Top 22 Places to Elope in Oregon in 2023
If you’re looking for some epic places to elope in Oregon, you can rest easy with this epic guide put together by your resident PNW elopement experts (us, of course!) With over 300 miles of coastline, ten national forests, stunning peaks of the Cascade range, a vast high desert, and over 200 waterfalls, it’s no wonder that Oregon is a top location for couples looking to have an adventurous outdoor elopement.
Because the landscape is so incredibly diverse, we’ve divided up our favorite Oregon elopement locations by scenery type – forest, coastal, mountain, and desert locations for your elopement. All of these areas host locations that are easily accessible as well as locations that are well suited for hiking elopements, but as a bonus we’ve also included a bonus category – elopement locations in Oregon that are best suited for backpacking elopements!
Are you as excited as we are? Let’s go!
Places to elope in Oregon
If you want to elope in the forest in Oregon…
- Deschutes National Forest
- Expansive forest that borders the high desert. A great jumping off place to many central Oregon outdoor activities. Best visited during late spring/early summer when the wildflowers are out. Contact https://www.fs.usda.gov for permits.
- Mt. Hood National Forest
- Forest at the heart of the Columbia River Gorge surrounding Oregon’s tallest mountain. Best experienced early to mid summer. Permit info can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov
- Umpqua National Forest
- Southern Oregon forest surrounding Oregon’s only national park. Ideal from late spring to early summer for the best weather. This is also a wonderful jumping off point for various winter activities such as snowshoeing. Contact https://www.fs.usda.gov for permits.
- Forest Park
- Massive city park of 5,200 acres on the outskirts of Portland with miles of hiking trails, beautiful views of the city, a stunning Japanese garden, and a world renowned zoo. Best visited in early summer. Reach out to info@forestparkconservancy.org.
If you’re envisioning a romantic waterfall elopement…
- Sahalie falls
- Picturesque waterfall with easy access for guests. Best visited in early summer or in the middle of winter for a really gorgeous snowy waterfall view
- Wahclella falls
- 2 mile trail right off the Columbia River Gorge highway that leads to a beautiful waterfall cascading into a pool. No permits needed for groups under 20. Best visited during the summer.
- Latourell falls
- Iconic waterfall nestled along a scenic pull out of the Columbia River Gorge with easy access. Best visited in early to mid summer.
If an Oregon coast elopement is calling your name…
- Cannon Beach
- Iconic beach with stunning views of one of the biggest rock formations on the Oregon coast. Summer time is magical on the Oregon coast
- Cape Kiwanda
- Bustling beach with plenty of sandstone cliffs to explore. Open year round, but best visited during the summer
- Hobbit Beach
- Secluded beach on the central Oregon coast with stunning cliffside views and a trail to Heceta Head lighthouse. The summer months are ideal for visiting.
- God’s Thumb
- Gorgeous views of a grassy rock formation jutting out to a cliff. Perfect for a moody elopement with windswept hair amongst flowing blades of grass. Bring your rain boots and expect mud if visiting any other season besides summer.
- Samuel H. Boardman
- The banana belt of the Oregon coast gets its name from the relatively warm weather year round where you can occasionally find 70 degree days in late winter and early spring. This scenic drive has miles and miles of jaw-dropping views right off the road as well as some very famous spots such as Natural Bridges. This is a great place to whale watch in fall and spring.
If you’re dreaming of mountain views…
- Trillium Lake (Mt. Hood)
- Beautiful lake with a front row seat of Mt. Hood. Come visit on a clear winter day for a gorgeous snowy vista. Visit the forest service website at www.fs.usda.gov for permit info
- Sparks Lake (South Sister)
- Located in the heart of Deschutes National Forest, this lake has the most iconic view of South Sister with easy accessibility. Keep driving up the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (only open in summer) for a real treat.
- Mt. June
- The best views just outside of Eugene, Oregon. Mt. June is a 2 mile hike where you can see most of the peaks in the Oregon Cascade mountain range. Best time to visit is in the summer after the road to the trail has been plowed and the trees have been cleared.
- Viento State Park
- Spanish for “wind,” this park is situated off the Columbia River Gorge highway an hour from Portland. Viento State Park is easily accessible and offers a great jumping off point for outdoor activities in the Columbia River Gorge such as windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, and parasailing.
Don’t forget — Oregon has some epic desert elopement locations…
- Smith Rock State Park
- Iconic state park located just outside of Bend, Oregon. Smith Rock is popular for rock climbing and hiking and is just an incredible rock formation in general. Permits required for 50 or more people. Visit www.smithrock.com for more details.
- Painted Hills
- The Painted Hills are a gorgeous natural formation that tells the tale of time. Located in the heart of Oregon, this area has plenty of trails to explore and you might be lucky enough to see some fossils as well! Come check it out in the winter for some extra dramatic colors. See https://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/permits-reservations.htm for permit information.
- Alvord Desert
- Deep in the south east corner of Oregon, this desert is a beautiful place to bring your friends and camp out for the evening while watching the stars. Come check it out in the summer when the road to the top of the Steens Mountains (the highest place you can drive in the whole state) opens.
- Owyhee Canyon
- One of Oregon’s hidden gems, this canyon will make you forget you’re even in Oregon. Situated closest to Boise, you can find some incredible rock formations here. Come visit in fall to beat the heat.
Where to have a backpacking elopement in Oregon…
- Sisters Wilderness
- Enjoy summer backpacking at the base of 3 of Oregon’s most famous mountains, the Three Sisters, of course. Spring is also stunning for catching a glimpse of some mountain wildflowers.
- Eagle Cap wilderness
- The “Switzerland of Oregon,” Eagle Cap wilderness is an untamed gem on the outskirts of Oregon. There are endless trails to explore here in the summer and you can even hike to a glacier. This is the perfect place to stargaze and even catch a glimpse of our Milky Way galaxy due to the area’s secluded nature
You can see more information on our Oregon elopement packages here.
Are you ready to get started planning your own epic elopement in Oregon?
We can’t wait to get started helping you make all your wedding dreams come true. With over 4 years of experience helping guide couples in crafting their perfect wedding day experience, we’ve got all the tools you need to make your dreams a reality. We’re ready to help you pick the best, unique location, connect you with local vendors, and create an adventure-filled and stress-free day. All you have to do is have an amazing time together and get married! We can’t wait to be your elopement photographer and wander with you.
