The Best PNW Winter Elopement Locations

There are so many incredible elopement locations in the Pacific Northwest. Typically, couples want to elope in the summer, which is awesome! But did you know that there are also a ton of epic locations that you can choose to elope at during the winter? We know it’s a little cold, but there are some awesome things about eloping in the winter:

1. There are often less crowds which means you’ll have more privacy at your chosen location
2. Winter can also mean rain or snow, which makes for magical photos/videos
3. Colder temperatures mean less sweat, and lots of warm layers (so you can do long sleeves and wear fur coats or something fun)
4. There is nothing more beautiful in the winter than snowcapped mountains and alpine lakes
5. Snow also means that you might have more access to locations because snow is a more durable surface (we wouldn’t be breaking any LNT principles)
6. There are also a ton of fun activities that you can do in the winter like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing

Washington & Oregon Coast

The Washington and Oregon Coast doesn’t usually see snow in the winter, but it’s still a great place to elope. From the Northern Washington Coast all the way to even the southern California coast, you can explore rocky coastal areas and sandy beaches. There are lots of epic land formations such as the natural bridges in southern Oregon and the Hole in The Wall in Washington. Some sandy beaches include Cannon Beach and Gold Beach in Oregon, while rocky beaches include Ruby Beach in Washington. Check out this blog we created on How To Elope On The West Coast if you want even more information!

Average Weather: In the winter, it’s usually in the 40s with a high potential for rain. In the shoulder seasons, it’s somewhere in the 50s and 60s, again with more rain.

Winter Season: November – late March

Where To Stay: Ocean Shores Cottage, Port Angeles Guesthouse, Arch Cape Loft, Cannon Beach Beachfront House

What To Do: Fishing, Tide Pools, and Exploring Beach Towns (like Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Ocean Shores)

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is the border between Washington and Oregon, and has a LOT to see! The landscape is so diverse that it makes for an incredible place to elope if you want something that’s easily accessible, but can be extremely unique as well. There’s a crazy amount of waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls (which looks like Iceland honestly), and Punch Bowl Falls. We’ve had the opportunity to photograph and film a lot of amazing couples at the gorge, and it’s definitely a year-round favorite for us!

Average Weather: Usually anywhere from high 30s to mid 40s in the winter, and it can sometimes get snow in February or March (but please be aware that I-84 is two lanes and can be icy during the winter months)

Winter Season: Mid November to March

Where To Stay: Beautiful Storage Container Home in Cascade Locks, Romantic Getaway in Cascade Locks

What To Do: Skiing + Snowboarding at Mount Hood, Fishing, Snowshoeing, and Wine Tasting

Mount Hood National Forest

Mount Hood National Forest is east of Portland, Oregon and extendes south of the Columbia River Gorge. This is an incredible mountain to elope at during the winter. It has a drastic peak and looks stunning when it’s fully covered in snow! It’s also the tallest mountain in Oregon, which is pretty fun. Mount Hood boasts a lot of pretty snow-covered trails and frozen lakes like Trillium Lake and Lost Lake. If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping mountain background for your winter elopement, THIS IS IT.

Average Weather: In the winter, Mount Hood can get really cold! We’re talking in the low 20s… but that’s also depedent on where you are on the mountain

Winter Season: Mid-November to the end of May

Where To Stay: Beautiful Home On Family Farm, Large Log Cabin, Mountain View Log Home (this would even be an epic place to host your ceremony or a small wedding with family and friends – if the owners would allow that)

What To Do: Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Tubing

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is a naturally made lake that was formed from an eruption 7,700 years ago. It is the deepest lake in the entire United States!! The lake is fed by rain and snow, making it one of the most pristine lakes on the earth. It’s extremely popular among photographers, artists, and sightseers, and we can see why. If you haven’t visited Crater Lake, you MUST add it to your bucketlist!

Average Weather: In the winter, the temperatures range from high 30s to low 20s

Winter Season: November to late March

Where To Stay: Large Log Cabin in Prospect OR, Tiny Home in Douglas County

What To Do: Winter Backcountry Camping, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Downhill Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowmobiling, Sledding, Ranger-Led Snowshoeing

Three Sisters Wilderness

Three Sisters is part of the Cascade Range and the Cascade Volcanic Arch. Each peak reaches over 10,000 feet and is a popular destination for climbers and mountaineers in the state of Oregon. The mountains are South Sister, Middle Sister, and North Sister. There are so many incredible hikes and valleys with views of the mountains, which would make the most perfect backdrop for your epic elopement!

Average Weather: On the mountain in the winter, the average temperature ranges from the low teens to the low 30s

Winter Season: October to late May

Where To Stay: Huge Secluded Cabin With A Pool, Log Home On 2 Acres, FivePine Lodge, Sisters Bunkhouse, Modern Riverfront Home, Newly-Built Condo

What To Do: Skiing, Sledding, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snow Camping

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is on the west side of the Cascades. It extends for more than 140 miles, which makes it a great place to adventure! If you choose this area for your elopement, there are basically an endless amount of opportunities for where you can celebrate your big day. We’ve explored some areas in the forest, but there are so many back roads and hikes to explore that it’s nearly impossible to complete all of them. You can choose anything from raging waterfalls (which may be frozen in the winter… even cooler!) to snow-covered peaks.

Average Weather: The weather is rather mild during the winter, ranging from the low 30s to the high 40s

Winter Season: The winter season is also rather moderate, usually starting in November and going throughout March

Where To Stay: Mount Baker Cabin w/ Hot Tub, Dog-Friendly Cottage w/ Hot Tub & Mountain Views, Mountain View Cabin, Cedar Point Cabin, Rustic Treetop Cabin, Spacious Industrial Chic Mountain Chalet

What To Do: Skiing, Sledding, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snow Camping

North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades National Park is roughly 3 hours from Seattle. This landscape is one of the most beautiful places in Washington (in our humble opinion). There are so many hikes and places to adventure. You can experience jagged mountain peaks with more than 300 glaciers, forested valleys, waterfalls, rivers, and tons of wildlife! There are lots of easily accessible overlooks to explore, which makes the park a diverse place for elopements. If you want a less easily accessible location, there are so many trails and places you can adventure, even in the winter! We have lots of great snowshoe hikes that you can do in order to celebrate your big day. One of our favorites is Artist Point because you have views of the North Cascades, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker.

Average Weather: During the winter season, the temperate can get as low as the single digits, with highs reaching from the teens to the high 30s

Winter Season: The winter season lasts nearly all year at the North Cascades, ranging from October until June

Where To Stay: Alpine Woods Cabin w/ Ski Trail Access, Scandinavian-Style Home

What To Do: Hiking, Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Sledding, Snowshoeing

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier rises over 14,000 feet above sea level and is home to a diverse landscape. Full of meadows and waterfalls, this mountain is a great place to explore regardless of the season you are visiting. But in the winter, we only have access to the Nisqually Entrance which leads to Longmire and Paradise. There are, however, a lot of places you can adventure in those two areas, and there are lots of hikes and places you can go outside of the National Park in order to elope. We are the most familiar with Mount Rainier since we live so close to it, and therefore, we know a lot of incredible places! Mount Rainier is jaw-dropping and you can never go wrong with choosing this spot. The alpenglow and the sun on the mountain is just stunning. Even if it isn’t sunny, though, the fog creates the most perfect PNW weather experience.

Average Weather: Lows can get into the teens! Highs average 20s during the winter season

Winter Season: The winter season is long at Mount Rainier! It can go from November until May, sometimes lasting into early June. This can be dependent on what part of the mountain you are planning on visiting as well.

Where To Stay: Tiny Cabin in Ashford, Lake Creek Cabin in Packwood, Modern Mount Rainier Cabin, Little Blu A-Frame, Wooded A-Frame in Ashford, Large Black A-Frame Cabin, Small Cabin w/ Cedar Hot Tub, Large Modern Cabin w/ Hot Tub, Cozy River A-Frame Cabin

What To Do: Hiking, Backpacking, Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Mountaineering,

Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park is home to the Hoh Rainforest and is one of the four rainforests located in the Olympic Peninsula. The other rainforests are the Queets, Quinault, and Bogcheil rainforests. The entire park encompasses nearly a million acres and it protects a lot of different ecosystems. We love the Olympic National Park for this reason. It’s so diverse! You can explore more than 70 miles of the Washington coast, adventure into the different rainforests, or head to see glacier-capped mountains. It’s a beautiful place to tie the knot and it’s one of our favorite locations!

Average Weather: During the winter season in the Olympic National Park, temperatures can reach as low as the low 20s, and highs reach about mid 40s. You can expect the average winter temperature to be in the 30s.

Winter Season: The winter season starts in early November and can last as late as April, sometime even early May depending on what section of the park you are visiting.

Where To Stay: Waterfront Home on Hood Canal, Lake Sutherland Retreat, A-Frame Getaway on the Olympic Peninsula, Private Tiny House in Sequim

What To Do: Hiking, Fishing, Backpacking, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Camping, Boating, Snowboarding, Cross-Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Sledding

Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park has beautiful deep river canyons that allow you to see the true diversity of Oregon. It is located near Bend, Oregon and is also home to lots of wildlife including deer, falcons, eagles, and more. Honestly, it reminds us of desert canyons like in Utah or something! It’s pretty cool to be able to have a slice of the desert in Oregon and experience all that Smith Rock has to offer. It’s the perfect place if you want snow-covered desert rocks! It’s also a great place to have lots of adventures like hiking, rock climbing, and slacklining.

Average Weather: During the winter, temperatures can range between the mid 20s and high 40s.

Winter Season: The winter season at Smith Rock State Park last from mid November until March. Because of its location, Smith Rock does not receive a lot of snowfall, which can make it a good location if you aren’t looking forward to trudging through the snow during your winter elopement.

Where To Stay: Mountain View Cabin, Residential Home Right Next To Park, Huge Home on 9 Acres

What To Do: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Bouldering, Winter Backpacking