Alright everyone, I have been SO dang excited to share this guide with you!! Being an elopement photographer in Washington state, I’m obviously so freaking lucky to live near sooo many incredible locations, and to get to photograph couples in front of some of the most epic scenery in the northwest. Now because we do have so many amazing location options for adventure elopements, it can actually be kinda hard to narrow it down & choose the right one(s) for your special day. Which is why I’ve put together this guide to all the best Seattle elopement locations, with 6 locations that are under a 1-hour drive from Seattle, and 6 locations that are outside of Seattle for couples who want more of an adventure!

For this guide, it was really important to me to include a variety of locations to fit every couple, their guests, and their unique elopement experience. I’ve created my own little “Adventure Level” ratings so you can quickly tell how adventurous a location is – whether it requires multiple days of hiking & camping under the stars, or requires just a short 0.5-mile walk to a waterfall. I want you to be able to access the location of your DREAMS, no matter what level of adventure you’re looking for – so I hope that these fun little ratings can help you determine the best Seattle elopement location for you & your guests (if you’re having any)!

Adventure Level Ratings:

1: No physical activity – just pull your car up & hop out to get beautiful viewst!

2: No hiking – you might need to walk a short distance, but no need to wear hiking gear!

3: Short hike – you’ll take a 1-2 mile round trip hike to your location!

4: Moderate day hike – put on your favorite hiking outfit and get ready to hike to trek 3-6+ miles round trip!

5: Challenging day hike – bring your backpack, cause you’ll be spending the day hiking 7-10 miles round trip!

6: Multi-day adventure – you’re going all-out with a multi-day backpacking/hiking/camping experience in the mountains!


If the adventure level is a range (e.g. 1-4), that means there are options at that location for different levels of adventure.


I think that’s all the business – ready to get into these incredible Seattle elopement locations?!

6 Best Elopement Locations Within 1 Hour of Seattle


If you want to stay closer to the city and not drive more than 30 minutes to an hour, here are the 6 best elopement locations within 1 hour of Seattle!


  1. Snoqualmie
  2. North Bend
  3. Golden Gardens Park
  4. Discovery Park
  5. Bainbridge Island
  6. Gold Bar/Index

1. Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie is home to one of the most iconic + well-known spots in Washington – Snoqualmie Falls! In addition to the beautiful waterfall that’s featured on Washington postcards everywhere, Snoqualmie Valley boasts many incredible locations for elopements, from gorgeous wooded areas to spots along the river that you can hike to. It’s only about a 30 minute drive from Seattle to Snoqualmie, so it’s a no-brainer that you’d at least take some epic portraits in the area after your ceremony!


Distance from Seattle: 30 minutes (map)

Entry requirement: None

Elopement permit needed: N/A

Best Snoqualmie elopement locations:

2. North Bend

North Bend is in the same area as Snoqualmie, just 30 minutes from Seattle. In my opinion, it’s a super underrated Seattle elopement location – everybody automatically goes to Mount Rainier when they think of beautiful places near the city, but North Bend is an incredible place for outdoor enthusiasts & adventurous couples! Whether you want to go hiking, skiing, fishing, white water rafting, or just want to walk around some gorgeous lakes with mountain views in the background, North Bend is filled with stunning spots.


Distance from Seattle: 30 minutes (map)

Entry requirement: None

Elopement permit needed: N/A

Best North Bend elopement locations:



If you’re loving the vibe of Snoqualmie & North Bend, I actually published a whole separate blog post dedicated to How to Elope in Snoqualmie Valley! In this guide, I compiled all the most amazing locations in Snoqualmie/North Bend & detailed how to get your Snoqualmie marriage license. Head on over to that guide here if you’re feeling particularly excited about this part of WA!

3. Golden Gardens Park

If you’d like to stay within city limits, Golden Gardens Park is a beautiful option. Located in the Ballard neighborhood, this park features a classic Seattle beach, wetlands, hiking trails, and plenty of spots for a romantic little picnic. It’s a super easy spot to visit, as you can simply park your car and find a spot to sit & enjoy the beautiful views, or walk around a bit and enjoy the ocean air without venturing too far from the city.


Distance from Seattle: 20 minutes from downtown (map)

Entry requirement: None

Elopement permit needed: Reservation may be required depending on desired location

Adventure level: 1-3

4. Discovery Park

Discovery Park is a classic Seattle spot that you’ve gotta visit if you’re spending any time in the city! It’s the largest city park in Seattle and really doesn’t even feel like it’s IN a city. The coastal views, dense forest, and variety of hiking trails through the hills make you feel like you’re totally outside of the downtown Seattle area, with beautiful views of Puget Sound, over 500 acres to explore, and lots of opportunities for hiking, biking, & walking.


Distance from Seattle: 19 minutes from downtown (map)

Entry requirement: None

Elopement permit needed: Reservation may be required depending on desired location

Adventure level: 1-3

5. Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island is located just a short ferry ride away from downtown Seattle and is home to a collection of adorable local shops, gardens to meander through, beautiful forests, and plenty of beach spots to spend time exploring. You can’t get much better than Bainbridge Island when it comes to views of Puget Sound – the island sunsets are absolutely phenomenal over the ocean, and the rural feel of the island really contributes to a romantic experience in nature, away from city life!


Entry requirement: Discover Pass required for state parks

Elopement permit needed: Special Use Permit may be needed for state parks, depending on details of elopement

Best Bainbridge Island elopement locations:



Check out Anika & Rylan’s Islandwood Wedding for Bainbridge Island wedding inspo!

6. Gold Bar/Index

This is probably one of the locations you may have never even HEARD of on this list, especially if you’re not a PNW native. Gold Bar & Index are two small towns located high up in the Cascades, in Snohomish County, and are both sooo underrated. They’re great places to visit if you want to avoid the crowded-tourist-vibes of many of the other beautiful places in WA, and there are a ton of stunning hikes to do in the area!


Distance from Seattle: 1 hour (map)

Entry requirement: Discover Pass required for state parks

Elopement permit needed: Special Use Permit may be needed for state parks, depending on details of elopement

Best Gold Bar/Index elopement locations:

6 Best Elopement Locations Outside of Seattle

Alright, now if you’re down to drive a little further, here are the 6 best elopement locations outside of Seattle!


  1. Whidbey Island
  2. Mount Rainier National Park
  3. Olympic National Park
  4. North Cascades National Park
  5. Leavenworth
  6. The Enchantments

1. Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island is an absolutely stunning island in Puget Sound, located north of Seattle, and is famous for its rugged landscapes, pretty beaches, green hills, and abundance of farmland. Whidbey is home to multiple amazing state parks including Deception Pass State Park, which offers absolutely stunning cliffside views and trails to explore! You don’t need to take a ferry to get to Whidbey Island if you don’t want to – you can drive across the Deception Pass Bridge and voilà – let the island life begin! (but not the tropical island life you might be thinking of – PNW island life)


Distance from Seattle: 1 hour 15 minutes (map)

Entry requirement: Discover Pass required for state parks

Elopement permit needed: Special Use Permit may be needed for state parks, depending on details of elopement

Best Whidbey Island elopement locations:

2. Mount Rainier National Park

Okay now you had to know this one was coming! Mount Rainier is pretty much THE icon of Washington state, located about 2 hours from Seattle and boasting some of the most phenomenal scenery + opportunities for outdoor adventure in the country. With over 260 miles of trails to explore and stunning views literally everywhere you look, you can’t go wrong with Mount Rainier. Keep in mind that it is NOT a great location if you’re looking for ADA-accessible spots, but if you’re able to walk a short distance or complete a small hike, this park is a must-visit!


Distance from Seattle: 2 hours (map)

Entry requirement: Park pass (7-day or annual)

Elopement permit needed: Special Use Permit

Best Snoqualmie elopement locations:

3. Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park encompasses some of the most diverse landscapes in all of Washington, with not only gorgeous mountain views but also incredible lakes, beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests – seriously, the Hoh Rain Forest is probably the most magical forest you’ll EVER visit. Whether you want to pull your car up to a beautiful spot or take a day hike to a spectacular lookout, Olympic National Park has something for everyone!


Distance from Seattle: 2-3 hours (map)

Entry requirement: Park pass (7-day or annual)

Elopement permit needed: Special Use Permit

Best Olympic National Park elopement locations:


Want some more info about this phenomenal national park in WA? Head over to my Olympic National Park Elopement Guide for everything you’ll need to know!

4. North Cascades National Park

And the third & final national park in the great state of Washington – North Cascades National Park! The North Cascades are dispersed along the northern part of Washington, boasting absolutely magnificent alpine landscapes galore. You’ll enjoy vast mountain views, sparkling alpine lakes, lush greenery, and jaw-dropping viewpoints no matter what area of the Cascades you explore. Plus, the little towns you can stop at on your drive along the scenic North Cascades Highway are so adorable & make for great places to stay!


Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 10 minutes (map)

Entry requirement: None!

Elopement permit needed: Special Use Permit

Best North Cascades National Park elopement locations:

5. Leavenworth

If you want to elope in a unique, beautiful little Bavarian town with a massive amount of outdoor adventures nearby, then Leavenworth is the place for you! After you go white water rafting, walking by the water, or hiking through the mountains, enjoy delicious food, explore the local shops, and stay at one of the town’s cozy lodges. It’s seriously the cutest little mountain town that’ll give you a totally one-of-a-kind experience!


Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 15 minutes (map)

Best Leavenworth elopement locations:

6. The Enchantments

And finally, the ENCHANTMENTS! The Enchantments are an alpine wilderness located near Leavenworth that literally look like they’re part of the Italian Dolomites – no joke. This area is a magical wonderland made for mountain-lovers, boasting some of the most spectacular mountain scenery & alpine lakes you could witness in the PNW, along with plenty of mountain goats and vibrant larches. If you’re looking to embark on an epic multi-day backpacking adventure, or are down for a moderately-challenging day hike, you absolutely HAVE to consider the Enchantments.


Distance from Seattle: 2.5-3 hours

Entry requirement: Permit required for overnight use between May 15-October 31

Elopement permit needed: N/A

Best hikes in the Enchantments for elopements:

Woohoooo you made it through all that! I know I just threw a LOT of info at you, but I’m hoping that one of these incredible Seattle elopement locations (or multiple!) will be the right fit for your special day. They truly all offer their own unique, beautiful opportunities to explore, and any of them would be absolutely amazing for your adventure elopement. And don’t worry – if you still can’t decide, I’ll be SO happy to help you pick the right location(s) that’ll fit the day you’re dreaming up. Reach out to me here if you’re looking for a Seattle elopement photographer – I’d be honored to document your magical day!!