Best Places to Elope in the US

#1 | Big Sur

Why we believe Big Sur is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Big Sur is a big MOOD.  With gorgeous waves crashing over dramatic rocky shores and the perfect amount of haze in each sunset, Big Sur is the stuff of magazine covers.  We also love how simple an elopement can be at Big Sur.  You could simply spend all day cruising down the coast in your car or campervan, eat yummy coastal foods, and show up to your sunset elopement at Big Sur.  Big Sur is an incredibly relaxing place for your elopement experience making it one of the best places to elope in the US! Best season for use:  September and October are more reliable months for your Big Sur elopement so you are not frequented by coastal showers and humidity that typically happen in the earlier summer.  Although Big Sur is comparably warm to other elopement locations, the winter is not advised as heavy rain often closes parks and roads. Ease of access:  Big Sur is one of the best places to elope in the US for two person elopements, elopements with guests, and even small weddings (50 guests or less)!  With such an extensive potential location list within Big Sur, you will be able to find the correct location or venue for any type of wedding you are intending making it one of the best places to elope in the US with guest acomodations.

#2 | Death Valley National Park

Why we believe Death Valley National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Do I even need to say it?  How metal would it be to say you got married at “Death Valley National Park?”  With colorful badlands, desert peaks, and sand dunes, your elopement day can be full of all the desert landscape has to offer at one of the best places to elope.  Not to mention, your elopement will be incredibly unique as this park is just now beginning to catch on in the elopement world. Best season for use:  Death Valley National Park is America’s hottest and driest national park.  Thus, this location would be perfect for a winter or early spring elopement.  Early spring also brings gorgeous wedding-dress-blowing winds to make for epic photos ops as well! Ease of access:  Death Valley National Park would be one of the best places to elope in the US for elopements with a few guests as long as the guests’ health conditions are considered and hydration is a priority and lodging is nearby for guests.

#3 | Channel Islands National Park

Why we believe Channel Islands National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Channel Islands National Park is basically Hawaii… but in California.  How’s that for one of the best places to elope?!  Various lush islands stretch across the sea and are only available by boat. Channel Islands National Park is also known for kayaking and would make a perfect adventure date on your elopement day.  There is also an abundance of maritime wildlife to observe such as birds, whales, sea turtles, and dolphins.  You can have an ocean of creatures cheering you on as you say your vows. Best season for use:  This park is in sunny southern California, so it can be accessed year round (one of the main reasons its on this best places to elope in the US list) and would be perfect for an elopement at any time during the year depending upon the vibe you’d like for your wedding day. Ease of access:  This park would probably be best as a shorter elopement experience with a few guests you super love!  As mentioned earlier, the only way on or off the islands is by boat.  Once you arrive on an island, you are there until another boat comes along to ferry you back.  Thus, any guests brought with you will likely be with you the entire time unless you’re close enough to ask for some space to explore just as a couple.  This is one of the best places to elope in the US for shorter elopement days.

#1 | Denali National Park

Why we believe Denali National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  This park is named after Denali mountain (America’s highest mountain).  The entire park is beautifully picturesque, and you would be hard pressed to find an unappealing view making it one of the best places to elope!  Wildlife is also abundant so you will likely see mooses (meese, perhaps?  I think the world is still undecided on that one), bears, and various small furs.  Alaska’s Denali should be very high on your consideration list of the best places to elope in the US! Best season for use:  The best season for use is the late summer or early (and we mean early) fall.  The weather can be pretentious (and downright dangerous) in other seasons, and you should also consider the whole “the sun shines 24 hours a day” kind of thing.  Late summer and early fall bring the most consistent temperatures and precipitation making this one of the best places to elope in the US in the summer and fall. Ease of access:  This park provides ease of access for larger groups of guests and gives adequate adventures for you both to sneak off to later so you can have the best of both worlds with intimacy and adventure.

#2 | Glacier Bay National Park

Why we believe Glacier Bay National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  To be frank, it’s just so friggen blue!  The ice in and snow in the landscape paired with the water & sky shining beautifully blue combine to create a gorgeous blue effect to almost every scene.  You will see structures of ice within this park that you will not have the privilege of seeing anywhere else in the US.  It also has more seclusion than potentially any other location on this list of the best places to elope in the US. If seclusion and blue tones are important to you, this is definitely one of the best places to elope for you! Best season for use:  The summer is best for temperature, but the park is in a maritime climate and, thus, gains a lot of precipitation in the summer.  Having a rain plan for your elopement day and rain gear in case you decide to embrace is a must-must.  This is one of the best places to elope in the US for spontaneous adventurers! Ease of access:  Glacier Bay National Park is most often accessed by cruise, but locals will tell you the best way to experience the park is by boat and on foot.  Groups of all sizes are welcome in many Glacier Bay expeditions.  This park would be one of the best places to elope the US for an elopement with 10 guests or less who don’t get sea sick as you will likely want to venture through the park by boat at some point. 🙂

#3 | Kenai Fjords National Park

Why we believe Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  When you think of Alaska adventure sports, you should think of Kenai Fjords National Park as one of the best places to elope in the US!  There are opportunities for you to kayak, hike in an icefield, mountaineer, and fish.  No matter what outdoor activity you love, you’ll both be able to find something to do as you celebrate your elopement. Best season for use:  Similar to Glacier Bay National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park is best in the summer, but you will need to be prepared for adequate precipitation.  But who doesn’t want gorgeous rainy elopement photos, am I right? 😉 Ease of access:  For this location we would recommend a two person elopement is best so you can both spend adequate time experiencing the adventurous activities available without added concern for your guests’ safety.

#1 | Oregon Coast

Why we believe the Oregon Coast is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Imagine the gorgeous rocky beaches of California but with a serious mood.  Oregon also has so many varying eco-systems that the Oregon Coast can give you a ton of variety to explore from black sand beaches to grassy meadows, to dramatic cliffs, to mossy forests, you name it.  The Oregon Coast’s peacefulness cannot be matched, especially during a chilly sunrise. Best season for use:  The Oregon Coast gets a lot of precipitation in various forms, but September and October are the best bet for clear views.  However, if you’re into foggy and sentimental moments, the coast would also be great during the months of July and August as you’re sure to get some heavy fog at that time as well. Ease of access:  This location is great for a “just us” elopement or an elopement involving guests!  However, it should be noted that a lot of coastal locations are privately owned and require proper permitting and permission per your guest count.  In a lot of locations, this is entirely at the mercy of the landowner.  However, we know how to scout great locations that are easier to bring guests along to as well!

#2 | Bend

Why we believe Bend, Oregon is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Welcome to the land of waterfalls, mossy goodness, and dramatic mountainsides exposing red rock sediments! Bend, Oregon has beauty no matter your physical abilities!  A gorgeous view can be found miles into a trail or simply from a well-scouted parking lot with a light walk.  Bend is growing in popularity for elopement and for good reason! Best season for use:  Bend, Oregon is less rainy than a lot of Oregon so you are in the clear to elope from March to October if you’re attempting to avoid Oregon rain.  It is also the sunniest town in the entire state on average, so you’re comparatively at an advantage to other Oregon locations for sunny weather if that’s what you’re into! Ease of access:  Bend, Oregon is one of the best places to elope in the US when looking for a place to elope with your closest relationships.  Your potential guests will have plenty of amenities nearby, and you’ll have ceremony location options with gorgeous views that are easily accessible by them.  Bend, Oregon also has stellar adventures that you can take advantage of when it’s just you two.

#3 | Columbia River Gorge

Why we believe the Columbia River Gorge is one of the best places to elope in the US:  The Columbia River Gorge is perfect for your adventurous elopements as it has oodles (and we mean oodles) of stunning trails!  Mile after mile will give you mountain, river, moss, evergreen, and waterfall views!  The Gorge is a go-to for many eloping couples, and you can see why! Best season for use:  We would recommend spring and fall as the best times to elope in the Columbia River Gorge as rain is less likely and the temperatures are modest.  A lot of couples choose the summer, because rain can be non threatening, but the temperatures can rocket to the 90’s at this time of the year.  However, it’s not a humid heat so it can still be pleasurable.  You’ll be engaged with gorgeous weather whenever you decide to elope in the Columbia River Gorge. Ease of access:  The Columbia River Gorge’s accessibility for guests depends upon their athletic ability and comfortability with getting a little dirty to head to your ceremony spot!  What makes this place so beautiful is also to be considered when thinking of bringing guests as minor stream crossings, mud, and spray from waterfalls is almost impossible to avoid getting on your guests.  But the best guests won’t mind! 🙂  There are higher elevation ceremony locations that would also be great for some gritty guests!

#1 | Zion National Park

Why we believe Zion National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Zion National Park is Utah’s best known park, although there is insane competition!  Zion is steeped in gorgeous rock formations and a serious desert mood.  Zion is one of the more unique locations as far as aesthetics are concerned.  I bet you never knew the desert could be so stunning and inviting!  This park has some crazy trails that you’ll want to leave time for during your elopement experience. Best season for use:  The desert is the land of extremes.  The summers are HOT!  And unexpectedly the winter time is not a pleasant time to retreat to the desert.  However, spring is a gorgeous time to visit Zion, and crowds will be down at this time as well.  There is a chance of precipitation, but as with most elopement locations, you’ll need just a bit of flexibility and help from a photographer who can help you tackle a back up plan for rain. Ease of access:  Zion National Park is one of the more popular elopement locations for a small group of guests. Some scenic locations within the park are an easy hike for almost anyone, so this park is great for just the two of you or your 10 closest relationships.

#2 | Bonneville Salt Flats

Why we believe the Bonneville Salt Flats are one of the best places to elope in the US:  Simply put, we love these salt flats because they are wild and unpredictable.  The flats typically look like the moon no matter what mood they’re in whether they’re dry and cracked, soft and subtle, or just got a fresh shower to leave the salt flats reflective.  This scene varies greatly on the day, and these flats produce a beautiful minimalistic vibe to any adventure elopement there.  Skies are wide open, and the weather is often outstanding. Best season for use:  If you want to see the salt flats flooded to get that dreamy reflection, plan to elope from November to May.  The amount of water does waver, so there is no true guarantee you can catch the flats with an ample amount of water for the reflection, but this is when it’s most promising.  However, there is much to be said about accessing the sale flats when they are dry.  The weather is most temperate in September and October. Ease of access:  The Bonneville Salt Flats are the perfect elopement location for as many guests as you’d like.  The Salt Flats are wide open and are a short walk from the car so guests will be able to see and hear you easily.  This is not the best location for a “just us” elopement experience unless you plan an additional adventure elsewhere.  There are no trails to explore, and once you’ve seen one section of the flats, you’ve kind of seen them all.  A great idea would be to adventure elsewhere in Utah at sunrise, take a lunch break (and get a nap for sure!), and then head out to the flats at sunset for your elopement ceremony (sunset is so dreamy here!).

#3 | Bryce Canyon National Park

Why we believe Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  This park is strikingly similar to Zion’s landscape but is much less crowded and is a local favorite.  Bryce also has some landscape features called hoodoos that are found no where else in the world as concentrated as they are in Bryce Canyon National Park.  Your elopement photos will certainly be unique and have so many interesting geological features you won’t be able to replicate anywhere else. Best season for use:  This park is at a notably high elevation and experiences snow fall from October through February.  Shoulder seasons are optimal such as September and October, but the spring season may bring unprecedented rain and make travel difficult.  We’d recommend a fall elopement at Bryce Canyon. Ease of access:  Bryce Canyon is a great place to bring guests along as a lot of views are easily accessible by a short walk.

#1 | Estes Park (RMNP)

Why we believe Estes Park and RMNP is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Colorado is arguably the most popular state in the country for mountain elopement, and the majority of those happen within Rocky Mountain National Park.  This park’s high alpine features, glacial lakes, and aspen forests leave nothing left to be desired for the mountain loving couple.  Bonus:  this entrance to the park is reasonably close to the Denver airport and involves minimal travel compared to other elopement destinations. Best season for use:  This location is great no matter the time of year depending on your personal preferences and abilities.  If you love lush green springs, RMNP would be a great spot to find a beautiful alpine lake to hike to and say your vows!  Summers are gorgeous, fall colors are stupendous, and the winter is a great time to ski and cross country ski!  No matter your outdoor activity, Rocky Mountain National Park will have it! Ease of access:  Rocky Mountain National Park has several locations that are hidden and private with some expert location scouting and timing!  You can hike away with just you two or easily bring along guests to one of the gorgeous overlooks or meadows!

#2 | Loveland Pass

Why we believe Loveland Pass is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Loveland Pass is one of Colorado’s most versatile elopement locations!  With gentle rolling mountains (but don’t let them fool you, they’re fierce!), reflective lakes, and easy access via paved roads, Loveland Pass is a favorite of couples year round for their elopement! Best season for use:  Loveland Pass is accessible year round if you can handle a bit of cold and are cool with layering up under your wedding garb in the winter!! Ease of access:  Loveland Pass is one of those locations we’d recommend bringing guests to if you choose to have them!  We, however, would not recommend Loveland Pass being your only destination on a “just us” elopement day as it gets incredibly busy!  You will not easily find seclusion at Loveland Pass, but that’s not a deal breaker for dozens of eloping couples every year.

#3 | Great Sand Dunes National Park

Why we believe Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  You ever wanted to visit the desert and climb a snowy mountain all in one day?  Great Sand Dunes National Park gives you the ability!  Your elopement experience will have a ton of variety in choosing this spot as you get the best of both worlds–moody and minimal desert photos and lucious and adventurous snow capped mountain adventures! Best season for use:  For the sand dunes, you’ll want to plan your elopement for the spring or fall!  Sand temperatures in the summer can reach up to 150 degrees, and it would not  be a pleasurable experience for your wedding!  However, spring and fall offer gorgeous views and temperatures for your elopement!  And bonus: the spring brings lots of wind to make your dress flow beautifully against the dunes if you’re up for it! Ease of access:  This national park has paved highways surrounding it for easy travel, and the walk to the dunes is minimal!  This would be a great location for an elopement involving guests!  We’d recommend saving your “just us” elopement experience for a different location as the dunes are not terribly large and could leave you with time left to kill after adventuring.

#1 | Kauai

Why we believe Kauai is one of the best places to elope in the US:  We can sum this up in two words–Napali Coast!  Kauai’s Napali Coast is unmatched in lush green beauty and would make anyone’s list of the best places to elope!  Oh, and an honorable location that may be just as scenic is the Waimea Canyon.  Kauai is one of the more adventurous of all the Hawaiin islands which is why we love it so much.  A really great idea to celebrate your elopement is to book a helicopter tour over the island to experience a unique perspective of your elopement location! Best season for use:  Kauai is definitely a shoulder season type of elopement location as crowds and prices generally decrease from September to October and March to May.  The weather is also more temperate during this time, so your tropical elopement will be much more enjoyable.  However, if you’re into whale watching on your elopement day a nice “winter” elopement in January would be a great fit. Ease of access:  Depending on your specific ceremony location, you could bring as many guests as you would like.  Kauai would be a wonderful destination to bring family and friends along as there will be ample lodging, transportation, and activities for your guests to engage in if you are away for a period of time to get some alone time with your newly wedded boo!

#2 | Oahu

Why we believe Oahu is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Oahu, while also adventurous, is a very modern island with a lot of fast-paced lifestyle amenities like fancy restaurants to celebrate your elopement or a buzzing nightlife scene for the remainder of your time in Oahu.  You will experience the tropical beauty of Hawaii with the added bonus of city life amenities. Best season for use:  Like our other two Hawaii elopement locations, an Oahu elopement would be best suited for the shoulder season months. Ease of access:  Oahu and its various elopement locations is well equipped to support as many guests as you would like for your elopement experience.

#3 | Maui

Why we believe Maui is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island and has noticeable bouts of Hawaiin culture.  It is a bit more touristy than other islands, but this can be a perk for some eloping couples as the island is more apt to dealing with first time visitors.  Not to mention the jagged cliffs, ample palm trees, and lush beaches! Best season for use:  Since Maui is one of the more popular islands for families, we recommend not only the should season but a specific time where families are less likely to venture to the island if you are looking for a more intimate elopement.  However, if you want to elope with your children alongside you, Maui would be absolutely perfect! Ease of access:  Maui has secluded and open potential elopement locations.  You will be able to have as many or as few elopement guests as you would like to Maui.

#1 | Mt. Rainier National Park

Why we believe Mt. Rainier National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  The Grandeur of Mt. Rainier looking down on you as you elope and exchange vows will be a great reminder as to how big and beautiful this world is, and you are stellar enough to contribute to all that beauty!  Plus Mt. Rainier is known to have some unique pink hues at sunrise and sunset that is not easily captured elsewhere!  Your sunrise or sunset ceremony here would be killer! Best season for use:  This stellar park can be amazing for an elopement any time of the year!  However, like a lot of other Northwest US locations, summers bring wildflowers and gorgeous weather while also bringing oodles of crowds!  A shoulder season elopement date would be just as gorgeous with some weather flexibility involved as well as winter.  You can truly elope at Mt. Rainier National Park anytime of the year.  This is what makes it one of the best places to elope in the us. Ease of access:  Mt. Rainier is one of the most guest-friendly elopement locations as the trails and views vary from wheelchair accessible to backcountry hikes with severe elevation gain!  No matter the physical capabilities of you and your guests, Mt. Rainier National Park is a great place to start planning!

#2 | North Cascades National Park

Why we believe North Cascades National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Take those gorgeous pink hues from Mt. Rainier and slap them on 20 different epic peaks that intrude into the horizon line, and you’ve got North Cascades National Park!  It has a lot of similarities to Mt. Rainier but brings a lot more diversity in landscape!  You can have those snowcapped peaks, old growth forest, mossy goodness, and rushing waterfalls all in the same elopement experience! Best season for use:  North Cascades is most commonly visited in the summer but due to its elevation a lot of snow remains on the higher elevation trails even until mid-July!  For this reason an August elopement would work beautifully if you’re wanting high alpine views with minimal to no snow. Ease of access:  North Cascades has many overlooks that can serve as ceremony locations so your guests can quickly walk from their car to your elopement ceremony location!  This is a great park to spend half of the day with family doing easier trails and overlooks and then sneaking off later for a hike with a little more effort!

#3 | Olympic National Park

Why we believe Olympic National Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  Washington is at it again with providing one of the best places to elope in the US where you can experience summits, coast lines, and old growth forest all in the same day if you’re a little adventurous and up for the challenge!  This national park can give you all that and is just a quick 3-4 hours from Seattle–just far enough to get away from the bustle but close enough that flying in and out isn’t inconvenient. Best season for use:  Olympic National Park would be a stellar location for a summer or fall elopement for many of the same reasons as mentioned in the former Washington elopement locations. Ease of access:  This park provides access year round for elopements if you’re willing to prepare well for you and your guests! Particularly the beachy areas make great elopement locations for you to bring guests along to your elopement!

#1 | Asheville & The Blue Ridge Mountains

Why we believe Asheville & The Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the best places to elope in the US:  Asheville is the top elopement location in the state of North Carolina for a few reasons.  First, the proximity of this town to acres of wilderness including the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Pisgah National Forest makes Asheville a hot spot for mountain loves who need city amenities too.  You’ll find no shortage of night life, trendy restaurants, and local breweries.  The second reason is the city of Asheville itself.  This town in western North Carolina has major funk and is inviting to all kinds of folks making it one of the best places to elope in the US.

Best season for use:  Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains are also one of the best places to elope in the US because you can easily take advantage of shoulder seasons or off seasons.  Fall and Spring are substantially lengthy giving you plenty of time to plan your elopement around the extremes of hot and cold weather.  Although, Asheville is prime for elopements in the shoulder or off seasons, you can take advantage in the summer as well if you’re willing to get up early enough to beat the southern humidity.

Ease of access:  Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains have several locations that are accessible for guests with hikes under 3 miles round trip.  We’ve found most guests can handle these hikes if given enough time in the schedule to take their time.  There are also a few pull outs through the mountains with sidewalks to different views you can take advantage of for guests.

#2 | Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Why we believe Jocket’s Ridge State Park is one of the best places to elope in the US: Jockey’s Ridge State Park is the tallest active sand dune in the eastern US.  It offers a desert feel right next to the ocean so you still get a good breeze.  This location truly looks other-worldly especially when you consider its east coast location.  You’ll be within a few miles of beach towns with seafood galore and pristine blue water making it one of the best places to elope in the US.

Best season for use:  Jockey’s Ridge State park is best used in the Spring and Fall.  It it not recommended to use this location for your North Carolina elopement in the summer as the sand temperatures become highly dangerous if exposed to your skin.  The temperatures soar during the day making a summer elopement unpleasant. However, a Fall or Spring date would bring brisk winds and comfortable sand temperatures so you can really explore all this sand dune has to offer for your elopement.

Ease of access:  This locations is one of the best places to elope in the US for guest accessibility.  If your guests are equipped to take a walk on the beach, then they will be easily capable of walking to your ceremony location.

#3 | Grayson Highlands State Park

Why we believe Grayson Highlands State Park is one of the best places to elope in the US:  This State Park packs a major punch and should be a serious contender on your elopement location list.  If you ever wanted to adventure to Scotland and see wild ponies, then Grayson Highlands State Park can accomplish both.  This location is super unqique and has views you won’t find elsewhere in the state making it one of the best places to elope in the US.

Best season of use:  Grayson Highlands State Park is best used in Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Winter winds and high elevation temps make the weather less friendly to elopement days unless you’re willing to bundle up, which we’d love to teach you how to bundle up under your wedding gear!

Ease of access:  This State Park would be perfect for an eloping couple who wants multiple locations.  With varying trail options, you could invite your guests to enjoy an easier trail with you and perhaps see the ponies.  Then adventure on your own somewhere else in the park later.  This is one of the best places to elope in the US for bringing guests along for a unique experience!