Post Summary: When you picture Mount Rainier National Park, I’d 99% guarantee that you’re picturing Paradise. With its insanely beautiful views of Rainier, vibrant wildflowers, and endless greenery, there’s a reason it’s one of the most visited places in Washington State—and why I’ve put together this full guide to eloping at Paradise! (because it is, in fact, paradise.)

Where is Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park?

Mount Rainier National Park covers nearly 240,000 acres of designated wilderness in west-central Washington, with five major developed areas that you might be familiar with: Longmire, Paradise, Sunrise, Ohanapecosh, and Carbon River/Mowich. Each one offers its own unique terrain and landscapes, ranging from temperate rain forests, to subalpine meadows, to the mountain itself, of course! And while they’re all magical in their own right, Paradise is one of my personal favorites. 

Located on the south side of Mount Rainier National Park, Paradise is accessible via the Nisqually park entrance, which is just six miles east of Ashford, on SR 706. This entrance is open year-round, and because it’s such an easy day trip from Seattle or Portland (only 2.5-3 hours by car), it gets busyyy! I’ll touch more on this later, but it’s going to be super important that you plan ahead & prepare for crowds during your elopement—you won’t be the only ones who want to check out all the beautiful views.

Why Elope at Paradise at Mount Rainier?

Here comes the big question I just know you’re asking: why should we elope at Paradise, versus all the other amazing places at Mount Rainier—especially if it gets so dang busy?!

Trust me: every minute you wait will be worth it a million times over for the iconic views of Mount Rainier you get from Paradise. There are a few major reasons why Paradise beats out other areas of the park in terms of elopement locations:

• Easily accessible: One of the BEST things about Paradise is that it’s one of the most accessible areas in the park, providing easy access to paved trails, picnic areas, wheelchair-friendly restrooms, and a fully accessible visitor center. 
• Alpine & wildflower meadows are to die for: That’s it, that’s the reason! Combine insane mountain views with bold, bright wildflowers and what do you get? A freaking fairytale land in the middle of Washington State.
• Easier hikes than Sunrise: When compared to the Sunrise area of Rainier, Paradise offers a wider range of easy to moderate trails for a variety of ceremony types, so you’ll have no trouble finding an adventure that fits your unique day. There’s everything from a quick 1-mile trail to a beautiful waterfall, all the way to a slightly more challenging, 5.5-mile loop that takes you through gorgeous alpine meadows.
• Beautiful at both sunrise & sunset: It can be tough to find a place in the mountains that looks good at both sunrise and sunset, as tall peaks can sometimes create weird shadows or awkward lighting at one time or another—but from Paradise, both sunrise and sunset look amazing!

But again: every single part of this national park has its own unique beauty to offer, and one location isn’t going to be the absolute best for every single couple! It completely depends on what you’re looking to get out of your elopement, and what’s a priority to you. I’ll be totally happy to help you narrow down which part of Mount Rainier National Park is perfect for your elopement if you’re undecided—just reach out and we’ll make it happen!

Best Time of Year to Elope at Paradise

Like most of the mountain areas in Washington State, the best time to elope at Paradise is mid-July through early September. This is when you’ll get the best chance at beautiful, sunny weather, completely open roads and trails, and generally less precipitation. Many couples who want to elope in the mountains are actually shocked at how short of a timeframe we have to explore without snow, even at low elevations—so it’s good to know right off the bat! Weather in the mountains is super unpredictable and it can be way colder & wetter than you might predict, even in the summer, so we’ll always make sure to prepare for anything.

Worried about getting bad weather on your elopement day? Read this, and I promise you’ll be ready to make the absolute best out of any scenario.

Eloping around the end of July through early August also gives you the chance to see the peak wildflower bloom at Rainier! Keep in mind that peak bloom changes slightly every year depending on weather patterns, so you can’t 100% predict the timing—but generally, this timeframe is when you’ll find the most beautiful, colorful wildflowers, including cliff paintbrush, violets, columbine, elderberry, and more. You can actually monitor recent wildflower reports & statuses here for the most up-to-date info!

However, keep in mind that because this is the most beautiful time of year at Paradise, it gets SUPER busy. You can do your best to avoid crowds by eloping on a weekday, earlier in the morning, or at a more off-the-beaten-path location.

If fall colors are more your thing, consider eloping in early October, when you’ll get gorgeous foliage in all shades of red, yellow, and orange, as well as much thinner crowds. The vibrant trees are SO worth the slightly cooler temperatures, and paint the alpine landscapes in the most enchanting colors that are unreal to see with your own eyes!

What’s the Weather Like at Paradise?

Summer (July-September)

Besides the beautiful views and gorgeous wildflowers, summers at Paradise bring pretty moderate weather, never getting too warm even on days with the highest temperatures. You’ll typically find daytime highs in the 50’s-70’s, with clear, blue skies and the lowest precipitation levels of any season. Don’t be surprised at how chilly the mornings can get, though—you’ll want to layer up properly even if it’s forecasted to warm up throughout the day!

Fall (October)

If you’re like me and you LOVE crisp mountain air, foggy mornings, and quieter trails, fall might be perfect for your Paradise elopement. Temperatures range between 40-60°F, so it’s definitely a chillier time of year that you’ll need to prepare for. Layers are your best friend in the mountains (even in the summer, honestly)!

Winter/Spring (November-June)

Both winter and spring at Paradise are snowy, cold, and not ideal for elopements, as most of the roads and trails are inaccessible (minus a few). Snow can actually remain at 5000-8000 feet of elevation all the way into mid-July, so even if you think you’re eloping in the summer come June, you should always be prepared for snow at higher elevations!

No matter what season you elope at Paradise, always be prepared for quick changes—it’s not uncommon at all to see sun, rain, fog, and wind all in the same afternoon with the volatile weather patterns.

Top Wedding Ceremony Locations in the Paradise Area

I’ll be honest, it feels impossible to narrow down the best locations for elopements in the Paradise area—there are SO many spots that are incredible for ceremonies, portraits, picnics, etc. To help you choose the right spot for your ceremony, though, I’ve gathered a list of the top wedding ceremony locations at Paradise that I think you’re going to fall in love with as soon as you see them!

Nisqually Vista Trail

This easy 1.2 mile loop trail is a gorgeous option for couples who don’t want to trek too far from the Paradise parking lot. It’s actually one of the only paved trails in the park, but that doesn’t mean the views are lacking—you’ll be able to see Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier from gorgeous overlooks along the way.

Skyline Trail Loop

Want a little bit of a longer adventure? Skyline Trail Loop is 5.5 miles roundtrip and takes you up to Panorama Point, offering a gorgeous close-up view of Rainier as well as tons of subalpine wildflowers if you time it right. It’s a perfect day hike to add into your Mount Rainier elopement timeline!

Myrtle Falls

Myrtle Falls is undoubtedly one of the most popular trails (if not THE most popular) at Paradise, given that it’s just 0.4 miles from the visitor center and takes you to a beautiful, cascading waterfall, with picture-perfect views of Rainier itself in the background.

Alta Vista Trail

For couples who want to keep their elopement day hike short, sweet, and steep, the 1.6-mile Alta Vista Loop is the best of both worlds: quick to complete, but moderately challenging with a good amount of elevation gain. The scenery you get at the viewpoint is absolutely worth it, and the whole loop shouldn’t take you longer than an hour (plus any time you take to stop and enjoy the view!).

Bench and Snow Lake Trail

The Bench and Snow Lake Trail is a super popular backpacking route within the national park, but it also happens to offer a stunning, 2.2-mile day hike. Categorized as moderately challenging, the trail takes you all the way to the enchanting Snow Lake at the base of the Tatoosh Range, with epic views of “The Bench” at Stevens Canyon along the way.

Reflection Lakes

Located along Stevens Canyon Road, Reflection Lakes offers a few different trails, the most popular being Pinnacle Peak Trail. This scenic trail boasts views of not only Mount Rainier, but also the entire Paradise Valley, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens on a clear day!

Secret off-the-beaten-path gems

Paradise has SO many more breathtaking trails and viewpoints to offer for elopements, but I’ve gotta keep a few up my sleeve for my booked couples, don’t I? Get access to my list of lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path locations when you inquire about your Paradise elopement here!

Legalities of Getting Married at Mount Rainier

Do You Need a Permit to Elope at Paradise?

Yes, a Special Use Permit is required for any ceremony within the park (not just Paradise). As of early 2025, the permit fee is $150, and it’s recommended that you apply at least 4 weeks in advance—even further if you can. You can find the application on the NPS website here (as well as up-to-date info), or I can help guide you through it when we start planning!

Can You Bring Guests to a Paradise Elopement?

You can! The maximum number of guests you can have depends on your location, as every ceremony site has a slightly different requirement. Most ceremony sites are best with 0-10 guests, as if you have more than 12 people total, you may be restricted to certain areas like roadside pullouts, campgrounds, and picnic areas.

How Do You Legally Get Married at Mount Rainier?

All you have to do is follow Washington marriage laws, and the process of getting a marriage license in your county. Here are the basic steps:

1. Apply for your Washington State marriage license, and pay the licensing fee (varies by county)
2. Wait the mandatory 3-day waiting period
3. Hire an officiant (I can recommend some, or I can also sign your license)
4. Have two witnesses present (I can be one if I’m your photographer)
5. Hold your ceremony within 60 days of obtaining your license
6. Sign, file, and celebrate!

Pro tip: You can do the paperwork beforehand and treat your ceremony day as purely symbolic, too!

Where to Stay Near Paradise: Cabins, Lodges, & Airbnbs

The area surrounding Paradise seriously has TONS of cozy places to stay, ranging from aesthetic A-frame cabins to gorgeous lodges in the woods. Below are a few of my all-time favorites that I’d recommend checking out in Ashford and Packwood:

• The Little Owl Cabin (the dream PNW cabin getaway)
• The Green Dream (a quaint, modern cabin just 10 minutes from the park)
• Hebe’s Hideaway (a quiet, cozy A-frame next to the Nisqually River)
• The Ranger Outpost (the most beautiful handcrafted log cabin, with a hot tub!)

Sample Paradise Elopement Timelines

I know it can be tough to envision your elopement day when you have SO many options to choose from—locations, seasons, accommodations. . . how does it all come together in the end?!

That’s why I put together two sample timelines for you to take a look at below, showing you what your day in paradise (literally) could look like. Obviously every couple is totally different, as is their elopement day, so don’t feel like this is a template you’re required to build off of—just use it as inspiration to start with.

7-Hour Sunrise Elopement at Paradise (Summer)

Approx. 4:30 AM – 11:30 AM

4:30 AM – Photographer arrives / detail shots & getting ready

5:30 AM – Change into attire

6:00 AM – First look outside cabin

6:30 AM – Drive up to Paradise

7:30 AM – Ceremony at Paradise (Skyline, Myrtle Falls, or secret meadow)

8:00 AM – Just Married Portraits – explore the trails / soak it all in

9:30 AM – Post-hike breakfast picnic or celebration at trailhead/lodge – Bring croissants, fruit, mimosas, or whatever feels like “you”

10:30 AM – Final portraits in a forested area or waterfall

11:30 AM – Photographer coverage ends

10-Hour Sunset Elopement at Paradise (Summer)

Approx. 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

11:30 AM – Photographer coverage begins / Getting Ready

12:30 PM – Change into attire

1:00 PM – Drive up to Paradise

2:00 PM – First Look & Portraits in Forested Location

3:00 PM – Drive to secondary spot 

4:00 PM – Begin Hike into Ceremony Spot (Skyline Loop or Glacier Vista extension or a secret trail)

6:30 PM – Exchange private vows

7:00 PM –  Just Married Portraits at golden hour

8:00 PM – Picnic Celebration or Champagne + Cake Moment (Find a scenic overlook or quiet trail spot to lay out a blanket and toast

8:30 PM – Final Portraits at Blue Hour / Hike Out (Cozy lantern or headlamp photos)

9:30 PM – Photographer coverage ends

What to Pack for Your Mount Rainier Elopement Day

Before you head into the mountains for your big day, make sure you’ve got your bags packed properly with the following essentials:

• Layers! (Jacket, gloves, scarf, even in summer)
• Clear umbrellas if rain might be a thing
• Hiking boots or shoes with grip
• Headlamp if you’re doing sunrise/sunset
• Touch-up makeup + hair tools
• Snacks + water
• Marriage license + vow books
• Blanket or mat if sitting for portraits
• Microspikes if there’s still snow (June or October)

Want more insight into the logistics of planning an elopement in the mountains? Check out this guide next.

Leave No Trace & Elopement Etiquette at Paradise

Last but certainly not least, it’s so incredibly important to familiarize yourselves with Leave No Trace principles before your elopement—or simply the next time you head outside. This ensures that every step you take on your big day has minimal impact on the beautiful terrain and ecosystems around you, and that you’re able to leave Mount Rainier National Park more beautiful than you found it.

Here are a few of the core principles I highly recommend getting to know, and putting into practice:

1. Stay on trails and durable surfaces
2. Don’t pick the wildflowers
3. Don’t feed the wildlife
4. Pack out ALL trash
5. Keep groups small and noise low
6. No décor or arches unless permitted
7. Respect other park visitors — it’s public land

As a Leave No Trace certified photographer, I’ll help guide you so your day leaves nothing behind but good memories.

Interested in learning more about how you can Leave No Trace with your adventure elopement? Click here for a comprehensive deep dive!

Meet Your Paradise Elopement Photographer

I don’t know about you, but I’m dying to head to Paradise after writing all that! It’s truly one of the most magical places in the state, and that says a LOT—I’ll be forever grateful for the abundance of national and state land we get to explore here in the Pacific Northwest. 

That said—I’m Katie! Resident elopement photographer, Mount Rainier addict, mountain lover. . . the list could go on. I’d love to show you around all my favorite parts of the Paradise area, and help you plan the day of your dreams among the wildflowers, meadows, and dreamy mountain views. Get in touch here to start planning, I can’t wait!

Paradise Elopement Packages & Pricing

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Still considering other locations in WA for your elopement? I bet I’ve got guides for ‘em all!

How to Plan an Epic North Cascades Elopement

How to Elope at Mt. Baker

Ultimate Guide to Planning an Olympic National Park Elopement

Best Places to Elope in Snoqualmie Pass