The world is filled with outstanding beauty for us to enjoy and love stories to inspire us. And as an elopement photographer, I have the privilege of witnessing both. Thankfully, there is no shortage of places that could be considered the best elopement locations in the u.s.

And since every love story is unique, what is perfect for one couple, won’t necessarily work for another.

And that’s a good thing! After all, variety is the spice of life.

But I know it can quickly get overwhelming when you are looking to choose a location for your perfect elopement.

Let me help ease your stress by offering some of my favorite suggestions for elopement locations.

That’s what inspired this list of the 12 best elopement locations in the United States

Let’s dive in together!

Olympic National Park in Washington

If you want a truly diverse landscape this is my top suggestion!

The breathtaking Olympic National Park.

Everything from the lush rainforest floor to the snow-capped mountain peaks to jagged coastlines is waiting for you here.

Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the United States to have an elopement. It’s the perfect place for luscious greenery, jagged mountains, wildflower meadows, rushing waterfalls, and more.

You’ll find so much beauty within this national park for your elopement.

An added benefit is that it’s the only National Park in Washington state that stays open all year with unlimited views of all the Pacific Northwest charm. Olympic National Park truly has the most versatile locations for all your adventure elopement and intimate wedding needs.

Pro tip: Since the Olympic National Park is so huge, there isn’t one main entrance like other National Parks. So you will need to do research and plan ahead on what beautiful locations you want to visit within the park! That way you don’t miss out on any of your dream photo ops.

Cannon Beach in Oregon

It’s no wonder National Geographic listed Cannon Beach as one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world in 2013.

The long, sandy shores at Cannon Beach can be a perfect, romantic elopement spot for couples looking for a gorgeous beach destination.

This dreamy beach has incredible rock formations and clear views of the Oregon Coastline. Not to mention it’s one of the prettiest dog-friendly beaches! Meaning that a Cannon Beach elopement is perfect if you want to include your fur babies. 

So many people rank Cannon Beach as one of their favorite spots in Oregon, and the beach has built a reputation as a gorgeous spot for photos and relaxation.

The downside of this is that it can get a bit crowded!

So if you’re planning to elope here, it’s best to have some hidden locations up your sleeves that are close by!

Here are 5 elopement locations that are within 15 minutes of Cannon Beach.

Ecola State Park: This State Park has miles of secluded coastline, secret coves, and grassy hillsides.

Chapman Point Beach: This private spot has many cool rock formations both on and offshore.

Oswald State Park: Picture long bridges, dense forest, sandy beaches, and gorgeous lookout points.

Hug Point Beach: This short trail near Tolovana Park leads you to a small waterfall on the beach.

Haystack Rock: This 235-foot rock off the coast of Cannon Beach is one of Oregon’s most recognizable landmarks. No matter the season, this beautiful spot makes for a dramatic backdrop for your vows.

Throw on your dream elopement dress and live out your forest dreams in the Pacific Northwest!

Oregon is more than ready for all the romance you’re bringing.

Telluride or Crested Butte in Colorado

This is a bit of a double feature!

First, let’s talk about Telluride.

Telluride is known in the colder months for skiing and endless outdoor activities in the summer. But the best part of Telluride is its authentic mountain charm.

Telluride is tucked into a box canyon surrounded by 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks, and is eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long. So the sights are beyond beautiful, and there is tons of adventures for you to get into.

And a mere 3 hours north of Telluride is another favorite of mine.

The serene Crested Butte.

Located in the Rocky Mountains is the wildflower capital of Colorado.

It’s a remote town, about 4 and a half hours from Denver International Airport. But the long drive is what keeps the crowds away! And it’s a small price to pay to see the spectacular Crested Butte snow-dusted mountain peaks.

Plus Crested Butte has another advantage:

The wedding market!

You can find everything from wedding planners to talented florists right in town! This is a huge plus since it limits the number of things you have to bring with you.

So, if adventure and activities are just as important to you on your elopement day as the epic views, Telluride is your spot.

And if you crave the quiet serenity of a mountain town without the hustle and bustle that tourism brings, head on over to Crested Butte.

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

If you have your heart set on Colorado but you want a blank canvas for your backdrop? This is the perfect place for you:

The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado!

A great elopement location for most of the year,

and a unique landscape that you might not expect to find in Colorado!

If you are stuck between a mountain or beach elopement, the sand dunes might be just the thing for you! The Great Sand Dunes National Park has the best of both worlds.

It’s located in Southern Colorado, about 3 hours southeast of Crested Butte. You’ll find the tallest dunes in North America here. And if you look past the dunes, you’re surrounded by the famous rocky mountains of Colorado. (Plus the grasslands, wetlands, forests, and lakes.)

If you are flying into the area around Denver and Colorado Springs you’re going to want to book your stay near the dunes to avoid the long drive.

This will give you more time to focus on the reason we’re there, your elopement day!

And when you’re happily married, check out some of the amazing activities in The Great Sand Dunes National Park! Sledding (or sand boarding), star gazing, rent a 4WD vehicle and explore the park up close, or go on a sunset hike with a park ranger!

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

If you are looking for a blank canvas for your wedding day that doesn't include sand, this location is right up your alley.

The Bonneville Salt Flats!

A vast landscape of salt thanks to Lake Bonneville drying up centuries ago and leaving behind a glimmering salty crust.

A truly unique sight to behold.

The ground is a shimmering white with the salt crystals almost resembling a blanket of snow. And just beyond the dry lake are the Utah mountains.

Get ready to witness the otherworldly beauty!

Let’s talk about lighting at the Salt Flats.

Both sunset and sunrise are highly recommended for the best photo opportunities. Bonneville Salt Flat elopements will be magical at any time of the day, so think about how you want your elopement day to feel.

For a sunrise elopement, you’ll have to wake up before the sun does!

I recommend around 4 in the morning! I know that sounds crazy early but you’ll most likely have the Flats to yourself for your elopement!

Sunset at the Salt Flats is spectacular as well! But you will most likely have a tad less privacy than at sunrise.

If you’re looking for somewhere intimate with a hint of luxury, the Salt Flats is for you!

Arches National Park in Moab Utah

If the red rocks of Utah have your heart, I have the perfect location for you:

The astounding Arches National Park.

The sandstone arches make for the most beautiful backdrops for your elopement day. It’s simply perfect for the adventurous couples that wants to promise forever in front of an awe-inspiring view.

Arches National Park is an amazing display of beauty in nature.

Get ready to feel very small compared to the massive arches and sandstone slot canyons. To me, they’re proof of the beauty that wind, water, and persistence can create over time.

There are over 2,000 natural stone arches in Arches National Park for you to choose from for your photos! Just make sure to get your permits and familiarize yourself with the ceremony regulations.

But as perfect as Arches National Park is, it doesn’t come without possible complications!

Please keep in mind that Moab Utah is a high desert. Meaning the elevation can affect you if you’re not used to it. To best combat this, try to arrive in Moab a few days before your elopement to allow yourselves time to acclimate.

If you know you’re sensitive to elevation sickness try some tested remedies for it.

Such as taking ibuprofen or anti-sickness medicine like promethazine, and staying hydrated while your body gets used to the altitude.

Once you get acclimated, if you’re in the mood for exploring, Moab has tons of outdoor activities.

You can go hiking, off-roading, canyoneering, climbing, base jumping, river rafting, slack-lining, hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours, and more!

Sedona Arizona

If you are looking for a location with spiritual aspects, full of adventure, or just incredible views…

Sedona, Arizona is calling you!

It’s one of the most magical locations in Arizona, perfect for couples wanting a more spiritual feel for their elopement. The spiritual vortexes in Sedona have been attracting visitor for years. It makes it a beautiful experience for couples looking for that spiritual connection through nature instead of religion.

And it’s also full of fun outdoor adventures if that’s more your vibe.

Sedona is a year-round destination paradise.

It’s one of the few places where the weather is perfect for an outdoor elopement almost any time of the year.

Another plus to having your elopement in Sedona?

The versatility of your surroundings! Thanks to the range of activities available nearby, it can be as relaxing or adventurous as you’d like.

You can go on an intense hike on your elopement day or an easily accessible spot with incredible vistas.

Either way, you’ll be greeted by equally epic views of the red rocks, green cacti, serene creeks, and vibrant blue skies.

It’s no surprise that Sedona ranked as one of the most beautiful places in America with endless spots to explore, making it the PERFECT elopement destination.

Taft Point in Yosemite National Park, California

Of course, I couldn’t forget about this beauty.

Yosemite National Park.

Tucked away in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains you’ll find the perfect place for the adventurous elopers.

My favorite location within Yosemite is Taft Point. It has the clearest view of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan. Plus you’ll get to see the main attraction of Taft Point! The giant fissures in the mile-high granite rock.

As Yosemite is one of the more popular national parks, it has also become one of THE places to elope.

To accommodate for the influx of couples having their ceremonies in Yosemite they have a handful of rules for those wishing to get married here. Such as designated wedding ceremony locations, no pets allowed at the ceremonies, and entrance fees that apply to everyone.

When planning your day be sure to give yourself some room for delays, especially for traffic. There is one road that goes around the valley in Yosemite and traffic can get pretty backed up.

So a big question when planning out your timeline is should you elope at sunrise or sunset?

Well, that is entirely up to you. If you want to avoid the crowds, your best bet is to start your ceremony at sunrise. But I don’t believe that one time will work for every couple. So if you have your heart set on a sunset ceremony, no worries! With some strategic planning, we can find a remote location for your vows at sunset.

Having a clear timeline is always imperative but because of the regulations here, this is especially true at Yosemite.

Each site is on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to two hours maximum so we have to be intentional with every second.

Denali, Alaska

The beautiful state of Alaska has many locations that would make a beautiful backdrop for your elopement. But this one is my absolute favorite.

The Denali National Park!

Denali’s snowy peaks are a breathtaking sight to behold.

And if you’re thinking “I don’t want a winter elopement though” don’t worry. Denali also has fabulous fall colors, clear glacier waters, and majestic lakes. It’s truly filled with breathtaking scenery and jaw-dropping photo backdrops.

The terrain is truly captivating and makes Alaska a clear contender for your elopement day.

This Alaskan park is one of the most stunning locations in North America for a reason. The land is nearly untouched by the outside world, thriving on its own.

It’s rugged and beautiful, and it’s ready for your adventurous souls.

So grab your hiking boots, some warm layers, and a thermos full of hot water for tea and let’s get you eloped!

South Rim Grand Canyon, Arizona

Let’s head back to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon. Specifically the South Rim.

The South Rim is the most popular rim at the Grand Canyon.

It offers the National Park experience with convenient visitor services and is open year-round!

Now, when it comes to lighting and when to elope, sunrise is the way to go.

But where in the South Rim?

Mather Point is the most popular place in the South Rim to watch the sunrise transform the sky into a golden morning.

The canyon slowly comes to life as the spectacular sunrise begins.

However, the beauty of Mather Point is not a secret. So it will most likely be packed with visitors there to see the glorious sunrise as well.

So instead of getting engulfed by the tourists, walk a few minutes toward the sun and you’ll find a private spot to yourself. (Just be sure to be careful around the rock edges in the darkness.)

What about the sunset?

Hopi Point is one of the best places to watch the sunset at the South Rim. But just like Mather Point, everyone else at the Grand Canyon knows it too. 

So just continue walking along the trail between Mohave and Hopi until you see a rocky outcrop you love, and enjoy the lovely sunset. 

More than just lovely, the sunset over the Grand Canyon is mesmerizing.

Enjoy the ending of your perfect day with your perfect person. (And maybe a drink or favorite snack.)

Redwood National Park, California

Surround yourself with the tallest trees on the continent.

That’s right, the Redwood National Park.

It’s the perfect magical forest setting for eloping.

Just envision it, the whimsical scenery, the California warmth, and a location near some of the coolest places to honeymoon.

Redwood National Park is a wonderful elopement destination.

Whimsical woodland weddings have gained popularity recently, and the why is no mystery.

Something about sneaking away with your best friend into the forest just screams romance.

Especially if an intimate elopement is high up on your priority list. Because when it comes to promising forever among the trees, there is no place better than the coastal redwoods.

If this sounds like a dream come true, here’s what you should keep in mind.

If you are eloping in the Redwood National Park you will have to apply for a special use permit. You will also need to get a threatened and endangered species addendum. The permit will be $100 minimum. (You can apply here!)

Keep in mind that your fee might change depending on the number of guests or your requests to $200-$400.

Sawtooth Mountain, Idaho

Stanley, Idaho is a very small town. It’s such a small town that most businesses close during the winter months. But don't think of it as a sleepy town. Think about the potential of having your elopement in such a remote location. Magic waiting to happen away from the visitors and tourists.

If you want epic mountain views and alpine trees, a Sawtooth Mountain elopement is right up your alley!

Eloping here during the summer months is spectacular. The hiking trails open and the wildflowers are in bloom! There’s a vast amount of stunning hikes that lead to beautiful lakes surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and mountain peaks.

When it comes to your elopement pictures, make sure to work with the lighting and location instead of against it.

The way the sun faces in the Sawtooths means the sun rises facing the mountains and sets behind them.

This means the best glow happens in the morning at sunrise. At sunset, the mountains become silhouetted and the details are lost until the sun fully sets and you’re left with the magnificent beauty of blue hour.

And there they are! My top 12 best locations to elope within the U.S.

Remember, there are a never ending list of places ready for your version of a perfect elopement day.

If there is a location on here (or not on here) that you are dreaming of saying your “I Do’s” at, lets go!

Contact me here and we’ll make magic together in beautiful places.

Happy elopement planning!