Table of Contents:
- Where is Index, WA?
- Why Elope in Index, WA?
- 6 Best Places to Elope in Index, WA
- When to Elope in Index, WA
- 5 Fun Things to Do in Index, WA for Your Elopement
- Best Places to Stay in Index, WA
- Index Elopement Photographer
Ever heard of Index (and not the card kind of index)? Probably not—it’s this cute little town in Snohomish County, WA that honestly doesn’t get enough love. It’s usually the kinda place that you probablyyy wouldn’t visit unless you were just passing through, but I want to change that! So my goal by the end of this blog is to make you fall in love with Index + add it to your list of potential elopement locations in Washington. Sound good?
Where is Index, WA?
Index is a super duper small town of just 155 people as of the last census in 2020, located in a mountain valley 55 miles northeast of Seattle. If you’re familiar with Stevens Pass, Index is 30 miles west of the pass right off of Highway 2! It used to be a popular mining town thanks to its proximity to the Central Cascades, home to miners who would go into the Cascades for minerals and then explore the Index area itself, from Mt. Index to Heybrook Ridge (which I’ll be mentioning again later in this blog). Index feels pretty far removed from any other towns—especially from the big city that’s just an hour or so away—providing a charming escape along the South Fork of the Skykomish River for anybody who wants a quick and easy retreat into the mountains!
Why Elope in Index, WA?
Okay Bree, we get that Index is a teeny tiny town with a barely existing population. . . but why should we elope there??
Well let me tell you, you’d be surprised at just how beautiful and underrated Index is, especially when compared to the bigger, more iconic destinations in Washington like Mount Rainier! It’s truly a hidden gem in the Central Cascades, with gorgeous forested areas, mountain scenery, and is super easy to access from Seattle. Perfect for couples who want to leave the big city and explore the mountains, but don’t want to drive too far!
Index is also MADE for tourists, being that they don’t actually have a ton of permanent residents and the town has a lot of rich history: there’s no shortage of adorable Airbnbs, cute little cafes and restaurants, spacious campgrounds, and outdoor rec. I personally love how cozy the entire town feels since it’s so small—yet you still have a surprising amount of room to explore all the alpine landscapes!
6 Best Places to Elope in Index, WA
Let’s look at some of the prettiest places in Index, WA that are perfect for elopements and intimate weddings!
1. Lake Serene
Lake Serene is without a doubt one of the most stunning destinations in the Index area, located across the highway from the main part of town, near Mount Index & above Bridal Veil Falls. The alpine scenery is to DIE for, with a gorgeous basin, lush greenery, and breathtaking mountain reflections in the lake itself.
You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass in order to park at the Lake Serene trailhead, and from there you’ll head out onto this 7.2 mile round trip hike with around 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s def not a hike for the faint of heart, but the bright blue lake you’re rewarded with at the end is sooo worth the effort. Make sure to arrive early in the day so that you’re able to get a parking spot, since the lot gets superrr busy especially on the weekends. You can also opt for a weekday elopement if you want to avoid crowds as much as possible and get the best parking!
If you want to add a little extra to your adventure, you can add another mile to your trip by visiting Bridal Veil Falls—which is next up on this list!
P.S. Did I mention dogs are allowed on this trail? Bring your pups along for the ride and they can enjoy the views too 🐶
2. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is a waterfall (duh) that flows out of Lake Serene, below the east wall of Mount Index. If you only want to visit the falls and not the lake itself, then the round trip distance is only around 4 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. So nothing too crazy! You’ll start at the Lake Serene Trailhead, and stay right at the fork that comes up 1.5 miles in—going left will take you to a bridge with a view of the lower falls. Once you arrive at the falls, you’ll climb up a couple stairways and voila—the dramatic waterfall views are allll yours!
Again, weekdays and early mornings will be your best bet for privacy and seclusion. But no matter when you visit, be sure to get a Northwest Forest Pass so you can park in the lot!
3. Forks of the Sky State Park
Aside from the funny name, Forks of the Sky State Park has so much to offer! The park is made up of a bunch of day-use areas along Highway 2 near Index, including Big Eddy park, Raptor Point, Town Wall, and Picnic Bend. Big Eddy park has plenty of picnic areas and is a great spot if you want to take portraits or have your ceremony along the Skykomish River, whereas the Town Wall boasts some gorgeous mountain views and rock climbing opportunities. 10/10 recommend a climbing elopement if that’s your thing!! If you want to venture along trails through ferns and other vibrant greenery, Picnic Bend has some great routes and undeveloped picnic areas to offer. You can really just explore wherever you want around the park and enjoy all the opportunities for hiking, climbing, wildlife viewing, and walking!
4. Heybrook Ridge
Heybrook Ridge is an amazing elopement locations in Index, WA because it doesn’t require a crazy long hike and the views are STUNNING. You’ll park at the trailhead for Leovy Trail and head southwest along the route, going up 1.6 miles & 770 feet, through switchbacks and around forested rock walls, to finally reach the breathtaking ridge. It’s amazing being able to look out over the South Fork Skykomish Valley, as well as Bridal Veil Falls and even a couple of other mountains in the distance on super clear days!
5. Heybrook Lookout
Now Heybrook LOOKOUT is also nearby, but you take a separate trail to get there—parking at a trailhead just past mile marker 37 on Highway 2. This old fire lookout is an ideal choice for couples who are short on time or not wanting an intense hike on their elopement day! Though the trail is only 2.6 miles round trip, it’s a little steep but totally manageable, taking about 1.5 hours to hike (not including time spent enjoying the lookout). It’s a really peaceful walk through the woods, and then the scenery from the lookout is amazing, offering panoramic views of Bridal Veil Falls, Mount Index, Mount Baring, and Mount Persis! Check out this blog post next if you’re into the idea of a fire lookout elopement & want more location reccs!
6. Airbnbs
Finally, Airbnbs are always a great option for elopements, especially in Index since there are plenty of cute ones. However, they’re not always good for ceremonies or receptions—most Airbnbs don’t allow parties or events of any kind, so you’ll either want to 1) find an Airbnb that specifically allows you to host your celebration there or 2) get married somewhere nearby, then come back to your Airbnb for a relaxing evening together. I’ve got a list of the best Airbnbs in Index coming up soon!
Here are 10 more Airbnb Wedding Venues in Washington if you’re vibing with intimate Airbnb celebrations!
When to Elope in Index, WA
What is the best time of year to elope in Index?
Just like most of the mountainous areas in Washington, the summer months are the most pleasant in Index; specifically July, August, and sometimes early September. Because Index is so close to the Central Cascades, you’ll need to pay attention to the weather forecast and make sure to avoid eloping at a time when there could be snow—roads and trails often close down in the mountains for the winter, sometimes earlier in the fall or later in the spring than you might expect! So if you’re planning to elope in June or late September-October, make sure you have backup plans just in case.
What is the best time of day to elope in Index?
It depends on where you’ll be going! If you want to hike one of the more popular trails in Index (like a couple of the ones I mentioned earlier), then early mornings and weekdays are the best time to do so—especially if you want to have your ceremony on the trail, since you probs don’t want to be surrounded by other hikers while you’re exchanging your vows. Both sunrise and sunset are incredible for elopement portraits, but sunrise will always be quieter! If you do have to elope on a weekend at a touristy location, try your best to aim for sunrise or at least a lesser known/less popular trail!
5 Fun Things to Do in Index, WA for Your Elopement
1. Grab a drink (and a bigfoot cookie!) at Espresso Chalet
Literally the cutest little espresso stand right along the highway, with views of Bridal Veil Falls and Mount Index. They have yummyyy drinks, cookies, muffins, and ice cream, plus a ton of quirky bigfoot souvenirs!
2. Go climbing at the Town Walls
Index has quite a few challenging climbing routes, but there are definitely some moderate ones out there for anyone who’s not so experienced. The Town Walls have over 500 routes to choose from!
3. Relax in the nearby Scenic Hot Springs
You can probably tell by the name that the Scenic Hot Springs are, well, scenic 😉 Located nearby in Skykomish, this is a gorgeous hot spring to visit if you and your babe just want to chill out and soak up all the views (literally and figuratively). Read this guide for more info about how to book a spot at the hot spring!
Have you ever considered having a hot spring elopement? If not, you should now, because I have a guide to the 7 Best Hot Springs in the PNW for Elopements!
4. Spend a day on the Skykomish River
Whether you’d rather go boating, kayaking, or white water rafting, the rapids of Skykomish River offer so many fun opportunities for adventure. What better way to take in the scenery and the beautiful forests of the area than by spending a day out on the water with your BFFs?
5. Go camping along the river
If you want to enjoy the river scenery from land instead, there are plenty of campgrounds along the Skykomish that are perfect for some quiet time in the wilderness! The Troublesome Creek and San Juan campgrounds are two great ones to check out.
Best Places to Stay in Index, WA
Index is home to what are probably some of the most unique and creative Airbnbs I’ve ever seen! From treehouses to cozy riverside cabins to even a “container cabin” (just wait, you’ll see what that one means), your only problem when finding a place to stay for your elopement will be picking just one place! Here are some of the best Airbnbs in Index, WA that would be SO cute for your elopement:
The M House
A spacious house on the river with easy access to Stevens Pass, plus a large lower deck + fire pit that would be so cute for evening portraits 😉
Ramblin’ Rose
Want to stay somewhere super modern? This space is allll luxury, with thoughtfully designed spaces, vaulted ceilings, and a relaxing hot tub out on the deck!
Greenery Mountain Retreat
Also near Stevens Pass is this beautiful Skykomish cabin! Multiple levels, a hot tub, a cute A-frame shape that’s perfect for portraits, and tons of natural light? Sounds great to me!
The Sea Containers
I’ve seen a lot of quirky Airbnbs but this one might take the cake—and it’s SO cool, I’m literally obsessed and I needddd somebody to stay here ASAP. You sleep in this “luxurious container cabin” that’s filled with the most lavish amenities and finishes, and you have access to a gorgeous 5-acre property as well as a hot tub and a white marble lava steam shower. Talk about a dreammm (once you get past the fact that you’re staying in what looks like a sea container, lol).
Index Elopement Photographer
Have I accomplished my mission to make you want to elope in Index? If so, reach out to me and lmk in your inquiry that I succeeded 😉 Can’t wait to take you on an adventure through this charming little town in the mountains!
Wanna see more places I love in Washington for adventure elopements? Lucky for you I’ve been putting together more amazing guides just like this one, here are a few to start with!
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