Mount Rainier National Park is incredibly diverse and one of the prettiest places in Washington to elope.
Rainier is perhaps the most recognizable of Washington’s three parks. The 14,410 foot mountain towers over everything in it’s vicinity and can easily be spotted from a distance. But if you’ve ever visited Mount Rainier National Park you’ll know that the mountain is home to countless peaks, ridges, meadows, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife.
I’ve hiked in the park for years and love photographing elopements at Rainier. Whether you’re dreaming of hiking for a private elopement or being surrounded by your closest family and friends while you say your vows against a picturesque mountain backdrop, Mount Rainier is a great location choice.
How to Elope in Mount Rainier National Park
– Pick Your Date
– Book Your Photographer (they can help with permits and locations! If you have your heart set on a specific photographer you can book them before picking your date)
– Choose your location
– Apply for a Special Use Permit
– Book Accommodations
– Acquire your Marriage License
– Buy an Entry Pass
– Enjoy the Best Day Ever!
Time of Year
The first thing to consider is time of year. The majority of Mount Rainier National Park is covered with snow starting from late Fall through early Summer. The park is still accessible at these times of year but if you choose to elope in the off-season make sure to be prepared for unpredictable weather, snow, and limited access to certain parts of the park.*
Summer is the most popular time of year to elope. Once the snow melts all areas of the park are accessible and the flower meadows are bursting with color. While Paradise (the visitor area on the South side of the mountain) remains open year-round, Sunrise and Chinook Pass on the East side of the park are only open in the summer.
Early Fall is also a beautiful time to elope in the park. Rainier is often less crowded September – October and chances are you’ll still have beautiful weather. In the Fall you’ll be treated to golden foliage and lots of marmots and bears roaming the meadows!
Personally I would recommend planning your elopement for late June – September. No later than October (and even then be prepared for snow or a change of plans!).
*In recent years Mount Rainier National Park has limited it’s off-season staffing which means Paradise is only accessible to visitors on the weekend in the Winter.
Timed Entry Permits
One thing to note if you’re planning to elope at Mount Rainier in the Summer is that the park requires all visitors to have a timed entry permit between 7am and 3 pm. If you arrive before or after this time slot you can get in without a reservation.
The reservation costs $2 and you can arrive during a 2 hour window. Reservations can be made by visiting recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. You can make a reservation up to three months ahead of time or take a chance on successfully claiming a last minute reservation (I wouldn’t recommend this option for something as important as your elopement!).
Required reservation dates
Paradise (via Nisqually or Stevens Canyon Entrance): May 24 – September 2
Sunrise (via White River Entrance): July 3 – September 2
Mowich Lake: No Reservation Required
Chinook Pass: No Reservation Required
*Entry reservations have been suspended for Paradise in 2025
Location
One of the great things about Mount Rainier is that you can hike a lot or not at all and have a beautiful view either way. I’ve had some couples elope with their family and friends at the Sunrise Picnic Area with a beautiful view of the mountain and others choose to hike 5 – 6 mile for a more secluded location.
If you want to keep hiking to a minimum I recommend the Sunrise side of the mountain, Chinook Pass, or Steven’s Canyon. Paradise has some beautiful easily accessible locations as well but this side of the mountain is especially popular. Keep in mind that the less hiking you do the more likely it is you’ll be in an area with strangers around enjoying the park.
If you want to hike a little bit or a lot any area of the mountain is amazing. Paradise and the Tatoosh Range have some beautiful hike-in-only spots as does Sunrise and the Mowich Lake entrance.
Mount Rainier is also home to 4 fire lookouts (plus a few just outside the park boundary), my favorite of which are Tolmie Peak and Fremont Lookout, which have incredible views of the mountain and surrounding areas. Both of these are roughly 5 mile hikes round trip.
Kelly Butte, High Rock, and Sun Top Lookouts are outside the park boundary but all have amazing views of the mountain and are great spots to elope!
If you’re including family and friends in your elopement plans you may be more limited on location options. Some locations like campground amphitheaters have space for up to 60 people while others truly only have space for up to 12. Inviting fewer people will leave you with more options but the park does allow larger groups in certain areas.
If you’re envisioning a more private experience you can elope with just the two of you.
For more information on locations and group size restrictions you can view Mount Rainier National Park’s Special Use Permit Location Map.
Passes & Permits
Whether you’re eloping at a time of year that requires an entry reservation or not you still need a pass to enter the park. You can buy a pass at the Longmire and White River park entrances, order it online ahead of time, or purchase one from a third party seller like REI.
Pass Options
Standard Pass: $15.00 – $30.00 This pass is best if you’re only planning to be in the park for one day.
Annual Pass: $55.00 If you want to visit the park more than once throughout the year this is a good option.
America the Beautiful Pass: $80.00 This pass will allow you entry into any National Park in the country all well as National Forests and other Federal Lands for an entire year. If you like to spend time outside this is a great bang-for-your-buck option.
If you’re inviting others to join you for your elopement remember that each vehicle that enters the park needs it’s own entry pass. Carpooling is a good option if you want to save some money!
Special Use Permit
The Special Use Permit is likely to be your biggest “venue” expense if you elope in Mount Rainier National Park. This permit is required if you’re legally getting married in the park and has a $250 application fee.
It takes time for the park to process applications to I recommend that you apply as soon as you know your elopement date. Ideally, more than 4 weeks before your requested date, though an expedited application process can be requested if you really need it.
In order to apply for a Special Use Permit you can fill out this form and email it to mora_special_use@nps.gov.
Photography Permit
Many couples who elope choose to bring a photographer along to document the process which is especially nice if you privately elope and want to share photos with your friends and family who weren’t able to be there.
At this time Mount Rainier National Park does not require a photography permit for wedding ceremonies. However, permit rules are always subject to change and it’s best to email to park permit office to get the latest updated information. You can email them at MORA_Special_Use@nps.gov.
Because photo permits are not currently required Mount Rainier also makes for a beautiful location to take couples photos after a wedding ceremony. You can always get married somewhere else and then take photos in the park without needing to apply for a permit.
Witnesses & Officiant
You have a couple options when it comes to making your marriage legal. If you’re inviting guests 2 of them can serve as witnesses. You’ll need to provide your own officiant if you elope in the National Park and you can either hire a professional or ask one of your guests to get ordained before the big day.
Alternatively, I also offer to officiate for my couples who opt for a private elopement. Because I take photos simultaneously these ceremonies are often partially self led but I always discuss this with clients ahead of time so we’re all on the same page. If you choose a private elopement we’ll ask some hiker passersby to act as witnesses. In my experience strangers are always more than happy to sign your marriage license!
Accommodations
While camping is always an option at the National Park you can go also for the more glamorous option of staying in an airbnb nearby or one of the Park Inns. Here are some places you can camp, rent, or book a room.
Campgrounds
Ohanapecosh Campground (Southeast Side)
Mowich Lake Campground (Northwest Side)
Cougar Rock Campground (Southwest Side)
White River Campground (Northeast Side)
Inns
Airbnbs
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is of the utmost importance when you’re eloping on our public lands. The seven Leave No Trace Guidelines exist to ensure that our outdoor spaces remain beautiful and in pristine condition for many generations to come. As a photographer and hiker it’s integral to my personal approach to elopements that Leave No Trace is respected and followed.
The Leave No Trace Guidelines are as follows:
– Plan Ahead & Prepare
– Travel & camp on durable surfaces (do NOT walk through the meadows at Mount Rainier)
– Dispose of waste properly (No littering!)
– Leave what you find (leave only footsteps and make a stop at a gift shop if you want a souvenir)
– Minimize campfire impact
– Respect wildlife (no feeding or touching animals)
– Be considerate of others
You can read more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles HERE.
What to Bring
So you’ve decided you want to elope in Mount Rainier National Park. What should you bring? The park is remote and amenities can be scarce depending on what side of the mountain you’re on. Here are some things you may want to bring (this can depend on whether you’re hiking or not):
– Marriage License
– A printed copy of your permit
– Park entry pass (this can be purchased at the Longmire and White River Entrances, ordered online ahead of time, or purchased from a third party retailer like REI)
– Elopement Attire
– Vow books/vows
– Rings
– Hiking boots/comfortable shoes
– Layers (mountain weather can be unpredictable so jackets are a must even in the summer!)
– Bouquet/Boutonnière (synthetic flowers only in the National Park)
– Snacks (some couples opt to have a picnic as part of their elopement)
Ready to Start Planning Your Mount Rainier National Park Elopement?
Elopement coverage starts at $1600
