Stunning North Cascades Elopement Locations & Planning Advice
Your North Cascades Elopement is going to be SO special because this area is incredible. From mountain peaks, to alpine lakes, to gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, theres a reason people flock to this area for general hiking. But there is a lot of unknown nuance to this area too!
What you can expect in this article:
Areas of the North Cascades
Decide on the time of year (wildflowers, snow & fire considerations)
Determine your Group Size (including pets!)
Leave No Trace for your North Cascades Elopement
Hire a specialized adventure elopement photographer
5 Stunning Locations for your North Cascades Elopement
Apply for your Special Use permit
Plan Elopement Activities
Get your Marriage License
Finalize the day details, create a backup plan, and gear up!
Celebrate and Have the best Elopement day
The Different Geographical Areas of the North Cascades
Did you know that the North Cascades National Park is actually only a very small part of the North Cascades? This area tends to include longer hiking trails to access areas of this park and just a few easy access points. However, the majority of the North Cascades are actually owned by the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (Western Side) and Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest (Eastern Side). So if you’ve been scrolling online, the pictures you see are most likely not actually in the national park!
| Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest | North Cascades National Park | Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest |
| In this area, you’ll find the popular high alpine access area called Artist Point. The climate tends to be wetter with dense forest with gorgeous moss and ferns, high alpine access areas with glaciers and alpine lakes! | This area is characterized by deep wilderness trails. There are a few easy access spots but the majority of the trails are longer and some require backpacking. The characteristics include high alpine access areas with glaciers and alpine lakes! | This area is on the Eastern side of the Cascade range. This area has a drier climate and is a lot more sparse than the Western side. Think Colorado high range alpine areas. You’ll still get trees, but you won’t find draping moss on this side due to the drier climate. This area is extremely popular in the fall as the Larches change to their signature orange/yelllow! |
What is the best time of year for your North Cascades Elopement?
In general, the best time of year to elope in the North Cascades will be from mid-July to early October if you are looking for a snow-free experience with those incredible mountain peaks. Our mountains hang onto snow until July! I’ve often seen couples trying to elope in April, not realizing that while it’s spring in the lowlands, our mountains are still packed with tons of snow (which is why hiring an experienced elopement photographer is crucial because they should know this)! There are additionally several higher alpine roads that do close seasonally due to snowfall.
However if you do want to have your elopement in late spring, the Okanagan area looses snow quicker and actually is host to a gorgeous lower elevation wildflower display!
If you are looking for a snowy elopement, the Mt Baker / Artist Point area has beautiful snowshoeing!
Wildflowers
Did you know that the North Cascades has a gorgeous wildflower season? The season varies on the different areas – high alpine will bloom late July through august while our lower elevations will bloom late May – June.
You can find a full list of ideal bloom times here for the different regions.
However if you haven’t seen the Mount Rainier wildflowers, these are such a treat too! And I’ve got an entire post on planning your Mount Rainier wildflower elopement!
Fire Season
Fires happen year round in Washington State, but this might feel like new information if you aren’t from here! We can’t predict where fires break out, but they can cause closures and unsafe air quality. We will always prepare a backup plan just in case we need to pivot!
Group Size
My belief is you should be able to invite exactly who you want to your elopement, however for the North Cascades, a group limit of 12 people (including your vendors) in wilderness areas is usually implemented! This is due to Leave No Trace – we want to make sure we have enough space to stay on the trail and have enough room to take gorgeous photos without damaging any sensitive alpine meadows!
That being said, every land manager will have different rules (remember there are 3 different ones). National forests tend to be similar. North Cascades National Park has specific areas and specific group sizes allotted to those areas, so that is something to be aware of when thinking about locations.
Consider utilizing picnic areas for larger groups or saying your vows privately and then heading back to your vacation rental for a larger gathering with your family and friends!
And I hve tons of resources to help you with groups like: Narrowing down your guestlist, Managing outside opinions and how to include your family in your elopement!
Pets
Can you bring your pets to your North Cascades Elopement? In some areas, yes!
The national forests allow dogs, however the North Cascades National Park Does not.
From their pet page website it states “Pets are allowed on a leash within the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. Pets are not allowed within the national park except on a leash on the Pacific Crest Trail and within 50 feet of roads.”
Eloping with a pet? Here’s a resource to make sure you take care of them and their needs during your elopement!
Leave No Trace for your North Cascades Elopement
Elopement days are incredibly special, and you deserve to be able to visit your vow location in 10 years. The North Cascades are made up almost entirely of high alpine, fragile areas where 1 step off trail can kill plants. Stepping on plants causes them not to reseed, which means they don’t come back the following year. You also take away homes for bees and other insects.
So I encourage all couples to practice this mindfullness while they elope. As a photographer, I’ll tell you no shot is worth it if you’e not respecting land in the process. It’s important to follow the 7 principles and be good stewards to our land!
Hire a specialized adventure elopement photographer
As you can see there are a lot of regions in the North Cascades and a lot of nuance to the different areas. Hiring someone who specializes in adventure elopement photography will only help you in your experience. There are some of us who help in the planning process, assist with locations, permits, etc. I build timelines for my couples, but the timing is different from a traditional wedding because the sun affects areas differently when you’re dealing with mountain peaks or forests.
But ultimately, your North Cascades elopement photographer will know how to get amazing photos of you that encompass the grandeur of the landscape AND you, while making it a fun experience that doesn’t feel like an all-day photoshoot. Instead, it’s an all-day adventure that’s documented so you can see all the love, tears, emotions, hugs, and special moments in nature that you’ll be able to remember and show your grandkids (if that’s your vibe) when you’re 70.
Photos that remind you of memories you may forget + an adventure that matches your personalities to celebrate that next chapter in your life? Um hell yeah. And that’s exactly what I help my couples with! (hey I’m Alexandria!)
5 Stunning Locations for your North Cascades Elopement
Locations are a special part of a lot of photographers processes as your needs and wants may lead you to locations you may have not even considered! However this is a great way to get you started!
Artist Point
Mount Baker on on one side, Mount Shuksan on the other and high alpine vibes all around with tons of trails to explore!
Location for Permits: Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance from Seattle: ~3 hours
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful
Dog Friendly: dogs on leash
Accessibility: beautiful options for mobility needs! No paved paths.
Best time of year: Mid July – early October. Sitting at 5,000 ft, the Artist Point area will hang onto snow until Mid- July. In the summertime, the weather is typically very pleasant with more sunny days than rainy days.
Snow can start and a few weeks into October. You’re going to experience more rain than sun but never let this top you – the magic of fog and clouds ad the chance to see mountains is always a thrill! After the 2nd week in October typically when they close the road to to Artist Point for the winter.
Other things to note:
- Yearly, there’s a bike race called the Baker Hill Climb. It closes car access on HWY 542 from Glacier WA to Artist Point for part of the day to make it safe for the bikers.
- WSDOT closes the road from Heather Meadows to Artist Point for 1 week every year and it’s typically the first week in October to prep the roads for snow.
Heather Meadows
Location for Permits: Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance from Seattle: ~3 hours
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful
Dog Friendly: dogs on leash
Accessibility: beautiful options for mobility needs! Even though there are paved paths, I wouldn’t call this area fully ADA accessible.
Best time of year: Same as Artist Point!
Other things to note: Same as Artist Point!
Diablo Lake
This is one of the few areas the National Park permits! I will always recommend the beach down by the lake as it’s more private than the overlook above! You can visit the overlook for pictures!
Location for Permits: North Cascades National Park
Distance from Seattle: ~2.5 hours
Parking Pass: None
Dog Friendly: dogs on leash
Accessibility: The overlook is fully ADA accessible. The Lake is a short distance from the parking area
Best time of year: May – October
***Other things to note: You’ll see a lot of photos online of a dirt meadow area overlooking the lake. This area is strictly off limits for photo sessions and elopements. If people are going there, they are breaking the rules laid out by the National Park so please please for all our sake work only with those who follow rules laid out. You can utilize the overlook which can make for beautiful photos, but there are guardrails. If you want a higher view for your elopement, you can check out Thunder Knob Trail!
Washington Pass Overlook
This lookout is absolutely stunning as you’re high up in the mountains and right off the hwy!
Location for Permits: Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest
Distance from Seattle: ~3.5 hours
Parking Pass: None
Dog Friendly: dogs on leash
Accessibility: Paved, narrow Path with some elevation gain
Best time of year: mid July – Early Oct
Blue Lake
This gorgeous alpine lake is a beautiful spot to say your vows. Tucked into the mountains, just imagine saying your vows as the sun crests the lake!
Location for Permits: Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest
Distance from Seattle: ~3.5 hours
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful
Dog Friendly: dogs on leash
Hiking Distance: 4.4mi RT
Accessibility: Not ADA accessible
Best time of year: mid July – Early Oct
Other things to note: This lake becomes super popular during the fall Larch season
Apply for your Special Use permit
A general rule of thumb is always work with your photographer and reach out to land owners to get up-to-date current information on permitting as thes rules and laws can change!
| Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest Permits | Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest | North Cascades National Park |
| As of 6/18/25 for elopements, none needed! “Non-Commercial Group Use Under regulations, a group use is an activity that involves a group of 75 or more people, either as participants or spectators. Noncommercial is any use or activity where an entry or participation fee is not charged, and the primary purpose is not the sale of a goods or service. Some examples of noncommercial group use are weddings, church services, endurance rides, regattas, camping trips, hikes, music festivals, rallies, graduations, and races.” -USFS Website | The National Park has designated areas that they have deemed suitable for elopements and various group sizes. You’ll need to contact them to get the application materials, and pay the $50 fee to get your permit. |
These are also some handy dos and don’ts for elopements from the USFS!
Plan your North Cascades Elopement Activities
- Check off a bucket list activity like taking a private sea plane to Ross Lake with Kenmore Air!
- Paddle Board on Ross Lake
- Start your day or end it with a private Hot Air balloon ride
- Have a picnic with your loved ones or build your own charcuterie board!
- Make Coffee in the mountains
- Hike and explore scenic views! And here’s an entire blog post on how to plan a hiking elopement in WA State!
- Stay out late, watch the sunset, experience blue hour, and stargaze! (or reverse it for sunrise!)
Get your Washington Marriage License
To get married in Washington State you must do a few things!
**Disclaimer: This is my suggestion and should not be taken as fact. Always do your own research and check local laws as they do change!
- Be the age of 18 or older
- Apply for your marriage license. When you receive it you’ll have to wait 3 days before you can use it and this cannot be waived under any circumstances.
- Then you have 60 days to use the license! Have a ceremony with 2 witnesses and an officiant.
- The officiant who performs your ceremony has 30 days from the date of the ceremony to return the Department of Health Certificate of Marriage to the Recording Division.
King County has made it super easy – you can apply by mail and get your license ahead of time if you live out of state!
Commitment ceremony vs actual ceremony
Sometimes, couples decide that it’s easier to get married legally where they live for paperwork purposes and then travel to Washington to elope and essentially do a commitment ceremony! Trust me it’s just as special, just sometimes it’s easier for the legal stuff to happen before traveling here!
Finalize the day details, create a backup plan, and gear up!
Sample North Cascades Elopement Timeline
It’s time to finalize your details! There are a lot of personal factors that go into every couples timeline so these timings can vary based on needs of couples, but ultimately you don’t want to rush from thing to thing as we want to have buffer room and enjoyment for you!
1:30pm: Couple copy vows into vow books & get dressed
2:00pm: First Look
2:30pm: Drive from Vacation Rental to Heather Meadows
3:30: Arrive at Heather Meadows and walk to ceremony spot
4:00: Ceremony & Group Photos at Heather Meadows
5:30pm: Picnic with Family
6:30: Hike & Adventure Portraits at Artist Point
8:30pm: Photo coverage wraps
Create a backup plan!
A lot of areas in Washington are single access roads that can close for a variety of reasons. You always want to have a backup plan in case of dangerous weather or emergency situations! (This is something my couples and I do!)
Gear Up
There are so many things you can bring to an elopement but here are some top ideas!
| Hiking Gear | Elopement Gear |
| Backpack Water Food Sunscreen/Bug Spray Proper hiking boots 10 essentials | Vow Books Marriage license Rings Outfits Picnic Gear Non-tread footwear Umbrellas |
Why Sage Trails for your photography needs
Hi, I’m Alexandria! While my main job is photographer, elopements are such an incredible experience and I think the entire process should be treated as such. From the moment we chat on our initial consult call, my goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable to be yourselves. I have various calls and questionnaires in my process that encourage connection date nights, brainstorming and making it a reality during this planning process. And then when we actually show up, my goal is to balance your experience with an unscripted vibe and posing guidance where you need it to create those artful photographs that feel like you! You’ll get to remember your full day and you can show all your friends and family for years to come. <3 Check out my packages and process here!
Be Ready for an Incredible Day
You planned it all, you did it. Hell to the yes. Now it’s time for you to sit back and enjoy your day!! Congrats!!
