Glacier National Park is one of the most stunning locations on Earth. Here, you’ll have all the impressive mountains, turquoise lakes, alpine meadows, valleys, and over 700 miles of trails waiting to be the backdrop of your elopement day. It’s the perfect place for couples who love nature, adventure, and breathtaking scenery.

This Glacier National Park elopement guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan an incredible, stress-free, and breathtakingly beautiful elopement in one of America’s most epic national parks.

Table of Contents

• Why Elope in Glacier National Park
• Best Glacier National Park Elopement Locations
• GNP Elopement Permits
• How to Get to Glacier National Park
• When to Elope in GNP + Seasonal Road Closures
• Where to Stay in GNP
• Where to Eat
• Best Elopement Activities in Glacier National Park
• Best Hikes in GNP
• Getting Your Marriage License
• Average Cost of Eloping in GNP
• What to Pack
• Glacier National Park Elopement Packages

Why Elope in Glacier National Park?

So, why elope in Glacier National Park? Let’s start with the obvious—it’s simply stunning. Glacier’s jaw-dropping views, from rugged peaks to glacial lakes, offer a backdrop unlike any other. You’ll find secluded spots for intimate vows and sweeping vistas that look straight out of a dream.

It’s also perfect if you’d like to include adventure into your elopement day. Here, you can hike up to a hidden lake, share vows by a mountain overlook, or camp under the starry Montana sky. There’s so much to see and do here, and it’s completely up to you how you’d like your day to look and feel!

Best Glacier National Park Elopement Locations

There are so many beautiful locations where you can exchange your vows at GNP! As you choose where to elope and where to stay, you should consider a few things, such as: What kind of setting do you want when you say your vows? Something more foresty or maybe lake views, or both? How many people will you have? How accessible does the location need to be? Many areas require at least a short walk or mild hike.

However, you’re only allowed to have your ceremony at designated wedding locations in the Park (you can roam around and take pictures pretty much anywhere, though!) Plus, some locations are only available during specific times of year and only allow a certain number of people. You can learn more about all Glacier National Park wedding locations here.

There are many things to consider when choosing a location, but if you choose me as your Montana elopement photographer, my questionnaire will help you dive deep into your wants. Together, we will put together the most amazing plan! But if you’re still just browsing for ideas, here are some suggestions!

Lake McDonald Lodge Beach

The pebble-covered beach looks out over the park’s largest lake, with shimmering waters, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks. The lodge’s Swiss chalet-style architecture adds a cozy, vintage vibe to the scenery.

Max Capacity: 15 during peak season, 30 non-peak season

Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline

Apgar offers a sweeping view of Lake McDonald, where the glassy water reflects the surrounding peaks. This view is particularly stunning during sunrise or sunset. The shoreline is framed by evergreens, and there is plenty of open space for your lakeside ceremony.

Max Capacity: 15 during peak season, 20 non-peak season

Fish Creek Picnic Area

Tucked into a quieter section of the Lake McDonald area, this spot feels more private and secluded. The scenery features a mix of peaceful lakeside views and a dense canopy of trees, creating a cozy, natural backdrop for your ceremony. 

Max Capacity: 20 during peak season, 25 non-peak season

Sun Point

Sun Point offers a rocky perch overlooking St. Mary Lake. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the water, surrounding peaks, and the rugged cliffs that line the shore.

Max Capacity: 20 during peak and non-peak season

Two Medicine Picnic Area Shoreline

Two Medicine Lake is also one of the more private areas of the park, slightly off the beaten path. The lake’s serene waters are surrounded by jagged peaks and lush, forested hills. It’s honestly so beautiful here!

Max Capacity: 15 during peak season, 20 non-peak season

Running Eagle Falls 

This unique double waterfall flows through a rocky gorge surrounded by lush greenery. It’s accessible via a short, flat trail, so it’s a beautiful and accessible location for your elopement!

Max Capacity: 15 during peak and non-peak season

Big Bend

Located along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, Big Bend is an absolutely epic elopement location. Towering cliffs and deep valleys stretch into the distance, and it’s especially breathtaking during golden hour!

Max Capacity: 10 during peak and non-peak season

7-Mile Pullout (Sandy Point)

This pullout along the Going-to-the-Sun Road offers expansive views of Lake McDonald and the surrounding peaks, making it a picturesque spot for your elopement day!

Max Capacity: 15 during peak season, 20 non-peak season

Ryan Beach

This is a secluded spot along Lake McDonald, offering a peaceful lakeside environment with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. However, you can only elope at the beach and not the meadow.

Max Capacity: 15 during peak season, 20 non-peak season

For a detailed breakdown of more amazing spots, check out my blog on the Best Places to Elope in Glacier National Park!

Glacier National Park Elopement Permits

You will need a Special Use Permit to elope in Glacier National Park, even if it’s just the two of you. However, if you’re simply entering the park with your photographer for a photoshoot (no vows, officiant, or legal union happening), you’re likely not going to need a permit, but you need to check with officials!

How to Get Your Permit

1. Download the Special Use Permit application. 

2. Fill it out completely. Use the info from the wedding location page to provide as much detail as possible about your event.

3. Submit your application. Email the completed form (Word or PDF format preferred) to glac_sup@nps.gov. Just keep in mind that your application and the non-refundable $125 fee need to arrive at least 20 business days before your elopement date—so plan ahead! Also, you can’t submit your application more than a year in advance.

4. Pay the non-refundable $125 fee. This is done through Pay.gov, and while checks are an option.

Even with your permit, everyone attending (including you) will still need a valid park entrance pass. These are required at all times, even if the entrance stations aren’t staffed.

Each elopement location has rules about how many people can attend, how long you can stay, and what kind of equipment (like chairs or arches) you’re allowed to bring. The number of vehicles you’re allowed depends on your group size, so check the details for your specific spot. These restrictions are designed to protect the incredible plants, wildlife, and scenery that make Glacier so magical in the first place. You can learn more about all the process here!

How to Get to Glacier National Park

If you’re planning a road trip as a part of your Glacier National Park adventure elopement, here’s how to get here by car:

• If you’re coming from the west, head toward the town of West Glacier via Highway 2 east. This route will take you to some of the park’s most popular spots, including Lake McDonald, Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center, and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. West Glacier is just about 33 miles from Kalispell, making it an easy and scenic drive.
  
• If you’re driving in from the east, take Highway 89 north from Great Falls through the town of Browning (around 125 miles). From Browning, follow the signs to Glacier’s east entrances. The St. Mary Entrance is the eastern gateway to Going-to-the-Sun Road and offers access to the St. Mary Visitor Center. Other east-side entrances, like Many Glacier and Two Medicine, are also reached via Highway 89.

If you’re planning to fly to Montana for your elopement, here are the closest airports:

• Glacier Park International Airport is located about 30 miles west of Glacier’s West Entrance. This is the closest airport to the park and the most convenient option if you’re staying on the west side.

• If you don’t mind a longer drive, Missoula International Airport is about 150 miles south of the park’s West Entrance. It’s a great option if you’re combining your Glacier trip with other Montana adventures.

• Great Falls International Airport is perfect if you’re accessing the park’s east-side entrances like St. Mary, Two Medicine, or Many Glacier. The distance ranges from 130 to 165 miles, depending on which entrance you’re heading to.

You can take a look at more directions here!

When to Elope in GNP?

Glacier National Park is open all year round for your elopement, however, the weather and accessibility will vary greatly by season.

In my opinion, early fall and summer are the best seasons to elope in Glacier National Park. Winter would be the most challenging season, but if you’re craving the snow and the quietness, you can absolutely make it happen!

Fall is a great time to elope in GNP with the changing leaves and crisp mountain air. By mid-September, the park is glowing with golden aspens and cottonwoods, and come October, the western larch steals the show with their bright yellow needles. For the best views, you’ve gotta drive Highway 2 along the park’s southern edge. Trails are way less crowded by October, giving you a bit more privacy, as well.

Summer is definitely the most convenient time to elope in GNP because the park is fully open, has perfect weather, has wildflowers, and has access to all the iconic spots like Logan Pass and Hidden Lake. While it’s the busiest season, planning your elopement on a weekday or for sunrise can help you have a more private experience. 

Winter, while breathtaking, comes with significant limitations. Most roads in the park are closed due to snow, but you can still access the stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge, which makes for an epic wintery backdrop. Services are super limited in winter, so you’ll need to plan your accommodations and pack like a pro. Eloping in spring can be a really mixed bag with the weather conditions, and there is still rather limited access to trails and higher elevations after the winter.

In a nutshell, if you want the best experience with full park access, your best bet is eloping in June, July, August, or September. If you’re eloping earlier in the season (April–early June), some areas may still be snow-covered or closed to cars, but you can still hike or bike to certain scenic locations!

Seasonal Road Closures

Going to the Sun Road is one of the highlights of your trip to Glacier National Park. However, you may not be able to go on it, depending on when you’re visiting. It usually opens from late June to late September, depending on the snow. The Many Glacier Road closes the third weekend in November, weather permitting. Two Medicine Road will close for the season once inclement weather and snow accumulation require it. If you want to see current updates on the road, check this site!

If you’re planning to elope in GNP when Going to the Sun Road is closed, you can check out the Camas Road to Polebridge or the Looking Glass Pass. But also, while Going to the Sun Road is closed to vehicle traffic, it may still often be open to hikers and bikers! You can check out more info and updates on trail closures in GNP here!

Where to Stay in GNP?

The best place to stay in GNP will depend on which entrance you’re planning to use and the areas of the park you want to explore for your elopement. Trust me, cutting down on travel time not only saves you stress but also gives you more time to soak in the incredible scenery and enjoy the day. 

You should also consider which amenities are important to you, such as dining options, tours, equipment rentals, or you just need a place to crash for the night. Your options for booking may also be a bit limited during peak season in the park, unless you book 6-12 months in advance! But with all that out of the way, here are some of the best places to stay in Glacier National Park:

West Glacier

If you’re planning to visit the amazing Lake McDonald and Logan’s Pass, staying near the West Entrance would be your best bet. 

• Belton Chalet: A charming historic lodge just outside the park entrance, offering cozy accommodations. They also have a restaurant and tap house, which is super convenient if you’d like to celebrate your elopement with a meal and a drink and don’t want to pack a picnic (although I still recommend bringing snacks along for the day!).
  
  
• Under Canvas Glacier: For couples who love a glamping vibe, this spot provides luxury safari tents with incredible views and all the romantic feels. They also have a small cafe where you can have a light meal and local beer and wine.
  
  
• West Glacier Cabins: These are perfect if you want a private, homey space to relax and get ready. Here you also have access to the amenities the small village has to offer, like some dining options and a bit of shopping!
  
  
• Apgar Village Lodge: Stay right on the lake with the convenience of being inside the park. It’s simple, but the location is unbeatable!
  

Many Glacier

If you’re dreaming of glaciers, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, the Many Glacier area is your go-to. It’s easily one of the most stunning parts of the park!

• Many Glacier Hotel: You can’t beat the location or the cozy, historic charm. This spot feels like stepping into a Swiss mountain fairy tale. They do get booked up very quickly, so it might be a challenge getting a room here.
  
  
• Glacier Elkhorn Cabins & Campground:  This is a decent option if you find the Many Glacier Hotel is booked up. It’s a quaint and cozy campground with good amenities and peaceful vibes, even though it’s close to the highway.
  
  
• Duck Lake Lodge: This is a cozy outdoorsman’s lodge just outside of Babb, MT, with a campground surrounded by a lush forest.
  

East Glacier

East Glacier is the park’s more rugged side, and it is close to the Many Glacier area. Here, you can also check out Wild Goose Island, Cut Bank, Twin Falls, and Sinopah, among other amazing things to see.

• Whistling Swan Motel: This is a cozy, rustic, budget-friendly option in the small town of East Glacier Park. 
  
  
• Glacier Park Lodge: This was the first hotel built by the Great Northern Railway! It’s a gorgeous rustic lodge surrounded by stunning Montana landscapes. Rooms here book out quickly, though, so try to book as far in advance as possible.
  
  
• Circle R Motel: This is a family-owned motel near the base of the Two Medicine Entrance of GNP. The rooms are quite spacious and comfortable, so not a bad choice if the other more popular locations are booked out!

Hot Tip

Whitefish is one of the best places to stay in the GNP area. It’s an adorable mountain town, perfect for a honeymoon, with fantastic options for restaurants, spas and charming lodges. However, if you’re happy with a more rustic elopement experience, consider staying somewhere with a kitchen. Dining inside the park can be overpriced and limited!

Where to Eat?

The Glacier National Park area isn’t going to be a foodie’s paradise exactly, but there are still some places to grab some food in the area like:

• Eddie’s Café in Apgar for a nice meal.
  
  
• Russell’s Fireside Dining Room and Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria in the Lake McDonald Lodge area.
  
  
• Ptarmigan Dining Room, Swiss Lounge, and Heidi’s in the Many Glacier area.
  
  
• Sweet Peaks Ice Cream in Kalispell
  
  
• Montana Club in Kalispell
  

Best Elopement Activities

An elopement day is not about how much time you spend in front of the camera. It’s about the full-day elopement experience you create to cherish and remember forever. Filling your day with things you love to do will make it THAT much more meaningful.

On your elopement day, I am your guide, coordinator, friend, and, of course, photographer. Together, we get to run around and explore the beautiful locations you have chosen, creating personal moments and memories, catching a break, and, yes—time for posing and getting those amazing shots.

So what do you do for those in-between moments that would make your day uniquely yours? It can be ANYTHING! Tradition, adventures, and just being together. Here are some ideas:

• Go on a sunrise hike
• Take a scenic drive on Going to the Sun Road
• Rent a kayak or a paddle board and paddle across Lake McDonald
• Go on a guided horseback ride tour
• Visit one or more of the glaciers
• Just outside the park, Whitefish Mountain Resort offers a scenic gondola ride with epic views of the valley and the surrounding peaks
• Stargaze in a Dark Sky Park
• Take a tour on the iconic Red Bus
• Pack a picnic and chase waterfalls
• Go biking
• Try out fly fishing
• Road trip to Waterton National Park (Canada!) (a quiet, stunning alternative for a honeymoon extension)

Of course, you can also do something a bit “traditional” but with the extraordinary views:

• First Dance
• Cake cutting/eating dessert
• Reading letters from friends and family
• Popping champagne
• Exchanging gifts

If you’re looking for more adventure ideas and how to make your Glacier National Park last longer, here’s how to plan a multi-day elopement in GNP!

Best Hikes in GNP

Glacier National Park has over 700 miles of trails of various difficulty levels and scenery, so there’s something for everyone, depending on how adventurous you want to get on your elopement day. Here are some hike suggestions, but I’m always happy for us to find something magical off the beaten path on our day! And before hiking, make sure you check out the status of the trails here! Depending on the weather, possible constructions, and frequent sightings of bears, some trails might be closed!

• Trail of the Cedars – It’s one of the two wheelchair-accessible trails in GNP, and it’s also one of the easier hikes with only 1-mile roundtrip. It’s a nice shaded boardwalk trail through a beautiful forest!
  
• Hidden Lake Overlook – Starting at Logan Pass, this trail offers stunning views of alpine meadows, mountain peaks, and the gorgeous Hidden Lake. It’s about 2.7 miles roundtrip, and I’d say it’s also one of the easier trails here.
  
• Avalanche Lake – This is one of the more adventurous trails, with 4.5 miles roundtrip. It starts from the Trail of the Cedars Trailhead and goes through a lush forest along Avalanche Creek. Taking this trail, you’ll reach a beautiful crystal-clear lake framed by waterfalls.
  
• Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail – This is a beautiful 2.7-mile loop around Swiftcurrent Lake, offering stunning mountain reflections and chances to see wildlife like deer and bears.
  
• St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls – One of the more challenging hikes of about 3.6 miles roundtrip, but seeing the two stunning waterfalls really makes it worth the trip!
  

Getting Your Marriage License

Getting your marriage license in Montana is rather simple. If you obtain a marriage license in one county, you are not restricted to getting married in that specific county. You can have your wedding ceremony in any Montana county. However, the license must be returned to the county where it was issued for official recording within 30 days after the ceremony.

The marriage license is typically valid immediately upon issuance and for up to 180 days, and it costs $53 but may vary by county. 

Montana requires an officiant and two witnesses to be present at your ceremony to sign the marriage license. As your Montana elopement photographer, I’d be honored to be one of your witnesses! If you’re not bringing guests with you, we can always find a hiker along the way to sign your marriage license!

The closest place to get your marriage license for a Glacier National Park elopement is the Flathead County Clerk of District Court in Kalispell, Montana. Kalispell is about 30-40 minutes from the park’s west entrance, making it a convenient stop if you’re flying into Glacier Park International Airport or staying in the area.

Documentation

Be sure to understand the specific documentation and requirements set by the county where you obtain your marriage license. Each county may have slightly different procedures.

Hot Tip

If you don’t want to worry about all these things for your elopement, you can get legally married beforehand and then head out for your adventures later!

Average Cost of Eloping in Glacier National Park

The cost of eloping in Glacier National Park can vary widely depending on how you choose to go about your day. You can elope as cheaply as the cost of a marriage license and your elopement permit + some logistical travel costs. But if you’d like to add activities, bring guests, get nice elopement attire, travel, accommodations, get a photographer, and other vendors, the costs will be much more. 

On average, a full-day or multi-day elopement experience can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000+.

What to Pack

• Download offline road and trail maps for all locations
• Bear spray
• Headlamps/flashlights
• Bluetooth speaker for the first dance
• Snacks and water
• Vow books
• Rings
• Bouquet
• Sunscreen
• Layers!
• Good hiking shoes
• Blanket
• Waterproof layers and makeup
• Clear Umbrellas!
• Bug spray
• Extra battery pack for phones
• Marriage License

My Glacier National Park Elopement Packages

Hi! I’m Christina, your Glacier National Park, Montana, and beyond adventure elopement photographer. Planning, traveling, and finding beautiful locations and experiences are my jam. Helping you create and document the celebration of a lifetime brings me the utmost joy! I want you to make the most amazing memories and have stunning photos that you can share with all of your loved ones. This is a day where you get to look back and say, “Wow, we did that!” My Glacier National Park elopement packages offer a half-, full–, or multi-day experience! I offer a ton of flexibility in designing our time together and would love to get to know you more to help you plan! To learn more, head over to my contact form, and we can get together on a call!

Offered throughout every elopement package:

• Help you hand pick a location.
• Provide resources and custom location guides on lodging, activities, and the best places to indulge in delicious foods
• Scout locations with boots on the ground to find the best places and lighting for your ceremony and photos
• Secure the right location permits to make sure your wedding is legal!
• Recommend vetted vendors to help make your dream of a day come true. 
• Create your custom timeline (there are 2-3 options to choose from!) with room to breathe and enjoy your day.
• Deliver a joyful experience along with swoon-worthy photos in your own online gallery!
• Have a backup plan for it all!
• Deliver sneak peeks within 72 hours and a full wedding gallery within 6 weeks! 
• Provide a Fine Art Wedding Album design for you to print and hold onto your photos to thumb through for years to come.