Oregon has the best trails to elope on. It just DOES. It is filled to the brim with amazing hiking trails, which is INCREDIBLE but also can make it hard to decide where to go!! Lucky for youuuuuu, I’ve narrowed down 10 of my favorite trails in Oregon for a hiking elopement. Whether you want to hike 10 miles to the top of a mountain or you’d rather just pull off the side of the road + hike a quick 1/4 mile, I’ve got different options for you in all over the state! We will find you the best trails in Oregon to elope on!! Happy hiking!!
Table of Contents:
- Trails on Mt Hood
- Trails To Hot Springs
- Trails to Waterfalls
Trails on Mt Hood
1. McNeil Point
Location: Mt Hood
Trail Length: 10 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,726 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Average Completion Time: 5 hours
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Other important things to note:
- No facilities available
2. Mirror Lake Loop Trail
Location: Mt Hood
Trail Length: 4.2 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 672 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Average Completion Time: Just under 2 hours
Terrain: Flat rocks, stone bridge, paved
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: Northwest Forest Pass
This is definitely the best trail in Oregon to elope on if you are looking for a short, easy trail with amazing views! You can also rent canoes or paddleboards here at the elope for a little elopement-day float!
Other important things to note:
- The best times to visit this trail are May through October
- Vehicle access is limited during the winter season
3. Angel’s Rest
Location: North Cascades (Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest)
Trail Length: 4.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and back
Elevation Gain: 1,476 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Average Completion Time: 2.5 hours
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Other important things to note:
- Since this trailhead is very popular throughout the year, parking can be difficult past 10:00 A.M.,
- There is additional parking on the road located a few hundred feet west of the trailhead.
Best trails in Oregon to elope on: Hot Springs edition
4. Umqua Hot Springs
Location: Clearwater, Oregon
Trail Length: 1/4 mile
Trail Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 305 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Average Completion Time: 15 minutes
Dog-Friendly? Yes
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: National Forest Pass
Other important things to note:
- Bathrooms available at the trailhead
- The hot springs are clothing optional
Allie + Nich hiked Umqua Hot springs or some portraits together, and we were gifted of a mostly empty hot spring experience!! The springs can be kind of crowded depending on the year so its great to luck out and be one of the only people there! Out of all of the trails, this is my favorite and obviously the best trail in Oregon to elope on, IN MY OPINION!
5. Cougar Hot Springs
Location: Willamette National Forest
Trail Length: 0.8 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 1000 ft
Difficulty: easy
Average Completion Time: 15 minutes
Dog-Friendly? No
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: Day Pass available at parking lot
Other important things to note:
- Terwilliger Hot Springs will not be accessible from Highway 126 in April and May 2022
I explored the Cougar Hot Springs with Birdie and maxwell and we got the most stunningggg hot springs photos out of our time there. We got the springs totally to ourselves because we hit them at sunrise! Definitely one of the perks of getting up early!
Trails to Waterfalls
6. Bridal Veil Falls
Location: The Columbia river gorge
Trail Length: 1 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 73 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Average Completion Time: 15 minutes
Dog-Friendly? yes
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Other important things to note:
- Roads leading to this trailhead often close for the winter season
Reecca and Ryan elopement here in the winter so we had allll of the moody pnw vibes!
Waterfall Trails
7. Silver Falls
Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Trail Length: 0.3 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Average Completion Time: 10 min
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: NW forest pass
Other important things to note:
- There is a 7.2 mile trail of other waterfalls further down the trail!
Monica and Wil chose Silver Falls for their Oregon waterfall adventure and boyyy did they make the right choice. The waterfall was ROARING as we explored it from below and even behind!
8. Tokeetee Falls
Location: Idleyld Park, Oregon
Trail Length: 0.9 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 167 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Average Completion Time: 25 min
Terrain: partially paved
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: NW forest pass
Other important things to note:
- There is an upper overlook to view the falls from as well
One of my FAVORITE shoots ever took place at Tokeetee Falls with Ian and Farwel, where they explored the rocky shore and adventured by the water’s edge! This is definitely one of the best trails in Oregon to elope on!
9. Abiqua Falls
Location: Scotts Mills, Oregon
Trail Length: 0.7 mi
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 249 ft
Difficulty: easy
Average Completion Time: 24 minutes
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Other important things to note:
- No facilities available
Monica and Wil adventured here on an august day and it wasn’t even that busy! Pro tip: get up at sunrise for you to be able to experience the falls by yourself!
10. Wahclella falls
Location: Columbia river gorge
Trail Length: 1.9 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 223 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Average Completion Time: 48 min
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed: NW forest pass
Jordy and T adventured here on a rainy moody day, and we got to experience the falls very swollen and rushing! The water here is such a beautiful color of blue and its so gorgeous juxtaposed against the moss of the walls of the the river! This is definitely one of the best trails in Oregon to elope on!
Other important things to note:
- Bathrooms available at trailhead
More Epic Pacific Northwest Elopement Resources
If you’re lookin’ for more good info like this, check out a few of my fav blog posts below for all sorts of PNW elopement planning tips + real-life inspo!! I hope you found the best trail in Oregon to elope on!!
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