Pack your backpacks and grab your favorite hiking boots, because we’re taking a trip a little bit east of where I usually write about (Washington/Oregon, of course): we’re heading to Montana! That’s right, I’m finally covering this incredible state and all of the best Montana adventure elopement locations – because trust me when I say that there are SO. DANG. MANY. Montana is one of the most incredible places to elope in the northwest United States, so get ready to pick your jaw up off the floor after you see all the magical places that the state has to offer. Should we just get right into it?!
What Are the Best Montana Adventure Elopement Locations?
A note real quick – in this guide, I’m going to be mostly focusing on the best places to elope in northwest Montana (minus Bozeman) since that’s the area I don’t charge travel fees for!
I’ve split up all of the best Montana adventure elopement locations into 5 different areas: Glacier National Park, Kalispell, Bozeman, Whitefish, & Missoula. I’ll tell you a little bit about each of the areas below, and then for each individual place, you’ll find links to more info about the location/hike, trail info, & the required elopement permit (if there is one).
Soooo without further ado, here’s some basic info about each of the 5 areas that I’ll be going through in this guide!
1. Glacier National Park
Closest Airport: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)
Entrance Requirement: $35/vehicle for 7 days or $70 annual pass; Vehicle Reservation
Best Time of Year to Elope: June-September
Glacier National Park sits at the top of this list for a reason – it’s one of the most phenomenal places in the entire northwest United States, and has become a super popular location for Montana adventure elopements!! It’s literally HEAVEN on Earth for outdoor lovers, with a gazillion hiking/biking trails, insane mountain views, vibrant wildflowers in the spring, cozy & warm colors in the fall, and tons of roadside scenery, too. You can find a multi-day backpacking trail, a moderate day hike, or literally just pull off the road, step out of your car, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the park! Glacier seriously has options for every type of couple & every level of adventure.
Since sooo many couples now want to elope at Glacier National Park, the park has become a bit stricter when it comes to permitting & which locations ceremonies are allowed at. Keep in mind that for ALL weddings at Glacier National Park, no matter what location you choose, there’s a limit of two permits per location, per day, and the time limit for every location is two hours. You should apply for your Glacier National Park Special Use Permit as far in advance as possible to ensure you can get married at your desired location – you can pick from the list of approved Glacier National Park wedding locations!
Each location has a different guest capacity, vehicle access, parking availability, and overall rules & restrictions. Pay careful attention to what is and isn’t permitted at the locations you’re considering for your ceremony, and which one will be the most fitting for your vision for your ceremony. Remember, you can totally take casual elopement portraits at other locations in the park outside of the list of approved locations, so this list doesn’t limit where we can actually visit on your big day!!
2. Kalispell
Closest Airport: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)
Best Time of Year to Elope: June-September
Close to Glacier National Park is the city of Kalispell, Montana, a lovely mountain town with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, two ski resorts, vibrant local art & culture, and ENDLESS hiking trails, lakes, streams, mountain views. . .you get the idea. Located about 45 minutes from West Glacier, Kalispell is a fantastic place to stay if you’re looking to be close enough to Glacier to explore during the day, but just far enough that you’re not quite in the central areas where many tourists stay. Take a scenic drive through the town, take a paddleboard out on Flathead Lake, or take a walk around downtown Kalispell – there’s something for everyone in this beautiful town!
3. Bozeman
Closest Airport: Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Best Time of Year to Elope: May-October
Bozeman is the only city on this list that’s not located in northwestern Montana – instead, it's in southern Montana, closer to the Rocky Mountains and all the college students, as it’s home to Montana State University. It’s a super popular tourist destination thanks to its plentiful hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, & fishing opportunities, as well as its eclectic, welcoming local culture. I highly recommend spending some time exploring downtown Bozeman, as well as adventuring a bit outside the city to take advantage of the stunning scenery around you!
4. Whitefish
Closest Airport: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)
Best Time of Year to Elope: June-October
Whitefish is a little town located just north of Kalispell, only a 30-minute drive from West Glacier, and it’s freaking GORGEOUS. It’s one of the best ski towns in the country, home to the epic Whitefish Mountain Resort, and is an awesome place to stay if you want to spend some time exploring Glacier NP. You’ll find plenty of delicious local restaurants & bars, adventurous excursions, and activities for you & your guests of all ages to enjoy!
5. Missoula
Closest Airport: Missoula International Airport (MSO)
Best Time of Year to Elope: June-August
Last but not least we’ve got Missoula, a city on the western edge of Montana located about 2.5 hours south of Glacier NP. If you’re not looking to spend a lot of time in the park and would rather explore less touristy spots in Montana (but still want to be close enough to take a day trip), Missoula is a fantastic option, with tons of history, hiking trails, open wilderness areas, and lively night life.
Now that you’re more familiar with each of the 5 areas I’ll be talking about, it’s time to move into the individual locations & trails that I would recommend for your Montana adventure elopement!
Best Adventure Elopement Locations + Hikes in Glacier National Park
Let’s get into some of my all-time favorite Montana elopement locations: the best places to elope in Glacier National Park!
1. Big Bend, Going-to-the-Sun Road
Max Guest Count: 10
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? Yes
2. Apgar Picnic Area
Max Guest Count: 15
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
3. Avalanche Lake
Max Guest Count: 15 in peak season, 20 in non-peak season
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
4. 7-Mile Pullout
Max Guest Count: 15 in peak season, 20 in non-peak season
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? No
5. Bowman Lake
Max Guest Count: 15 in peak season, 24 in non-peak season
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? No
6. Pray Lake
Max Guest Count: 30
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? No
7. Two Medicine Lake
Max Guest Count: 15 in peak season, 20 in non-peak season
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
8. Lake Josephine
Max Guest Count: 15
Permit Required: Glacier NP Special Use Permit
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? No
Best Adventure Elopement Locations + Hikes in Kalispell
Now onto the best elopement locations in the Kalispell area, the gorgeous mountain town that serves as the gateway to Glacier NP!
1. Lone Pine State Park
Permit Required: Montana State Park Special Use Permit (only if you have 30+ people)
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
2. Strawberry Lake
Permit Required: Flathead NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & back
Length: 6 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,912 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
3. Birch Lake
Permit Required: Flathead NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 6.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,049 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
4. Notch Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Loop
Length: 3.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 767 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
5. Lupine Lake
Permit Required: Flathead NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 4.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,017 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
6. Flathead Lookout
Permit Required: Flathead NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 2.4 mi
Elevation Gain: 652 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
Best Adventure Elopement Locations + Hikes in Bozeman
Let’s take a quick trip down to southern Montana to Bozeman, a college town in the Rocky Mountains that has tons of epic outdoor adventures, from backcountry trekking to rock climbing to fly fishing!
1. Palisade Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Out & back
Length: 1.1 mi
Elevation Gain: 239 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
2. Gallatin River
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 5.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
3. College “M” Trail
Permit Required: Custer Gallatin NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Loop
Length: 1.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 820 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
4. Drinking Horse Mountain Trail
Permit Required: Custer Gallatin NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Loop
Length: 2.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 646 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
5. Sypes Canyon
Permit Required: Custer Gallatin NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 9.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 2,769 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
6. Sacagawea Peak
Permit Required: Custer Gallatin NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & back
Length: 5.2 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,975 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Best Adventure Elopement Locations + Hikes in Whitefish
Next up is Whitefish, a small resort town back up north just above Kalispell with a variety of gorgeous elopement locations + fun little places to explore.
1. Flathead Lake
Permit Required: Flathead NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
2. Whitefish Lake State Park
Permit Required: Montana State Park Special Use Permit (only if you have 30+ people)
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
3. Whitefish Valley Lookout
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 2.8 mi
Elevation Gain: 721 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Unknown
4. Smith Lake
Permit Required: Montana State Park Special Use Permit (only if you have 30+ people)
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Loop
Length: 4.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 534 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
5. Beaver Lakes
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & back
Length: 21.4 mi
Elevation Gain: 2,864 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
6. Skyles Lake
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 9.4 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,210 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Unknown
7. Danny On National Recreation Trail
Permit Required: Flathead NF Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & back
Length: 8.6 mi
Elevation Gain: 2,037 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
Best Adventure Elopement Locations + Hikes in Missoula
And finally, here are the best places to elope in Missoula, a city in western Montana that’s full of rich history, mountain peaks, forests, and even some waterfalls!
1. Stuart Peak
Permit Required: Lolo National Forest Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & back
Length: 18.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 4,389 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
2. Saddle Trail
Permit Required: Lolo National Forest Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 4.3 mi
Elevation Gain: 636 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
3. Rattlesnake Trail
Permit Required: Lolo National Forest Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Hard
Type: Out & back
Length: 33.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 2,818 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
4. Blue Mountain Lookout
Permit Required: Lolo National Forest Special Use Permit (only if you have 75+ people)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Loop
Length: 4.8 mi
Elevation Gain: 790 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
5. Barmeyer Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Loop
Length: 3.6 mi
Elevation Gain: 898 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Unknown
6. Mount Sentinel
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Out & back
Length: 3.1 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,896 ft
Wheelchair-Accessible? No
Dog-Friendly? Yes
WHEW. Got enough hikes on your list yet?! I, for one, will never stop adding new trails to my to-do list🤣 I know I just threw a tonnn of options at you, but I hope this guide helped you find a few amazing Montana adventure elopement locations that might be right up your alley. If none of these gazillion locations happen to fit exactly what you’re looking for, don’t worry – I have even more amazing places to elope in Montana up my sleeve and am happy to help you find the perfect one once I find out more about what you’re dreamin’ up.
Montana Adventure Elopement Photographer
As a Montana adventure elopement photographer, I believe wholeheartedly that EVERY couple deserves an absolutely unforgettable elopement experience – and if you’re eloping in Montana, you’re already on the way to making that happen. I love when people throw tradition to the wind and opt for a private ceremony in the jagged mountain peaks of Montana, or in front of the bright blue glacial lakes nestled in the hills of Glacier National Park.
Montana Adventure Elopement Packages + Pricing
If you’re looking for a photographer who values 100% unique elopement days, sustainability & inclusivity, and capturing love stories in the most authentic way possible, I might be just the gal for you! ;) Take a look at my Montana elopement packages + pricing here, and if you’re ready to start planning your epic Montana elopement experience, I’m sure as hell ready to help you do the dang thing – let’s make this happen!
More PNW Elopement Resources
If you’re still trying to decide where you want to elope, but you KNOW you want it to be somewhere in the PNW, I’ve got you!! Here are a few more of my favorite resources full of tons of PNW elopement tips, advice, & inspiration.
