Venture to Elope’s Mount Rainier Elopement Guide

When you started dreaming up epic places to elope, did Mount Rainier make the list? We wouldn’t be surprised if it was at the very top, and we wouldn’t blame you. With its towering peaks, wildflower meadows, and gorgeous views of the cascades, Mount Rainier is one of the most breathtaking places to elope, not just in Washington, but in the entire United States. It’s a location we absolutely love photographing, and for good reason. That’s why we created this in-depth guide to help you plan your Mount Rainier elopement keeping in mind adventure, privacy, and leave no trace principles!

Table of Contents

Your Photo & Video Team

How to Get to Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier Park Entrances

NO Timed Entry Reservations (new for 2026!)

When to Elope at Mount Rainier National Park

The Best Mount Rainier Elopement Locations

All of the Legal Stuff

Best Mount Rainier Hikes

Adventure Elopement Timeline

Advice for Planning Your Trip to Mount Rainier

Plan Your Rainier Elopement With Us

Your Mount Rainier Elopement Photographer + Videographer Team

Hey friends! We’re Hannah and Adam, an adventurous elopement photographer and videographer team born and raised in Washington State (and now also based in Montana). We grew up exploring the Pacific Northwest and have spent countless days hiking, scouting, and photographing Mount Rainier long before it became one of our top elopement locations. 

After 5+ years of working together and documenting elopements across the western U.S., Mount Rainier National Park remains one of the places we know best and return to often! We’re incredibly grateful that our work allows us to keep adventuring here while helping couples plan and experience Mount Rainier during one of the greatest adventures in their relationship!

How to Get to Mount Rainier National Park

SeaTac Airport

We recommend flying into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which is about 1.5 hours from the Nisqually entrance near Ashford, WA (one of the small towns that we recommend booking lodging at when visiting the park). This is going to be the closest airport to Mount Rainier!

Rental Cars

The best way to get around for your elopement is going to be renting a car! This is because even though the entrance to Mount Rainier is under 2 hours from the airport, you’ll be driving around quite a bit to explore. Once you get into the park, it’s 45 minutes to the Paradise Visitor Center, and there are a ton of roads to drive on.

Mount Rainier Park Entrances

Nisqually Entrance

The Nisqually Entrance is 6 miles east of the town Ashford, and it’s probably the most popular entrance. It’s open year round and takes you to Longmire and Paradise. Make sure to plan ahead and get there early! This entrance can get pretty busy and you may end up waiting in line to get into the park.

White River/Sunrise Entrance

The White River/Sunrise Entrance is the northeast entrance into the park just off SR 410. This entrance takes you to the Sunrise Visitor Center, and it’s only 14 miles away. The road to Sunrise closes in mid-October and re-opens in early July.

Stevens Canyon Entrance

This southeast entrance is accessed via US Highway 12. You can enter the park at the Stevens Canyon Entrance and explore Ohanapecosh Campground and the Grove of the Patriarchs. However, please note that the Grove of the Patriarchs trail is closed indefinitely due to flood damage to its suspension bridge. The park is looking to begin replacement construction in the summer of 2027. Trailhead parking and restrooms are still open, but the trail itself is inaccessible.

Cayuse Pass (SR 123), which takes you to Sunrise, is usually only open from late May to early October.

Carbon River Entrance

The Carbon River Entrance is currently closed to all traffic including pedestrians and bicycles. During the summer of 2025, significant damage was reported to the bridge on SR 165 to Mowich Lake. Unfortunately, there is no current projected re-opening date for this route which closes off this side of Mount Rainier, along with the popular Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout trail.

NO Timed Entry Reservations (New for 2026!)

Mount Rainier National Park implemented a timed entry reservation system in 2024, shifted it for the 2025 season, and have decided to not implement it during the 2026 season. 

A lot of parks have utilized a timed entry reservation system to improve visitor experience and prevent trail impacts caused by overcrowding. Mount Rainier experienced about a 40% increase in visitors over the last 10 years. In 2023, there were over a million vehicles that entered the park, and over 2.5 million visitors. That’s over 5 million feet trekking on the trails!!!! Due to the number of visitors, and the unfortunate amount of off-trail travel, the park has experienced a lot of damage, hence the timed entry. 

However, the park has decided for 2026, there will be no timed entry reservations required for any part of the park. Although most will look at this as a benefit, there are some drawbacks. Entry lines will likely be much longer than in previous years, so we recommend giving yourself at least an extra half hour to get into the park. This also means parking may be more difficult to find and you may need to park farther away from trailheads. 

In past years, the park has also turned visitors away or made them wait for people to leave before allowing more people into the park. We have especially seen this occur at the Sunrise entrance to the park.

What Does This Mean For Elopements In The Park?

For 2026 elopements and small weddings in the park, we’re going to need to plan for the influx of visitors! This means considering wedding ceremonies outside of the park and more sunrise hiking adventures to hopefully avoid crowds. We’ve been visiting Mount Rainier all our lives, so we know some great trails, less crowded areas of the park, and some “secret” locations outside the park that have views of the mountain on a clear day!

When To Elope At Mount Rainier National Park

Spring: April to May

DuDuring the spring, the only access point to the park is via the Nisqually Entrance. It is open year-round, however sometimes it closes from Longmire to Paradise due to poor conditions. We recommend booking lodging in the closest town: Ashford! 

All hikes will still have a lot of snow, but you’ll start to see waterfalls and higher river levels as the snow melts. Be prepared for sunshine, as well as chilly rain. We recommend always having a rain jacket, extra pair of socks, waterproof hiking boots, and sunscreen just in case.

Besides accessing the Paradise area, you can check out surrounding waterfall hikes, Greenwater Lakes, Packwood Lake, Alder Lake, and various rain forest nature trails if you’re open to a different kind of experience here!

Summer: June to August

Weekdays are essential in the summertime! Mount Rainier is an extremely popular National Park, so you can expect a lot of visitors. But if you plan for the week, as well as during sunrise or sunset, you’ll avoid a lot of the crowd. A perk of summer is that you can expect a lot of warmth, beautiful blooming wildflowers in the meadows, and clear skies, which means panoramic views of Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and even Mount Hood.

At the beginning of summer, Mount Rainier will still have snow-covered peaks and lots of snow on the ground at Paradise. Sunrise typically isn’t even open until July due to the snow! Towards the end of summer, you can expect potential wildfires, meaning hazy sunsets. But all of the roads will be accessible by July, meaning that it’s the best time for hiking and backpacking. We also always recommend star gazing during the summer!

Prime Wildflower Time: The best time to see the beautiful colors of various wildflowers at Mount Rainier is during the end of July and beginning of August.

Autumn: September to October

Weekdays are a good time to go to the park in autumn because it will still be relatively crowded. The weather will start to get colder, and the snow will begin to fall, so be prepared! The trees and fall colors in the park are beautiful, especially with a little bit of snow. Roads will begin closing, though, so it’s important to be cognizant of that. This is also a great time to hunt for wild huckleberries! Just make sure to be safe when picking berries (know what you’re eating).

Winter: November to March

During the winter months, you can access the park from the Nisqually entrance, which is always open to Longmire. The road from Longmire to Paradise is blocked by a gate that is generally open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (uphill gate closes at this time, but the downhill gate doesn’t close until 5:00 pm). And while the road to Paradise is typically open every day, it can close at any time depending on the weather. Click this link for all of the details on winter travel at Mount Rainier!

Everything in the park is fully covered in snow, and it is just absolutely beautiful! You can snowshoe, backcountry ski, or head to either Crystal Mountain Resort or White Pass Ski Area for a winter wonderland adventure!

The Best Mount Rainier Elopement Locations

Fire Lookouts

Fire lookouts are probably one of our favorite places for an elopement adventure! There are four historic fire lookouts still left in Mount Rainier National Park: Shriner Peak Fire Lookout, Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout (closed for the 2026 and likely 2027 season), Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookout, and the iconic Mount Fremont Fire Lookout. 

And while you can’t reserve a stay overnight in any of those lookouts, there are some lookouts outside the park, with views of Mount Rainier, where you can reserve or stay overnight on a first-come first-serve basis, like Mount Pilchuck. 

We also have a few fire lookout recommendations outside the National Park that make for a slightly less busy Mount Rainier adventure! 

Forest Elopement Locations

While one of our favorite trails in the park (Grove of the Patriarchs) is closed until 2027 or 2028, there are still a ton of awesome spots for beautiful forest trails. We recommend checking out low-elevation locations, such as the Longmire area or near Ohanapecosh for towering douglas firs and cedar trees. But you can also get incredible forest vibes all around the Paradise section of the park, too!

Mount Rainier Lakes

There are so many incredible lakes at Mount Rainier that it’s hard to choose which one to visit! Some of the most popular ones are: Tipsoo Lake, Reflection Lakes, and Mowich Lake (closed for the 2026 and likely 2027 season). While those are beautiful spots, we also have a handful of lake hikes that we recommend for slightly more privacy! Places like Tipsoo and Reflection Lakes can get super duper busy in the summer, so it’s important to plan your trip accordingly.

Mountain Overlooks

Oh man, even if you just go to the Sunrise Visitor Center, you have an incredible overlook of the Cascades and Mount Rainier! We highly recommend visiting if you haven’t been there before. This is also a good option if you want to elope, but not necessarily do a long hike. The Sunrise Visitor Center has lots of trails, and if you just walk a short distance, you are surrounded by incredible views.

River Locations

If you hike through Mount Rainier, you will probably come across a river. There are nine main rivers that run through the park. They include: Nisqually, Puyallup, Mowich, Carbon, West Fork, Huckleberry, White, Ohanapecosh, and Muddy Fork rivers. We’ve got lots of fun locations along the different rivers to find unique and private spots to explore!

Mount Rainier Cabin Elopement (A-Frames & Other Airbnbs)

Airbnb and cabin elopements have become increasingly popular over the last few years. They’re intimate, typically less expensive than a venue, your guests can stay with you if they’re traveling, and/or you can honeymoon at them afterwards. We have some great lodging recommendations that we send our couples to help them find the perfect place for an intimate celebration!

Just make sure that you check with the cabin owners about their wedding policies before you book. Some owners have additional fees in order to actually be able to host a wedding and have your photos taken at their cabin, and we want to be respectful of that!

All of the Legal Stuff!

We know that there are so many other (more fun) parts to planning your elopement, but don’t forget about the legalities, too! Mount Rainier National Park requires a wedding permit and has specific guidelines around ceremony locations, guest counts, and park regulations. You’ll also need a valid Washington State marriage license to make your elopement official. It might sound a little intimidating at first, but once you understand the requirements, the process is straightforward and totally doable! We’re always happy to help with these logistics.

Special Use Permits

In order to have a wedding ceremony or vow exchange in Mount Rainier, you need to apply for a Special Use Permit. There are designated locations throughout the park where you’re able to have your ceremony, as well as specific days of the week and times of the day. You can check the map here for more info, but we also help guide all of our couples to choose the best spot based on their vision!

Weddings are permitted for a 3-hour timeframe, and the permit costs $275. You can submit your application up to one year in advance, but it must be submitted at least 72 hours before your special day. You can find the application and other information here!

Officiant + Witnesses

You have to have your wedding solemnized in Washington State, meaning that you’ll need someone who is ordained to officiate your legal marriage. You are also required to have 2 people over the age of 18 sign as witnesses (hey, that can be us).

Marriage License

Make sure to grab your marriage license before your big day! For King County (Seattle area), there is a waiting period of 3 days. That’s why it’s super important to go ahead and get that taken care of ASAP. If you want to start the process online, you can find the application here. If you want a marriage license with Mount Rainier as your background, get it from Pierce County (Tacoma area)!

Number of Guests Allowed

It’s also important to note that if you are getting married in the park, there is typically a size limit of 12 people in your group (and that includes your photo/video team, officiant, and you two). If you’re having just a few guests, locations inside the park are great! But if you’re wanting to have a small wedding with more guests, an Airbnb wedding would probably be the best option for you. Then, you can adventure inside the park for portraits or a fun hiking experience.

Best Hiking Trails at Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park is home to some of the most scenic hiking trails in Washington, with everything from easy alpine strolls to challenging, high-elevation adventures. Whether you’re looking for wildflower meadows, sweeping mountain views, or a quiet trail for an intimate elopement experience, there’s a hike here for every skill level and style. Below are some of our favorite Mount Rainier trails to explore!

Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout

Okay, we had to keep this trail on our list even though the road to access it is closed for the entire 2026 and likely 2027 season. But so far, we’ve hiked Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout three times. The first time it was too foggy to see the mountain, but the second time, we got a beautiful sunset! And then the third time was for an incredible elopement adventure. This hike is about 6.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of around 1,500 feet. The views are stunning, and definitely worth the trek! Even though it’s not open right now, keep it on your list for future Rainier adventures.

Burroughs Mountain

We’ve always wanted to do the Burroughs Mountain Trail! You start at the Sunrise Visitor Center and climb 2,500 feet. It’s about 9 miles roundtrip, but you basically work your way to the bottom of Mount Rainier. Such a gorgeous hike!

Sunrise Rim

If you don’t want to do all of the Burroughs Mountain trail, you can do Sunrise Rim because you start on the same trail. This hike is a 5 mile loop, climbing less than 1,000 feet. Definitely easier than other hikes at Sunrise, and probably more manageable with kids or for a shorter elopement adventure.

Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail is about 5.5 miles roundtrip, and you gain 1,700 feet in elevation. Skyline starts near the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, and immediately gives you incredible views of Mount Rainier. Plus you reach Panorama Point along the way, which is exactly what you sounds like. You have panoramic views of Rainier and the Cascade Range. This hike is a popular one, so we definitely recommend either going at sunrise or during the week. 

Wonderland Trail

The Wonderland Trail has long been on our bucket list! This iconic 93-mile trail completely encircles Mount Rainier. Epic, right? It’s a challenging route with constant elevation gain and loss, but the scenery is unbeatable. The best part? You don’t have to hike the entire trail at once. You can tackle it as a day hike or break it up over a few nights, with plenty of campgrounds and diverse landscapes along the way, from alpine lakes to lush forests. It’s not for beginners, but if you’re an experienced hiker, it’s absolutely worth considering.

Adventure Elopement Timeline

One of the best parts of eloping in Mount Rainier National Park is the flexibility to design a day that truly feels like you. While every elopement timeline will look a little different depending on the season, location, and activities you choose, here is an example timeline to give you a realistic idea of how your day could flow!

12-Hour Micro Wedding Timeline Example

This example timeline shows what an August elopement day at Mount Rainier could look like, starting with a quiet sunrise hike to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout and ending with a relaxed evening celebration with family in Packwood. It’s designed to feel intentional, unhurried, and centered around both adventure and connection!

3:30 am – Meet at Sunrise Visitor Center early! Summer is great for long days, but the sunrise and sunset times are crazyyy. 

3:45 am – Begin hiking Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail under the stars. Make sure everyone has working headlamps.

5:15 am – Arrive at Mount Fremont Fire Lookout and change into wedding attire.

5:45 am – Blue hour first look before the sun rises! 

6:00 am – Sunrise vows and portraits!

7:00 am – Breakfast picnic at the lookout with a cozy blanket, freeze dried packs, and coffee. 

8:00 am – Hike back down to Sunrise and take some hiking portraits along the way. 

10:00 am – Arrive back at the parking lot and end coverage for the morning. 

3:30 pm – Meet at Airbnb in Packwood to begin with details and establishing shots of the space. This is also a great time for a few couples photos at the Airbnb before family arrives. 

4:15 pm – Family arrives!

4:30 pm – Ceremony with close family at the Airbnb. 

4:45 pm – Family and friend photos. 

5:30 pm – Celebratory toast to marriage and any family speeches. 

6:00 pm – Private chef serves a dinner to everyone gathered at the Airbnb. 

7:30 pm – Dessert and first dances. 

9:00 pm – End of coverage and say goodbyes!

Advice for Planning Your Trip to Mount Rainier

Plan a Weekday Elopement

We recommend visiting the park during the week or in the off-season since it’s an extremely popular location! Also, if you plan a sunrise adventure, you’re a lot more likely to beat the crowds.

Ideal Lighting for Photos

For those lovely “golden hour” moments, sunrise and sunset are always going to be the most ideal time of day. If you want to catch the sunrise, make sure you are shooting about 30 minutes before the sun actually rises, then you’ll have around 30-60 minutes as the sun is rising to get the perfect lighting! For sunset, we recommend about 90 minutes before the sun goes down and 30 minutes after the sun has set (blue hour). 

Always Have Directions Offline

Download the AllTrails app before you head out to Mount Rainier. We also always suggest taking a screenshot or printing out directions. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected! You won’t have service throughout most of the park, and you don’t want to get lost.

Be Prepared

It’s better to be over-prepared than underprepared. Bring snacks, lots of water, a First Aid kit, a map of the park, layers, extra socks, the right hiking shoes, bear spray, etc. Make sure that if you are hiking, you pack your bag with everything you need! It’s likely you might encounter wildlife, the hike might take longer than you expected, or you might come across snow when you didn’t expect it. 

Plan an Adventure

Go on an adventure while you’re there! If you’re a seasoned hiker, check out the Wonderland Trail. If you want to get views of the mountain from above, check out this helicopter tour! Or if you’re into rivers, go sign up for white water rafting. Oh, and if you’re visiting the park in the winter, go to White Pass for inner tubing, skiing, or snowboarding.

Reach Out To Plan Your Mount Rainier Adventure!

Let’s head to Mount Rainier together! We can suggest the coolest locations, figure out the best timing for lighting and avoiding crowds, navigate the permitting process, and more. We’d love to show you one of our favorite places in Washington! Contact us to chat more!