One of the most scenic stretches of coast for an Oregon Coast Elopement

One of the more instagrammed parts of the coast, and for a good reason. This part of the coast is dominated by dramatic sea stacks, plunging cliffs and natural arches. The rocky reefs that make for particularly dangerous swimming and surfing make for amazing tidepools and opportunities to see some pretty cool sea life.

The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a stretch of coast at the very southern part of Oregon. Just a few miles north of Brookings, OR, there are a ton of spectacular options for elopement spots along this scenic drive.

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.

The Southern Oregon coast and Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor sits upon land originally stewarded by people of what is now federally recognized as the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, as well as the Coquille Indian Tribe. Recognizing the history of forced removal and colonization is step one for best honoring and caring for the landscape and cultural heritage to the best of our ability as we enjoy these lands.

Why Choose this Samuel H. Boardman for an elopement?

Simply put: it is amazingly beautiful.

But there are other reasons to choose this State Park. It is close to Brookings, which is a super cute little coastal town to stay in and explore. I also really like camping at Alfred Loeb State Park– really great river side campground and perfect for a dip on a hot summer day.

While some of the spots along this scenic corridor are very well known and very well traveled, there are other spots that are more or less overlooked where it’d be pretty easy to find solitude for a more private elopement ceremony.

Trails

Secret Beach: Either 2.0 miles or a shorter 0.6 mile trail. Secret Beach is definitely not a secret. But it is absolutely stunning.

Cape Ferrelo: About 1.0 mile trail that meanders across a pretty, grassy cape. Sweeping views of seastacks to the south and possible beach access to the north… tides depending.

Indian Sands: My favorite trail is Sam Boardman. About 1.1 miles. This trail leads down to a really cool, intricate system of rocky cliffs, sand dunes and coastal forests. The one down side to this area is you can’t get to the ocean, but if you want to sink your toes into the wet sand, there are beaches a short drive away.

Natural Bridges: About 0.5 miles. While you can get down to the bridge (visible from the viewpoint), I do not like to escort clients down there. It is wildly unsafe and I do not want that kind of liability… no offense! Please feel free to explore down there on your own!

North Island Trail Viewpoint: About 1.3 miles. Head down this trail to check out China Beach. I’ve never seen another person at this beach, but definitely check the tide charts first.

Elopement Ceremony Spots in Samuel H. Boardman

See the trail list above, but also…

Whaleshead Beach is a nice, sprawling beach with the characteristic sea stacks.

Arch Rock viewpoint has some great vistas, including some sneaky ones 😉

Lone Ranch Beach, which is the beach south of Cape Ferrelo.

Nearby Attractions (potentially possible to add to an elopement itinerary):

Meyers Creek Beach & Pistol River Area
Harris Beach State Park
The Oregon Redwoods
Redwoods National & State Parks
The Prehistoric Gardens (a walk through dinosaur sculptures… this is for very specific people… haha)
Azalea Park
Capella by the Sea (a city owned micro wedding venue in Brookings with gorgeous wood beam architecture)
Crook Point (another micro wedding venue, but north of Sam Boardman)

Elopement Permit Info

Great news! No permit needed for an elopement in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. You may need a day pass for certain areas, but that’ll run you about $5-10.

Best Time of Year to Elope

Pretty much any time but winter, and even then is alright if rain isn’t a deal breaker.

May is lovely because the azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom. I like late spring in general.

Samuel H. Boardman Elopement Gallery

Here are some Samuel H. Boardman elopement pictures.

Oregon Elopement Photographer

Seven years ago, I moved and fell in love with the landscapes of Oregon. The strata volcanoes, the sagebrush desert, the old growth forests and mossy waterfalls… I just love it, and I love showing people around.

My background in ecology, outdoor education and nature guiding gives me a unique take on adventure elopements, and I’d love to tell you more about it!

I know the myriad of epic elopement locations that Oregon (and the greater PNW) has to offer can be overwhelming. When the time comes that you decide to start planning an adventure elopement, I’d be honored to be considered as your photographer.

If you have any questions at all about the process, please feel free to get in touch here. Additionally, feel free to peruse these resources (among others) that I have:

How to Elope in Brookings, Oregon

5 Best Places to Elope in Brookings, OR

Where to Stay in Brooking, OR: A Lodging Guide for Eloping Couples