An Oregon Elopement Spot that has almost everything to offer

Oswald West State Park might be the place where I’ve photographed the most elopements. It is everything you want the Oregon Coast to be– big, towering old growth trees, a beach lined by forested ridgelines, and plunging rocky cliffs.

Land Acknowledgement

Though this land is known now as “Oregon,” the various landscapes of this state have been inhabited and stewarded since time immemorial by many indigenous peoples, as continues to be inhabited and stewarded today.

Oswald West State Park exists on the stolen land of the Nehalem band of the Tillamook people. It is important to acknowledge the storied and violent history of the original inhabitants of the land that we all use and love. We also must do what we can to honor that history by caring for the land and the cultural heritage to the best of our ability.

Why Choose Oswald West for an Elopement?

Just a few miles from Oregon’s iconic Cannon Beach, Oswald West is a great elopement spot. It has a myriad of different trails to explore, as well as ample lodging and eateries– whether you want a fancy vacation rental and fine dining or a simple motel and a burger.

Elopement Hiking Trail Recommendations

Short Sands Beach: There’s a bit of a maze through the woods from the parking lot down to the beach. From 1.0 to around 3.0 miles, depending on the route you take. I like to veer off to the south and hit the Necarney Creek Trail. There’s just usually less people there.

Elk Flats: from 0.5 to 1.3 miles – either along the cliffs or a straight shot down to the cliffs. This can be quite steep and quite muddy, so good shoes are nonnegotiable.

Cape Falcon: about 4.5-5.0 miles. This is one of the first trails I hiked when I moved to Oregon. It is the trail that made me fall in love with the Oregon Coast.

Ceremony Spots

I’m partial to a more private ceremony, so I like to find a big tree on a less-used trail or a little nook along the shore.

There is a small waterfall that cascades down one of the cliffs into the tidepools at Short Sands Beach.

And Elk Flats has big, sweeping views and is a popular spot of a vow exchange. Though it is relatively well known, I see other people there very infrequently, and it’s often a solo traveler sitting to enjoy the sunset.

Nearby Attractions (easily added to an elopement itinerary):

Cannon Beach (the town and the beach)
Arcadia State Beach
Hug Point
Netarts Bay
Jacobson’s Salt Co.
Ecola State Park
Seaside, OR (arcades and carnival-style goodies)

Elopement Permit Info

This is the best part. You don’t need a permit for an elopement! You will need to purchase a parking pass, but that’s like $5… it may have gone up to $10 for 2026.

Best Time of Year to Elope

My favorite time of year to elope on the Oregon Coast is late spring and early summer.

The weather is not as reliably nice, but I am partial to moody, misty coastlines. This is also when wildflowers are blooming on the coast, and the waterfalls are nice and full.

Late summer and early fall would be the best time to get predictable sun.

Oswald West Elopement Gallery

Here are some pictures from elopements at Oswald West.

Oregon Elopement Photographer

As previously mentioned, Oswald West is one of the elopement spots most frequently chosen by my clients, but there are many places along the coastline that I deeply adore. In fact, I actually live in Bend, which is a city about 3.5 hours from the coast. Oregon’s landscapes are varied and diverse, offering a huge selection of some of the best elopement locations. Whether you want mountains, forest, desert or beach… it’s got it all.

The sheer amount of choice can be overwhelming, but I’m happy to help you along the way. When the time comes that you are looking to plan an elopement, I’d be honored to be considered as your photographer.