Location guidance, permits, weather, what to bring, and when to elope in the North Cascades

Have you been thinking about eloping in the North Cascades? It’s no surprise that North Cascades National Park and the surrounding National Forests are super popular destinations in Washington to throw on some hiking boots and elope. I’m here to bring you all the tips and tricks for having one incredible elopement in various places throughout the park. Let’s get into it!

Top Reasons to Elope in the North Cascades

SO MANY TYPES OF SCENERY TO CHOOSE FROM! Rolling meadows of lush greenery, dramatic mountain ranges, alpine lakes, wildflowers, waterfalls, and tons of ways to view them all. The different types of scenery let you have it all! You don’t have to just choose one because you can drive to each within just a couple of hours.
If you want to get away from everyone, there are plent y of trails to hike ranging in distance and elevation gain that will guarantee a quiet, peaceful elopement for you and your boo thang. But you know what’s great? There are also a multitude of jaw-dropping places to elope that don’t require any hiking, or just a short walk! This means anyone and everyone can access the North Cascades regardless of ability.
The seasons in this area will absolutely blow your mind. My favorite season is the fall because the golds, oranges, and reds EXPLODE everywhere and you won’t believe how incredible it is. Summer is beautiful, warm, and filled with stunning sunsets. Spring and Winter and truly wonderlands with tonnnns of snow for all your wonderland dreams.

Checklist to Eloping in the North Cascades

Pick the season and general time you want to elope
Choose a general location for your ceremony
Secure a special use permit or approval from the national forest at least four weeks before your elopement date
Book accommodations in or around the park
Book your photographer
Apply for a marriage license
Pack your bag with this checklist
Plan ahead to Leave No Trace

Did you know?

North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited National Parks in the country!

Seasons in the North Cascades

Like many higher altitude locations in Washington, the North Cascades area sees snow from about late October to early July, sometimes even late July! While a lot of areas are accessible by snowshoe in the winter months, those who want to drive to their ceremony location or a trailhead will benefit most by planning a late summer elopement. August and September are the best months if you want to be up in the mountains without snow!

Summer

July and August are popular months in both North Cascades National Park and the surrounding National Forests. Most locations are accessible and the majority of roads are open to visitors, so you can choose ANYWHERE you want to elope!

Summer popularity also brings tons of visitors to every location, so you may need to strategically plan your elopement during off-peak days or at sunrise to beat the crowds. Parking lots fill up, trails get crowded, and finding a quiet place to say your vows is a little more challenging. Sometimes we just have to hike a little farther or get more creative with our location planning (which I’m SO on board with!). Or get up before everyone else and reach our destination by sunrise!

Fall

If you’re looking for reds, oranges, and gold colors as your backdrop, early fall is your best bet! September is by and large the best month for this, and sometimes even early October is snow-free at the higher elevations. Areas like Ross Lake and Diablo Lake are great in September and October as there isn’t typically snow, and there is still tons to see and do. The number of visitors drops off in mid-September, which allows for more options when it comes to secluded places to elope.

Early snowfall can happen, so be prepared to make a change to your gameplan at the last minute. Roads near Artist Point and Washington Pass can close early in the season depending on the severity of the weather so be cautious!

Winter

There’s truly nothing like snowshoeing up to Artist Point in the winter. 20 feet of snow blankets the whole area and gives you a totally new perspective. Areas like Lake Chelan and Diablo lake will see their fair share of snow and roads might close daily, but it’s worth it to make the trek and see the evergreen trees covered in snow and lakes beginning to freeze a bit.

Highway 20 (also known as Washington Pass) that goes right through North Cascades National Park closes every winter for a handful of months. There is no way to get a car through the pass during that time.

The final 2 miles of Highway 542 (also known as Mt. Baker Highway) closes somewhere between early and late October, depending on snowfall. This means that if you want to get to the top of Artist Point, you’ll need to hike or snowshoe those 2 miles.

Spring

Another shoulder season that brings unpredictable weather, Spring can give you 70-degree temps OR freezing temps below 30 degrees! Bring plenty of layers if you’re planning to elope between March and July. Most of the lower elevation trails will be snow-free, but the majority of trails overall will be covered in snow until late July. Prepare accordingly!

Choosing a General Location for Your Elopement Ceremony

Ross Lake and Diablo Lake

Probably the most popular area of the park, Ross Lake is a reservoir that has the stunning teal color you’ve seen, and has the privacy most lakes don’t have. The only accommodations on the lake are at the Ross Lake Resort, which is only accessible by boat! Talk about secluded.

Diablo Lake, on the other hand, is right off of Highway 20 and you get to see the teal colors of this lake from a beautiful overlook.

**NOTE: There is a closed overlook that many photographs are taken from that show off Diablo Lake from a high vantage point with no guardrail. This part of the overlook is closed indefinitely for repairs. Unfortunately, some photographers and many visitors will ignore the rules put in place by the National Park Service and will risk their clients’ safety to get this shot. I would not recommend going to this spot even if your photographer suggests it, as you can banned from the park.

Artist Point area

One of the most beautiful views of both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan is from Artist Point, and you don’t want to miss those views. Both sunrise and sunset are insanely stunning in this area, so consider planning your elopement at one of those times!

There are beautiful hikes up into the mountains that will give you unparalleled views of the mountains, but also tons of stunning spots just steps from the car at both Artist Point and near the Heather Meadows Visitor center.

Lake Chelan

From wine tasting in the hills to completely private areas in Stehekin Valley (one of THE most remote places in the country!), Lake Chelan has unending options when it comes to eloping. There’s every activity you can think of: boating, hiking, ziplining, hang gliding, and rafting. Summer is the most popular for obvious reasons, but Spring, Fall, and Winter are not seasons to miss!

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests

With hundreds (maybe thousands?!) of trails to choose from that aren’t in any national or state park, you seriously can’t go wrong with using a National Forest for your elopement. All kinds of stunning views, fire lookout towers, alpine lakes, thick forests, and everything in between. It’s easier and less expensive to elope in a National Forest, and typically less touristy! You might have to spring for sunrise or sunset to get some peace and quiet, but you’ll be rewarded with photos like this one.

Permits and Fees Required to Elope in the North Cascades

Depending on where you want to elope, some locations fall within North Cascades National Park boundaries, which requires a Special Use Permit that costs $50. It’s super easy to apply through the park!

Other areas outside of the park, like Artist Point and Lake Chelan, have their own set of permits, typically given out by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest or Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest. The permit doesn’t cost anything, but you do still need to apply to have your elopement there.

Also, don’t forget about the entrance fee to North Cascades National Park! It’s $30 per vehicle, or you can get a year-long America the Beautiful pass for $80 that gets you into all U.S. National Parks, plus you get reduced rates to camp in national forests and other perks!

Book Accommodations in and Around the Park

Obviously, you’ll want somewhere to stay before and after the ceremony, so I’ve put together a list of some of the best cabins, campgrounds, and hotels to stay at in the area!

Cabins:

Ross Lake and Diablo Lake area- Ross Lake Resort

Artist Point area- Greybird Retreat, Luxury Chalet, Treetop Tiny House

Lake Chelan area- Kelly’s Resort, Waterfront Cabana, Vineyard Vista

Campgrounds:

Ross Lake and Diablo Lake area- Colonial Creek Campground, Thunder Point Campground (boat-in only!), and Newhalem Campground

Artist Point area- Silver Fir Campground, Panorama Point Campground, Douglas Fir Campground

Lake Chelan area- Lake Chelan State Park, 25 Mile Creek State Park, Deer Point Campground (boat-in only!)

Hotels/Inns:

Ross Lake and Diablo Lake area- Glacier Peak Resort and Winery

Artist Point area- There aren’t any hotels within about an hour of Artist Point, but Bellingham has some great options! Hotel Leo, Hotel Bellweather, Chrysalis Inn and Spa

Lake Chelan area- Campbell’s Resort, Worldmark Lake House, North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin

Book Your North Cascades Elopement Photographer

You’re going to need someone who knows the lay of the lands, knows trails that are off the beaten path, and knows a ton about the North Cascades area.

Luckily for you..

I can be your Elopement Photographer!

I frequent the area not only for elopements, but for hiking myself and exploring areas I’ve never been! I had never been to visit Artist Point until 2021 and absolutely FELL IN LOVE. I couldn’t get enough of it. I cried more times descending the roads there than any other place on earth (tears of pure joy, obv).

My elopement packages all include the following:

An unforgettable experience where you’ll feel comfortable as ever in front of the camera
Elopement planning (just like this guide!) specific to your location, plus vendor referrals, permit assistance, timeline planning, and general guidance and consultation! I’ve become an expert in all things elopements to that you don’t have to be.
High-resolution downloadable digital images ready to print and share
Travel within Washington state is included!

Take a peek at my pricing page if you wanna get this show on the road and start planning your perfect elopement already!

Contact me

Apply for a Marriage License

It is a requirement for you to apply for your marriage license yourself - thankfully in Washington, getting a marriage license is pretty straightforward! You can apply for the license as soon as you're within 60 days of your elopement, and you can apply for it in any county, as marriage licenses are valid anywhere in Washington.

When you're ready, head to any county's marriage licensing website (King County, Snohomish County, or Pierce County are great options). The state will then mail you a packet containing all the paperwork you'll need, so don't forget to bring that entire envelope with you on your elopement day.

On your day, I (or whoever your officiant is) will fill out everything on the license and show you where to sign, then I'll take the license and submit it to the state, as the officiant is legally required to submit it themselves. I'll drop yours in the mail within just a couple of days of your elopement. Most counties say to plan for 2-3 weeks for the license to be processed, and then you'll be able to order official copies right from them online or over the phone.

In Washington state, you need two witnesses to sign your marriage license. If you're eloping without any guests, we can always have other people in the area sign as witnesses. It's never been an issue in the past for my couples who elope alone!

**Don't forget! There is a three day waiting period for marriage licenses in Washington, meaning from the day you make the payment for the license, you must wait three days before getting married.

Pack Your Bags for Your Elopement!

You probably won’t forget to bring your wedding attire or the wedding rings, but eloping has its own set of logistics! I’ve made this list for you so that when the day comes, you’ll be prepared, comfortable, and look gooooood.

LAYERS. Yes, even under/over your wedding attire. This could mean a winter jacket if it’s snowy, a rain shell for any other time of the year, and at least something to throw on if the temperature drops. If your ceremony is at sunset or sunrise, I’d recommend gloves and earmuffs (and maybe even fleece leggings to go under a dress!) because there’s nothing worse than being cold when you just want to be outside. That being said, it can get warm even up in the Sunrise area! Plan ahead.
Sunscreen and bug spray because you’re definitely going to be exposed to the elements at such a high altitude
Headlamp or flashlight, especially if we’ll be on any trails close to sunrise or sunset
SNAAAACKS. Seriously, even if we’re doing a short hike out to your ceremony spot, you’re gonna want at least water and something to give you a little energy. Some folks bring a beer to crack open immediately after making it official, or you could get creative and put together a mini-charcuterie board to snack on!
Bear spray and/or knife. I’ll always be carrying both in my pack, but extra protection never hurts.
A compact mirror and makeup for touchups

Things that I always pack for elopements:

Camera gear and backups (duhhhh)
The 10 hiking essentials - GPS, headlamp, sunscreen, basic first aid kit, knife, waterproof matches, emergency bivy, food, water and extra water, and layers of clothes!
A Bluetooth speaker if you want to have a first dance after saying your vows or if you want to get your groove on during photos!
Sturdy hiking boots
Bobby pins and safety pins, a small comb, and a small can of hairspray

How to Leave No Trace at Your Elopement

Aside from a deep love for our planet, I truly believe any outdoor-goers should be observing the Leave No Trace Center’s 7 principles. This means we’ll always stay on trail to keep the wildflowers alive and protect the environment, refrain from shooting off confetti cannons, pack out all of our trash, leave wildlife alone, and respect other people visiting the park!

Planning ahead is key! Know where you’re going, bring the 10 hiking essentials if we’re leaving the car behind, research where you can’t go off trail, and how to stay safe in this specific environment.
Stay on the trail, especially in fragile alpine environments! The wildflowers that pop up are so delicate, that walking through or sitting down in them will damage them for up to a decade. It’s not worth it for a photo, PLUS I’m not too shabby at getting creative angles to make it look like you’re in a field of wildflowers without ever touching them.
Pack everything out that we take into the wilderness. If we stop for a snack, put the wrappers in your pack and throw it away later. If you want to celebrate after the ceremony, wait to pop a confetti cannon until you get back to your AirBNB or on the pavement (with a broom present!).
We likely won’t come too close to any wildlife because we’ll be talking and letting animals know we’re around, but if we do stumble across something we will make a plan to exit the area and leave it alone.
Respecting other visitors is so important! While your elopement is super duper important to you, it might be just another day to anyone else, and they deserve to have the same great experience in the park as you, so we won’t be blocking off any trails or asking folks to move or leave the area for a photo.

P.S. I wrote a whole blog post about this and how Leave No Trace applies to eloping couples!

Do the damn thing!

Now that you know exactly how to go about eloping in and around North Cascades National Park, start planning! Or if you want someone to do the work for you, contact me and I’ll do everything from location scouting to timeline planning (and everything in between!). Grab your boo, dream up your perfect elopement, and do the damn thing.

Book your elopement now