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the ultimate guide to your
mt. rainier elopement
HOW TO ELOPE IN MT. RAINIER
NATIONAL PARK in 2025-2026: PERMITS, CHECKLISTS, LOCATIONS, VENDORS + MORE
Hi! I'm Natasha! Your Washington elopement photographer, dog petter and donut eater. While photography is my first love, connecting with people is my love language. You'll find me lovin' on the big moments, the quiet moments, the silly moments – but especially the in between moments. The moments that are unadulterated and unfiltered. The ones where you are the real you. Here on the blog you'll find all of my favorite tips, tricks and resources for planning an elopement that's all about those moments.
NATASHA CARDINAL
Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most iconic places not just in the PNW, but in the whole US! With stunning glacial views, some of the most spectacular wildflower hikes, adorable squeaking marmots and pikas, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, it's no wonder it's one of the most popular elopement locations in Washington. But now that you've decided you want to elope here, I'm sure you have more than a few questions about just how to make it all work. But that's what I'm here for! As a Washington elopement photographer I specialize in planning elopements at places like Mt. Rainier, so let's dive right in to everything you need to know about eloping in Mt. Rainier National Park.
IN THIS GUIDE
How to Elope at Mt. Rainier
The Best Time of Year for Your Mt. Rainier Elopement
The Best Mt. Rainier Elopement Locations
Where to Stay for Your Mt. Rainier Elopement
How to Get Your National Park Wedding Permit
How to Get Your Washington Marriage License
Packing Checklist: What to Bring to Your Elopement
The Best Vendors for Your Mt. Rainier Elopement
Frequently Asked Questions
Mt. Rainier Elopement Packages
HOW TO ELOPE AT MT. RAINIER
- Choose the time of year you want to elope
- Hire your Washington elopement photographer
- Choose your elopement location
- Book your badass vendor team
- Book your lodging
- Apply for your Special Use Permit
- Apply for a Washington marriage license
- Get married! Woohoo!
HOW TO GET TO MT RAINIER
FLYING
If you're visiting from out of state, you'll be flying into the SeaTac – Seattle Tacoma International Airport. It's about 2.5 hours from the airport for the Paradise area of Mt Rainier National Park.
DRIVING
If you're driving to Mt Rainier from Seattle you'll take Highway 161 to the National Park Highway 706. If you're visiting the park during the summer months, July through September, expect there to be delays getting to the park. Because of the beautiful weather and wildflowers, it's an incredibly popular time to visit! You can expect there to be a line at the entrance station as well so plan to factor in extra time to get there!
THE BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR YOUR MT. RAINIER ELOPEMENT
While every season is breathtaking here, there are a few things to take into consideration when planning what time of year is perfect for your Mt. Rainier elopement.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Summer is by far the best time of year to get married here to see the mountain in all of her glory. Known for some of the most spectacular views in the country, you'll have access to glacier views, wildflower meadows, gushing waterfalls, alpine lakes and meadows, and snow capped mountains in the summer. If you want that quintessential fairytale feeling, then summer is for you. July and August are by far the best months to visit.
**With that said though, July and August is when you'll be battling the crowds. It's the busiest time of the year in the park and you'll definitely see plenty of people on the popular trails. If you plan on getting married here I highly recommend a sunrise elopement or sunset elopement on a weekday to beat the worst of the crowds.**
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
Fall is hands down the second best season to get married here! Stunning fall colors light the mountain ablaze and with foggy days and moody skies it's truly spectacular. Carpets of red blanket the mountains as the berry bushes turn colors and the cool air sets in. If cozy nights by the fire, hot tea, and crispy air is your vibe then Fall might be the best fit for you. Still a busy time to visit (seriously, the fall colors attract people from around the country), you won't be fighting quite as many people as you would midsummer. I would still recommend a weekday and sunrise elopement for this time of year too!
DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH
Winter is the most unpredictable time of year when it comes to getting mountain views. For most of the winter, the mountain is getting consistent snow and cloudy whether and the likelihood that you'll get a view of the mountain herself is slim. But if a winter wonderland elopement is the dream then a winter elopement is for you! Skiing and sledding is unmatched here, with plenty of soft powder to play in, you'll have massive evergreens laden with heavy snow, moody clouds, ice crystals glittering. As most of the park's roads close seasonally, you'll only be able to take the road up to the Paradise area from November to June and will be limited to just a few trails, but they're some of the most beautiful!
APRIL/MAY/JUNE
Spring at Mt. Rainier is equally stunning in it's own right. You'll usually find snow on the trails until July, and weather can be unpredictable this time of year. But you'll most likely have some beautiful moody skies, and potentially some mountain views if you're lucky enough to have a clear day! Snowshoes or microspikes are often required to comfortably get around and make sure you dress warm. Temperatures range in the 20-40 degree range until June.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO ELOPE HERE?
No matter what size your elopement is, to get married a Mt. Rainier you'll need two things:
- Mt. Rainier Entrance Pass ($30/car) or America the Beautiful annual pass ($80/valid for ALL national parks)
- Special Use permit ($250)
The NPS recommends submitting your application for your special use permit at least 4 weeks before your elopement day, however they do have an option to request expedited approval. With that said, we always recommend applying for your permit as soon as possible! Usually 3-4 months out is a safe bet.
If you're just having 1-8 guests (including your photographer and officiant!) you'll have accessible to pretty much all locations in the park, but with 12+ guests you'll be limited to some specific areas within the park so it doesn't effect the flow of crowds on the trails.
NOTE: As of 2024 Mt. Rainier requires ALL visitors who are planning to visit the Sunrise corridor of the park between May and September from 7:00 am-3:00 pm to make a Timed Entry Reservation. Howeverrrrrr, if you have your Special Use Permit, this reservation requirement does not apply to you! Woohoo! One less thing to check off your to do list! This does not apply to locations like Tipsoo Lake or Naches Peak.
If you need help getting and filling out your permit just shoot me an email and I'll help ya out: hello@thecardinals.co
THE BEST MT. RAINIER ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS
While Mt Rainier has loooooots of places where you can elope, there are many pre-determined locations that the park allows ceremonies at. You only need a permit for the location you're choosing to have your ceremony at. However you're welcome to visit any area of the park you'd like for photos without a permit!
Where you'll be allowed to hold your ceremony will be dependent on how many guests you plan on having. For elopements with 1-8 guests, you can visit any of the pre-approved locations in the park, for guest counts of more than 8 people, you'll be limited to specific locations. For groups of 15-20+ you'll be limited to just a few.
You can request to have your ceremony at a location that isn't pre-approved, but the permitting process may take longer and you may be denied based on group size.
Nisqually Vista Trail
Length: 1.1 miles
A very popular trail with some of the most stunning view points of Mt. Rainer herself! Just a short walk from the parking lot, this trail is paved too. As soon as you hop on the trail you'll be greeted with the most beautiful wildflowers in the summertime too.
Tipsoo Lake
Length: 0.7 miles to do the whole loop
A stunning alpine lake surrounded by a short loop trail. In the summer you'll have views of Mt. Rainier, in the fall the lake is surrounded by the most gorgeous fall colors, and no matter what time of year you visit it's beautiful! Because it's such a short trail with such beautiful views it's extremely popular (a theme you'll see with a lot of these locations) but visiting at sunrise or during blue hour (the time right after sunset) will help avoid some of the crowds. The parking lot is right next to lake itself so you don't need to hike the whole thing and it's nice and flat. Think more of a walk instead of a hike.
Reflection Lakes
Length: pull off on the side of the road
If you've ever looked up photos of Mt. Rainier National Park you've probably seen this spot, because Reflection Lakes has one of the most iconic and most photographed views in the whole park! On a clear day you'll have Mt. Rainier reflecting in the water (hence the name), with tons of wildflowers in the summer, and the fall colors dancing on the lake surface in Autumn. It's popular, and because of it's easy accessibility on the side of the road there's usually people around, but is so so beautiful.
Naches Peak Loop
Length: 3.2 miles
This hike begins at Tipsoo Lake and traverses alpine meadows, and if you hike it counterclockwise you'll have views of Mt. Rainier while you hike! If you feel like hopping in a mini alpine lake along the way you'll have the opportunity on this trail too. It's also one of the best wildflower hikes in the whole park with carpets of lupine, magenta paintbrush, and white bistort flowers. There's even some wild huckleberries if you're there in late summer!
Alta Vista Trail
Length 1.8 miles
Sweeping panoramic valley views, wildflowers, and the most adorable little marmots are what make this trail so amazing. One of the more popular trails in the Paradise area, you'll have to contend with crowds, but it's worth it! You'll have views of Mt. Rainier on the way up, and St. Helens, Adams, and the Tatoosh Range on the way down.
Skyline Loop Trail
Length: 5.5 miles for the whole loop, with plenty of places to stop along the way
Easily THE most popular trail in the park, the Skyline Loop Trail has one of the grandest views in the whole country (yeah, I said it). This trail has literally everything the park has to offer from glacier views, wildflower meadows, some of the most spectacular views of the mountain, marmots everywhere, alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls. There is absolutely no shortage of gorgeous places to say your vows.
*I would only recommend a sunrise or sunset weekday elopement here (Tuesday or Wednesday) during the summer and fall. The parking lot often fills up by 8-9am, so make sure to arrive early. If you wake up early enough you can catch sunrise at Panorama Point here for some of the most breath taking glacier views too!*
Tolmie Peak Trail
Length: 6.5 miles
A beautiful fire tower nestled in the mountains with panoramic views that will absolutely blow you away! Your hike starts off in the forest at Mowich Lake, and you slowly ascend into subalpine meadows and make your way to the fire tower for 360 degree views.
Myrtle Falls Viewpoint
Length: 0.7 miles
Myrtle Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls one of the most photographed places in the whole park! The falls itself is 72 feet high, with Mt. Rainier looming in the background, surrounded by lush alpine wildflowers and lush evergreens, and a walking bridge that crosses the falls. It's absolutely iconic (I know I keep saying this, but c'mon, it's truly insane). While I don't recommend saying your vows here since it's such a busy trail, I do recommend stopping here for some photos since it's such a short walk!
Pinnacle Peak Trail
Length: 2.9 miles
If you're up for a challenge on your elopement day and still want to have views of Mt. Rainier, that's slightly less busy than the Paradise area of the park, this ones for you. You'll have views of Mt. Adams, the Goat Rocks, the Tatoosh range, and Mt. Hood, plenty of wildflowers, you'll get to watch pikas and marmots. While this is a popular trail, even when it's busy it doesn't feel too crowded. And you'll have STUNNING views on a glacial tarn with a crystal clear pond.
Dead Horse Creek Trail
Length: 2.3 miles
A moderately challenging trail that's worth the uphill hike to get up to the view points. One of the best places to see wildflowers, with a small stone foot bridge, sweeping views of Mt. Rainier, and a beautiful place to say your vows right on the side of the trail.
Bench and Snow Lakes
Length: 2.5 miles
Just a short walk from the parking lot, you'll be greeted with two blue green alpine lakes with views that rival the popular Reflection Lakes, and far fewer people than some of the busier trails in the park! You'll be able to go right down to the shores of the lake, dip your feet in, and maybe even go for a dip on your elopement day. And if you can score the permit, there's two beautiful campsites super close to the lake shore too.
THE BEST MT. RAINIER ELOPEMENT VENDORS
OFFICIANTS
Another One Ties the Knot
Officiant Grace
Northwind Nuptials (Lisa is the best!)
ELOPEMENT FLORISTS
Goldenrod Floral (Carlee even did my own elopement flowers!)
TerraBella Floral
Flora Pacifica
Kylie Hale
ELOPEMENT HAIR + MAKEUP ARTISTS
Pacific Brides
Blossom and Beauty
Ann Timss
WHERE TO STAY FOR YOUR MT. RAINIER ELOPEMENT
As soon as you pick your elopement date, the next thing on your agenda should be to lock in where you're going to stay when you elope. Because Mt. Rainier National Park is such a popular location, lodging gets booked up quick! Here are some of my favorite picks for places to stay near the park:
Solara Tiny Home
Rainier, Washington
3 beds, 1 bath, can accomodate 5 guests
Right on the Deschutes River, you'll be listening to the river run by, and wake up to be greeted by goats! The host even provides fresh eggs and goat milk so you can peacefully sip your coffee riverside. This place has amazing light also thanks to the giant window that would be fantastic for some getting ready photos!
Hebe's Hideout Wooded Paradise
1 bedroom, 1 bath, can accommodate 2 guests
The cutest. little. A-frame. EVER. A very popular choice for those eloping in the park since it's so close! Secluded and private, you'll have this place all to yourself to cozy up next to the wood stove. They do require that you let them know that you plan on using the cabin for your elopement, but that just means they have experience accommodating this sort of thing!
Hot Tub | EV Charger | At Mt. Rainier & White Pass
3 bedrooms, 6 beds, 2 baths, can accommodate 8 guests
If you want a home base to chill with all of your people around a campfire, a place to unwind in the hot tub after a long day of hiking, or a place to host your elopement dinner, this is it. A cozy cabin in a prime spot right outside of the national park, it has all of the comforts of a big house while still being tucked in the woods.
FAQ
How far is Mt. Rainier NP from Seattle?
If you're coming from SeaTac airport, it takes about 1 hour 45 mins to get to the Nisqually Entrance of the park to get to most of the main trails. However, with that said, there's often quite a bit of traffic leaving Seattle and then more near the park if you're arriving during peak season, so be prepared for some extra time to be tacked on there.
Can we bring our dog to our Mt. Rainier elopement?
Unfortunately pets are not allowed in the national park unless they're a registered service animal.
Is there a way to see if the mountain is out or what the weather is like before we get there?
Yes! There are webcams all over the national park that allow you to see a live view of what the weather is like, how full the parking lots are, and if the mountain is out! How cool, right?! You can find all of the webcams here on the NPS page.
HOW TO GET YOUR WASHINGTON MARRIAGE LICENSE
So now that you've gotten all of big stuff out of the way, you've only got one thing left to do before you get married, and that's to get your marriage license!
There's two way to get your WA Marriage License:
1. You can apply online here
2. pick it up in person at any county clerk's office
If you're having your elopement at Mt. Rainier and want to pick up in person locally, you'll be in Pierce County (you can contact the Pierce County Clerks Office here!). But you can get a marriage license from any county in Washington and it will be valid.
Requirements to Get A Washington Marriage License
- Application fee is $62.00
- Waiting Period: There’s a 3 day waiting period.
- License Validity Time: You'll have 60 days from the day you get the license until you have to return it to the clerks office either by mail or in person.
- Residency: You do not need to be a Washington resident to apply for a license or be married in the state.
- Witnesses: Witnesses are not necessary to apply for a license, but state law requires that at least two witnesses and an officiant be present at the ceremony. Witnesses should be at least 12 years of age.
- Can my dog be a witness?: Unfortunately WA does not allow dogs to be witness (although some states like Colorado do!) However Brian and I are more than happy to be your witnesses!
YOUR MT. RAINIER ELOPEMENT PACKING LIST
Elopement Day Essentials
- Your printed Special Use Permit
- America the Beautiful pass or park day-pass
- Your vows
- Rings
- Florals (bouquet, boutonnière, flower crown, etc.)
- Shoes you'll wear for photos or ceremony if not your boots
- Your wedding attire (if you aren't hiking in it)
Hiking Essentials
- Hiking boots
- Layers (weather can change in an instant, so be prepared for any weather)
- Rain jacket
- Puffy jacket
- Flashlight
- Headlamp
- Snacks
- Plenty of water
- Tissues or hankie (for all of those happy tears)
- Toilet paper (if you're planning on being at a location away from facilities)
- Blister pads + first aid
MEET YOUR MT. RAINIER ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
We're Natasha and Brian! Your Mt. Rainier elopement photographers, dog petters, and donut eaters focused on creating the dreamiest and intentional photos of your elopement. But we're so much more than just photographers. When you work with us, you get built in Mt. Rainier elopement planning experts, guides for all of the parks most beautiful trails, snack holders, dress fluffers, tissue providers, and friends.
We know exactly what it's like to elope, because that's what we did too! We eloped on a misty August day on Mt. Baker with our sweet dog Fern, 7 of our closest friends, and it couldn't have been more us. Creating an experience that's undeniably you and honors your relationship is what we know best.
MT RAINIER ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
Sound like a Mt Rainier elopement might be for you? Daaaaaaamn, you have good taste! We plan and photograph elopements here from start to finish for our couples with everything from customized vendor recommendations, unique location recommendations, back up plans, day-of activities, a smooth timeline, and so much more!
THINK WE'RE A GOOD FIT? SAME HERE!
You only do this once, so use the contact form below to reach and let's make this the most intentional, most you Mt. Rainier elopement out there.
