Location Ideas for Your Pacific Northwest Engagement or Elopement
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest meant weekend trips to the coast, camping at Lake Cushman, or day trips to Mount Rainier almost every weekend. I’ve lived in Washington my entire life and I still haven’t seen everything that this gorgeous state has to offer. If you’re making a trip to the Pacific Northwest for your engagement photos or elopement, hopefully this will give you an idea of what kind of scenery you want. Most of my work consists of snow and mountains, but Washington has so much more to offer. I’ll be doing an updated post with more/different scenery when I have it available, but for now, I’m just showcasing a small portion of the work that I’ve already done in these locations.
Olympic National Park
First of all, the park is massive. It’s almost a million acres, which includes mountains, 70 miles of rocky coastlines, and temperate rainforests. There’s so much to see, but Hurricane Ridge should be at the top of your list when you visit the park. You won’t get views of the Olympic Mountains quite like this from anywhere else, and the sunsets are unbeatable. I like to take the ferry (another Washington experience) that drops you off in Port Townsend (pro tip: ALWAYS check the ferry schedule first, and you more than likely need a reservation. For the schedule, click here). It’s a cute little town that you can explore, and if you get stuck waiting for the ferry on the way back, Pourhouse has, in my opinion, the best patio anywhere (IT’S LITERALLY A BEACH) and great beer selection. On your way to Hurricane Ridge, you’ll pass through Port Angeles. I always try to stop and browse the goods at Moss, grab a burrito at Little Devil’s Lunchbox, or have a drink at Next Door Gastropub. If you’re still not ready to head up to the mountains, Finn River Cider is only about 20 minutes away and has the most amazing outdoor tasting room (covered, for those PNW rainy days). Because conditions in the park can be unpredictable, I strongly recommend checking the weather as well as trail conditions before you go. It’s always a good idea to stop off at a ranger station on the way, as they’ll also have information about road closures, any necessary passes or permits, and wildlife sightings.
Another great option within the park is Lake Crescent (or Crescent Lake, depending on who you ask). Recommended stops at the lake are Marymere Falls, hiking Mt. Storm King (epic view, but not for the faint of heart), and Lake Crescent Lodge. If you’re looking for a venue, or just a home base, Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Quinault Lodge, and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort are all within the park.
Since I grew up outside of Olympia, we spent most of our weekends camping at Lake Cushman, in the Staircase campground. From here, you can walk the Staircase Loop through rainforests along the Staircase rapids, or if you’re more ambitious, hike Mt. Rose or Mt. Ellinor for panoramic views.
Remember those 70 miles of coastline I mentioned earlier? You can, and should, visit First, Second, and Third Beach (their actual names), or Rialto Beach, all near La Push. Ruby Beach is also worth a visit, but it is quite a ways south, with no direct route (you have to drive inland before you can drive south and then west to the coast again).
Another truly amazing sight to see is the Hall of Mosses. The temperate rainforests of Olympic National Park average 140 to 170 inches of rain per year, so you can expect lush, green, moss covered trees and ferns covering the forest floor. The trail itself is a loop less than a mile long, so it’s worth a quick detour (side note: not quick at all).
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect at Hurricane Ridge in the summer
North/Central Cascades
When I lived in Seattle, ALL of my favorite hikes were within about an hour or so from Seattle. Just pick a highway, and drive. If you head north to SR530, you’ll find Lake 22 or the Big Four Ice Caves, just past Granite Falls. The Ice Caves are a super easy walk through the woods, but please exercise caution near the caves themselves, as they can often collapse. SR20 is further north and only open seasonally, but the Diablo Lake overlook is a really popular photo location (accessible almost year round), and Washington Pass overlook is worth a stop for an amazing view in the summer or fall. If you want to drive the entire loop during the summer, make sure you stop in Winthrop and check out Old Schoolhouse Brewery when you inevitably need a break to stretch your legs. The loop comes back through Wenatchee and Leavenworth, which we’ll get to in a bit.
Closer to Seattle, along Highway 2 is Steven’s Pass. It’s a popular ski resort in the winter, but in the summer and fall, the nearby Lake Serene hike is one of my absolute favorites. Take the short detour to Bridal Veil falls on the way up, because you won’t want to do it on the way down.
Finally, along I-90 there’s just too many amazing spots to count. Some of my favorites are Rattlesnake Ledge (close, quick, and easy with amazing views, but very crowded), Franklin Falls (same, but with a waterfall), and Gold Creek Pond (more of a short walk to a scenic spot on a small lake). My absolute favorite, though, is Snow Lake. The trailhead starts from the Alpental Ski Area at Snoqualmie Pass, and follows switchbacks up to an overlook with views of the lake below. Don’t stop there, though. Follow the trail into the lake basin to see the vibrant teal water up close, or see the ruins of a long-gone cabin. I personally like to continue around the lake to the log bridge on the other side, and continue on to Gem Lake for a little more peace and privacy, but it does add around 6 miles round trip (IIRC….it’s been a while). If you get thirsty near the pass, definitely stop at Dru Bru to hydrate.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect at Gold Creek Pond in the winter. Click here to see even more.
Mt. Baker
Since I live in Bellingham now, Mt. Baker is SO easy to access. It’s only about an hour from town, and accessible year round. During the winter I mostly snowboard or snowshoe, but it’s so simple and fun to do a snowshoe engagement or elopement at the mountain for an absolute winter wonderland setting. Definitely check the weather first if you want views, because bluebird days are rarely guaranteed. That being said, the snowshoe to Artist Point is a must in the winter, but be prepared to sweat a little on the way up. And then go again in the summer, because you can drive straight to the viewpoint when the snow is cleared from the road in late May or early June. During the summer check out Picture Lake in the afternoon (one of the most photographed spots in the state because of the view of Mt. Shuksan), or explore the Bagley Lakes area just below Table Mountain. The fall colors really take off around late September. You can rent a cabin in the tiny nearby town of Glacier, camp at countless nearby campgrounds, or stay in Bellingham. And when you’re ready to head back into town, Bellingham has over a dozen breweries, so you’ll definitely find something to suit your tastes. Bellingham is also only about an hour from Vancouver, BC, so you can sneak in a daytrip to Canada while you’re in town.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect at Mt. Baker in the winter. Click here to see the rest.
Leavenworth
To really do Leavenworth properly in the winter, you need to rent a cabin. The town itself is styled like a Bavarian village and, while it’s a little kitschy, it’s also really picturesque. Getting a cabin is great during the summer, especially if you manage to snag one along the river, but you can also camp. Visiting at the beginning of the year usually ensures snow, but the Christmas decorations are a sight to see, so don’t discount December. Right in town, there’s a riverfront trail to explore, and my favorite little taproom: Bushel and Bee (but don’t forget Icicle Brewing, too). There’s tons of hikes in the area, and the nearby Icicle Gorge Nature Loop is super accessible. With so many different hikes and river spots to choose from, I recommend doing your own exploration to find the right spot for your engagement or elopement. Bring a four wheel drive vehicle for the safest exploration! And that cabin will come in handy when you want to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa (or a bourbon) and watch the snow fall.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect in Leavenworth in the winter. Click here to see the rest.
Lake Wenatchee
I’m giving Lake Wenatchee its own entry even though it’s super close to Leavenworth because it’s worth considering for part of your day. The lake has a state park that I recommend starting at, with trails that let you explore the waterfront, and a campground on site. It’s just a super quick detour from Leavenworth, so I would recommend getting a cabin anywhere between the two if you want to experience what both areas have to offer.
A Few Bonus Locations:
While I’m not giving each of these their own entries, I wanted to also recommend the San Juan Islands, especially Orcas Island and San Juan Island, and Deception Pass. The ferry to the San Juan Islands leaves from Anacortes, which is just under two hours from Seattle. Definitely check the schedule for this route beforehand, and you WILL need a reservation, especially in the spring and summer. Whenever I go to San Juan Island, I like to make the rounds to each of the following: Afterglow Vista (the island’s super cool mausoleum in the middle of the woods, featured on an episode of Lore), the sculpture park, Roche Harbor, English Camp, Lime Kiln State Park, American Camp, and San Juan Brewing.
Of all of the San Juan Islands, though, Orcas is my favorite. There’s tons to do and see in Eastsound, including a super rad Hipcamp, but your best bet for an engagement or elopement setting is going to be Moran State Park. You can start at the lake, and then drive or hike up to Mt. Constitution for views. You’ll notice random roads on the way up and each of them has hidden gems like waterfalls and springs to explore. If you keep driving through the park, eventually you’ll get to Olga, and after that Doe Bay. Stop for wine and food at Doe Bay Resort for the sunset (or for their music festival in August), or you can explore and then camp at Obstruction Pass State Park. If you do visit Orcas Island, just make sure you bring your kayaks, because it’s truly one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to explore by sea. And if you get thirsty from all of the paddling, visit Orcas’ own Island Hoppin’ Brewery.
If you don’t feel like taking the ferry, but still want a similar experience or look, Deception Pass State Park is less than 20 minutes south of Anacortes. The bridge is a must see if you’re visiting the park, and the trails to the beach below are gorgeous at sunset.
Finally, I will be doing an entire entry on Mt. Rainier later on because there is just SO much to explore in and around the park so I won’t be going into location details just yet, but I can’t end a blog about Pacific Northwest engagement and elopement locations without at least mentioning Mt. Rainier. Go, just go. Explore. The wildflowers bloom from mid-July to mid-August and they will blow your mind. Mt. Rainier necessitates one final reminder, however, to be prepared for unpredictable conditions. Always check the conditions and weather ahead of time, come prepared, and check in with the ranger station. They’re full of information, advice, and even ideas. Mt. Rainier can be extremely crowded on weekends due to its popularity and close proximity to Seattle, but with how big the park is, you’ll always be able to find some privacy.
A Few Helpful Resources:
List of National Parks in Washington State
List of Washington State Parks
WTA - For up to date road and trail conditions for most major hikes, as well as information on difficulty levels
Hipcamp - Like AirBNB for camping, I’m obsessed
Dispersed Camping by WTA - A helpful blog on how to find free primitive campsites in Washington
An Explanation of Park Passes by WTA - Which passes you need, where, and how much
Photographing Washington by Greg Vaughn - A useful book that breaks Washington’s scenic locations down by area, with advice on when to go and how to get there