Table of Contents:

• Get to Know Mt. Rainier National Park
• Mt. Rainier Elopement FAQ’s
• Best Mt. Rainier Elopement Locations
• Best Hikes + Viewpoints at Mt. Rainier
• When to Elope at Mt. Rainier
• Mt. Rainier Wedding & Elopement Permits
• Getting Your Washington State Marriage License
• 5 Fun Mt. Rainier Elopement Ideas
• Best Places to Stay for Your Mt. Rainier Elopement
• Mt. Rainier Elopement Packages
• Mt. Rainier Elopement Photographer
• More Washington Adventure Elopement Resources

If you’ve been dreaming of holding your adventure elopement at Mt. Rainier National Park, then you’ve come to the right place boo!! Here’s your ultimate guide to having a Mt. Rainier elopement in 2025, filled to the brim with location ideas, permit info, & sooo much more.

Get to Know Mt. Rainier National Park

Where is Mt. Rainier?

Mt. Rainier National Park is one of Washington’s three freaking incredible national parks (yes, THREE – hello Olympic NP & North Cascades NP), located 2 hours from Seattle & 2.5 hours from Portland. The park sits near the west-central part of the state and is a pretty accessible location from all the larger cities on the western side of WA.

How to get to Mt. Rainier

To get to Mt. Rainier National Park by plane, it’s easiest to fly into SeaTac, rent a car, and drive the 2 hours to get to the park. You could also fly into the next closest major airport, PDX in Portland, and drive north 2.5 hours!

There are a few different ways to access Mt. Rainier NP by car depending on the entrance you want to go into!

Mt. Rainier National Park entrances

• Southwest (Nisqually) Entrance – via SR 706
• Northwest Entrance – via Carbon River Road
• East Entrances
  • Southeast (Ohanapecosh/Stevens Canyon) – via SR 123/Highway 12
  • Northeast (Sunrise, White River, & southbound SR 123) – via SR 410
  • East/Chinook Pass – via Chinook Pass & Cayuse Pass, or via I-90 & US 12

Mt. Rainier Elopement FAQ’s

Where can I get married at Mt. Rainier?

There are so many types of spots to choose from throughout this beautiful national park, including:

• At the top of a mountain
• At a fire lookout
• In an alpine meadow
• Next to the wildflowers

However, it’s important to make sure that the location you choose is somewhere that ceremonies are permitted! Most ceremonies (depending on the amount of people involved) are permitted at certain pre-determined occasions such as select trails, picnic areas, & roadside locations. Skip down to the Mt. Rainier Wedding Permits section for further permitting deets!

How many guests can we have for our Mt. Rainier wedding ceremony?

The amount of guests allowed at your ceremony depends on the location you’re holding it at! This is something you’ll want to talk to the park office about when you’re applying for your permit, but in general here’s what the NPS website says about party sizes:

• 1-12 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include select trails, picnic areas, roadside locations, and campground amphitheaters.
• 13-24 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include picnic areas, roadside locations, and campground amphitheaters.
• 25-60 participants: may use certain pre-determined locations, which may include roadside locations and campground amphitheaters.
• 60+ participants: may use campground amphitheaters.

Are dogs allowed at Mt. Rainier National Park? 

Sadly pets are prohibited on all trails & wilderness areas at Mt. Rainier NP 🙁 But you can totally hang out with your pet(s) at a nearby Airbnb if you rent one for getting ready, or for your reception!

Best Mt. Rainier Elopement Locations

Here’s a map of all the best areas, hikes, and drive-up viewpoints for Mt. Rainier elopements:

PRO TIP: Remember that you’ll need to plan for travel time between locations if you plan on hitting up multiple spots! Not every location I mention is super close to the others. You will need to look at a map and plan for how much time it’ll take to travel between the locations. Don’t worry—I can help ya out with this and we can always do a day after adventure session if we can’t quite fit all the locations you wanna visit into one day!!

Now, let’s dive deeper into the main areas that you’ll definitely want to consider when choosing where to elope at Mt. Rainier.

1. Paradise

Paradise is the most popular place on Mt Rainier and for GOOD REASON!! A beautiful valley at the foot of a gorgeous glacier, Paradise gets the most wildflowers of anywhere on the mountain and you don’t really have to hike very far at all to see some amazing views! Paradise, located on the south side of the park, and features meadows, the Visitor Center, the historic Paradise Inn, and some gorgeous mountain views. Paradise is 2.5 hours from Seattle and 2 hours from the Seatac airport.

The views from Paradise are to DIE for. Especially since you aren’t required to hike 10 miles to get to the top of a hike! You can literally drive up Paradise Road, step out of your car, and be right where you get the incredible views! The skyline trail, the Alta vista trail and the Moraine Trail are some of the most popular trails that begin at Paradise.

I love Paradise so much that I put together a whole separate Paradise Elopement Guide with a deep dive into this amazing location!

2. Sunrise

If you’re looking for an easily accessible location with incredible views then this is the place for you! Sunrise is located 60 miles northeast of the Nisqually Entrance and 14 miles northwest of the Sunrise/White River turnoff on State Route 410. The long and curvy road that leads to Sunrise is probably one of the most beautiful drives in the state. On your way up, make sure to pull over at Sunrise Point where you can see some sweeping alpine views that include five mountains; Mt. Rainier, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Adams and Mount Hood. The half mile Sunrise Rim Trail and .8 mile nearly level Silver Forest Trail provide mouth-dropping views of the entire length of the Emmons Glacier from Mt. Rainier’s 14,411-foot summit to its terminus at the White River Valley below.

3. Mt. Rainier Lakes

Mt Rainier not only has stunning meadows, it also has some gorgeous lakes! Some are a drive up and some are a bit of a hike to get to! There are 400 mapped lakes on Mt Rainier, all with a vast variety of views and landscape. A lake on Mt Rainier would definitely be one of the best places on Mt Rainier for your elopement! The most popular lake is Tipsoo, is located at Chinook Pass along State Route 410. Another popular one is Reflection Lakes. Reflection Lakes is located along Stevens Canyon Road which is usually open to vehicles only during the summer!

4. Mt. Rainier Fire Lookouts

Didn’t I tell you that this park has it all?! Glaciers, lakes, rainforests, and even waterfalls!! But the best views of the mountain are found in the lookouts! All of the lookouts require a hike to get to, but all offer amazing views of the mountain and surrounding areas! Most of the lookouts are at the end up hikes through forests that end in gorgeous views! Lookouts are great places for elopements because usually there is a clear area for a ceremony without leaving the trail. There are four main lookouts within the park, but there are many that surround the park and offer views of Mt Rainier.

Wanna see more epic fire lookouts around the state? Here’s a list of the 5 Best Fire Lookout Elopement Locations in Washington!

Best Hikes + Viewpoints at Mt. Rainier

Here are some of the absolute best hiking opportunities throughout Mt. Rainier National Park depending on the level of difficulty & length you’re lookin’ for!! Keep in mind that not all of these hikes are permitted for ceremonies, but they’re great for a pre or post-ceremony adventure if you want to take some epic mountain wedding portraits.

• Nisqually Vista Loop – 1.1 miles; easy
• Myrtle Falls Viewpoint – 0.8 miles; easy
• Frozen Lake via Sourdough Ridge Trail – 2.9 miles; easy
• Naches Peak Loop Trail – 3.3 miles; moderate
• Silver Falls Trail – 4 miles; moderate
• Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via Sourdough Ridge Trail – 5.7 miles; moderate
• Glacier Basin Trail – 7.8 miles; moderate
• Skyline Trail Loop – 6.2 miles; hard

Drive-Up Scenic Viewpoints in Mt. Rainier National Park

If you’d rather park your car & immediately be at a beautiful location than hike a few miles, I got you!! Luckily Mt. Rainier has plenty of scenic spots that don’t require a multi-mile hike, or even a walk more than 10-15 minutes long.

Here are some of the best locations to visit at Mt. Rainier that don’t require any hiking, or just take you on an easy 5-15 minute walk!

• Mt. Rainier Gondola 
• Sunrise Visitor Center to Emmons Vista
• Tipsoo Lake
• Paradise Inn

Best Time of Year to Elope at Mt. Rainier

Weather is a really important factor when visiting Mt. Rainier!! Snow stays at the higher elevations much longer than you probably think it does, and can start pretty dang early on in the fall. 

The best time of year to elope at Mt. Rainier is typically June-August since those are the absolute safest months where you can avoid snow for the most part at all elevations! The park is technically open all year, but the weather is warmest in July & August, and that’s also when the wildflowers are blooming. 

The weather patterns at Mt. Rainier are mostly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, elevation, and latitude. The climate is generally cool and rainy, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s. While July and August are the sunniest months of the year, rain is always possible, and very likely in spring, fall, and winter. BASICALLY anytime NOT the summer haha!

The weather on Sunrise is very similar to the weather found on Paradise. Sometimes though, the weather will only be affecting one side of the mountain or the other! The climate is generally cool and rainy, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s. While July and August are the months with the most sun, rain is always a possibility, and very likely in spring, fall, and winter.

You’ll want to make sureee you keep an eye on current weather, trail, & road conditions in the time leading up to your elopement, and have a backup plan (or two or three) in place in case snow or bad weather closes off a trail or road you were planning to use!

Use these links to check out current, updated conditions at Mt. Rainier NP:

• Trail & Backcountry Camp Conditions
• Road Statuses

Mt. Rainier Wedding & Elopement Permits

One of the most important aspects of getting married in ANY national park is getting the correct permits for your wedding! It’s the best way to make sure you can enjoy a safe elopement & familiarize yourself with the park guidelines while also being super respectful of the land you use for your big day. There are a few different passes & permits you need to be prepared to get for your Mt. Rainier wedding or elopement!

Entrance Fee

Since it’s a national park, Mt. Rainier has an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle per week, or you can buy a $55 annual pass instead. You can pay the $30 entrance fee online ahead of time or in-person at a park entrance!

Special Use Permit

If you want to get married at Mt. Rainier you’ll need a Special Use Permit, which is basically a permit required for any visitors holding any type of event or activity. 

Here’s how to get a Special Use Permit for your Mt. Rainier elopement:

1. Complete this application form.
2. Submit your application form at least 4 weeks in advance via email to mora_special_use@nps.gov. But def do it as early as possible to make sure they have enough time to process your application & permit!!
3. Once your application is received, they’ll give you instructions on paying the non-refundable $175 application fee
4. Once your permit request is approved, you’ll be sent a permit. Sign & return this permit to the park office for final approval!

Make sure you’re respectful of park rules & regulations and help keep the land safe by remembering what’s not allowed at ceremonies within the park:

• Anything that impedes the activities of other park visitors
• Large decorations
• Chairs, tables, tents, etc.
• Throwing confetti, rice, flowers, etc.
• Roping off or blocking any areas to the public

Timed Entry Reservation

As of 2024, you may also need to obtain a timed entry reservation for your Mt. Rainier elopement. Check the Rainier website to see whether or not you’ll need one—they had a pilot program in place through fall of 2024 that stopped in September, but by the time you’re reading this it may have changed!

During the pilot period, timed entry reservations were required to enter the Paradise and Sunrise corridors between 7am and 3pm, and each corridor required a separate permit. These permits were tested because of how popular Mt. Rainier has become in recent years—which is amazing, but results in a LOT of crowded areas, trampled trails, and noise. So make sure to keep this reservation in mind when planning your elopement date and time, if they’re required at the time of planning your big day!

Getting Your Washington State Marriage License

Not gonna lie, this is some of the more boring stuff, and there’s a lot of info that you’ll need to know—so I’m just going to send you over to my Simple Guide to Getting Your Washington State Marriage License, where I explain it all. Bookmark it to come back to once you’ve finished reading this + are ready to dive into the process of getting your license!

5 Fun Mt. Rainier Elopement Ideas

Now that your creative juices are flowin’ and you’re getting excited for your Mt. Rainier elopement, it’s time to come up with some fun ideas & activities to incorporate into your day and make it super special!! 

There are tonsss of ways you can personalize your elopement day, but here are 5 fun ideas to consider for your big day plus some real-life examples from my past couples!

1. Pack your favorite flasks for a post-ceremony shot

2. Have your first dance in a wildflower meadow (on a marked trail)

3. Host your reception at a nearby Airbnb

4. Revolve your food around the great PNW

5. Have a slow morning in your cabin with coffee, food, & snuggles

Looking for unique ceremony ideas for your Mt. Rainier elopement?? Click here to see 8 ideas you can incorporate into your day!!

Best Places to Stay for Your Mt. Rainier Elopement

Airbnb’s Near Mt. Rainier

1. Hebe’s Hideout

Guest capacity: 2

• Beds: 1
• Bedrooms: 1
• Baths: 1

Since this cabin only fits 2 people, it’s perf for any couples looking to spend the nights around their elopement alone. So basically it’s a great excuse if you have a parent or friend who desperately wants to share a space with you after your elopement – sorry, there’s only space for two!! 😉

Amenities + features:

• Beautiful patio – a dream for a vow exchange in the woods
• Outdoor firepit – perfect for making s’mores + drinking beers after you say your vows
• Indoor fireplace – cozy up indoors when it’s too chilly to be outside
• Well-stocked kitchen – no need to bring the basics!
• Wi-fi (no cell reception)
• Wood stove
• Cute AF loft-style bedroom

Cost: $167/night + taxes/fees

2. The Little Owl Cabin

Guest capacity: 4

• Beds: 4

Amenities + features:

• Cedar soaking hot tub – come back from your elopement in the mountains to the most beautiful hot tub nestled in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest!! Seriously – you HAVE to see photos of this hot tub (below).
• Outdoor firepit – bring your friends & fam for an evening of celebration
• A gorgeous balcony – sit out on the balcony the morning of your elopement and breathe in alllll the fresh mountain air
• Naturally-lit living room
• Wi-fi

Cost: starting at $179/night + taxes/fees

3. Chateau Marmot

Guest capacity: 5

• Beds: 7

This one does fit one more person than the Little Owl Cabin, if you have someone extra to bring along 🙂

Amenities + features:

• Cedar soaking hot tub – must I drool over this hot tub again??
• Wooden balcony with deck chairs – perfect for your vow exchange, or just to relax & look out into the woods
• Tons of natural light – there’s no shortage of yummy light here!
• Wood-burning stove
• Wi-fi

Cost: starting at $179/night + taxes/fees

4. Cozy River Cabin

Guest capacity: 6

• Beds: 3
• Bedrooms: 1
• Bathrooms: 1

Amenities + features:

• Unobstructed river & mountain views
• Wood-burning  fireplace
• Large deck
• Modern amenities
• Firepit by the river

Click here to see even more gorgeousss Airbnb cabins in Washington for your elopement!!

Campgrounds at Mt. Rainier

• Cougar Rock
• Ohanapecosh
• White River
• Mowich Lake

Lodges & Resorts at Mt. Rainier

• Paradise Inn
• Stone Creek Lodge
• Alexander’s Lodge
• Alta Crystal Resort
• Nisqually Lodge

Mt. Rainier Elopement Packages

Hiiii friend, I’m Bree and I’d freaking love to be your Mt. Rainier elopement photographer 😉 

My Mt. Rainier elopement packages start at $5500 and include the following:

• Location suggestions
• Custom timelines
• Vendor recommendations
• Edited, full resolution photos
• Custom online gallery that stays up forever
• Printing rights
• Travel fees included

Make sure you look at my Services Page for updated package info at the time you inquire!!

Mt. Rainier Elopement Photographer

Let me know if you need a talented, experienced photog to tag along with ya and help you pick your dream Mt. Rainier National Park elopement location 😉

More Washington Adventure Elopement Resources

Lookin’ for more top-notch PNW elopement resources & inspo?? I got you covered!

A Washington National Park Elopement Guide: Permits + Info

The Best Places in Olympic National Park for Your Elopement