20 of the Best Places to Elope in the united states
The United States is ridiculously spoiled when it comes to elopement locations. Think wild coasts, ancient forests, alpine lakes, desert arches, and snow-capped volcanoes. These places aren’t just backdrops. They create an experience and give your wedding day a vibe that feels alive, adventurous, and uniquely yours.
Here are my top 20 favorite places to elope in the U.S., with details on what they look like, the surroundings you can explore, and why I keep coming back to them again and again.
1. Ruby Beach | Olympic National Park, Washington
Rugged sea stacks rising from the Pacific, driftwood piled high like sculptures, and tidepools reflecting golden light at sunset. Ruby Beach is moody, wild, and cinematic, exactly why it’s one of my all time favorites. Weather can be unpredictable at Ruby Beach, but whether you get a sunset or rain, it is the most magical place in the world. (And for Twilight fans, it’s just outside the city of Forks…)
2. Hoh Rainforest | Olympic National Forest, Washington
If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into another world, this is it. Moss blankets every branch, ferns tower around you, and the air feels still, damp, and enchanted. I love how the light filters in soft beams through the trees, giving your photos an ethereal, fairytale glow. It’s intimate, secluded, and hands-down one of the most magical forests in America.
3. Redwoods National & State Parks, California
These trees are ancient. Standing beneath redwoods that stretch hundreds of feet into the sky makes you feel small in the best way. The forest floor is lush with ferns and soft light, and there’s this cathedral-like silence that feels sacred for vows. I love capturing both editorial portraits here and the quiet, candid in-between moments when couples are wrapped up in each other. There are tons of nearby spots that are EPIC. Redwoods isn’t just a small spot, there is the official park, and then there are areas all over the place that will take your breath away.
4. Cannon Beach & Surrounding Forests, Oregon
Haystack Rock is iconic, but it’s more than just the rock! It’s the vast shoreline, the salty breeze, and the golden sunsets that set the whole beach glowing. What makes Cannon Beach special for elopements is the variety: one minute you’re barefoot in the sand, the next you’re wandering through mossy, fairytale-like forests or hiking up to coastal cliffs. It’s moody and cinematic but also playful and adventurous. You can create intimacy, romance, and hardcore ADVENTURE on the Oregon Coast for your elopement.
5. Cottonwood Canyons, Utah
I may be biased, since I live an hour from them, but I ALWAYS love photographing elopements in these canyons. Both canyons have multiple spots and high alpine drama without requiring hours of hiking. (But there are also lots of hikes!) In summer, you can see wildflowers and green pines, whereas fall literally looks like a painting filled with reds, yellows, and greens. I have nicknames for all the various spots in both canyons, including “enchanted forest” and “sound of music hills”.
6. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Think Grand Canyon vibes but with fewer crowds. The views of the Grand Canyon from the red cliffs will take your breath away. I love bringing couples here for golden hour! And you don’t have to hike or go far to get stunning overlook views.
7. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is pure drama. And you can get a variety of vibes throughout the year AND throughout the park. There are areas that feel “boho” and there are areas that feel “classic”. There are more boho areas like Cathedral Beach and El Capitan, or more classic spots like Glacier Point and Taft Point. There are waterfalls everywhere you look, and areas with wildflowers. Every corner looks like a movie set. It feels like a place where love stories belong. And it has that feel of “adventure”.
8. Mount Baker / Artist Point, Washington
Perched high in the North Cascades, Artist Point gives you sweeping views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. In summer, wildflower meadows explode with color; in fall, the air turns crisp and golden; in winter, snow blankets everything in a glowing alpine hush. It’s one of those locations that feels cinematic year-round.
9. Franklin Falls, Washington
A short trail through mossy forest leads you to a dramatic waterfall that pours over a basalt cliff into a misty pool. It’s accessible, but still feels like an adventure. I love how the spray from the falls creates a dreamy haze around couples, it’s playful, intimate, and seriously photogenic. And honestly, it’s a dupe for Iceland if you photograph it right ;)
10. Gold Bluffs Beach & Fern Canyon, California
Fern Canyon looks prehistoric, with walls of green towering on either side of a narrow trail. Just minutes away, Gold Bluffs Beach gives you windswept shoreline and glowing sunsets. I love how this combo lets couples get two totally different vibes in one day: lush rainforest and open beach. Like… can we get any better? Just be warned, Fern Canyon gets BUSY BUSY, as it’s a famous spot where Jurassic Park movies filmed a few scenes.
11. Latourell Falls, Oregon
Another Iceland dupe is Latourell Falls in Oregon. Latourell Falls drops dramatically against dark cliffs, and is surrounded by mossy trees and ferns. It feels moody, powerful, and intimate. It’s one of my favorite waterfall locations because it’s both accessible and cinematic without a grueling hike. And because I love Iceland so much, I’m always on the hunt for dupes in the U.S. and this is one of those “dupe” spots.
12. Zion National Park, Utah
Red rock cliffs, winding slot canyons, and desert light that makes everything glow. Zion is bold, adventurous, and iconic. From easy overlooks to hidden trails, you can get desert filled backdrops with ease or with hiking adventures. I love how couples can make Zion feel either adventurous (hiking into canyons) or relaxed (exchanging vows at a sweeping overlook). Yet the views are always STUNNING.
13. Lake Crescent | Olympic National Park, Washington
A deep blue alpine lake surrounded by forested peaks. The water is glassy in the morning and glowing at sunset. Couples often kayak, wade, or simply sit along the shore with their toes in the water. I love Lake Crescent because it feels calm, romantic, and tucked away — like your own secret escape.
14. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Wildflower meadows in summer, snowy alpine ridges, and that towering volcanic peak as your backdrop. Rainier feels both wild and romantic, with endless trails leading to overlooks and hidden corners. It’s dramatic, but also has quiet meadows for intimate moments. I love the way the mountain seems to watch over everything. There are areas with water, areas with short hikes, areas with intense hikes. Basically, you can fit all the vibes into your elopement.
15. San Juan Islands, Washington
Think ferry rides, rocky coves, and island sunsets over the water. The San Juans are a dreamy blend of coastal charm and natural beauty. I love how couples can mix adventure (kayaking, cliffside vows) with relaxed island vibes (picnics, cabins, seaside strolls).
16. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Oregon
Rugged cliffs, sea arches, and crashing waves. This stretch of coast is wild and untamed, with dramatic overlooks that feel like the edge of the world. I love it for couples who want bold, adventurous photos and don’t mind a little wind in their hair.
17. Brookings | Oregon Coast, Oregon
Down near the California border, Brookings has hidden coves, windswept bluffs, and beaches that feel untouched. It’s quieter than Cannon Beach, but every bit as dramatic. I love Brookings for couples wanting a raw, wild coastal vibe without the crowds.
18. Arches National Park, Utah
Red rock arches, desert light, and otherworldly formations that make you feel like you’re on another planet. Sunrise here is pure magic!! You get soft pink skies that glow against the rocks. I love Arches for its boldness and uniqueness. Like the earth literally has arches made of rock that look like this? Is this another alien land? (Utah is great for that.)
19. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Minimalist and surreal. The flats stretch endlessly, reflecting the sky and creating an almost dreamlike canvas. Photos here are clean, modern, and editorial. I love this spot because it’s so simple yet so powerful. It strips everything down to just you, your love, and the horizon. Yet you also feel like you’re on some other planet.
20. Cape Flattery, Washington
The northwestern tip of the U.S., where cliffs meet turquoise coves and sea stacks rise from the waves. It’s rugged, moody, and absolutely stunning. I love Cape Flattery because it feels like a hidden treasure — remote, wild, and unforgettable.
Choosing the Right Place to Elope
Eloping in the U.S. means you have endless options! From misty rainforests to red deserts, alpine peaks to ocean cliffs. What matters most is finding a place that feels like you. These are my top 20 because they combine epic scenery with emotional, cinematic energy. And I’ve NEVER been disappointed with these spots.
Wherever you choose, your elopement will be more than just a day. It’ll be an adventure, a story, and a memory you’ll carry forever.