet at trailhead (Tunnel View), start hiking up.

12:20pm – Arrive at Inspiration Point, break, take photos.

1:00pm – Continue to hike up.

3:15pm – Arrive at Stanford Point, change & get ready for first look.

3:30pm – You and your love enjoy a first look.

4:00pm – Portraits at Stanford Point.

4:30pm – Ceremony begins. You exchange vows, express your undying love for each other and GET MARRIED!!

5:00pm – Sun sets behind mountains, we take photos of you being yourselves. 

5:15pm – Alpenglow starts, obviously we’re grabbing all the photos as you two enjoy being newly married. 

6:00pm – Start hiking back down (sunset time minus 20 minutes).

8:30pm – Arrive at tunnel view, take star photos (yep, star photos!).

9:30pm – Photo coverage wraps up, you head back to the resort to enjoy your evening.

all elopement packages include photography & videography and our travel is covered

Whether you’re looking for a two-day elopement experience (think: two 8 hour days of documentation, or mix it up and do a 12 hour day and a 4 hour day), a full day elopement experience (up to 12 hours of coverage), an 8 hour elopement experience, or a partial day elopement experience (up to 4 hours of coverage), we can’t wait to plan your dream elopement experience. Reach out today and let’s dream together!