Table of Contents:
- Washington Elopement Permit Basics
- Washington National Park Elopement Permits
- Washington National Forest Elopement Permits
- Washington State Park Elopement Permits
Alrighty everyone, today I am covering a BIG topic: Washington elopement permits!! I am alwaysss helping my couples out when it comes to getting elopement permits, because it can be kinda complicated. So I thought it would be helpful to put everything into one big guide with info about Washington National Park permits, National Forest permits, and State Park permits! I’ve included all the info you need to know about Special Use Permits, backcountry permits, photography permits, and entrance passes. This guide covers everything and should answer all of your Washington elopement permit questions!
Washington Elopement Permit Basics
Let’s start off with some basic info you need to know about getting permits for your elopement in Washington.
What kind of permit do we need to elope in Washington?
First you’ll need a Special Use Permit! If you’re eloping in a National Park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit for your elopement. If you’re eloping in a National FOrest or State Park, you’ll typically only need a Special Use Permit if you have 75 or more people.
You may also need a backcountry permit depending on what activities you’re planning for your elopement, and your photographer may need a separate photography permit.
What happens if we don’t get a permit?
It’s different for every location, but usually if you don’t get the appropriate permit(s) for your elopement, you may be susceptible to a fine. It’s also possible that you could get banned from the park, so you reallyyyy want to make sure you obtain the correct permits – the risks of not getting one are NOT worth it. And I promise it’s not as hard as it might seem, especially since you’ll have me there to help you!
How far in advance should we apply for our Washington elopement permit?
It depends on the location of your elopement, but typically you’ll want to apply for your Washington elopement permits at LEAST 1-2 months in advance. Even if a park says you should apply 4 weeks in advance, I recommend applying as early as you possibly can to ensure you can get the date + location of your choice, and that the park has plenty of time to process your permit. Sometimes you can get expedited permits if your desired date isn’t far enough away to allow the typical processing time, but you should try to avoid that if you can!
Do we still need to pay entry fees if we have an elopement permit?
Yes, you’ll still need to pay the regular entry fees and get the appropriate passes for Washington National Parks, National Forests, & State Parks, even if you have a Special Use Permit.
Do we need to bring our physical permit with us to our elopement?
I would recommend doing so! Even if the park doesn’t specify on their website that you should bring it with you, it never hurts to have it on hand – just print it out at home before you leave for your trip, and have it downloaded on your phone as well.
How much do Washington elopement permits cost?
It varies by location and by type of permit!
For Special Use Permits typically there will be a non-refundable permit application fee anywhere between $50-200, and you may need to pay additional fees based on the location, size, & specifics of your elopement.
For Photography Permits, there’s usually a non-refundable permit application fee between $50-150 as well as fees based on the group size.
Will our photographer need a separate permit to photograph our elopement?
Usually your photographer WILL need a separate permit to photograph your elopement, especially in National Parks. National Forests & State Parks may not require this, so you should check with the specific place you want to elope to see if your photographer will need a permit!
Now, let’s get into the specifics of getting an elopement permit in Washington’s National Parks, National Forests, and State Parks!
Washington National Park Elopement Permits
Mount Rainier National Park
Special Use Permit
A Special Use Permit for wedding ceremonies at Mount Rainier costs $175 (a non-refundable application fee), in addition to potential monitoring fees depending on the location + size of your ceremony. You need to submit your application at least four weeks in advance of your requested date
The amount of people you can have at your Mount Rainier wedding ceremony depends on the location you choose! You can have 1-12 participants at certain trails, picnic areas, roadside locations, & campground amphitheaters, or 13-24 participants at any of the same picnic areas, roadside locations, & campground amphitheaters. If you want to have 25-60 participants you’ll have to stick to the allowed roadside locations and campground amphitheaters.
Here’s how to apply for a Mount Rainier Special Use Permit for your wedding:
- Download & complete this application form
- Email the completed application to mora_special_use@nps.gov
- Follow the instructions you’ll receive to pay the non-refundable $175 application fee online
- Wait to receive your permit
- Sign & return the permit for final approval
Photography Permit
In addition to your Special Use Permit, your photographer will need to get a Commercial Photography Permit. This permit costs $50/day for a group of 1-10 people, $150/day for 11-30 people, and $250/day for over 30 people. There’s also a non-refundable $125 application fee.
To apply for this permit, have your photographer email mora_special_use@nps.gov and request the application form. Then they’ll receive instructions on how to complete the process and pay the permit fees online!
Backcountry Permits
If you want to go backcountry camping in the Mount Rainier wilderness and stay overnight, you need to get a wilderness permit. Reservations are encouraged but not required, and if you want to make a reservation, you need to do so at least two days in advance of the start of your trip. If you want to hike the Wonderland Trail or explore a high-use climbing route, you should consider participating in the Early Access Lottery.
Wilderness/backcountry permit details depend on the season and what activities you’re looking to do, so make sure you read through all the specific details here!
If you want to go camping in one of the vehicle campgrounds, you’ll most likely need to make a camping reservation, but there are also some sites that are first-come, first-serve.
Entrance/Parking Fees
Lastly, you’ll need to pay the regular park entrance fees along with getting your Special Use Permit. You can get a Mount Rainier annual pass for $55, or pay the single vehicle fee for $30, which is valid for seven consecutive days. I recommend getting your pass online ahead of time to make your entrance into the park a little easier!
The America the Beautiful Pass also grants you entry into the park, so if you have that pass ($80 for an annual pass), you don’t need to pay a separate entrance fee.
Don’t miss my in-depth Mount Rainier Elopement Guide if you want to elope in this gorgeous park!
Olympic National Park
Special Use Permit
A Special Use Permit for wedding ceremonies in Olympic National Park has a non-refundable processing fee of $50-100, and you may need to pay additional fees depending on the deets of your elopement. The park requires that you apply at least 3-4 weeks in advance of your desired date, but you should apply as early as you can, as always.
Here’s how to apply for a Olympic National Park Special Use Permit for your wedding:
- Email the park to ask about the application process + your desired date/location
- Download & complete this application form
- Follow further instructions from the park office to pay the application fee and receive your final permit
Photography Permit
Additionally, your photographer will need a Still Photography Permit. This permit costs $50/day for a group of 1-10 people, $150/day for 11-30 people, and $250/day for over 30 people. There’s also a non-refundable $100 application fee.
To apply for this permit, have your photographer email the park office and fill out this permit application, then follow the instructions the park gives them.
Backcountry Permits
If you want to go overnight backpacking in Olympic National Park, you’ll have to get a Wilderness Backpacking Permit, and make a reservation via Recreation.gov. Wilderness permit fees depend on what type of activity you’re looking to do, what location you’re visiting, how many people you have, etc. – you can find all the info here!
Entrance/Parking Fees
You’ll also need to pay the regular park entrance fees along with getting your Special Use Permit. You can get an Olympic National Park annual pass for $55, or pay the single vehicle fee for $30, which is valid for seven consecutive days. I recommend getting your pass online ahead of time to make your entrance into the park a little easier, otherwise you can get it at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center or any park entrance stations.
The America the Beautiful Pass also grants you entry into the park, so if you have that pass ($80 for an annual pass), you don’t need to pay a separate entrance fee.
Can’t quite decide WHERE to elope in this epic park? Here are the Best Places in Olympic National Park for Your Elopement!
North Cascades National Park
Special Use Permit
You know the drill by now! To get married in North Cascades National Park, you’ll need to get a Special Use Permit, which has a non-refundable $50 application fee. The park office will talk to you about permitted + restricted locations when you apply for your permit, so make sure you ask about the locations you’re considering to find out what’s allowed and not allowed.
Here’s how to apply for a North Cascades National Park Special Use Permit for your wedding:
- Contact the Commercial Service Office via email or by phone at (360) 854-7213 to receive application materials
- Complete the application
- Follow the instructions you’ll receive to pay the non-refundable $50 application fee online
- Wait to receive your permit
- Sign & return the permit for final approval
Photography Permit
Your photographer will need to get a Commercial Portrait Photography Permit in order to photograph your wedding in the park, which they can find out more about by contacting the Commercial Services Office. Keep in mind that their application must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to your wedding, and that there’s a required, non-refundable $100 application fee!
Backcountry Permits
Just like Washington’s other two national parks, permits are required for any overnight backpacking stays in Olympic National Park. The number of permits issued for different areas of the park is limited, so make sure you apply as early as you can and choose less-crowded locations! Find info about self-issue winter wilderness permits here, and learn about backcountry reservations here. You can make your reservations during the general on-sale period or through the early-access lottery!
Entrance/Parking Fees
There’s NO fee to enter North Cascades National Park!!
I’ve got a full North Cascades Elopement Guide that you should def check out if you want to elope here!
Washington National Forest Elopement Permits
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Special Use Permit
You’ll only need a Special Use Permit for a wedding in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest if you have a group of 75 people or more. Most couples I work with are only eloping with a very small group of people, so you probably don’t need to worry about it unless you want to hold a normal-sized wedding in the forest! If you are having at least 75 people, you’ll need to complete this SF-299 form and submit it here.
Photography Permit
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest only requires photographers to get permits for commercial filming & still photography, so your photographer most likely will not need one for your wedding – but I recommend reaching out to the forest office just to double-check.
Backcountry Permits
Many trailheads in the forest require recreation passes, which I’m going over in the next section. You may also need a wilderness permit for certain day-use areas or for overnight camping in the forest. These are typically free and can be filled out at the trailhead, but some popular areas may require permit reservations in advance!
Entrance/Parking Fees
To enter Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest you’ll just need a Northwest Forest Pass, which you can get a day pass for $5, or an annual pass for $30.
Want some more help planning your Mt. Baker elopement? Check out my guide to How to Elope at Mt. Baker!
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Special Use Permit
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website doesn’t have much info regarding Special Use Permits or Photography & Filming Permits, so I’d recommend contacting them to ask about what permits you’ll need for your elopement.
Photography Permit
See above!
Backcountry Permits
You can get self-issue permits at trailheads if they’re required for day hiking or overnight use, or you may be able to make a reservation in advance for certain parts of the forest (such as the Enchantment Permit Area).
Entrance/Parking Fees
To enter Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest you’ll just need a Northwest Forest Pass, which you can get a day pass for $5, or an annual pass for $30.
Olympic National Forest
Special Use Permit
The Olympic National Forest website doesn’t go into detail about when Special Use Permits are required/not required, so I recommend contacting the Forest District Office to ask about whether or not you’ll need a permit for your wedding.
Photography Permit
Same as above!
Backcountry Permits
Just like Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, you may need to make a reservation in advance for overnight backpacking/camping in certain parts of Olympic National Forest, such as the Enchantment Permit Area.
Entrance/Parking Fees
To enter Olympic National Forest you’ll just need a Northwest Forest Pass, which you can get a day pass for $5, or an annual pass for $30.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Special Use Permit
You will only need a Special Use Permit to get married in the forest if you’re having 75 people or more!
Photography Permit
Photographers only need a permit for commercial filming or still photography in the forest, so your photographer should be good to go without one for your wedding. You can always reach out to the office to check just in case!
Backcountry Permits
Certain day use + overnight camping areas of the forest may require a backcountry or wilderness permit – you can check the list of permit areas on this page.
Entrance/Parking Fees
To enter Gifford Pinchot National Forest you’ll just need a Northwest Forest Pass, which you can get a day pass for $5, or an annual pass for $30.
Colville National Forest
Special Use Permit
Once again, you’ll only need a Special Use Permit if you’re having 75 or more people at your wedding!
Photography Permit
Again, your photographer probably won’t need a permit for your wedding, but you can reach out to the office just in case.
Backcountry Permits
Only certain day use, hiking, + overnight areas in the forest require a wilderness permit or reservation, including the Enchantment Permit Area.
Entrance/Parking Fees
To enter Colville National Forest you’ll just need a Northwest Forest Pass, which you can get a day pass for $5, or an annual pass for $30.
Washington State Park Elopement Permits
The permit process is usually fairly similar for every state park in Washington, so this section is going to talk about Washington State Park elopement permits in general! You should also check with the specific state park you want to elope at, though, to make sure you know exactly what the permitting process is, and what the specific park allows + doesn’t allow.
Special Activities Permit
If you want to get married in a Washington State Park, you’ll need to get a Special Activities Permit. This permit has a required $45 application fee and may require additional fees depending on the details of your wedding – see the fee schedule here. You need to submit your application at least 60 days in advance to allow for processing time!
Here’s how to apply for a Washington State Park Special Activities Permit for your wedding:
- Download & complete this application form
- Download a copy of the park map indicating your desired location
- Submit your application materials (application form, park map, $45 application fee, & certificate of insurance) to the park contact (find your park here, then find the relevant contact info)
Photography Permit
Permits are only required for any commercial filming or still photography, but you should reach out to the office of your desired state park to double check whether or not your photographer will need one.
Backcountry Permits
In addition to paying the regular camping fees, you’ll need to make a reservation for most campsites, cabins, & other overnight facilities in Washington State Parks. Reservations are $8 if made online or $10 if made via phone call.
Entrance/Parking Fees
To visit any Washington State Park, you’ll need a Discover Pass! There’s a one-day pass for $10, or an annual pass for $30 that grants you access to any of the state parks. You can get these passes at ranger stations at each park or online in advance.
I just threw a TON of info and numbers at you – but hopefully this guide covered everything you need to know about getting your Washington elopement permits! And don’t worry, I’m here to help answer any other questions you might have and to guide you through the process if you need help applying for your permit(s). Happy applying!!
For more elopement planning guides + resources like this one, make sure to look at my blog or check out some of my recent favs below!
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