Best Places to Elope in the US
GUIDE TO FINDING THE PERFECT LOCATION TO GET MARRIED
When it comes to choosing the perfect location to say “I do” – it can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to eloping in the U.S, there’s so many absolutely breathtaking places. well let me make this a little bit easier for you – as someone who helps couples plan, craft and document unforgettable elopement and intimate wedding experiences, I know a thing or two about all of the best places to elope in the US.
HERE’S SOME OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE US ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS:
- WASHINGTON
- OREGON
- CALIFORNIA
- ARIZONA
- COLORADO
- UTAH
- NY
Best Places to Elope in the US for Mountain Elopements
Best elopement locations in the Mountains
If you want to say your vows amongst snow covered peaks, or you want to hike to an alpine lake, a mountain elopement is perfect for you! when planning a mountain elopement, summer time (june – august) is the best time to elope (unless you’re hoping to hit the slopes), because many mountainous regions stay snow covered the rest of the year. summer will give you a better chance of dry, warm weather perfect for hiking! here are my favorite places to elope in the mountains.
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON
mt rainier is the most iconic mountain in washington – drive down our highways on a clear day, and you’ll be able to spot it! to get up close to the mountain, take a trip to mt rainier national park. just a two hour drive from seattle, you’ll be able to elope with mountain peaks in the background, and if you plan your elopement for summertime, you’ll be greeted with blooming wildflowers in the subalpine meadows.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON
north cascades national park is actually the least visited national park in washington, and the 5th least visited park in the country. but that’s definitely not because the park isn’t beautiful! as an incredibly underrated national park, the north cascades is the perfect place to elope and enjoy some privacy when you say your vows.the towering, jagged mountain peaks and snow capped glaciers surrounding you will make a breathtaking backdrop for your elopement.
SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WASHINGTON
the snoqualmie national forest, located just a few hours east of seattle is home to countless trails. from quick, easily accessible trails like gold creek pond, to longer hikes like lake serene, this national forest has something for every eloping couple. you can stay in the cute mountain town of north bend, and spend the week exploring the surrounding mountains!
YOSEMITE, CALIFORNIA
yosemite is one of the most popular national parks in the us, and it brings hundreds of eloping couples every year. but don’t let that deter you – this beautiful glacial landscape has hundreds of miles of backcountry and plenty of secret, hidden gems that few tourists explore. yosemite is a rock climbers paradise, and even if climbing isn’t your thing, the iconic towering granite half dome is a sight that everyone should experience at least once.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO
rocky mountain national park is colorado’s most popular national park, and for good reason! with over 300 miles of hiking trails, the options for your elopement are endless. you can elope at the base of the mountains, or climb to 14,000 feet above sea level to say your vows. you might even spot a few elk!
OURAY, COLORADO
often called “the switzerland of north america,” this colorado town nestled at the base of the san juan mountains is the perfect basecamp for couples eloping in the surrounding mountains. this historic town is great not only for epic mountain adventures, but also for its friendliness and hospitality. planning your elopement here will guarantee that you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget!
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS, NEW YORK
while the west coast is more widely recognized for its epic mountains and scenery, the east side of the country has plenty of mountains to boast! the adirondack mountains are home to the largest protected natural area in the united states, and when you elope here, you’ll have hundreds of miles of trails to choose from. this is one of the best places to elope in the us, and the views when you climb one of the peaks are breathtaking.
Best Places to Elope in the US for Desert Elopements
Best Elopement Locations in the Desert
Imagine saying your vows surrounded by unique red rock formations, towering cactuses, or rolling sand dunes. eloping in the desert will give you a boho, neutral vibe and is guaranteed to make for some beautiful photos! while summer time is ideal for mountain elopements, the desert will be scorching hot during that time of year. the best time to elope in the desert is spring or fall, as you’ll get perfect warm temperatures, without it getting too hot. make sure you bring a jacket though, night time in the desert can get surprisingly chilly!
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO
while colorado is mainly known for its towering mountains and high altitude 14ers, the southern part of the state is home to a stunning desert landscape called great sand dunes national park. here, you’ll experience scenery unlike anything you’ve seen before. the rolling sand dunes stretch for miles and miles, with snow capped mountain peaks in the background. eloping here at sunset is an out of this world experience.
BEND, OREGON
bend is a cute town a few hours east of portland, and while oregon may be best known for its lush forests and rugged coastlines, this hidden gem has some of the most beautiful desert locations in the country! you can elope at the painted hills and feel like you travelled to mars, or explore the volcanic history at lava lands volcanic monument.
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
joshua tree national park is home to, well, joshua trees! these unique, twisted, bristly trees make the perfect background for an elopement, and the rugged rock formations that line the trails make for some fun climbing opportunities. this is one of the best places to elope in the us because of its gorgeous landscape, and because who wouldn’t want to escape to sunny southern california for a while?
MOAB, UTAH
moab is an adorable desert town located in eastern utah. it’s situated right in the middle of canyonlands national park and arches national park, making it the perfect home base for your elopement. moab is known not only for its unique red rock formations and desert landscape, but also for the small businesses that make moab feel like home. you can spend the day adventuring in the desert, and come back to an evening exploring artisan shops and adorable local handmade goods.
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
zion national park was utah’s first ever national park! throughout the park, you’ll find everything from overlooks you can drive right up to, to backcountry trails for seasoned adventurers. you can stand in the valleys and look up at the towering, multicolored cliffs above, or you can hike up the rocky formations for a birds eye view of zion’s unique landscape. you can explore narrow slot canyons, wade through river crossings, and experience the array of plants and animals throughout the wilderness of the park.
BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS, UTAH
the bonneville salt flats, west of the great salt lake are one of the most unique places to elope in utah, and in the us. the salt flats were formed when the ancient lake bonneville dried up, leaving deposits of salty soil behind, and creating a lake bed that seems to extend forever, with mountains in the distance to the north and west. in many parts of the salt flats, the land is so flat that it looks like it’s covered by snow!
HORSESHOE BEND, ARIZONA
horseshoe bend is one of the most iconic landscapes of the southwest. it was carved by the colorado river, and at the overlook, you can stand on top of the plateau and look down at the beautiful horseshoe shaped river below as it flows around the sandstone formation in the middle. when you elope at horseshoe bend, plan your elopement around sunrise! over the years this place has gained popularity, and attracts thousands of visitors each day.
GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA
the layered bands of multicolored rock that make up the grand canyon are a breathtaking sight, and the national park is the perfect place for an elopement. have your ceremony at the top overlooking the canyon, or hike down as far as the colorado river below and say your vows surrounded by the massive canyon’s rocky walls.
Best Places to Elope in the US for Coastal Elopements
Best Elopement Locations on the Coast
Eloping on the coast, with the sand in your toes and the wind in your hair can be a magical experience. there’s something so powerful about the ocean, and nothing beats the peaceful sound of waves crashing. if you have your heart set on saying your vows on the beach, these ocean locations are perfect for you! the best time of year to be on the beach is summer, especially if you want to take a dip. but, if you don’t mind a little bit of wind, consider eloping in the spring, when the weather is warm but the crowds are much thinner.
OREGON COAST
the oregon coast is dotted with beautiful beaches and adorable towns all the way down the coastline. this is one of the best places to elope in the us, and the options for gorgeous coastal views are never ending. you can say your vows at the cliffs of cape kiwanda as the ocean crashes below you, or hike along the coast at yaquina head natural area. no matter where you tie the knot, the scenery at the oregon coast makes a perfect witness.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON
while olympic national park covers a huge area of land, the west coast of washington features rugged coastlines with rocky formations that peek out amongst crashing waves. you can see the tree root cave at kalaloch beach or the towering rock peaks at ruby beach, but no matter where you say your vows, the coast of washington is guaranteed to bring the moody vibes to your elopement.
BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA
even just driving through big sur is something on tons of traveler’s bucket lists. highway 1, with all of its curves and corners, runs down the coast of california to give you the most incredible views of the ocean the whole way. eloping at big sur means getting a chance to stand on top of the cliffs that overlook the ocean, or hiking down to the bottom to get close to the water. no matter what you choose, the views in big sur make it one of the absolute best places to elope in the us.
Best Places to Elope in the US for Forest Elopements
Best Forest Elopement Locations
There’s something so magical about walking through the forest. whether you’re looking up at towering redwood trees that make you feel tiny, or admiring the pines that thrive year round, the peaceful quiet of the woods is hard to beat. if you want to elope in the forest, the best time of year depends on what you want to see. if you’re hoping to hike, opt for summer time. the warm weather and dry conditions will be perfect for hiking. but, if you’re a fan of fall colors, elope in the fall when the leaves show off their shades of red, orange, and yellow!
HOH RAINFOREST, WASHINGTON
olympic national park is home to such a variety of landscapes, and the hoh rainforest is just one of the beautiful ecosystems. it’s one of the largest temperate rainforests in the state, and eloping here will give you a whimsical backdrop of mossy trees that look like they came out of a fairy tale.
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, OREGON
the columbia river gorge has the highest concentration of waterfalls in the lower 48, and is also home to miles and miles of forests surrounding them. whether you want a quick trail through the woods that ends in a waterfall, or a long trek shaded by trees, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the columbia river gorge.
REDWOODS NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS, CALIFORNIA
this is without a doubt the best place to elope in the us if you’re hoping to be in the forest on your elopement day. the towering redwoods and old growth ferns will have you feeling like you just stepped into jurassic park, and because the parks are so close to the coast, there’s often a beautiful fog hanging around the tops of the trees.
