Glacier National Park Elopement Guide
Spanning a vast swath of some of North America’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana is hands-down one of the best possible spots for an adventure elopement. From epic glaciers to stunning lakes and vast alpine valleys, a Glacier National Park elopement! is nothing short of a nature-filled celebration!
Glacier National Park boasts over 700 miles of hiking trails, towering mountain peaks, and tons of gorgeous lakes perfect for kayaking. No matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed to find it in Glacier National Park.
There are so many amazing things to see and do here, that it can be difficult to figure out where to begin. I’ve got you covered with all the Glacier National Park elopement tips you could ever need!
Who Should Elope In Glacier National Park?
With all its staggering natural beauty and epic terrain, Glacier National Park is a perfect elopement destination for any couple who loves nature and never turns down the opportunity to forge their own path as they jump feet first into the unknown.
Whether you want to trek through a deep alpine forest or trek a challenging mountain hike, Glacier National Park is waiting to provide epic memories that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Of course, Glacier National Park is also a perfect spot for couples who love a bit of romantic flair and want to have their elopement in the middle of some truly unbelievable natural beauty. Imagine exchanging vows in a secluded spot in the wilderness that’s entirely your own!
It’s the perfect recipe for an elopement that feels both adventurous and deeply personal.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Elope In Glacier National Park?
An important aspect to consider when figuring out how to plan a Glacier National Park elopement is to choose the time of year that best matches the type of atmosphere you’re hoping to achieve with your elopement and accommodates the kinds of activities you’d like to do.
Spring
Spring in Glacier National Park is a beautiful time to visit. The park’s natural beauty really comes alive, and the great weather means that you can enjoy all the outdoor adventures Glacier National Park has to offer, from hiking to boating.
Just note that spring brings a LOT of snow in Glacier National Park and the main road, Going-to-the-Sun Road, is often closed until late June/early July.
Summer
Eloping in Glacier National Park in the summer is gorgeous, and it’s also one of the park’s peak seasons for crowds. The weather and the views are amazing, but you’ll just need to do a bit of planning if you’re hoping for a secluded spot to exchange your vows.
Fall
For my money, fall is the best season for a Glacier National Park adventure elopement. The weather is still incredible, but the peak seasons of spring and summer have passed, so you do not need to worry about crowds.
You get the best of both worlds: All the natural beauty that Glacier National Park has to offer combined with the peaceful, romantic seclusion that marks a perfect adventure elopement in the heart of the wilderness. Heads up – you may even get snowfall as early as October, with the Going-to-the-Sun Road often closing!
Winter
Winter in Glacier National Park is, as you can probably guess, quite cold! However, if you have your heart set on getting married in a vast winter wonderland, it’s definitely an option for the couple who’s willing to prepare for the inclement weather.
On the upside, there are almost no crowds, so you’ll be able to enjoy a perfectly secluded elopement ceremony. There are also tons of opportunities for winter adventures like snowshoeing and skiing.
What Do You Need To Elope In Glacier National Park?
One of the most important things to consider about how to elope in Glacier National Park is that there are a few basic legal requirements and administrative odds and ends you’ll need to take care of before you embark on your adventure elopement.
Compared to exploring an alpine forest or scaling an epic mountain peak, filling out paperwork and applying for permits is not exactly the most thrilling or fun part of the elopement process, but there’s no need to worry!
As a seasoned Glacier National Park elopement photographer with years of experience, I’m available as a go-to resource to help you take care of all the legal requirements. Let me worry about the stressful stuff while you focus on figuring out which hiking trails you want to tackle and what you want to say to each other in your vows!
Here is what you need to elope in Glacier National Park:
Marriage License: For your elopement in Glacier National Park, you’ll need a marriage license issued by the state of Montana. Montana marriage license requirements are pretty straightforward.
You’ll need to bring an ID that confirms your age and address, like a drivers license or passport, as well as a one-time application fee of $53. You can find the Montana marriage license application here!
Glacier National Park Elopement Permit (AKA “Special Use Permit”): Every wedding ceremony of any size that takes place in Glacier National Park requires a special use permit.
Whether you’re throwing a blowout bash with tons of guests or planning the most intimate elopement with just the two of you, you’ll need to make sure you secure this document in advance in order for your marriage to be legal.
You can download an application for a special use permit here. Just let me know if you need any help with this part of the process!
Timed Entry Passes (For Vehicles): For the past few years, any vehicles entering Glacier National Park have required a timed entry pass to enter Glacier National Park. The one exception to this is anyone with a special use permit who is planning to get married in the park. If yours is the only vehicle that is entering the park, the special use permit has got you covered.
However, if you’ve invited guests that will not be traveling with you in your vehicle, they will need to obtain a timed entry permit for their vehicle to enter the park. You can apply for a timed entry pass here!
Leave No Trace: Like many national parks throughout the U.S., Glacier National Park adheres to the “Leave No Trace” ethos for keeping their park pristine and protecting the delicate natural ecosystem that makes the park so special.
Leave No Trace practices advocate for minimizing your impact on the park environment by doing things like taking all trash with you when you leave, limiting interaction with fragile plants and animals, and staying on the clearly marked official trails.
Leave No Trace isn’t a specific set of rules — you can think of it more as a philosophy or a set of guidelines. Still, Leave No Trace is an essential part of any responsible Glacier National Park adventure elopement!
The Best Places to Elope in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is so vast, with so many different stunning locations, that it can be difficult to narrow things down as you search for the absolutely perfect elopement location. However, there are a few real highlights in the park that you should definitely consider.
Lake McDonald
Traveling through this stunning valley truly feels like you’ve entered another world!
The crystal clear water of the lake reflects the towering mountain peaks, creating a truly epic atmosphere that makes for some absolutely unbelievable Glacier Valley National Park elopement photos.
In addition to the breathtaking landscape, Lake McDonald also boasts a huge variety of gorgeous plants and animals, and some of the most popular hiking trails in Glacier National Park.
Sun Point
Sun Point towers high above St. Mary Lake, and the view it provides of the water and the surrounding mountains makes it hands-down one of the most iconic elopement spots in Glacier National Park. It also provides the perfect surroundings for a truly romantic exchange of vows.
Two Medicine Lake
Two Medicine Lake is a real hidden gem. It doesn’t get as much foot traffic as some of the more famous spots in Glacier National Park, but that just means you can look forward to having this undiscovered paradise all to yourself as your perfectly secluded elopement location.
From its unforgettable view of the mountains to its array of rushing waterfalls, Two Medicine Lake is one of the best places to elope in Glacier National Park, and the fact that it lies off the beaten path just makes the adventure even more worthwhile.
Many Glacier
Many Glacier is the perfect elopement location for the couple that’s seeking a truly epic adventure. It’s one of the best hiking spots in Glacier National Park, and there are endless trails to explore and incredible views to discover.
If you want your Glacier National Park adventure elopement to really focus on the “adventure” aspect, Many Glacier is the perfect elopement location.
Big Bend
Big Bend is one of the most iconic and well-known spots in Glacier National Park, and it’s easy to understand why.
This stunning junction located between two mountain passes offers some unforgettable vistas overlooking Lake McDonald Valley, along with some unrivaled views of some of Glacier’s tallest mountains, including Mount Cannon, Oberlin, and Heaven’s Peak.
It’s a truly one-of-a-kind location, and it makes for some one-of-a-kind elopement photography!
Logan Pass
Logan Pass doesn’t allow wedding ceremonies, but you should still consider stopping by at some point during your elopement because it’s really a part of Glacier National Park you should not miss.
This legendary mountain pass is flanked by the gorgeous Reynolds Mountain and Clement Mountains. In the summer months, you can also expect to be treated to wildflowers and glacier lilies in full bloom. It’s not unheard of for a mountain goat or even a grizzly bear to make a brief cameo appearance!
If you’re interested in exploring the elopement locations in Glacier National Park in more depth, you should definitely check out this full list of permitted wedding spots!
Your Adventure Starts Here
If you’re planning an adventure elopement in Glacier National Park and you’re looking for a photographer with a deep knowledge of the area and a commitment to the highest standards, then we should definitely have a chat! Reach out any time and we can get to work planning the adventure elopement that’s perfect for you!
Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!
CHECK OUT MY FREE ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE & CHECKLIST!
This freebie gives you a step-by-step guide on exactly how to plan your dream adventure elopement.
