Oregon is the ultimate state for epic elopement locations – sweeping ocean views, waterfalls, caves, alpine lakes, and cute towns. Here are the 9 best places to elope in Oregon.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Samuel H. Boardman State Park
Deschutes
Cape Kiwanda
Mount Hood National Forest
Bend
Cannon Beach
Alvord Desert
Smith Rock State Park
Ecola State Park
Samuel H. Boardman State Park, Oregon
At the top of the list is Samuel H. Boardman State Park which is known for its stunning sea arches and secluded beaches. This park is located in southwestern Oregon near Brookings. It is well known for an iconic rock arch known as Natural Bridges, which can be viewed from the side of the road. Other well known locations include: Secret Beach, Indian Sands, and Whaleshead Beach.
This location also offers easy access to magnificent redwood groves in the southern part of the state as well as in Northern California.
Scenery: coastal, forest, rock arches, sand dunes, redwood trees
Activities: hiking, beaches
Permit: a special uses permit is generally only required for groups over 50 people, or for special setups (arches, decorations, chairs, etc.)
Dog-friendly: yes! Dogs must be leashed at all times
Check out some galleries from other Oregon Coast elopements:
Oregon Coast Elopement at Natural Bridges
Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
Deschutes is a large national forest, spanning nearly 1.6 million acres near Bend, Oregon. The forest offers a wide range of recreation opportunities, including mountain biking, climbing, caving, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, 4-wheeling, and more. Explore the Skylight Caves, go off-roading in the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes, or spend sunrise at an alpine lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness followed by an adventure to Tumalo Falls. The Deschutes is home to some of Oregon’s most iconic mountain peaks: Mount Bachelor, Black Butte, Broken Top, and South Sister. Whatever you choose to do, the Deschutes offers a wide range of opportunities for people of all backgrounds.
Scenery: volcanic peaks, lakes, mountains, forests, sand dunes
Activities: mountain biking, climbing, caving, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, 4-wheeling,
Permit: groups under 75 people with no special setups do not require a special use permit
Dog-friendly: yes, very much so! Has both leash and no-leash areas
Cape Kiwanda, Oregon
Located just north of Pacific City, Cape Kiwanda features a sandstone headland and sand dunes with sweeping views of the Pacific. Pacific City is known for being the home port to over 300 traditional fishing vessels called dory boats. One of the more popular things to do is climbing to the top of the Great Dune.
Scenery: beaches, ocean, dunes
Activities: beaches, tide pools, surfing
Permit: Permit: a special uses permit is generally only required for groups over 50 people, or for special setups (arches, decorations, chairs, etc.)
Dog-friendly: yes!
Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
Located just east of Portland, the Mount Hood National Forest offers 1.1 million acres of public lands for you to explore on your wedding day. This national forest is known for the famous Mount Hood volcano that stands at 11,249 feet high. Trillium Lake offers an iconic view of Mount Hood, or check out other locations like Zig Zag Canyon, Lolo Pass, and Tamanawas Falls.
Scenery: alpine lakes, mountains, rivers, forests
Activities: hiking, climbing,
Permit: groups under 75 people with no special setups do not require a special use permit, must contact local ranger district as rules vary location to location
Dog-friendly: yes! Has both leash and no-leash areas
Bend, Oregon
Bend, located just outside the Deschutes National Forest, is the mecca for lovers of the outdoors. The town is famous for its craft beer scene, amazing food, and year-round outdoor activities. Bend has a ton of things to do and is a great hub for an adventurous outdoor elopement.
Scenery: high-desert, volcanic landscapes, alpine lakes, forests, mountains
Activities: hiking, mountain biking, river floats, craft breweries, fishing, snow sports
Permit: depending on exact location of your wedding ceremony
Dog-friendly: one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is a small coastal city in the northwestern section of Oregon and is arguably the MOST popular elopement locations in the state. Crowds swarm to the beach to view the iconic Haystack Rock. This location is gorgeous, but very popular! There are many other elopement location options along the Oregon Coast that offer similar scenery with less crowds.
Scenery: ocean, beaches, rock formations
Activities: hiking
Permit: a special uses permit is generally only required for groups over 50 people, or for special setups (arches, decorations, chairs, etc.)
Dog-friendly: yes, one of the most dog-friendly destinations on the Oregon Coast
Alvord Desert, Oregon
The Alvord Desert is a giant, dry lakebed located in southeastern Oregon. If you love the vibe of the Salt Flats in Utah, this is the location for you! It is known for its flat, cracked earth landscape that goes on for miles.
Scenery: desert
Activities: stargazing, camping
Permit: no permit required for small ceremonies
Dog-friendly: highly dog-friendly
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Smith Rock State Park is an incredible location for an adventure elopement. It offers beautiful scenery that is so different from other parts of Oregon. With giant rock formations and the Crooked River flowing right through the park, it is impossible to find a bad view. This park is also known as the birthplace of modern American sport climbing.
Scenery: high-desert, rock features, rivers
Activities: hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking
Permit: a special uses permit is generally only required for groups over 50 people, or for special setups (arches, decorations, chairs, etc.)
Dog-friendly: yes, limited to certain trails and strictly prohibited in certain areas
Ecola State Park, Oregon
Ecola State Park is comprised of 9 miles of rugged Oregon Coastline. It is a great place to view wildlife or go for a hike. Popular spots within the park include Ecola Point and Indian Beach. This park is another very popular location, drawing around a half a million visitors annually.
Scenery: ocean, beaches, old-growth forests
Activities: hiking, surfing, tidepooling, whale watching
Permit: a special uses permit is generally only required for groups over 50 people, or for special setups (arches, decorations, chairs, etc.)
Dog-friendly: highly dog-friendly
Ready to Plan Your Oregon Elopement?
Hi, I’m Heather Murphy! Your Northern California, born and raised guide and photographer. I love to help couples plan intimate, stress-free, and highly personalized wedding experiences in beautiful places. In addition to capturing your special day, my California elopement packages include the following:
- Location scouting and recommendations
- Timeline creation
- Help with permits
- Vendor and accommodation recommendations
- Activity ideas
- Packing list
I can’t wait to capture this unforgettable moment in your lives! Reach out to start the planning process.
