Table of Contents:
- 15 Most Beautiful Alpine Lake Elopement Locations in Washington State
- Picture Lake | Mount Baker
- Chain Lakes | Mount Baker
- Twin Lakes | North Cascades National Park
- Diablo Lake | North Cascades National Park
- Rainy Lake | North Cascades National Park
- Blue Lake | North Cascades National Park
- Lake Serene | North Cascades National Park
- Lake Crescent | Olympic National Park
- Lake Cushman | Olympic National Forest
- Tipsoo Lake | Mount Rainier National Park
- Gold Creek Pond | Snoqualmie
- Rattlesnake Lake | Snoqualmie
- Snow Lake | Snoqualmie
- Lake Wenatchee | Central WA
- Colchuck Lake | Central WA
- Washington Alpine Lake Elopement Photographer
Okay you guys, today we are finallyyyy talking about one of my fave parts of living in Washington state: the ALPINE LAKES! Washington literally has some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the country (in the world?!), and there’s truly a lake for everyone – whether you wanna trek 8 miles or you’re looking for a paved, wheelchair-accessible lake loop. The sparkling blue waters, the mountain reflections, the lush green trees everywhere you look. . .alpine lakes are truly magical. Now because we have SO many, I wanted to put together a guide to my all-time favorite alpine lake elopement locations in Washington state, so that you can easily scroll through your options & pick the right one for your special day. Let’s dive in (swimming pun totally intended)!
15 Most Beautiful Alpine Lake Elopement Locations in Washington State
1. Picture Lake | Mount Baker
First up is one that’s super popular among my couples, Picture Lake!! Located at Mount Baker, Picture Lake offers a super short & easy, ADA-accessible loop that ANYBODY can enjoy. The views of Mount Shuksan & tree-lined shores are breathtaking, plus the wildflower meadows in the summer are sooo dreamy. It’s best to elope at Picture Lake in the spring, summer, or fall, since the trail is under snow for the majority of winter – but make sure you check weather reports if you elope in the spring, since snow can sometimes stick around for longer than you’d expect!
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Easy
Round Trip Length: 0.6 mi
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 45 ft
Permits needed: None
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
Check out Sara + Dan’s dreamy boho wedding at Picture Lake!!
2. Chain Lakes | Mount Baker
Chain Lakes Loop takes you to – you guessed it – the Chain Lakes. This is another amazing trail in the Mount Baker area that offers stunning views of both Baker and Shuksan, and even the North Cascades! Take a dip in the lake + pick some blueberries along the trail in the summer, enjoy amazing colors in the fall, and admire the lush green PNW beauty in the spring. The loop hike is accessible from three different parking lots, and you can hike it clockwise or counter-clockwise, so it’s like a fun little choose-your-own-adventure! No matter which route you take or what season you visit, the views will be SO worth the trek.
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Moderate
Round Trip Length: 6.5 mi
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 1,900 ft
Permits needed: None
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
3. Twin Lakes | North Cascades National Park
Ok so there are a few different ways to experience these gorgeous lakes in the North Cascades: you can drive or walk to the lakes, or you can hike to Yellow Aster Butte, Winchester Mountain, or High Pass. Any of these three hikes will take you up, up, and up to get EPIC views of not only the Twin Lakes from above, but also the North Cascades, Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Larrabee, and more! Winchester Mountain has a special place in my heart since I’ve hiked up there with many of my couples, the views are literally to die for and there’s even a fire lookout where you can put on your final touches.
Your other option is to park at Twin Lakes Trailhead and elope at the base of the lakes, if you’d rather not hike 5+ miles up a steep mountain!
WINCHESTER LOOKOUT HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Moderate
Round Trip Length: 3.4 mi
Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 1,300 ft
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
You should def take a look at Sara and Dan’s fall Winchester Mountain elopement – they even brought Jack-O-Lanterns along for pics at the end of the night! Obsessed!
4. Diablo Lake | North Cascades National Park
I am in looove with Diablo Lake, you’ve probably seen photos of it on Instagram at some point. It’s an iconic lake in the North Cascades, situated right along the Skagit River, with the most stunninggg turquoise water & mountain views. It literally looks like a place you’d find in a fairytale!! A huge pro of eloping at Diablo Lake is that it’s suuuuper easy to access, you can easily drive to the Diablo Lake Overlook (except sadly, the spots where you can take photos are pretty limited now), or you can drive to the base of the lake and walk around, hike one of the nearby trails, and even go camping!
OVERLOOK INFO:
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: None
Entry fee: None
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
If you feel like Diablo Lake might be the perfect place for you, hellll yeah!! Make sure ya read through my full Diablo Lake elopement guide!
5. Rainy Lake | North Cascades National Park
Rainy Lake is one of the best wheelchair-friendly alpine lakes in Washington, all it takes is a quick one-mile trail and bam, you’re at this GORGEOUS lake in the middle of the North Cascades! The emerald water and the vibrant greens of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are freaking breathtaking and you won’t even break a sweat getting there. There are even waterfalls nearby that you can hike to, plus the wildflowers are sooo gorgeous in the spring! And bonus points if you elope in the fall because the scenery just BURSTS with color once those temps drop.
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Easy
Round Trip Length: 2 mi
Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 70 ft
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
6. Blue Lake | North Cascades National Park
Ok now I know I’ve already raved about sooo many of Washington’s bright blue alpine lakes, but there are STILL so many more – and the name of this one is pretty fitting. Blue Lake is one of the most enchanting lakes in the PNW, sitting just a couple miles from Highway 20 (the North Cascades Highway) in the middle of massive granite peaks, green meadows, and wildflowers. It’s a must-visit if you have no time to visit ANYWHERE else in the area, especially in fall, when the foliage is even more stunning in shades of yellow, red, and orange. If you’re looking for a medium-difficulty hike in the mountains that won’t take all day & will take you to jaw-dropping scenery, THIS is the one!!
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Moderate
Round Trip Length: 4.4 mi
Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 1,050 ft
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
7. Lake Serene | North Cascades National Park
Lake Serene is located in Snohomish, just above Bridal Veil Falls, which you’ve probably heard of since it’s a super popular destination for hikers in Washington. It’s one of the more challenging, lengthy hikes on this list, coming to just over 8 miles round trip with a couple thousand feet of elevation gain – so get ready to feel those quads working a bit!! You can opt to simply take the 7.2-mile round trip hike to Lake Serene, or you can add the quick detour to Bridal Veil Falls. Either way you will be amazed at the gorgeous forest, ridges, creeks, and mountain reflections in the lake once ya make it there!
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Moderate/hard
Round Trip Length: 8.2 mi
Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 2,000 ft
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
8. Lake Crescent | Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent HAD to be included on this list, of course!! I can’t even count how many couples I’ve photographed at Lake Crescent, it’s an icon of the PNW and for good reason. Located in Olympic National Park, the combination of this blue lake and the views of the Olympics surrounding it are soooo epic. You can simply walk around the lake, hike to Marymere Falls, go swimming or kayaking or boating, or sunbathe on the shores!! It’s an amazing place to spend time with loved ones, since there are so many fun things to do and ways to experience this beautiful spot in the mountains. Plus, Lake Crescent Lodge is located right on the shore, so you have a super easily-accessible place to stay!
LOCATION INFO:
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: Entrance Pass
Entry fee: $30
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: No
I have sooo many Lake Crescent elopement galleries I could share but I’ll give you Alex + Austin’s to check out first!
9. Lake Cushman | Olympic National Forest
Lake Cushman is definitely one of the more underrated, lesser-known lakes on this list in my opinion, but it’s just as beautiful. It’s a reservoir on the north fork of the Skokomish River, off of Highway 101, and is actually part of the Olympic National Forest. The lake is perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, and kayaking, as well as lakeside picnics and sunbathing of course! I def recommend it for your elopement if you’re looking for a bit of a smaller, more peaceful lake that doesn’t get as crowded as some of the more popular lakes in the Olympics or the North Cascades.
LOCATION INFO:
Permits needed: None
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass for certain trails
Entry fee: $0-5
Wheelchair-Friendly? Varies by trail
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
10. Tipsoo Lake | Mount Rainier National Park
Speaking of popular lakes, Tipsoo Lake is a MUST-visit if you’re looking for a picturesque alpine lake in the Mount Rainier area. It’s probably one of the most visited spots inside of Mount Rainier National Park since it’s sooo easy to access, there’s plenty of parking, and the scenery is STUNNING. From subalpine wildflower meadows to amazing views of Rainier to towering trees lining the hills, Tipsoo Lake seriously has it all. It’s easy to walk around if you don’t really feel like putting in a ton of effort, or you can opt to take the Naches Peak Loop Trail for a bit of a longer (but still easy/moderate) hike! Keep in mind that Tispoo Lake is typically only open between June and October when there’s no snow on the ground, and that it can get reallyyy crowded.
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Easy
Round Trip Length: 0.7 mi
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 19 ft
Permits needed: Special Use Permit
Parking pass needed: Entrance Pass
Entry fee: $30
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: No
11. Gold Creek Pond | Snoqualmie
Wanna elope in the beautifuullll Snoqualmie area of WA?! I gotchu! Gold Creek Pond is one of the prettiest alpine lakes in Snoqualmie, located right at the top of Snoqualmie Pass about an hour east of Seattle. It’s sooo easy to get to, literally right off I-90, and the mountain + forest views are INCREDIBLE. The lake is also open year-round, so whether you visit in the summer for the wildflowers or the winter to go snowshoeing, you’ll have an amazing experience! And did I mention the trail is only 1 mile long, PLUS it’s wheelchair-accessible? Meaning it’s sooo easy for anybody to access this beautiful spot as long as you’re okay with other visitors, since it can get pretty crowded – especially on weekends.
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Easy
Round Trip Length: 1 mi
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 10 ft
Permits needed: None
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
Whaddya know – I’ve got a Gold Creek Pond elopement guide for you, too 😉
12. Rattlesnake Lake | Snoqualmie
Rattlesnake Lake is another gorgeous & easily-accessible alpine lake in the Snoqualmie/North Bend area. The out and back trail takes ya song the water, and you can venture off onto other small trails along the shore or through the trees! It’s the perf place for a lakeside picnic with the mountains reflecting onto the sparkling lake in the background, AND the main trail is wheelchair-accessible + only has about 30 feet of elevation gain. Say less!!
LOCATION INFO:
Parking pass needed: Discover Pass
Entry fee: $11.50
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes
13. Snow Lake | Snoqualmie
Snow Lake is probably one of the most heavily-trafficked trails in Washington, but trust me when I say it is sooo worth it if you can visit at the right time, if you’re down for a moderate-hard trek, and iif you’re okay with other hikers around ya. Located in King County near Snoqualmie, this 7.2-mile round trip trail takes you to – well, you know by now – a sparkling, vibrant blue lake nestled right in the mountains. It’s literally part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, so of course it needed a spot on this list! The crystal clear waters and towering mountain peaks are BREATHTAKING, and sooo worth every drop of sweat you’ll work up hiking this trial.
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Moderate/hard
Round Trip Length: 7.2 mi
Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 1,800 ft
Permits needed: None
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
14. Lake Wenatchee | Central WA
Wanna be close to The Enchantments (only one of the most glorious mountain areas in the entire country), but don’t necessarily want to hike miles and miles? Lake Wenatchee is a popular option thanks to the dreamy views + easy access! This lake is located on the eastern slopes of the Cascades, and is actually fed by glaciers – hence the gorgeous blue waters. Lake Wenatchee is part of a state park, so you’ll need a Discover Pass to park there, and you’ll definitely be surrounded by other visitors (especially on weekends).
LOCATION INFO:
Permits needed: Special Activity Permit may be necessary depending on details of your elopement
Parking pass needed: Discover Pass
Entry fee: $11.50
Wheelchair-Friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed?: Yes, on leash
15. Colchuck Lake | Central WA
I saved one of the best for last!! Colchuck Lake is a true gem of central Washington, located about 15 miles from Leavenworth on the western slope of The Enchantments. With the most UNREAL turquoise waters, granite slopes, and even larch groves, Colchuck is 100% worth the steep 8-mile round trip hike. You can even camp along the lakeshore, how amazing would that be after tying the knot here?!
HIKE INFO:
Difficulty: Moderate/hard
Round Trip Length: 8 mi
Type: Out & back
Elevation gain: 2,280 ft
Permits needed: None
Parking pass needed: Northwest Forest Pass
Entry fee: $5
Wheelchair-Friendly? No
Dogs allowed?: No
Nalani and Matthew eloped at Colchuck Lake since it’s their favorite hike in the North Cascades, and it was INCREDIBLE.
Washington Alpine Lake Elopement Photographer
Ok can you tell yet that I may be slightly obsessed with Washington’s alpine lakes?! They just offer some of the most unreal, otherworldly experiences ever, especially for couples who want to elope in the mountains in a literal fairytale setting. I hope that one of these 15 alpine lake elopement locations in Washington is the perfect spot for your special day!! And I’d love to help ya plan it – give me all the deetz of what you’re dreaming up here 😘
Here are some more PNW elopement locations that I think you’ll be equally as obsessed with!!
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