While there are countless amazing national parks that offer beautiful views and unforgettable experiences, there are some absolutely incredible spots that stand head and shoulders above the rest. If you’re a couple with adventurous spirits and a shared love of nature, and you’re wondering where to have a national park wedding that’s perfect for you, this list has got you covered! Here are the 10 best national parks to get married in.

1. North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is a bona fide paradise for any nature lover. This alpine landscape in Washington State has got something for everyone — incredible hiking trails, world-class camping sites, a wide variety of gorgeous wildlife, and even some opportunities for canoeing or kayaking on one of the park’s many alpine lakes. 

North Cascades National Park is about a three-hour drive from Seattle, so if you’re coming from out of town, reaching your destination can be as simple as flying into the city and driving over to the park in a rental car.

One thing to keep in mind if you’re planning a North Cascades National Park elopement is that some activities will require national park permits. In particular, if you’re hoping to do some hiking in the park’s beautiful backcountry areas, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper documents in advance. 

You’ll also need to plan ahead if you want to do some camping in the parks since these campsites usually need to be booked in advance. Still, with a bit of conscientious planning, North Cascades National Park is both accessible and filled with thrilling adventures for couples who love exploring the wilderness.

2. Olympic National Park

An Olympic National Park elopement offers one of the best locations for a national park wedding for couples who are craving some variety in their national park elopement. 

The park, located near the city of Port Angeles, Washington, is vast (it spans over one million acres!), and it encompasses a wide variety of different ecosystems, guaranteeing that you’ll encounter something new and amazing at every turn, no matter where in the park you choose to go. 

In fact, the park features three distinct ecosystems: alpine mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, and subalpine forests. Each region is completely unique and worth exploring, and you’ll definitely find a perfect spot to take some awesome Olympic National Park elopement photos!

For couples looking for an immersive, challenging hike, Olympic National Park’s glacier-capped mountains offer an incredible adventure along with its breathtaking views. Few national parks offer snow-covered mountaintops and temperate rainforests in the same palace, but Olympic National Park delivers because that’s the sheer level of variety we’re talking about for this truly unique national park. 

From backpacking to boating, Olympic National Park elopements offer something for everyone.

3. Mt. Rainier National Park

A Mt. Rainier elopement gives you the opportunity to do something few couples get a chance to do: get married in full view of an active volcano! 

Mt. Rainier is one of Washington State’s most iconic geological features, and it’s easy to see why: the volcano stands at a staggering 14,410 feet above sea level and is covered in majestic glaciers (in fact, it’s the most glaciated peak in entire contiguous United States!). 

Mt. Rainier is also surrounded by old-growth forests and subalpine wildflower meadows. In other words, getting married at Mt. Rainier National Park is an awe-inspiring experience that is perfect for couples who are looking for that one-in-a-lifetime adventure that will ensure that their elopement is absolutely unforgettable. 

This legendary peak also provides plenty of stellar opportunities for some truly unique and breathtaking wedding photography!

4. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic national parks in the entire United States, and as soon as you arrive you’ll immediately understand why. 

Entering Yosemite National Park is like entering an entirely different world. The breathtaking landscape of this iconic national park in California boasts a wide variety of awe-inspiring features from glaciers to towering granite outcroppings to majestic groves of giant sequoia trees. 

Needless to say, an elopement in Yosemite National Park is guaranteed to be packed with unique sights, thrilling adventures, and some completely unique opportunities for timeless wedding photos.

5. Glacier National Park

Montana’s Glacier National Park is one of the most incredible national park wedding venues in the U.S., in no small part thanks to its stunningly vibrant and complex ecosystem. 

Glacier National Park’s pristine natural beauty and unique ecology has earned it the nickname “The Crown Of The Continent Ecosystem.” From vast glaciers to majestic valleys and meadows to breathtaking lakes, there are enough epic vistas to ensure that your Glacier National Park wedding photos are truly one of a kind. 

A Glacier National Park elopement is also a perfect choice for lovers of unique and exotic wildlife. The park is home to a vast array of amazing fauna, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, caribou, and over 260 species of birds. It’s a complex and beautiful ecosystem that perfectly sets the mood for an absolutely perfect nature elopement.

6. Grand Teton National Park

The Grand Tetons are one of the most majestic mountain ranges in the United States, and any couple eloping in Grand Teton National Park can expect plenty of amazing hiking trails, complete with breathtaking views and opportunities for some of the best wedding photography. 

One of the things that makes Grand Teton National Park one of the best national parks to elope in is the sheer variety of adventures you’ll be able to discover in this unique landscape. If you’re planning for a summer elopement you can expect plenty of hiking and camping, and even some boating if the mood strikes you. 

On the other hand, if you plan your Grand Teton National Park wedding for the winter, you’ll be able to experience some of the best snow-shoeing trails in the U.S. And, if you’re into skiing (both downhill and cross-country), these towering mountain peaks offer some amazing opportunities. 

Basically, it’s impossible to plan a Grand Tetons National Park elopement and not discover something amazing!

7. Arches National Park

Utah’s Arches National Park is one of those places you really need to see in person in order to experience its full impact! The park gets its name from the iconic red-rock arches that cover its stunning desert landscape. The vistas here are truly second to none, and make for some of the most unique and soul-stirring wedding photography you could possibly hope for. 

Imagine exchanging vows beneath a towering stone arch at sunset, or while standing atop a towering mountain peak with vast expanses of otherworldly desert scenes stretching out for miles in every direction. You’re also very likely to spot some incredible wildlife during your Arches National Park elopement. The park is home to hundreds of species of animals, from foxes to bighorn sheep to antelope to the polychromatic collared lizard. 

During your stay, be sure to check out the legendary landmarks, like the Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock, but rest assured that you’ll also find plenty of adventures off the beaten path!

8. Redwoods National Park

As the name implies, the Redwoods National Park in northern California is home to majestic redwood forests. 

These breathtaking giants are the largest trees in the world, and any Redwoods National Park elopement is going to be filled with unforgettable sights and plenty of unique opportunities for some awesome wedding photos. 

But there’s more to Redwoods National Park than just the amazing trees! The park is home to vast prairies, majestic rivers, and even 40 miles of awe-inspiring coastline. If you’re a couple that loves hiking, camping, or just seeing where the trail takes them, Redwoods National Park would be an amazing choice for your national park elopement.

9. Glacier Bay National Park

The state of Alaska has no shortage of natural beauty, but even in a state packed with stunning views and environmental treasures, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight. From soaring mountain peaks to deep, majestic arctic fjords, there’s so much variety in Glacier Bay that you won’t be able to see everything in just one visit. 

Still, an elopement in Glacier Bay National Park is a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with this special stretch of pristine wilderness. Your Glacier Bay National Park elopement photos will be filled with awe-inspiring landscapes with stunning variety. Massive glaciers, crystal clear lakes, and lush forests all combine into a kaleidoscopic adventure that serves as the perfect backdrop to a completely unique national park elopement.

10. Acadia National Park

Maine’s Acadia National Park is home to some of the stunning natural beauty on the North Atlantic Coast of the United States. 

There are so many highlights in Acadia it’s hard to know where to begin. If you’re a couple who enjoys hitting the trails, Acadia is a hiker’s paradise. Its 158 miles of designated hiking include trails on Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast. 

In addition to hiking, Acadia National Park is also home to some awesome motor trails and rivers that are perfect for kayaking. No matter what kind of adventure you’re seeking during your Acadia National Park elopement, you can expect to find exactly what you need.

With so many gorgeous views and thrilling adventures, it’s no surprise that Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. That means if you’re planning an Acadia National Park elopement, you’ll want to start planning your trip in advance. Many of the most popular trails, campsites, and landmarks — including Cadillac Mountain — require reservations during most of the year, so be sure to plan ahead!

Let The Adventure Begin!

If you’re planning on getting married in one of these locations and are looking for a national park elopement photographer, then I’d love to chat with you! Reach out and we can start planning the national park elopement that’s perfect for you! I can’t wait to hear your plans and work with you to create the wedding of your dreams.