Ultimate Washington Backpacking and Camping Elopement Guide
Best backpacking elopement trails in washington state
When it comes to landscapes, Washington has it all. Rugged mountain peaks, moody beaches, epic waterfalls, volcanoes, dramatic canyons and deserts, rolling hills, rainforests, and so much more. There are so many amazing backpacking options that you really can’t go wrong. You even have the option to backpack on a continuous footpath across the entire state of Washington via the Pacific Crest Trail. This state truly has so much to offer. If you already have a season and Washington elopement trail in mind, go check out my blog post on how to plan a backpacking elopement for some great tips on how to plan, prioritize what to bring, and how to pack for your backpacking elopement.
CHoosing your Washington backpacking elopement Trail
Washington has four distinct seasons and in general the best time to have a backpacking elopement in Washington is between July-September. That being said there are still some options for a backpacking elopement year round. Below are general regions throughout Washington where you can have a backpacking elopement categorized by seasons. Choosing the right trail can get overwhelming at times. I suggest picking a general region you’re excited about based on views and then researching trails based on the distance you want to hike. A great resource for finding information on trails and current trail reports is the WTA (Washington Trails Association)
I actually offer a ton of location scouting assistance for couples who book me as their elopement photographer. I have a location scouting questionnaire that helps me find out your priorities, time restrictions, desired hiking distance, etc. Then I do a lot of behind the scenes research and even physically check out the trail if needed. My couples then receive a custom list of trail options that help them find that perfect adventure elopement trail.
Spring Backpacking Elopements
Months: March - June
Best Regions: Washington Coastline, Snoqualmie Pass, Central/Eastern Washington
Summary: In general, most of the iconic Washington backpacking trails will still be covered in deep snowpack during the Spring and early Summer. You can definitely still find beautiful trails, just stick to lower elevation areas. The Washington coastline is a great option for a spring backpacking elopement. The weather can always be moody on the coast, so it’s important to come prepared with plenty of waterproof and warm gear. For more information on backpacking the Washington coast check out the National Park Service website on the Washington Wilderness Coast. Most lower elevation trails along Washington tend to be accessible during spring. Trails along Snoqualmie pass has several options that often make for great shorter backpacking options later in the Spring/Early summer. Trails like Mason Lake and Annette Lake allow backcountry camping and are both less than 7 miles round trip. You may find some snow, so be sure to check trail reports before you go.
Summer Backpacking Elopements
Months: July - early September
Best Regions: Washington Coastline, Snoqualmie Pass, Mountain Loop Highway, The North Cascades National Park, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, Olympic National Park, The Enchantments
Summary: Mid-July through September is really when Washington State has the most to offer. As seen above, you have SO many amazing options. Want to backpack up to the Base camp of Mt. Adams and summit the next morning? Let’s do it! I’ve summited Mt. Adams and I’d love to capture your summit elopement! Want to backpack in the Mt. Baker wilderness and elope with epic views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan? Check out the Chain lakes trail or the Skyline Divide Trail. Or did you score lottery permits for the magical Enchantments near Leavenworth? Let’s get you married next to those insanely beautiful blue lakes, mountain goats, and jagged granite peaks. The Olympic Peninsula has some amazing backpacking options as well! There’s even a trail that goes along the coast called the North Coast backpacking route. I could go on and on about all the amazing options, but I’ll stop here— just know that you can’t go wrong choosing to have a backpacking elopement during the summer months in Washington.
Fall and Winter Backpacking Elopements
Months: Mid-September - February
Best Regions: Eastern and Central Washington
Summary: Most of the iconic backpacking trails throughout Washington become unaccessible during late fall, but this is all dependent on the specific year. To play it safe, I suggest sticking to the Washington Coast on the Olympic Peninsula or the Eastern and Central Washington! Places like Ancient Lakes near Quincy, Washington have some really great backpacking trails that usually stay relatively dry in the fall and winter!
Meet your Backpacking and Camping Elopement Photographer
Hey, I’m Sierra! I’m an adventure elopement photographer that specializes in epic adventure elopements like backpacking, hiking, biking, canoeing, you name it! I’m an avid backpacker myself and I’ve solo backpacked over 1,500 continuous miles throughout the Pacific Northwest. My partner and I even had a backpacking elopement ourselves, so I’ve got you when it comes to planning your overnight adventure!
There's a lot to sort out when it comes to planning a backpacking trip, let alone how to logistically get married on backpacking trip! If you’re unsure of what trail to pick or how to pack your wedding dress, how to handle your hair and makeup, that is totally fine! I will walk you through the process of it all and give you pros and cons, so you can make decisions that work for you! If you’re wanting some quick tips, check out my backpacking elopement planning guide!
three of my favorite Washington backpacking trails
Okay, I’m not going to share all my favorite trails, because I like to keep those a bit more private to still be able to offer my couples some of my “secret” spots, but below are some of the more popular trails (for good reason) that I love!
Length: 6.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,820 ft
Location: Mt. Baker/North Cascades
Summary: Okay this one is ultra special, because it’s the trail my husband and I chose for our backpacking elopement! This trail is awesome for elopements, because you don’t need to reserve backpacking permits and there are several lakes to choose from for designated camping spots. The other huge bonus of this trail is that it has views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan, both of which are completely stunning and make for amazing backdrops for a ceremony. This is also a great option for those wanting to bring a dog on your trip, as it isn’t in the National Park.
Something I always encourage couples to think about is that you don’t have to hike the full trail! For example on this loop trail, you can camp a couple miles in and return the same way! This can make a backpacking elopement a lot more manageable if you’re carrying in your wedding clothing, bouquet, makeup, and whatever else you plan to bring!
*This is a super old iphone photo, but you get the point on how beautiful it is!
Length: 17.4 miles (but you definitely don’t need to do the whole trail)
Elevation Gain: 1,279 ft
Location: Mount St. Helens Wilderness
Summary: Mount Margaret is a super stunning backpacking trail located next to Mount St. Helens! All of the areas around Mount St. Helens is out of this world! This trail specifically looks like a foreign planet! This trail offers absolutely stunning views of St. Helens and all the surrounding volcanoes! In the summer you’ll get beautiful wildflowers and in the fall you’ll see beautiful fall foliage! You can access this trail from either side of the trail, as it is not a loop. Because of this, I think it would make more sense to do this as a one night trip. There are designated campsites with beautiful views throughout the whole trail, so you can come from either side. The Clever Hiker offers a great guide for backpacking this area. This trail requires permits (which you can reserve here), but the benefit of this is that you can select a permit for a specific campsite, so you’re guaranteed a specific campsite for the night!
Ancient Lakes Backpacking Trails
Length: 4-12 miles (Round trip: Out and Back)
Elevation Gain: 625 ft
Location: Quincy, Washington
Summary: So I haven’t actually backpacked this trail yet, but I’ve mountain biked it! This whole area is perfect for spring and winter elopements because it’s Washington’s version of a desert. It’s a gorgeous area, with really unique rock features and beautiful lakes! This is also a great trail to bring your fly fishing gear because the lakes have fish in them! You definitely need to watch out for rattlesnakes out here as we ran into two on our trip! As of now, you don’t need a backcountry permit and there is plenty of dispersed camping to choose from. This spot can be busy on the weekends, but if you’re able to go on a weekday, you’re likely to have the trail all to yourself! This area also offers a lot of dispersed camping above the canyon (like the photo above), where you can pull up your car or van and camp for free! It’s the perfect getaway during the wet months in the PNW, as it is often dry and sunny here year round!
