Table of Contents:
- Get to Know North Cascades National Park
- North Cascades Elopement FAQ’s
- 7 Best Places to Elope in the North Cascades
- When to Elope in the North Cascades
- North Cascades Wedding & Elopement Permits
- Getting Your Washington Marriage License
- 5 Fun North Cascades Elopement Ideas
- Best Places to Stay for Your North Cascades Elopement
- North Cascades Elopement Packages + Pricing
- More Washington Adventure Elopement Resources
The North Cascades are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges I’ve ever seen, and just so happen to be one of Washington’s three National Parks!! I’ll bet you usually think of Mount Rainier or the Olympics when you think of national parks in Washington. But North Cascades National Park is one you will NOT want to miss: the amazing landscapes are simply gorgeous and have so much to offer for elopements, including both short & long hikes, opportunities for outdoor activities, and adorable little mountain towns to visit. So grab a glass of your fav drink, sit down on the couch with your partner (and your pets), and have fun reading this guide that I’ve created to help you plan a breathtaking North Cascades elopement!
Get to Know North Cascades National Park
First off, let’s get to know the park a little in case you’re not familiar with it.
Where is North Cascades National Park?
The North Cascades are a mountain range that spans over 500,000 acres along northern Washington, and is actually one of three National Park Service units that are a part of the overall North Cascades National Park Complex (along with the Ross Lake National Recreation Area & Lake Chelan National Recreation Area).
Technically the North Cascades mountain range is part of a larger mountain chain that extends from British Columbia alllll the way down to Northern California. But the National Park in Washington encompasses the area from Bellingham, south to Snoqualmie & Leavenworth, and up northeast to Okanogan.
What town is closest to North Cascades National Park?
There isn’t really a direct answer to this because again, it depends on where in the park you’re going because of how big it is. But the main cities/towns in the North Cascades include Bellingham, Snoqualmie, Leavenworth, Chelan, Winthrop, Twisp, & Okanogan. All of these are great places to find an Airbnb or cabin to stay at!
How long does it take to drive through North Cascades National Park?
If you were to drive all the way through the North Cascades along Highway 20 without stopping it would take you around 3 hours! But I def recommend making stops along the way to take in all the epic views.
How to Get to the North Cascades
The North Cascades are around 3 hours from Seattle, but that really depends on the part of the park you’re going to since it encompasses so much land!! If you’re driving east from Bellingham, you’ll hit the North Cascades Highway off of Exit 230 for Burlington. If you’re heading west, the highway intersects with U.S. Route 97 at Okanogan & with State Route 153 at Twisp. So the length of time it takes you to get to the North Cascades completely varies depending on where you’re coming from & where you’re going!
North Cascades Elopement FAQ’s
What’s so special about the North Cascades?
There are so many reasons why the North Cascades are special & an amazing place to elope, but one of the best is that the Cascades range offers both short & long hikes. So it’s easy for anyone to find amazing views at whatever length of hike you’re willing to do! Whether you want to drive up to a viewpoint and just get outta your car or you want to backpack 8 miles up a mountain, the Cascades have options for ya.
The North Cascades are also the most underrated park in Washington, and it can be a bit easier to find some privacy than the other national parks in the state.
Are there grizzly bears in North Cascades National Park?
According to the NPS website grizzly bears are super rare in the North Cascades; you’re more likely to run into black bears!
Where can I get married in North Cascades National Park?
There are a few different places in the North Cascades where you’re permitted to hold your wedding ceremony – skip down to the locations section for more deets!
If you want to visit a different location that’s not on the permitted locations list, you can still do that & just take portraits there instead of actually holding your official ceremony there.
7 Best Places to Elope in the North Cascades
1. Winchester Lookout
Winchester Lookout is such a great location for your elopement because the hike is stunning, fairly easy, and the views at the top are INSANE. It’s located near the town of Maple Falls and provides epic views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Larrabee, and even some Canadian peaks. If you get lucky, you’ll have the whole mountain & fire lookout to yourselves and get some privacy – which is more likely to happen during the spring and fall when the trail isn’t as busy!
Parking/entry requirement: Northwest Forest Pass
Hike length: 3.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1300 feet
Hike difficulty: Moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes, on leash
ADA-accessible? No
Other notes:
- You’ll need at least a high-clearance vehicle to make it up the road to the trailhead, and 4WD is even more helpful
For some real-life amazingggg Winchester Lookout inspo, check out Autumn & Matt’s elopement and Jared & Cameron’s elopement!
2. Washington Pass Overlook
Washington Pass Overlook is a MUST if you’re driving along the North Cascades Highway, as it’s literally just a rest stop off the highway that offers some of the most epic views in the park. All you need to do is park your car, walk a couple minutes, and bam – you get incredible views overlooking the North Cascades with barely ANY effort. There’s also a restroom, benches, and picnic table, so it’s a perf place to stop on your drive through the mountain range and get some stunning scenery, or take elopement portraits without having to hike!
Parking/entry requirement: None
Hike length: 0.25 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 61 feet
Hike difficulty: Easy
Dogs allowed? Yes, on leash
ADA-accessible? Yes, but there are a few stairs on the trail past the overlook
Other notes:
- This overlook closes for the winter season, so you’ll only be able to visit it from late spring to early fall
3. Diablo Lake
You’ve probs seen photos of Diablo Lake before – it’s one of the many vibrant blue/turquoise lakes in Washington that makes you feel like you’re on a whole other PLANET. It’s located between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake on the Skagit River and is an amazing overlook along Highway 20 that’s also super easy to access. Just pull off the road, step outta your car, and walk up to the railing to take in the epic landscape! You can go canoeing or kayaking on the lake during the summer, enjoy one of the many hikes around the water, or simply enjoy the views from the overlook.
Parking/entry requirement: None
Dogs allowed? Yes, on leash
ADA-accessible? No
Other notes:
- Unfortunately photos are NOT allowed at the Diablo Lake overlook anymore, so we can enjoy the views from behind the railing but we’ll need to go somewhere else for photos! We can take another route such as the Thunder Knob Trail instead that will get us to similar views of the lake, where photos ARE allowed.
4. Blue Lake
Blue Lake is exactly what it sounds like – another stunning blue lake in the North Cascades. It’s located just a couple miles off Highway 20 via a fairly easy hike, and you’ll be rewarded with phenomenal views of the granite peaks & lush forests surrounding the vibrant water. This is a perfect stop if you want to take a hiking break from your drive along the highway, as the trailhead is right off the side of the highway, and you might even get some beautiful wildflowers around the lake if you visit during the right time of year!
Parking/entry requirement: Northwest Forest Pass
Hike length: 4.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1050 feet
Hike difficulty: Moderate
Dogs allowed? Yes, on leash
ADA-accessible? No
5. Heather-Maple Pass
Lastly we’ve got Heather-Maple Pass, which requires the longest hike out of any of these 5 North Cascades elopement locations. The loop trail is located west of Mazama and north of Lake Chelan, and is an awesome option for couples looking for a bit more of an adventure through the mountains for either their ceremony or just some epic mountain elopement portraits.
Parking/entry requirement: Northwest Forest Pass
Hike length: 7.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2020 feet
Hike difficulty: Moderate/hard
Dogs allowed? No
ADA-accessible? No
Check out Madi & Maddie’s epic North Cascades National Park Elopement – they completed the entire Heather-Maple Pass Loop and had their ceremony at the most epic spot in the mountains!
6. Mt. Pilchuck Fire Lookout
Finally we’ve got the hike up to the Mt. Pilchuck Fire Lookout! This hike is sooo stunning and gets you the most amazing views of all the mountains surrounding you. It takes you up to an old fire lookout with unreal 360-degree scenic views, which is the perf place for your vow exchange or for a yummy mountaintop picnic! Make sure you monitor weather conditions before your elopement because the road to the trailhead closes down for the winter season.
Trail Length: 5.4 miles
Trail Type: Out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Average Completion Time: Just over 3 hrs
Terrain: Well-maintained natural surfaces
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed (besides Special Use): Northwest Forest Pass
Catherine + Jon hiked up to the Mt. Pilchuck fire lookout for their elopement and it was, well, fire (see what I did there 😉 ). See all their elopement goodness here!
7. Chain Lakes Loop
Chain Lakes Loop is another moderately-difficult hike, but is a bit longer than the hike to Winchester Lookout. You’ve got a few loop options: starting at Artist Point, starting from Austin Pass/Heather Meadows, OR you can also start from the Bagley Lakes trailhead! Keep in mind that vehicle access is limited during the winter season so this isn’t a great option for a winter elopement.
Trail Length: 6.5 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Average Completion Time: Just under 4 hours
Terrain: Flat rocks, stone bridge, paved
Dog-Friendly? Yes, on leash
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Permits/Passes Needed (besides Special Use): Northwest Forest Pass
Honorary Mention: Mt. Baker
Now Mt. Baker isn’t technically a part of the North Cascades but it’s close enough that it definitely warrants a mention. I highlyyy recommend hitting up Mt. Baker if you can during your time in northern WA because the scenery is phenoemanl, and there are TONS of incredible hikes no matter what level of adventure you’re looking for!
Some of my favorite elopement locations at Mt. Baker include:
And because I love Mt. Baker SO much I put together a whole separate Mt. Baker Elopement Guide for you, where I go through all the best places to elope, where to stay nearby, the best time of year to elope, and more. Check it out here if you’re considering eloping at Mt. Baker!!
Best Time of Year to Elope in the North Cascades
The best time to elope in the North Cascades is June-October since that’s when temperatures are warmest, most trails are clear of snow, and you’ll get the least rain.
November-March is likely to be cold and definitely snowy depending on where you go, and roads often close off due to winter conditions. If you want to elope in the winter in the North Cascades, definitely make sure to keep your eye on the NPS website to check current trail & road conditions and statuses at the time of your elopement!
April-June is likely to be overcast or rainy but there’s always clear days here & there, and the lower hikes are typically snow-free by then.
July-September will be mostly clear – some of the higher-elevation hikes won’t have snow melt until late August, but the weather will be much nicer than any other time of year!
North Cascades Wedding & Elopement Permits
Do I need a permit to elope in North Cascades National Park?
Yup – to get married in North Cascades National Park, you’ll need to get a North Cascades National Park Special Use Permit! This permit allows you to have your ceremony at certain permitted locations in the park, all of which have different rules/restrictions and group size limitations.
How do I apply for a North Cascades National Park wedding permit?
To get your North Cascades wedding permit, you’ll need to:
- Contact the Commercial Service Office to get the application materials you’ll need
- Complete the Special Park Uses Application
- Pay the $50 non-refundable application fee via pay.gov
To learn about the permitting process for other Washington National Parks that ya might be considering for your elopement, check out my Washington National Park Elopement Guide!
Getting Your Washington State Marriage License
In addition to getting your North Cascades National Park Special Use Permit, you’ll also need to get your Washington State marriage license, of course!
Here’s an overview of the important WA marriage laws that you need to know:
- You don’t need to be a resident of WA to get married here
- You need 2 witnesses over the age of 12 present at your ceremony
- You need to be at least 18 years old
- The license fee varies by county – for reference, here are the fees for each county in the North Cascades range:
- Okanogan County marriage license fee: $59
- Chelan County marriage license fee: $57
- Kittitas County marriage license fee: $39
- Skagit County marriage license fee: $64
- Whatcom County marriage license fee: $62
For more instructions on how to get your WA marriage license for your North Cascades elopement, head over to my Guide to Getting Your Washington State Marriage License!
5 Fun North Cascades Elopement Ideas
Looking for fun ways to spend your time in the North Cascades outside of tying the knot? I got you—here are 5 epic activities to add to your itinerary!
1. Take a boat to Stehekin
2. Spend time exploring the wild west-inspired town of Winthrop
3. Drive north to Mt. Baker for the second half of your trip
4. Kayak on Diablo Lake, Gorge Lake, or Ross Lake
5. Go stargazing under a new moon
Where to Stay for Your North Cascades Adventure Elopement
Because the North Cascades encompass SO many beautiful areas of Washington, there are tonsssss of options when it comes to amazing places to stay. I’ve included all the best lodges, resorts, & Airbnbs in some of the popular towns throughout the North Cascades that are great areas to stay for your elopement!
Best Places to Stay in Bellingham/Deming
- Rustic 70’s A-Frame
- Glacier’s Lagom Cabin
- Glacier Hideout
- Cedar Point Cabin
- Mt. Baker Cabin
- Bellingham Meadows
- The Hideaway
Best Places to Stay in Concrete/Rockport
Best Places to Stay in Mazama/Winthrop
- Mazama Haven
- Base Camp 49
- Howe Cabin
- Cozy Cabin in the Woods
- Cascade Cabin
- Peaceful Cabin in the Woods
Best Places to Stay in Stehekin
If you’re lookin’ for other cozyyyy & cute Airbnbs throughout the WA for your elopement, I gotchu – here are the 5 Best Airbnbs in Washington State for an Airbnb Elopement!
North Cascades Elopement Packages + Pricing
And there you have it friend, the complete guide to eloping in North Cascades National Park! I hope by now you’re feeling confident in your choice to elope in this AMAZING national park, and that you know everything there is to know.
When you’re ready to find your perf North Cascades elopement photographer who’ll help you plan your dream day & tag along to capture it all, I’m your gal! I’ve got a few killer North Cascades elopement packages you can choose from and customize completely to your one of a kind adventure. Contact me here and let’s start planning 😉
More Washington Adventure Elopement Resources
If you’re looking for help picking a location for your Washington adventure elopement, check out guides to a few of my favs below!
[…] North Cascades National Park […]
[…] Want to see more of my fave elopement locations in the North Cascades? Check out my North Cascades Elopement Guide! […]