Post Summary: If you’ve been searching for the perfect place to elope in Oregon, look no further! I’ve compiled the 20 best places to elope in Oregon, from forests to beaches to mountains and SO much more. Oregon is truly one of the most diverse states in the country, so take advantage of it & find the location(s) that will help you craft your dream Oregon adventure elopement experience!

Disclaimer: I don't have my own photographs from every location on this list, so the images under a certain location aren't always of that specific location! Refer to the clickable link on each location title for images of that place.

The 20 Best Places to Elope in Oregon

The Oregon Coast

1. God’s Thumb

God’s Thumb is a spot you may not have heard of, but it’s a spot that LITERALLY looks like Ireland right in the middle of Oregon! The 4.3-mile trail takes you to a stunning viewpoint that’s grassy in the spring & summer and overlooks the coast. It’s such an amazing spot for elopement portraits after you’ve wrapped up the official part of your day!

2. Cannon Beach

You’ve most likely heard of Cannon Beach if you’re at all familiar with the Oregon Coast, because it’s one of the more popular coastal towns & tourist spots. Cannon Beach is right near Ecola State Park (see #4 down below!) and has tons of cute shops & restaurants to check out. Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is an iconic seastack that you’ve probably seen in photos - it creates super beautiful reflections in the water on clear days, and is a fun spot to walk around if you want to find some tidepools or have a bonfire on the beach!

3. Cape Kiwanda

The Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is another popular coastal spot you may have seen in photos, famous for its absolutely gorgeous orange sandstone, insane viewpoints, and unique caves + tidepools. It sits just north of Pacific City, another great coastal town to walk around, and will seriously blow your mind no matter how many times you visit! The rocks & crevices are super cool to explore – just make sure you stay safe and are aware of dangerous, potentially eroding cliff edges!

4. Ecola State Park / Indian Beach

Ecola State Park stretches along 9 miles of the Oregon Coast, between Seaside & Cannon Beach. The park has countless beautiful viewpoints of the ocean as well as forested trails to explore! Indian Beach is one of my favorite spots within the park; it’s a secluded sandy beach with tidepools, massive basalt formations, and obviously amazing views!

5. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

The Samuel H. Boardman Corridor is a freaking insane stretch of the coast, wayyy on the south end of Oregon. From the bluffs to the secluded beaches to the unique seastacks & rock formations, your jaw will be on the floor no matter what trail you take or route you go on in this area!! I def recommend taking the short trail out to the Natural Bridges, which is one of the best viewpoints in the park.

6. Hug Point

Hug Point is another recreation site near Ecola State Park, just a few miles from Cannon Beach. It offers stunning scenery with a variety of terrain to explore, including caves, green grassy areas, lush forests, cliff edges, the beach (obviously), and even a small waterfall! It’s got to be one of my favorite places along the coast because it’s so easy to access and is super close to Cannon Beach + Ecola. 

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Lucky for you, I ALSO have a whole guide to How to Elope Along the Oregon Coast - it’s a must-read if you’re planning a coastal adventure elopement!

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Columbia River Gorge

7. Latourell Falls

If you’re looking for an incredible waterfall to elope at in Oregon, Latourell Falls NEEDS to be on your list of options!! The falls sits along the Gorge, right off the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway. It’s only one stream of water, but is seriously one of the most beautiful waterfalls along the gorge, surrounded by lush green forest & trails to explore! It’s also super easy to get to; just park in the parking lot, walk a few minutes down a trail, and you’re there! Or, you can take the 2.4-mile Latourell Falls Loop Hike if you’re looking for a little bit longer of an adventure. 

8. Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood is an obvious Oregon destination that you have to consider for your elopement! The National Forest is absolutely stunning and filled with opportunities for adventure, whether you want to backpack through the trails, visit alpine lakes & streams, go skiing, or visit the actual mountain. It’s easy to visit both the Gorge & the Hood River area if you want to travel around a few different spots in Oregon on your trip!

9. Wahclella Falls

Wahclella Falls is another beautiful waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge, with a lower falls AND an upper falls to check out. You can take the easy 2.4-mile out & back day hike through a slot canyon to the falls and explore the area for some epic waterfall portraits!

10. Bridal Veil Falls

Aaaand yet another waterfall on the Gorge: Bridal Veil Falls! This State Scenic Viewpoint is also located just off the Highway and has two short hikes you can take to get to the falls. It’s easy to access and makes for a gorgeous backdrop for any adventure elopement!

11. Rowena Crest

Rowena Crest is a special part of the Columbia River Gorge. The best time of year to come here, without a doubt, is the spring, May-ish. This is when the lupines, balsam roots and other native wildflowers start exploding with color. Fields of flowers, dramatic cliff sides with the Columbia River in the background and views that stretch for miles. Yeah, it’s as beautiful as you can imagine.

It’s easy to get here and easy to get some epic shots without an exhausting hike, or really much hiking at all. It’s free to elope on Rowena Crest and in the Columbia River Gorge as long as your guest list is less than 75, which shouldn’t be a problem when you know how to elope in Oregon ;).

Portland Area

12. Cathedral Park

If you’re looking for something more urban, Cathedral Park is your place. In North Portland on the banks of the Willamette River, this iconic location has it all: lush greenery, water and gorgeous architecture. But what people come here for is the St. John’s Bridge, the tallest bridge in Portland, with its gothic arches and timeless feel.

This is a great location to have your Oregon elopement year round because the park is partially covered by the bridge itself, but it’s particularly epic in fall when the leaves are turning. Permitting is affordable and easy through Portland Parks and Rec.

13. Mount Tabor Park

Mount Tabor is an extinct volcano located about 20 minutes from downtown Portland. You can take one of three trails that range from 1 to 3 miles, and if you make it up to the summit of the mountain, you’ll get to see beautiful views across southeast Portland! Bring a picnic along with you, sit on one of the benches, and enjoy the views before taking portraits at sunset. 

14. Hoyt Arboretum (Redwood Deck)

The Hoyt Arboretum is a museum just a few minutes from downtown Portland that is home to 2,300 different species of trees and shrubs!! It’s a beautiful place to visit if you’re in the Portland area and want to learn about + see different types of foliage from six different countries. The Redwood Deck is located off of the Wildwood Trail and features stunning sequoia trees that make for the PERFECT spot for an intimate elopement ceremony!!

Central Oregon

15. Sparks Lake

Sparks Lake is a giant area of lake wetland, meadows, & marshes located about 25 miles west of Bend. It’s a super gorgeous area to explore, with deep green forests, bright green meadows, and wildflowers in the spring + summer! There are multiple trail options to choose from, and you’ll get t o see amazing views of South Sister, Broken Top, & Bachelor Butte. 

16. Painted Hills

The Painted Hills of Oregon are a picture of millions of years of geological stratification – the end result, elopement photos that look like you traveled to Mars or some other planet. Another one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, the Painted Hill in the John Day Fossil Beds Monument are, yet again, a landscape that you’d never expect in this state.

Summer can get pretty dang toasty here so early fall and late spring are the best times to elope here. Even though there’s a higher chance of rain during these times (is this starting to sound familiar? Yeah, it’s Oregon), the rain can actually make the painted hills even more picturesque. Sunset photos here are particularly gorgeous. A permit is required to get married here, but it’s easy and affordable.

17. Smith Rock State Park

Right near Bend, Oregon (which is one of the coolest towns in Oregon), you can find Smith Rock State Park. You’ll come here and be in awe of the insanely diverse landscapes that Oregon has to offer. You’ll think you magically transported to the red rock formations of the Four Corners states.

If you want to throw some adventure into your Oregon elopement, Smith Rock State Park is well-known to rock climbers. Come here if you want those towering red rock formations as your backdrop, which light up in the most fantastical ways during sunset. Summer will be your best bet for an Oregon elopement here.

Eastern Oregon

18. The Wallowas

The Wallowa Mountains are known as the Alps of Oregon, and for good reason. With stunning peaks, alpine meadows and breathtaking views, this is where you come when you want to feel like you’re scraping the sky in your Oregon elopement. These are not the lush, wet mountains you’d expect in the Pacific Northwest. They’re arid, rugged and snowcapped.

The town of Joseph is the place to stay when you’re visiting the area. It’s got that remote, small town feel but it’s also full of charm, culture, artisan shops and all the creature comforts. If you come here you absolutely must take the gondola up to the top of Mt. Howard for 360 degree views of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and Wallowa Lake. If your party is less than 30 people you won’t need a permit in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

Southern Oregon

19. Alvord Desert

How does the Death Valley of Oregon sound to you? Desert landscapes aren’t for everyone but those who know the desert know if they want to elope in this climate. In southeastern Oregon, the Alvord Desert is for the rugged adventurers who love the outdoors, camping and roughing it.

You’ll need a 4x4 vehicle to get here and it’s 100+ miles from the nearest gas station. But once you arrive, you enter a land that’s as magical as it is otherworldly. Fall is the best time of year to visit. You’ll never see sunsets or sunrises like these anywhere else and it’s also a geothermal hotpot with multiple hot springs in the area, so bring your swimsuit along with your wedding dress. And one of the best parts is no permits are needed here!

20. Crater Lake

How does eloping on a lake formed in the mouth of a sleeping volcano sound? One of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country and one of the purest in the world. Surrounded by massive cliffs, with a myth-like island (aptly named Wizard Island!) in the middle, Crater Lake is a pretty magical place. It's a color of blue you’ll never see anywhere else. You honestly have to see it to believe it.

You can get epic views of the caldera, Pumice Desert and even do some stargazing photos. Plan on coming here in the summer when the weather is mildest. But at its elevation, weather can change quickly, so bring layers. You will need a permit here. It’s only about $100 total, but make sure you give yourself at least 8 weeks for processing.

Oregon Elopement Packages

When it comes time for you to hire your Oregon elopement photographer, I’d freaking love to be considered! I’m an expert at all things Oregon elopements, so I’d be honored to help you plan your dream day at this stunning park full of beautiful landscapes & opportunities.

Take a look at my pricing below, and when you’re ready, contact me here so we can get this party started!

Getting Your Oregon Wedding Permits

Because there’s so much important information you’ll need to know, I’ve compiled a whole separate guide to How to Get Permits for Your Oregon Elopement - pause real quick & head over to it to get all the details depending on your elopement location!

More Oregon Elopement Resources

How to Get Permits for Your Oregon Elopement

Ultimate Guide to Planning an Oregon Coast Elopement

The Complete Guide on How to Elope in Oregon

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