There are few places in the U.S. as beautiful as America’s National Parks, and Mount Rainier is one that is close to my heart. Whether you’re drawn to its snow-capped glaciers, wildflowers, forests, or waterfalls, there is so much to see!

Living in its shadow and adventuring there often, I am familiar with the unusual challenges that come with planning a wedding at Rainier. Here are my best tips to make your Rainier National Park wedding come to life.

1. Avoid the crowds

Mount Rainier is a very popular park, seeing nearly half a million visitors every year. To avoid having to wait for the hoards of hikers to move out of your photo backgrounds, and have a more private ceremony, get married on a weekday during golden hour — at daybreak, or closer to sunset after most tourists have left.

2. Determine your guest list and ceremony location

Guests

Your guest list will play a large part in determining where you can hold a ceremony or reception at Rainier. If you have a group of 12 or fewer (vendors included in this count), you’ll have the ability to use almost any trail in the park.

If your group size is larger than 12, you’ll have to keep to appointed overlooks or the park’s amphitheaters which are open seasonally.

Ceremony locations

No matter where you hold your ceremony, you’ll need to follow leave no trace principles. You won’t be allowed to block traffic or go off-trail (trampling the wildflower meadows is a huge no-no). It’s imperative that your ceremony space can adequately hold you, your guests, and allow room for your photographer to capture it all.

Thankfully, you don’t have to figure out where you can elope on all your own! I’ve thoroughly explored the park and love suggesting ideal places for each of my couples to get married at. Contact me if you want to chat about your needs!

3. Apply for a permit

Check here (under the “weddings in the park” headline) to view permit information and the different guest limitations. Do keep your guests’ needs in mind while choosing a location, as not everywhere in the park has ADA accommodations.

Once you decide on your date, guest list, and ideal location, apply for a permit. Give the park at least two weeks before the requested date, but the sooner you can apply the better.

3. Plan transportation

Knowing what to expect can help you avoid lots of hassle! A little preparation will go a long way in making your trip here a great experience.

From Seattle

Fly into the Seattle Tacoma International Airport. From there it’s a two-hour drive to the base of Mount Rainier. Renting a car or motorcycle (between July and September only) is the best way to explore.

Entrance fees

Make sure your guests aren't caught off guard by park entrance fees. It's $30 per vehicle (good for seven consecutive days), $55 for the annual pass to Rainier, or $80 for the interagency pass, which is good for all U.S. National Parks.

Better yet — arrange for a shuttle to bring your guests into the park.

Road conditions

Road conditions vary greatly between seasons at Mount Rainier. In the winter months, it’s imperative to check road conditions before heading to the mountain. Click here to view the status of the roads, and if you'll be traveling in the park between November and March, carrying chains in your car is a requirement and it’s strongly advised to have all-wheel drive during those months.

There are also seasonal road closures. The Sunrise Visitor Center is only open from late June to mid-September. The Stevens Canyon Road is usually open between late May and September but has ongoing construction work estimated to last until 2024. Check here for its road status and detours.

During summer months it’s possible to circumnavigate the mountain and road closures only happen if there is construction, mudslides after heavy rains in the spring or fall, or wildfires in late summer.

Backups

Slowdowns getting into the park can be anywhere from 15-75 minutes during peak seasons, especially on weekends. Arrive by 8:00 am to beat the crowds or plan accordingly.

Amenities

Be sure your guests know to fill up their gas tanks before entering the park and plan bathroom stops appropriately. Longmire, Paradise, and Sunrise Visitor Centers all have restrooms but there are no gas stations within the park.

Bring your own snacks and water as well. Park restaurants are limited, busy, and often seasonal.

To have access to GPS, load your destinations into Google Maps while you still have wifi at your lodging. The only place within the park boundaries with cell reception is the Paradise Visitor Center.

4. Be prepared for rain

Mount Rainier's weather can change rapidly, so it's wise to bring a jacket no matter the season. The climate is typically cool, with summer highs in the 60s and 70s and winter lows in the 20s. July and August are the driest months, but you can expect snow and rain throughout the winter.

5. Book accommodations early

Campgrounds and lodging tend to fill up very quickly around Rainier, so make sure you and your guests book well in advance. Keep in mind where you’ll be getting married within the park as you book lodging. The park is very large so you’ll want to stay in the town nearest your ceremony site, otherwise, you’ll spend most of your day driving instead of enjoying yourselves.

Mount Rainier National Park Lodge

With views of Mount Rainier right from the doorstep, staying at Paradise Inn is idyllic! Since the inn is inside the park, you’ll be steps away from Rainier’s iconic trails. Rooms book up quickly, despite being rustic and minimalist. Parking is also a bit of a hassle since there are no reserved spots for guests at the inn.

Stay in Ashford

If you’re eloping near Longmire or the Paradise Visitor Center on the southern side of Mount Rainier you should stay in Ashford. It’s a quaint town with a few restaurants and adorable rental cabins and lodges. Some of the lodges even offer wedding services. Find a list of them here (under the South Puget Sound section).

Stay in Packwood

Since the Stevens Canyon Road (under construction now — check here for updates) connecting Packwood to the Paradise Visitor Center and the eastern side of Mount Rainier closes during winter months, staying in Packwood is only a viable option between June and September.

There are more lodging and restaurant options available here but depending on where you plan on eloping and current construction plans, it may be farther away than if you were to find lodging in Ashford.

Stay in Greenwater

If you’re getting married near the Sunrise Visitor Center in the summer months or at the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, you’ll want to stay in Greenwater. Like Ashford, it’s a small town with few amenities but it makes up for it in charm. There are plenty of cabin rentals but the ski resort does create some traffic delays in the winter months.

Campgrounds

There are lots of beautiful campgrounds near Mount Rainier. Book an individual site for yourselves, or reserve a group campsite like Kelly and Evan did below for their picnic-style reception. Check here for availability and know that sites book quickly.

6. Limit decor

Simply put, the mountain is so gorgeous that you won't need much decoration. Mount Rainier's site says, "modest decorations are allowed", but if you have questions, contact the permit coordinator.

Preserving the natural environment is a top priority, so you will not be allowed to dig holes for a wedding arch, remove any vegetation, pick wildflowers, or throw confetti (yes, even the biodegradable kind as it takes months to decompose).

7. Set expectations

You’ll need to educate your guests on the differences between your wedding and most others they have been to. If you’ll be hiking to your ceremony location, let them know not to arrive in heels and to be prepared for unpredictable weather. The last thing you want is someone hobbling down a rocky path in stilettos.

Alternatives

If tying the knot inside the Rainier National Park isn’t a reasonable option for you, don’t worry, there are plenty of great alternatives just outside the park boundaries. Check out this list of elopement locations in Washington and these elopement venues for more inspiration.

Start planning your Mount Rainier Elopement