With seven years of Oregon elopement photography under my belt in everywhere from Portland to the coastal redwoods, I know first-hand what makes this state so great. Somehow, Oregon perfectly balances quirky, unique cultural touchpoints with some of the most jaw-dropping scenery, which makes it an excellent place to elope.
One of the most picturesque places in all of Oregon is Ecola State Park, which gives you sweeping views of iconic sights like Cannon Beach off of large cliffs. Hike through mossy forests with huge trees to get to hidden beaches and take your time alternating between taking it all in and exploring.
Ecola State Park is gorgeous, but it’s also only about 100 acres of this amazing state! Below, I’m including more of my personal favorites and must-visits from around the state that I know have a lot to offer to your elopement day.
(Have you heard about my searchable map? I built a location database with nearly 600 spots all over the world! Click here to go there and use filters to get custom lists made for you.)
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Located in southern Oregon, this place is an absolute gem! Its main feature is the giant deep-blue, water-filled crater that is backed by mountains. This incredible “lake” is lined with cliffs featuring amazing viewpoints ranging in accessibility, which makes it both a great place to elope with loved ones who aren’t down for hiking far and for just the two of you to explore further. It’s the perfect place for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter, hiking and swimming in the summer, and star gazing year-round thanks to this area’s incredibly dark skies.
Best for: Lake, Forest and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boat tour
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Located not far outside Portland, the gorge is an awe-inspiring place filled with waterfalls, views of the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington state, and lots of wineries perfect for celebrating your elopement day. There is so much to explore on both sides of the gorge, and plenty of opportunity for easy-access spots for intimate weddings with loved ones.
Best for: River, Waterfalls, Forest and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping
Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
Deschutes National Forest sits just outside of Bend, Oregon and connects the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and the Three Sisters Wilderness area. Come through this area for Tumalo and Bridge Creek Falls, to explore scenic byways via car or endless hiking trails on foot, or hit the slopes at the Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Or, kick back and take a more leisurely approach to the area, like floating down Deschutes River or staying at a scenic resort. No matter what you choose, it’ll be a good option.
Best for: Lake, Wildflowers, Forest and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Portland, Oregon
Quirky, full of charm, and totally beautiful, Portland is the embodiment of PNW beauty with west coast artsy sensibilities. Washington Park alone is home to the Hoyt Arboretum full of redwoods and meadows, the International Rose Test Garden with 10,000 blooms, and the Portland Japanese Garden amongst others! Explore food trucks the city is famous for at the Saturday Market overflowing with vendors. Or indulge your inner bibliophile and explore Powell’s City of Books, a sprawling bookstore that takes up an entire city block. Whether you’re going on a coffee and donut tasting tour, taking an aerial tram over the city, or overlooking the skyline with Mount Hood behind it from Pittock Mansion, Portland is a memorable and fun city that can round out an elopement all on its own! This city is also home to 12 bridges and over 250 parks, leaving you with lots of room to find a view that’s all your own.
Best for: City
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Cape Kiwanda, Oregon
Picture Haystack Rock but then add epic cliff formations, sand dunes, and natural arches and you’ll have Cape Kiwanda. There are so many ways to enjoy this state park during your elopement—sand sledding, kayaking, and surfing are all popular here. Or take a hike around and then have a picnic with an unbeatable view. This park also has one out of seven marine gardens in Oregon, so coming here at low tide leads to some of the best tidepooling and sea life spotting around. The nearby town of Pacific City has lots of options for staying, dining, and access to even more beautiful state parks.
Best for: Beach, Coast and Sand Dunes
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Surfing
Latourell Falls, Oregon
You wouldn’t expect a waterfall like this to be located just 40 minutes outside of Portland, but that’s the beauty of Oregon! Latourell Falls is inside of Guy W. Talbot State Park, which makes it super easy to reach the trailhead. There are two different loops you can do here—one for the upper falls, which is shorter and accessible for different mobility needs, and one for the upper falls that climbs up to a wooden bridge that goes right by the water’s steepest plunge. This is about as quintessentially Columbia Gorge as it gets—a long, straight waterfall framed by dark columnar basalt (said to be some of the best in the PNW!), bright green lichen, and thick forests all around. Come in the spring for the most water!
Best for: Waterfall and Forest
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
Mt. Hood is an Oregon icon, a strikingly beautiful mountain, larger than anything in the vicinity– you can spot it easily in the distance. The forest surrounding it is lush, waterfall filled and contains many easily-accessible lakes. It is a great elopement location year-round– offering skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter, and lots of hiking, lakes to play in, and camping in the warmer months. The Government Camp area offers plenty of cozy cabins and lodges to stay in.
Best for: Mountain, Forest, Waterfall and Lake
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mount Bachelor, Oregon
Mount Bachelor is a dormant shield volcano that also happens to be home to one of the largest ski areas in the country. This is a great spot for an elopement year round! In the summer, pop up the mountain for mountain biking, zip lining, and whitewater rafting. Or in the winter see the area at its finest, including activities like skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. Either way, you’ll be close to Bend, a vibrant central-Oregon town that will give you plenty of options for eating, drinking, and finding a place to stay—from rental Airstreams to luxury spa resorts. This area is also absolutely packed with lakes, rivers, and waterfalls for you to explore!
Best for: Mountain, Forest and Lake
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Paddleboarding
Bend, Oregon
Bend is a hidden gem nestled in the eastern foothills of the Cascades. This has the high desert climate of Denver with a distinctly PNW charm and a fraction of the people. Popular sites include their super cute downtown on the Deschutes River, Mount Bachelor’s ski areas and observatory, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument with insane lava tubes, and Pilot Butte, a former cinder cone ripe for exploring. Outdoor activities are rife here—kayak in the Cascade Lakes, hike or bike to any of the peaks around, or follow a trail down the river. This is a great elopement day option for folks who want a great blend of nature, activity, and those signature Oregon vibes.
Best for: City, Mountain, Forest and Lake
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Rock Climbing
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is a quintessential example of an Oregon beach! With super wide sandy stretches and memorable features like Haystack Rock which defines the coastline in this area, this would be a beautiful place to elope to. The sea mist makes sunsets here especially perfect, often lighting up the sky in super vivid pinks, purples, and oranges. This is also a super cute town that has great food and fun stores, which adds to the “your dream vacation but you’re getting married” vibe. Want to see Haystack from a higher perspective? Nearby Ecola State Park has great hikes that will give you more trees and an unbeatable view of the beach. This can be a busy spot during the summer—an early autumn elopement here could be just right.
Best for: Forest, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Ecola State Park, Oregon
Ecola State Park is located on Tillamook Head along the Oregon coast. This stunning location gets bonus points for accessibility, as you can drive right up to Ecola Point Viewpoint and enjoy the sweeping views of incredible sea stacks, including the famous Haystack Rock. This is a rocky cliffside that gives you dramatic views of the ocean with thick Oregon forests at your back. If you’re up for a hike, you can find some great trails in this area, including out onto a more secluded beach through an old-growth forest or all the way down to Cannon Beach via part of the Oregon Coast Trail. If you’re looking to include both forest and coast in your day without having to travel, this is a top notch option for you.
Best for: Forest, Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Alvord Desert, Oregon
The Alvord Desert is a dry lake bed in eastern Oregon. Hours from any bigger city, it’s definitely not one of the most accessible locations on this list, but it is extremely unique! On the eastern edge of the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the Alvord is a perfect place for stargazing and camping because of the clear night skies and extremely low levels of light pollution. The Alvord is best visited in the summer months when the ground is truly dried out and the evenings are comfortably warm so you can lay out beneath the stars.
Best for: Mountains and Desert
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Cape Cove Beach, Oregon
Cape Cove Beach is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it stretch of shore that is reachable by taking a short hike through the Siuslaw National Forest. Despite having its own small parking area and being visible from the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, this little gem doesn’t see as many crowds as some of the more popular beaches! Which will give your elopement a much more private and intimate vibe—perfect if you’re craving alone time with you, your spouse, and the Oregon coast. There are lots of beach towns nearby that you can stay in and drive to within 15 minutes, so this is an easy fit for a central Oregon coastal wedding day.
Best for: Forest, Coast and Beach
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Smith Rock State Park is located just outside of Bend in Central Oregon. Dreaming of rock climbing on your wedding day– this place is a rock climbing mecca! With almost 2000 routes, it’s a dream for climbers. In fact, it’s known as the birthplace of U.S Sport climbing! Spring and fall are best for both climbing & hiking for mild temperatures in this exposed high desert environment. Not a climber? That’s okay! This spot features more than just climbing. There are miles of trails throughout this Oregon desert landscape. Sharp slabs of rock jut out of the earth make a dramatic elopement backdrop. There is even a river winding through the valley – perfect for kayaking or hopping in for a lazy river float (in your wedding attire with a beer after a climb/hike?!).
Best for: Desert and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Kayaking
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is located in the far northeast corner of the state, much closer to Idaho than Portland (one hour vs five!). This is over 2 million acres of gorgeous land to explore. You can hike the Matterhorn here… which is about 5,000 feet lower than its Swiss namesake but still absolutely beautiful. Visit the deepest river gorge in North America, take on a challenge and hike to Ice Lake for great alpine scenery, or hop on the aerial tram for a view from above with less exertion and a restaurant with a view at the top. Summers here are something truly special and make for an elopement that you would never forget… although if you come here in the winter, you can find less crowds, pro sled dog racing, snowmobiling, and opportunities to get out on frozen Wallowa Lake.
Best for: Forest, Lake, River, Canyon and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Oregon has a ton to bring to any elopement day, but can be intimidating to browse through on your own. On average, if you’re on one end of the state in any direction, you’ll have to drive 8 hours to get to the other side! That’s where my location database comes in handy—filter by scenery, activity, and season from nearly 600 locations to get recommendations personalized to you.
I’m also always here to help and happy to bring my 10 years of photography experience across more than 300 elopements to your wedding day! You’ll have unlimited consultation calls so that you never have to sit and wonder at any step of the process… just concrete planning steps, guides, packing lists, and a travel expert perfecting your timeline.
I want to hear about your vision for your day! Click here to get in touch with me and let’s get planning!
