The Best Places to Elope in the US
So you’ve decided to elope… Kudos! That is not always an easy decision! And now you're trying to find the perfect destination for your mountain elopement… Well, I have the information you’ve been looking for!
After years of elopement experience, I’ve compiled an expert list of what I believe are 10 of the best places to elope in the US that provide stunning landscapes and amenities that most eloping couples are looking for.
Before getting into each elopement destination, let’s figure out a few important elements. Grab yourself a piece of paper and pen and write your answers down (trust me, this is an important step!)
Why did you choose to elope? This can be as simple or as deep as you want. Did you envision just the two of you revisiting a meaningful destination? Did you want to go somewhere you’ve never been? Did you picture a weekend-long affair with dinners, adventure and connection?
How do you want your elopement day to feel? If you could do absolutely anything, expenses and outsider opinions aside - what would it be?
Do you want to invite guests or have an intimate ceremony with just you two?
Is there a specific time of year you want to elope? Why?
Once you know these answers, this will help you determine your ideal elopement destination.
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte is located directly west from Colorado Springs in the Rockies. Its scenic views and rustic charm make this little mountain town an absolute treasure for a mountain elopement.
Points of Interest:
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
What I Love:
Emerald Lake is a favorite of mine! Nestled at the foot of mountains and surrounded by lush alpine trees, this lake offers a 360-view of a crystalline alpine lake, alpine forestry, and jaw-dropping mountainous backdrops.
Gothic Road or Route 135, is a scenic mountain drive connecting Crested Butte to the former mining town of Gothic.
Check out the entire photo gallery of Austin + Osnaeley’s Crested Butte Wildflower Wedding!
Accessibility:
Driving to Crested Butte from Denver, the trip takes about four and a half hours in perfect weather. Add 30 minutes to an hour if you are coming from the Denver airport, add even more time if the roads are snowy.
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport is a short 30 minute drive. There are connections through Denver Insitraion airport to Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport.
Mountain Elopement Tips:
Crested Butte offers plenty of breathtaking natural elopement sites from alpine lakes and wildflower meadows for outdoor enthusiasts, but it also has a wealth of unique venues like lodges, ranches and vacation rentals.
Crested Butte has a well-established wedding industry, meaning you’ll have a broad selection of makeup artists, florists, officiants, culinary experts and more!
Photo by: Geraint Smith via Chicago Magazine
2. Taos, New Mexico
Also known as “the Soul of the Southwest,” Taos provides rich spiritual traditions, fine art, distinctive cuisine, a thriving music scene and of course, the raw, natural beauty of the majestic landscape.
Points of Interest:
Taos Ski Valley
Rio Grande River Gorge
St. Francis of Assisi (one of the most photographed and iconic churches in the southwest)
Photo by: Larry Lamsa - Flickr’s Creative Commons
What I Love:
Relatively mild winters compared to northern states
Taos is not as popular (yet!) compared to other mountain towns, making it one of the best places to elope in the US for a mountain elopement
Accessibility:
Taos Air operates from private terminals and allows you to fly direct from Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego and Austin at affordable rates
Santa Fe Municipal Airport is 1.5 hours away by car
Albuquerque International Sunport is 2.5 hours away by car
3. Juneau, Alaska
Juneau stands on one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States with the most rugged, wild, and jaw-dropping landscapes and wildlife our country has to offer. The land of the midnight sun provides unmatched scenery and experiences and truly is one of the best places to elope in the US that not many people think of.
Photo by: Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
Points of Interest:
Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve
Mendenhall Glacier
Tracy Arm Fjord
Denali National Park and Reserve (this one would require further travel north, but it is such an amazing elopement destination, I had to include it!)
What I Love:
The whale watching opportunities are second to none here!
Pybus Point Lodge, tucked in a secluded bay at the far south edge of Admiralty Island National Monument, is the perfect home base for a dream Alaskan experience—seclusion, wildlife, activities and scenery that are both land and sea!
Photo by: Travel Juneau
Accessibility:
In just over two hours, you can get here on a flight from Seattle or Anchorage; multiple direct flights arrive daily. Charter, regional and major airlines all serve Juneau International Airport.
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system serves and connects travelers to more than 30 coastal communities. The most direct route from the lower 48 is from Bellingham, WA, to Juneau, AK, with an estimated travel time of 2.5 to 3 days. The ferry is a wonderful and unique way to ease into an elopement weekend with stunning views and experiences as you make your way to your destination.
Photo by: Alaska Department of Transportation
4. Whitefish, Montana
In the Northern Rocky Mountains within the Whitefish Range at the edge of Glacier National Park is a vibrant mountain town called Whitefish. Despite its seemingly remote location, Whitefish boasts among the closest direct air service into a mountain ski town (just 11 miles) in the US. It is one of those towns that would provide a perfect setting in the mountains to elope.
Points of Interest:
Glacier National Park
Flathead Lake (the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi)
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Photo by: Grant Gunderson
What I Love:
Even though this is a means of transportation, I am still counting this as something I love about Whitefish! The Amtrak train to Whitefish provides a perfect way to experience the rugged splendor of the American West and an iconic experience before your western mountain elopement.
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is one of if not THE most beautiful drives I have ever taken! (You can drive or bike this road—as long as you’re not afraid of heights!)
Cherry season at Flathead Lake is mid- to late-summer and in my opinion is the definition of summer! Locals set up their cherry stands, lining the roads and providing fresh cherries by the bushel. They are the tastiest treat after a long hike!
Montana Elopement Tips:
Although Whitefish is located in a seemingly remote location, it is a bustling town nonetheless and home to a variety of talented wedding vendors who are experts in mountain elopements. Most wedding vendors in Montana are accustomed to traveling and even though they may not be based in Whitefish they sure will travel there from larger hubs like Missoula, Butte and Bozeman.
Accessibility:
Glacier Park International Airport is only 15 minutes away by car and is serviced by major airlines. It connects you to major US cities like Chicago, Seattle, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Oakland, and even smaller hubs like Mesa, Arizona.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder long-distance passenger train travels daily between Chicago and Seattle/Portland.
Missoula Montana Airport services daily flights to major hubs like Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and more, and is a scenic 2.5 hours drive to Whitefish.
5. Breckenridge, Colorado
Within the mountain ranges of central Colorado, you will find all you’ll need to make your elopement in the mountains as special as possible—stunning scenery, award-winning cuisine, lovely lodging, and friendly faces behind all the services. It’s no wonder why Breckenridge is one of the best places to elope in the US.
Points of Interest:
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Dillon Reservoir
What I Love:
Sapphire Point provides stunning and accessible mountain and lake views!
Boreas Pass is a scenic unpaved pass on the Continental Divide between Summit and Park counties.
Mountain Elopement Tip:
If you walk just a little ways off the heavily traveled road, you’ll find some pretty scenic spots for a secret ceremony.
Accessibility:
Denver International Airport is about two hours away. You can rent a vehicle or take one of the many mountain shuttles or a private car service to escort you to and from Breckenridge.
Elopement Tip:
In order to elope at Sapphire Point you need to make reservations which costs $110 per two-hour time slot (you can book more than one slot if you need more time). There’s also a $10 reservation fee. You can reserve this popular view up to six months in advance. The site is also limited to 35 persons maximum.
Check out Ellen + Michael’s Sapphire Point elopement photo gallery for more views of these elopement venues!
6. Moab, Utah
Moab is surrounded by some of the most stunning red rock landscapes not only in the US but in the world. People have been flocking to this area in recent years due to its prime location close to several famous national parks with their unique rock formations, mesas, and buttes.The town of Moab is surrounded by scenic rivers, forests, a state park and thousands of square miles of ruggedly beautiful Bureau of Land Management land, creating the perfect oasis for a desert or mountain elopement.
Points of Interest:
Canyonlands National Park
Arches National Park
Dead Horse Point State Park
Colorado River
What I Love:
The food scene in Moab is top notch and provides travelers with a variety of options that are delicious!
The dark night skies in Moab are like nowhere else due to the isolation from artificial light. This is an amazing place to get nighttime photography and for stargazing.
Sand Flats Recreation Area is a nationally significant public lands treasure due to it being a high plain of slick rock domes, bowls and fins, making it perfect for 4x4 adventures and off-roading, mountain biking, climbing and much more.
Elopement Tip:
Permits are essential to controlling pedestrian traffic and preventing scheduling conflicts between users of Arches and Canyonlands. All weddings need permits in Arches and Canyonlands. For either park, you can schedule your wedding up to a year in advance, but give yourself at least four weeks.
7. Eatonville, Washington
Nestled among the foothills of beautiful Mt. Rainier is the town of Eatonville. This community has a friendly small-town vibe, protects its natural environment and grows within sustainable limits.
Points of Interest:
Mount Rainier National Park
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Mashel Falls
What I Love:
Stringtown Cellars and Lavender Farm in Eatonville is an idyllic setting for an intimate elopement dinner
I absolutely love the diversity the Pacific Northwest provides—forests, mountains, sandy beaches and even deserts, this area has something for everyone!
Photo by: National Park Service
Elopement Tips:
If you want to elope at Mt. Rainier National Park you will need:
a National Park Pass (which is $80 per vehicle, is good for the whole year, and works at all national parks)
a ceremony permit, which costs $60. You can apply for one here.
a marriage license. Marriage licenses in Washington are done by county, and will cost around $70. Once you pick up your license, there is a three-day waiting period before you can use your license. You will then have 60 days to use your marriage license.
Mt. Rainier is located in both Pierce County AND Washington Lewis County, depending on where you choose to elope in the Park. For Pierce County’s marriage license form click here. For Lewis County’s marriage license form click here.
In order to make your marriage legal anywhere else in Washington or Oregon all you need is a marriage license, an ordained officiant and two witnesses.
Accessibility:
This small mountain town is only 60 miles from Seattle and 30 minutes from Tacoma, making this picturesque town extremely accessible for a weekend mountain elopement!
Eatonville is only a 30-minute drive to the entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park!
8. Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a small town 70 miles west of Denver, in the Rocky Mountains and located at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is home to wildlife including elk, bears and bighorn sheep and provides a stunning and accessible location for a mountain elopement.
Photo by: Explore Estes
Points of Interest:
Rocky Mountain National Park
Longs Peak
What I Love:
Trail Ridge Road
Dream Lake
Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Accessibility:
Estes Park is close to neighboring cities in the Front Range like Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and Denver—there are no mountain passes to cross, and the state and US highways serving the area are well-maintained.
Rocky Mountain Elopement Tip:
Weddings inside the Park are not permitted at Dream Lake, Trail Ridge Road, or Sky Pond. You can still take photos there, you will just need to arrange a different ceremony location. To learn more about how to get married in RMNP check out my complete planning guide.
Photo by: Wikipedia
9. Jackson, Wyoming
Located in northwest Wyoming, Jackson Hole is a 400-square-mile valley surrounded by the Gros Ventre and Teton mountain ranges. Jackson is a quintessential wild west location in modern times. It’s a place where you can sit down at a bar, and a 5th generation cattle rancher will be on your left while a software engineer from Silicon Valley is on your right. It’s an elopement destination where the past meets the present, and when it comes to eloping in the US, it is one of the best destinations!
Points of Interest:
Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Grand Targhee Resort
Bridger-Teton National Forest
What I Love:
The Teton Mountains are iconic and wild, and provide a dramatic and stunning background for a mountain elopement.
Granite Hot Springs can be enjoyed in the summer months, south of Jackson Hole. A natural pool has been built to capture water but the fresh hot spring water constantly flows through the pool. There are bathrooms and changing stations. It’s a beautiful and secluded location perfect for an intimate elopement.
Photo by: Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce
Jackson Hole Elopement Tip:
Since Granite Hot Springs is open to the public it’s best to try to enjoy this during times of the day that may not be as busy. During the Summer that would be around sunrise and sunset, and of course during the winter time, it will be less busy.
Accessibility:
Jackson Hole Airport has flights to and from major US cities like Boston, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle and more.
Idaho Falls Regional Airport is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes away from downtown Jackson.
Salt Lake City International Airport is about 4.5 hours away.
10. Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is tucked in a box canyon surrounded by 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks. The town is just eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long. It is a place of legend, nestled at the end of a lush canyon and surrounded by some of Colorado’s most rugged peaks. It’s a stunning location that cannot be found anywhere else, making a mountain elopement here extremely unique.
Photo by: Telluride Mountain Village
Points of Interest:
Telluride Ski Resort
The Million Dollar Highway
Telluride Elopement Tip:
Hitting the Million Dollar Highway at sunset will give you the absolute best photos!
Photo by Barefoot Theory
What I love:
San Juan Hut System consists of five backcountry huts between Telluride, Ridgway and Ouray. The San Juan Hut System is connected by trails in the Mount Sneffels Range of the San Juan Mountains and it provides the most special elopement experience ever! Since it’s out of cell service, you’re completely surrounded with seclusion and beauty—a truly unforgettable mountain elopement experience!
Alta Lakes Observatory is a private cabin (not a true observatory) approximately 13 miles from Telluride. It is accessible by 2WD vehicles in the summer, and snowmobile, snowshoeing, or skiing in the winter.
Telluride Elopement Tip:
You can rent this cabin so you and your elopement guests can enjoy staying right there on location!
Accessibility:
The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is a scenic 65-mile drive away. During the winter months, guests can take advantage of nonstop flights from 10 major hubs, and summer offers nonstop service from 5 major US cities.
Several transportation companies provide service from Telluride to Montrose.
Telluride is about a 6-7 hour drive from Denver.
Telluride Elopement Tip:
Telluride’s elevation and erratic weather make for some challenging but also fun experiences. Be sure to arrive a few days early to acclimate to the altitude and pack accordingly for any weather. And during the winter be sure to maintain a flexible departure date—who wouldn’t want to spend a couple extra days in this winter wonderland?
Now that you have made it through the list, take a look back at the answers you wrote down beforehand and you should have a really good idea of where you would want your elopement destination to be!
If you want to chat about any of these destinations further or have questions about the elopement planning process, reach out and let’s chat.
Ready to Book?
Elopement Photographer Andrea Enger (Portrait by Jennifer Garza Photography)
If you’re ready to get the ball rolling to secure your photographer that’s great!
You can do that by contacting me through my website, emailing me directly at andrea@andreaengerphotography.com, or by calling/texting me at (720) 739-0784. I look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re still in the research phase, I hear ya! Here are some more resources that my couples have found helpful. I hope you do, too!
Colorado Elopement Guide
Elopement Planning Toolkit (free download)
More Resources:
Ready to Celebrate Your Day Your Way?
Find out how I can help make that happen!
Reach out and schedule a time to chat!
