How-to Guide: Planning a Glacier National Park Elopement

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Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park is one of the most stunning parks in North America. Its crystal-clear glacial lakes and towering mountain peaks span over a million acres in Montana, making the park feel like a vast, beautiful playground. Straddling the Continental Divide, Glacial National Park is home to over 700 miles worth of hiking trails, 26 active glaciers, and huge views, giving you the perfect setting for staying connected to nature and adventure during your elopement.

I have helped hundreds of couples elope while traveling around the world, including over 40 countries—so you can trust my advice when it comes to planning your wedding day. Here are some of my top tips so you can do the same in Glacier National Park.

Frequently asked questions about eloping in Glacier National Park:

How do you elope in Glacier National Park?

Even after photographing elopements for over a decade, Glacier National Park has never failed to live up to the hype. If you’re interested in getting married here, here’s a crash course in how to do it!

Pick a Ceremony Location & Finalize Your Guest Count

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to pick a site for your ceremony, especially since Glacier National Park has a list of designated ones to choose from. You can find the full list of sites and their details on the park’s official “Wedding Locations” webpage, but I’ve listed them below along with their respective guest counts, and organized them by their location within the park:

Lake McDonald Area/West Side of Going to the Sun Road
- Big Bend: 10-person limit
- Apgar Amphitheater: 250-person limit
- Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline: 20-person limit
- Fish Creek Amphitheater: 200-person limit
- Fish Creek Picnic Area Shoreline: 30-person limit
- Avalanche Amphitheater: 100-person limit
- Avalanche Picnic Area Shoreline: 15-person limit
- 7-Mile Pullout (Sandy Point): 20-person limit
- 10-Mile Pullout (Jackson Bay): 20-person limit
- Sprague Picnic Area Shoreline: 20-person limit
- Lake McDonald Lodge Beach: 30-person limit
- Ryan Beach: 15-person limit

North Fork Area
- Juniper River Access: 15-person limit
- Bowman Lake Day-Use Area: 20-person limit
- Kintla Lake Day-Use Area: 10-person limit

Two Medicine Area/Walton Area
- Running Eagle Falls: 15-person limit
- Pray Lake Shoreline: 30-person limit
- Two Medicine Amphitheater: 75-person limit
- Two Medicine Picnic Area Shoreline: 20-person limit
- Walton Picnic Area: 15-person limit

St. Mary Area/Cutbank Valley
- St. Mary Amphitheater: 75-person limit
- Rising Sun Amphitheater: 100-person limit
- Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline: 20-person limit
- Sun Point: 20-person limit
- Red Eagle Trailhead: 15-person limit
- 1913 Ranger Station: 30-person limit
- Cutbank Field: 15-person limit

Many Glacier Valley
- Lake Josephine Shoreline: 15-person limit
- Many Glacier Hotel Green: 15-person limit
- Many Glacier Hotel–SW Beach: 15-person limit
- Many Glacier Hotel Beach: 20-person limit
- Many Glacier Amphitheater: 100-person limit

No matter which of the above sites you choose, you are guaranteed to be surrounded by stunning views of the national park—all that ultimately matters is what vibe you’re looking for!

Pick Your Date

Since there’s a cap of two events/permits per location, per day (four permits for the amphitheaters), I would recommend booking sooner rather than later. Plus, some of the ceremony sites aren’t available year-round, so be sure to double check which ones are accessible before settling on a date!

Get Your Permit & Marriage License

In order to elope in Glacier National Park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit and a Montana marriage license (unless you’re handling the paperwork in a different location/state—you can skip those instructions if so).

You can download the permit application from the official National Park Service website, off the “Wedding Permits” webpage under Glacier National Park. Once you’ve filled out the application, email it to glac_sup@nps.gov and be sure to pay the $125 application fee online here. Just keep in mind that applications need to be received a minimum of 20 business days before your chosen date (but no more than a year in advance) in order to avoid the application being denied!

As for the marriage license, you’ll want to get one from the county clerk’s office closest to the park which would be either Flathead County Clerk’s Office or the Glacier County Clerk’s office, depending on which side of the park you’re choosing to visit. For the Flathead County Clerk’s Office, you’ll need to complete the license application off their official website here, then appear in person at the Office to sign the license and pay the $53 fee (they accept cash or card, but there is an additional $2.31 fee for using a credit card). For the Glacier County Clerk’s Office, you can just apply, pay for, and receive your license in person at the Office (their hours are listed on their official website here)—no need to make an appointment! The fee is $53 and must be paid with either cash or a check.

No matter where in the state you obtain your marriage license, though, it will be valid for 180 days after it’s issued and must be returned to the Clerk’s Office for completion within 30 days of your ceremony.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have a printed copy of your permit day-of and have shared a copy of it with your guests and any vendors you’d like to include in your elopement! Multiple hard copies ensure nothing gets lost.

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

The best part about eloping in Glacier National Park is that you can take photos anywhere you like, before or after your ceremony at one of the designated sites. I can help you plan your day and guide you to the best spots with the prettiest lighting, so you can have the most stunning elopement portraits to commemorate your epic adventure!

Get Married!

All that’s left is to exchange your vows and enjoy your epic adventure in Glacier National Park! Connect with each other and to nature and forget the rest.

When’s the best time to visit Glacier National Park?

The best time to visit Glacier National Park is during the late summer and early fall. The roads are open, the trails are accessible, and the weather is perfect for exploring the park’s best spots.

Since summer can bring more tourism to the area, I strongly suggest visiting the park on a weekday rather than a weekend, and around sunrise or sunset. That will give you the best chance at finding the park less crowded, while also providing you with the great golden hour lighting for your ceremony or photos.

Glacier National Park Summer Elopement

A bride and groom embrace on a grassy mountain ledge at sunset, surrounded by pine trees and dramatic, misty mountain peaks in the distance.

If you’re looking to elope in a super vibrantly colored alpine paradise, then you might want to consider a summer elopement in Glacier National Park! Its lakes are surrounded by fields of wildflowers and mountains, meaning there’s no bad views out here. The most people come through the park at this time of year, but if you time it right (and I can show you how!) you can still find spots to yourself.

How do you get to Glacier National Park?

There are 2 main entrances that connect to the Going-to-the-Sun Road—which is the only road in the park that travels west to east over the Continental Divide—and they are the West Glacier Entrance (located at 48°30’23.1″N 113°59’15.5″W) and the St. Mary Entrance (located at 48°44’49.1″N 113°26’21.4″W).

Whether you’re coming from the east or west, you’ll need to take Hwy 2 in order to reach the West Entrance, then turn onto Glacier Rte 1 Road (also known as Going-to-the-Sun Road)—the entrance station will be about a mile down the road. As for the St. Mary Entrance, you’ll take Hwy 89, then turn onto Going-to-the-Sun Road. The entrance station is only about half a mile down the road!

Regarding parking, each designated ceremony site has its own rules. Some are listed on the park’s “Wedding Locations” webpage, but I’m also happy to help you navigate those logistics once you’ve decided on a spot, so we can make the whole experience for you and your guests as smooth as possible!

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that the Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically open from mid-June to October, depending on snow conditions, with only the part near the West Glacier Entrance being open year-round. You can keep an eye on road closures and conditions through the National Park Service official website here!

How much does it cost to elope in Glacier National Park?

Eloping in Glacier National Park will cost you about $213. That includes the $125 Special Use Permit, the $53 marriage license from a local County Clerk’s Office, and the $35 standard entrance fee for a private vehicle ($20 if you enter on foot or with a bicycle).

Beyond those costs, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want it to be! It usually depends on how many guests you have, what vendors you choose, travel costs, etc. (I have tons of recommendations for nearby accommodations, caterers, and anything else you may need!) The focus with an elopement like this is the experience. The couples who hire me typically prioritize having an adventure in a beautiful natural place like Glacier National Park and capturing every moment so that they can fully enjoy it, which is why they spend a lot of their budget on photography. If you want more details, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!

Pro Tip: As of the writing of this guide in 2026, non-US residents above the age of 16 need to pay an additional $100 on top of the park entrance fee, so just keep that in mind if you’re visiting from another country or expecting international guests! You can find the most up-to-date info here.

Are dogs allowed in Glacier National Park?

Dogs aren’t allowed on trails but are allowed in a few other areas. There are a few rules the park would like you to keep in mind:

Dogs are allowed in frontcountry campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and along roads when you are stopped.
Dogs are not allowed on trails, in buildings, or along lake shores outside of developed locations.
Dogs must be leashed at all times.

Glacier National Park Elopement & Wedding Photos

Stacey & Dustin’s Glacier National Park Summer Elopement

Stacey & Dustin decided to have an intimate wedding after they realized that so much of wedding planning didn’t feel like it’d center on their connection to each other. They wanted it to be beautiful, but they wanted to be somewhere beautiful—not have to deck out a ballroom for hundreds of people.

These two loved hiking and traveling but had never been to Glacier before, so getting married here was just the right blend of getting out into nature like they wanted and getting to feel like they were some place super special and out of the every day.

Stacey & Dustin’s day started at their rental lodging, where they got ready and Stacey shared some time with her parents. After that, they headed outside to have their first look in a valley between three mountain ridges.

Their first activity of the day was a hike with just the two of them, exploring near a lake and taking in some glacier views from afar. This was a super beautiful day with a ton of sun, so Glacier was at its prettiest and most colorful.

Stacey & Dustin met up with their people outside their waterside ceremony spot with only about 7 people in attendance. They read vows, exchanged rings, signed the paperwork, and then had a champagne toast with their families to celebrate.

Afterward, Stacey & Dustin were on their own again, and they set up a scenic picnic in a beautiful spot overlooking a (different!) lake. They drank wine, danced, and shared custom made cookies. Then they wrapped up their day with a hike complete with even bigger views, wildflowers, alpenglow, and mountain goats.

They had the best time together.

A map, two vow books labeled "His Vows" and "Her Vows," an invitation with floral design, two hexagonal ring boxes with rings, and a pen are arranged neatly on a wooden surface.

Three gold rings, including an engagement ring with a diamond, rest on a topographic map, focusing on a national park area with visible map details and location names.

A white lace wedding dress with floral patterns hangs on a personalized wooden hanger reading "Mrs. Antonio," displayed outdoors with mountains and trees reflected in the glass behind it.

A woman in a white lace wedding dress is having her gown buttoned up by another woman in a pink outfit, standing in front of a stone fireplace in a cozy room.

A man stands on a wooden porch, smiling as he puts on a dark suit jacket over his white shirt and tie. The background shows trees and mountains under a clear sky.

A bride in a white gown stands beside a groom in a dark suit, her hand on his shoulder, as they face a scenic mountain landscape and wildflower field under a clear sky.

A bride in a white lace dress and a groom in a dark suit embrace outdoors in a field, with mountains and greenery in the background.

A bride and groom stand together in a grassy field, facing majestic mountains under a clear blue sky, with sunlight illuminating the landscape.

A bride and groom stand together in a grassy field surrounded by mountains. The groom adjusts the bride’s hair as they look at each other, with snow-capped peaks visible in the distant background. The image is in black and white.

A red sign reading "Swiftcurrent Lake Loop Trail: A 2.6 mile walk around Swiftcurrent Lake" stands among green foliage, with a couple walking on a shaded trail in the blurred background.

A bride and groom walk hand-in-hand along a grassy lakeshore with mountains and pine trees in the background. The bride wears a white dress and holds a bouquet; the groom wears a dark suit. Both are smiling at each other.

A bride and groom hike along a lakeside trail surrounded by greenery, with a large mountain rising in the background under a clear blue sky.

A bride and groom stand together by a mountain lake, surrounded by pine trees and tall mountains under a clear sky. The bride holds a bouquet as they pose on the grassy, rocky shoreline.

A newlywed couple sits in a grassy field by a lake, with the bride in a white dress and the groom in a suit, kissing in front of a mountain range under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

A bride and groom stand together on grassy lakeshore, embracing and smiling, with a large mountain and blue sky in the background.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in dark attire stand by a scenic lakeshore with tall evergreen trees and a dramatic mountain peak in the background under a clear blue sky.

A bride and groom stand facing each other by a lake, surrounded by pine trees and tall mountains under a clear blue sky on a sunny day.

A bride and groom stand together on grass by a lake, facing away from the camera and looking at a large, rocky mountain under a clear sky. The bride wears a flowing white gown, and the groom is in a dark suit.

A bride and groom stand in front of a lake with mountains in the background; the groom points toward the mountains as they both look on, surrounded by green grass under a clear blue sky.

A group of people walk along the edge of a lake, surrounded by tall pine trees and dense greenery under a clear blue sky.

A bride in a white lace dress and veil reads vows to a groom in a dark suit by a lake, with green trees and mountains in the background on a sunny day.

A bride and groom stand facing each other by a lake with mountains and pine trees in the background, exchanging vows while an officiant stands nearby holding a book.

A bride and groom stand outdoors by a lake, facing each other. The groom reads from a small book, while the bride smiles at him. Both are dressed formally, with trees and mountains in the background.

A black and white photo of a couple exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony, with an officiant holding a book and standing behind them.

A bride and groom hold hands during an outdoor lakeside wedding ceremony, with a female officiant standing between them. Mountains and pine trees are visible in the background under a bright sky.

A bride and groom kiss outdoors by a lake, with mountains and trees in the background. The bride wears a white dress and veil; the groom is in a dark suit. Sunlight gently illuminates the scene.

A small group of people dressed in formal attire stand outdoors in a scenic mountain setting, raising champagne glasses in a celebratory toast, with a bride and groom smiling in the foreground.

A group of people dressed in semi-formal attire smile and wave while riding in an open-top vehicle on a scenic mountain road. Two people stand and raise their arms at the back, with forested mountains visible in the background.

A group of people dressed formally smiles and waves from inside a vintage red tour bus parked outdoors, with a bride and groom standing through the open sunroof. Mountains and a lake are visible in the background.

A couple dressed in wedding attire hikes up a rocky mountain trail; the woman lifts her dress as she follows the man, who carries a red backpack, toward scenic mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple dressed in wedding attire sits outdoors by a lake, smiling and clinking glasses of champagne. Mountains and water are visible in the background with brown paper bags nearby.

A bride and groom sit together outdoors on a blanket. The bride, in a lace wedding dress, holds decorated cookies shaped like a pink heart and round cookies, while both smile and look at each other.

A bride and groom sit on rocky ground outdoors, toasting with glasses. They are dressed in formal wedding attire, with mountains and a blue sky in the background. Bottles and paper bags rest beside them.

A bride and groom embrace on a rocky ledge overlooking a serene lake surrounded by pine forests and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a suit hold hands and smile at each other while standing on a rocky ledge by a lake, with forested hills in the background.

A bride and groom stand close together, smiling at each other in front of a large body of water with a forested island in the background. The image is black and white and appears to capture a candid, joyful moment.

A bride and groom hold hands while walking on rocky terrain by a scenic lake, with forested hills and an island in the background, under soft natural light.

A rugged, pyramid-shaped mountain rises above a grassy plain with patches of snow and rocky terrain under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

A couple walks hand-in-hand on a wooden path through a grassy mountain landscape; the woman wears a white wedding dress and the man has a red backpack. Rocky peaks and open sky are in the background.

A bride and groom embrace and smile at each other outdoors, with a mountain and grassy landscape in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

A bride in a white gown and a groom with a red backpack walk along a rocky mountain trail surrounded by greenery and trees, with steep cliffs and patches of snow in the background.

A serene mountain landscape with a clear lake surrounded by pine trees, rugged rocky peaks, and patches of snow under a partly cloudy sky.

A serene mountain landscape at sunrise with a large, rugged peak on the left, forested hills, a reflective lake below, and rays of sunlight streaming through distant mountain valleys.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand along a wooden path in a mountainous landscape, with green grass, scattered trees, and a snow-dotted peak in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A bride in a flowing white gown and a groom in a suit joyfully walk together on a wooden path surrounded by grass and pine trees, with a large, rocky mountain in the background.

A bride and groom stand on a rocky ledge in wedding attire, holding hands and dancing, with a scenic backdrop of mountains, a lake, and scattered snow under a partly cloudy sky.

A bride and groom share a dance on a rocky ledge overlooking a scenic mountain lake, surrounded by tall peaks and scattered snow, with a white mountain goat grazing nearby.

A bride and groom kiss on a rocky ledge, surrounded by pine trees and dramatic mountain scenery with patches of snow, under a partly cloudy sky. A white goat grazes nearby.

A bride and groom stand on a rocky ledge, kissing, with mountains, a lake, and scattered snow in the background. A white mountain goat grazes nearby. Pines and dramatic lighting complete the scenic outdoor setting.

Grassy meadow with wildflowers in the foreground, leading to pine trees and layered mountain ranges under a soft, hazy sky at sunset or sunrise.

A white mountain goat with curved horns walks through green grass and wildflowers in a mountainous, forested area.

A bride and groom sit on a stone slab, facing away, looking at a mountain goat near a lake and evergreen trees in a scenic mountain landscape.

A bride and groom sit close together on a stone ledge, smiling and touching foreheads, with mountains and grassy hills in the background. The image is in black and white.

A bride and groom sit on a large rock in a grassy mountain landscape at sunset, smiling and looking at each other. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom is in a black suit with a white tie.

A bride and groom sit together on the grass in wedding attire, facing a mountain landscape with pine trees and a lake, while a mountain goat stands nearby in the foreground.

A mountain goat stands on a rocky ledge overlooking a vast landscape of forested hills and distant mountains under soft, diffused light.

A serene mountain lake reflects soft sunlight, surrounded by green forest, rocky cliffs, and patches of snow. The scene is peaceful and natural, with misty light and a calm atmosphere.

A bride and groom stand together on a rocky ledge, embracing and kissing, surrounded by pine trees, with a mountain and lake in the background. The bride wears a flowing white dress; the groom wears a dark suit.

A hazy mountain valley at sunset with evergreen trees in the foreground and layered mountain ridges fading into the distance under a soft, warm light.

A bride and groom stand on a grassy hillside overlooking a mountain lake, with several mountain goats grazing nearby. Snow patches dot the rugged peaks in the background under soft sunlight.

A bride and groom dance on a grassy mountain slope at sunset, with dramatic peaks and a hazy sky in the background. The bride’s dress flows as she twirls, and both appear joyful amidst the scenic, natural landscape.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand on a rocky path surrounded by green grass, with mountains and a setting sun in the background. The bride is laughing and holding up her dress, while the groom smiles at her.

A bride and groom stand together, facing a scenic mountain landscape with a lake below, during golden hour. The bride holds her dress as they look at the view, surrounded by greenery and dramatic, sunlit peaks.

A bride in a white gown and a groom with a red backpack walk hand in hand along a rocky path, surrounded by grassy fields and distant mountains under a soft evening light.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a wooden platform overlooking a scenic mountain valley at sunset, surrounded by rocky peaks and lush greenery.

A bride and groom stand by a reflective lake surrounded by pine trees, with a towering, sunlit mountain in the background at sunset.

A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand beside a reflective pond, surrounded by pine trees and mountains at sunset, with pink and purple hues in the sky.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer

If you’re looking for someone with years of elopement photography experience under her belt, then you’re in the right place! For over a decade, I have been designing, planning, & photographing elopements all around the world, so I can help you navigate the logistics of planning one for yourself and make sure it’s the most stress-free experience possible.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

Glacier National Park Elopement Packages

Contact me here to check my availability and for a free planning consultation—I promise to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!

Always included:

8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring

The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™

Unique & secluded locations, bespoke activity ideas with pre-vetted guides, fun & luxurious lodging options, an experience-focused timeline, mood board & personalized styling suggestions, travel advice, VIP Planning Guide, and customized packing checklists

Free initial planning consultation call, direct access to Maddie Mae via text & email, unlimited planning consultations, unlimited collaboration & revisions, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, and advice &and help with permits & marriage licenses

Guided + FUN photography experience, empathetic posing & directing, creative GIFS &and drone photography, hand-crafted editing, full-resolution image files with printing rights, digital gallery to view, download, & print, complementary album design, and convenient print ordering

My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in the U.S.A (including Alaska & Hawaii)

$9,800 for all of the above including 8-hours of photography

Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.

No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.

INQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY & MORE INFO

Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

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