Few landscapes inspire as much wonder and awe as an alpine lake. As such, they are incredibly popular elopement locations. And I feel so lucky to live in a region that is rich with them.

The Pacific Northwest is lousy with alpine lakes– from as far east as Montana, all the way to the Cascade Mountains. For this article, I’ll be focusing on Oregon and Washington alpine lake elopement locations. Those two states are typically what folks think of when “PNW” is thrown around.

Oregon Alpine Lake Elopement Spots

Sparks Lake – Deschutes NF

A regional favorite, as well as a personal favorite of mine. One of the first stops along the Cascade Lakes Highway, Sparks Lake is unrivaled in its mountain views. While the forest road to get to the trailhead is a bit rough, it’s well worth the bumps to get to the sweeping vistas of South Sister and Broken Top. On a clear, still day, you will get amazing reflections too, which is a nice bonus.

Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail

Trail Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 108 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: Paved for the first part, of the trail, but the whole loop is not ADA compliant
Dogs: On Leash

Clear Lake – Willamette NF

The headwaters of my favorite river in Oregon. This lake is so blue and beautiful, and it’s close to some amazing waterfalls as well. The black lava shoreline is polka dotted with lovely vine maples and huckleberry shrubs that turn bright red in the autumn. The small resort on the lake has row boats to rent, which are super cute and super fun.

Trail Length: 4.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 238 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: Trails through the lava fields are paved, but they have steep sections.
Dogs: On Leash

Blue Pool (Tamolich Falls) – Willamette NF

A little bit farther down the watershed from Clear Lake, Tamolich Falls (aka Blue Pool) is one of the most instagrammable spots in Oregon. It’s an incredibly popular hike, but getting there early in the day, going on a weekday, or going during the slow seasons will help cut down on crowds.

Trail Length: 3.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 351 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

No Name Lake – Three Sisters Wilderness

Nestled in the crater of Broken Top, one of the most iconic peaks in the Central Oregon Cascades. A little lake, surrounded by towering peaks, and beautiful glacial blue– as long as you go early in the season. July is the best month to get the cerulean color, and it gets a little chocolate-y brown by the time September rolls around, depending on rainfall throughout the summer.

Trail Length: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1420 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon’s only National Park– though there are several National Monuments– Crater Lake hardly needs any introduction. There are plenty of trails to explore, but here are a couple of my favorites.

Watchman Peak Trail

Trail Length: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands, or Day Pass; special use permit may be needed, so get in an application with enough notice to make through bureaucratic red tape
ADA: Paved, but steep
Dogs: No

Cleetwood Cove Trail (closed until 2027)

Trail Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 610 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands, or Day Pass; special use permit may be needed, so get in an application with enough notice to make through bureaucratic red tape
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Mount Scott Fire Lookout

Trail Length: 4.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1275 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands, or Day Pass; special use permit may be needed, so get in an application with enough notice to make through bureaucratic red tape
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Garfield Peak

Trail Length: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1100 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands, or Day Pass; special use permit may be needed, so get in an application with enough notice to make through bureaucratic red tape
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Odell Lake – Deschutes NF

Odell Lake is a big, beautiful alpine lake near the Willamette Pass. It has tons of beautiful camping along the shore, plus a couple rustic resorts that you can stay at. Odell Lake Resort has campsites, rooms in the lodge, and cabins of ranging sizes. Surrounding the lake, you can explore the volcanic past of the Cascades. Odell Lake can be quite windy in the summers, so morning hikes are best if you’re trying to avoid that. It is also an amazing destination for a winter elopement, as there are so many XC ski and snowshoe trails.

Odell Lake Trail

Trail Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 180 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: Yes

Crater Butte to Fawn Lake

Trail Length: 8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1150 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: Yes

Honorable mention– the Rosary Lakes are some more alpine lakes that you can hike to near Odell Lake. It was one of my favorite stops along the PCT. There are 3 small lakes that are simply perfect for an afternoon dip.

Crescent Lake – Deschutes NF

Crescent Lake is a bit of an anomaly in this list of alpine lakes. It is a gorgeous blue lake with wide sandy beaches in the middle of the mountains. There are many access points and campgrounds to choose from, and this is a great choice for an elopement if you are planning on paddling or swimming to celebrate.

Trillium Lake – Mount Hood NF

Trillium Lake has one of the best views in Mount Hood National Forest. The tallest peak in Oregon looms above the lake, and on a clear, still day, you get amazing reflections. I recommend a sunrise start time for this one, or a winter snowshoe hike (which will add a little bit of distance to the trek because the road will close a little further out).

Trail Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: easy
Elevation Gain: 26ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass or Day Pass
ADA: Partially Paved
Dogs: On Leash

Wallowa Lake – Eastern Oregon (Wallowa Whitman NF)

A long, gorgeous lake in eastern Oregon. Snow capped peaks and sprawling meadows make for a fun playground in the most underrated mountain range in Oregon.

East Moraine Trail

Trail Length: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 774 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Strawberry Lake – Eastern Oregon (Malheur NF)

Truly a hidden gem in Oregon. Along the trail listed below, you’ll pass two lakes surrounded by mountain ridges, with a waterfall in between the two lakes.

Trail Length: 6.9 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1380 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: Yes

Paulina & East Lake – Newberry Volcanic National Monument

A semi-hidden gem in Central Oregon, these two lakes used to be one, until a giant flow of lava separated them. You can walk around on the Big Obsidian Flow, visit the hot springs on the shore of the lakes, drive to the top of Paulina Peak, and visit Paulina Creek Falls to round out your elopement day here.

Hotspring Trail (The linked trail info is longer, but you can start at the campground for a shorter hike)

Trail Length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 101 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Big Obsidian Flow Trail

Trail Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 203 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Northwest Forest, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Washington Alpine Lake Elopement Spots

Mowich Lake & Eunice Lake– Mt. Rainier NP (CLOSED for bridge repair)

Up a rough, washboard gravel road in Mount Rainier National Park, Mowich Lake is the gateway to my favorite part of the park. It is clear, cool, and surrounded by forested ridges. Eunice Lake is up among the peaks on the way to Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout– definitely worth exploring.

Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout

Trail Length: 5.6 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1560 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands Pass; may need special use permit
ADA: No
Dogs: No

PCT Washington Section I – Mt. Rainier NP

On the east side of the park, the PCT runs through a small wonderland of little, beautiful lakes. Stretching north of the 410 to Sourdough Gap down to Dewey Lake. There are so many idyllic options with perfectly conical fir trees, lush alpine meadows, and a lake for any hiking length.

Instead of trail info, I’ll list the lakes you can find. From the Chinook Pass area, you can easily access these lakes: Crystal Lake, Sheep Lake, Tipsoo Lake, Dewey Lakes, and a series of small unnamed (on Google) lakes along the Naches Peak Loop trail.

Bench & Snow Lake – Mt. Rainier NP

Through meadow and huckleberry shrubs, this hike will take you past pretty teal lakes nestled in a cirque, giving you those dramatic views of peaks and slopes straight into the water.

Trail Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 450 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands Pass; may need special use permit
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Artist’s Point – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF

Epic views abound at the special spot in the North Cascades. It really is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I don’t even know how to describe it. And the best part is, there is an ADA option for folks with accessibility concerns!

Chain Lakes Loop

Trail Length: 6.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1800 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Artist Ridge & Huntoon Point

Trail Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 270 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Picture Lake

Trail Length: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 6 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands, or Day Pass
ADA: Paved & Wheel Chair Friendly
Dogs: On leash

Snow Lake – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF

One of Washington’s most trafficked trails in a wilderness area, Snow Lake is busy, but so so worth it. Snow capped peaks in the early summer, wildflowers later in the year… everything you want in an alpine lake elopement.

Trail Length: 6.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1690 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Colchuck Lake – Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

For the folks who want a longer hike for their alpine lake elopement. Colchuck lake is a larger alpine lake with a pretty blue water and a beautiful shoreline.

Trail Length: 8.7 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2340 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass – Day hikes are allowed with out a permit, but if you want to stay overnight, you’ll have to enter the Enchantments lottery
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Blue Lake – Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

All the glory of the previous 2 hikes, but with a shorter hiking distance. It is especially in the autumn with yellow larches and red huckleberry bushes. There’s nothing like an autumn lake elopement in the Cascades.

Trail Length: 4.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 900 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: No
Dogs: On Leash

Heather Lake – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF

A pretty hiking route that lollipops around the lake, giving you the chance to find the perfect ceremony spot for an alpine elopement. Bonus, this lake is at the base of Mount Pilchuck, which has one of the coolest fire lookouts in the Northwest. It might be the perfect thing for couple who want a multi day adventure elopement.

Trail Length: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed:
Accessibility: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
Dogs: No

Rattlesnake Lake – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF

Although it’s not reeeeally an alpine lake, I’m including it in this list because it is surrounded by ridges, and gives the same feeling. Plus, you can access the lake and the hike listed below at times of the year when the other lakes are still iced over and trails covered in snow!

Rattlesnake Ledge

Trail Length: 4.0 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1450 ft
Permits/Pass Needed: Non required! (Unless your group is larger than 30)
ADA: Up to the ridge, No; there is a wheel chair friendly route along the lake, though!
Dogs: Yes

Lake 22 – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF

A lovely hike through old growth forests to a gorgeous alpine lake elopement spot. With a well developed path, it makes for relatively easy walking for able-bodied folks. Plus, part of the trail is a boardwalk, and I’m not sure why… but I love a good boardwalk trail.

Trail Length: 5.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1450 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: Partially Paved
Dogs: On Leash

Twin Lakes – Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF

Twin Lakes is accessible by high clearance vehicle, making it a great destination for folks who want to have family members at the ceremony. Without a high clearance vehicle, you can park at the Yellow Aster Butte trail head and hike 2.5 miles on the fireroad to Twin Lakes. But, at Twin lakes, there are several trailheads located there as well, which will take you up the slopes and give epic views.

Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout

Trail Length: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1300 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: Folks with some mobility considerations could be helped to a ceremony spot near the parking lot, but it is not ADA certified. This trail is not accessible.
Dogs: On Leash

High Pass

Trail Length: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 765 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: Folks with some mobility considerations could be helped to a ceremony spot near the parking lot, but it is not ADA certified. This trail is not accessible.
Dogs: On Leash

Lake Crescent – Olympic NP

This lake is not technically an alpine lake, but I’m including it because it is in Olympic National Park, which has some amazing alpine environments, and it’d be easy to hit both scenes in an 8 hour elopement day. Lake Crescent makes a beautiful elopement location because it has those quintessential mountain layers falling into the water. And you can add a hike to one of several amazing spots.

Marymere Falls

Trail Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 320 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands Pass; might need a special use permit to hold a ceremony
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Devil’s Punchbowl

Trail Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 125 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: While the trail that follows the old railroad is wheelchair friendly, the part that branches off to get to the bridge over the Devil’s Punchbowl is not.
Dogs: On Leash

Pyramid Peak

Trail Length: 6.6 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2500 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: Federal Lands Pass; might need a special use permit to hold a ceremony
ADA: No
Dogs: No

Gold Creek Pond – Snoqualmie NF (Closed seasonally, but a potential spot for snowshoe elopement)

Gold Creek Pond is a beautiful ADA spot. It’s known for tall mountain peaks and also wildflowers and meadows. Until 2027, it’s closed for restoration, but you can snow shoe or cross country ski in the winter.

Trail Length: 1.0 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 10 ft.
Permits/Pass Needed: NW Forest Pass, Federal Lands Pass or Day Pass
ADA: Yes
Dogs: On Leash

PNW Elopement Photographer

I’m not just here to take photos (though I’ll make sure you look great doing whatever wild, windswept thing your heart is set on). My background is in outdoor education and guiding, which means I bring a deep understanding of the land, weather patterns, logistics, and—yes—how to turn a trailhead into the start of something magical.

Whether you’re exchanging vows under a waterfall, scrambling over driftwood at the coast, or sipping coffee on the tailgate as the sun rises, I’m here to help you craft a day that feels real. I’ll guide you through every step: finding the perfect locations, mapping out a timeline that flows naturally, handling permits, and making sure you’re both present and relaxed on the big day.

My style is organic, documentary, and rooted in storytelling. I’m all about capturing the unposed, in-between moments—because that’s where the magic really lives.

Have questions? Ready to start planning your dream PNW Elopement? Get in touch here 🙂