Definitive List of the Best Places to Elope in the U.S. In 2023

So you’ve decided to elope – hell yeah! Elopements have become super popular in recent years and I definitely understand why: the ability to focus on you and your partner and what you want to do, rather than what’s trending in the wedding industry, is super freeing & exciting. My wife and I even eloped this past year, so I’ve got firsthand experience. If you’ve decided to elope somewhere in the country, then you’re going to love this definitive guide to all the best places to elope in the U.S.

From the coast of Washington all the way to the mountains of upstate New York, this list goes through my personal favorite places in the U.S. that make for incredible elopement destinations. Of course there are many, many more awesome locations, but in an effort to keep this list from growing too big & giving you decision fatigue, I’ve narrowed it down to a list of the top 15.

If you’re looking to elope outside of the U.S. instead, I’ve got a couple of recent guides for that, too – check out my Guide to Getting Married in Santorini if you’re dreaming up a rad Greek wedding, or this Acre Baja Wedding Planning Guide if Mexico is more your thing.

Enjoy!

How to Choose Your Elopement Destination

When it comes to choosing which elopement destination is right for you, there are a few main factors you’ll want to think about:

Weather
Type of location
Landscape + scenery
Permits
Travel costs
Activities
Crowds

Weather:

Obviously weather is a huge one and should be one of the first things you consider when you dream up your ideal elopement destination. Do you thrive in warm, sunny weather or would you have a blast going skiing in the middle of winter? Pick a location + time of year that’ll give you the weather conditions you’ll enjoy most, whether that’s humid tropical weather and long days, shorter days with snowy conditions for your favorite winter activities, or brisk fall temperatures with warmer afternoons.

Type of location:

The great thing about elopements is that there are really no rules. So you’re totally free to get married at a full venue, out in the mountains in the middle of nowhere, in your backyard, or inside a cozy Airbnb in the woods. Consider whether you want to elope at a venue that offers planning services & multiple ceremony/reception sites, think through how many guests you’ll have (if any) and how you want to celebrate with them, and what your budget is for your venue/location. Eloping outdoors in a national or state park is typically much cheaper since you don’t need to rent out a venue space, but it’ll obviously be more simple + DIY since you won’t have access to large, decorated spaces.

Landscape + scenery:

Landscapes are the next big one that’ll help you narrow down your decision: what type of scenery do you want for your elopement? Do you want to elope at a wedding venue with a ceremony site in front of the mountains? On a beach right next to the ocean so you can say your vows with your feet in the sand? At a ski resort overlooking a snowy mountain landscape? Think about what type of scenery brings you the most joy, makes you feel most at peace, and/or is meaningful to your relationship. Maybe you and your partner love to hike in the mountains and want to say your vows at the end of your favorite trail, or maybe you love surfing and want to tie the knot on a tropical beach. The possibilities are endless!

Permits:

One thing to keep in mind if you elope in a national or state park, or somewhere on public land, is that you may need a wedding-specific permit to hold your ceremony there. For national parks, you’ll usually need a Special Use Permit no matter what, and in many state parks you might need one depending on the size of your wedding. Do your research through websites like NPS and Recreation.gov to find out what type of permit(s) you’ll need for the location you choose, and find out how much it will cost, what’s allowed/not allowed with the permit, and how far in advance you need to start the permit process.

Activities:

Brainstorm the types of activities you might want to do on your elopement day or during your trip, either by yourselves or with your guests, and that’ll narrow down your location options. E.g. if you want to go surfing, you’re obviously limited to locations near a beach; if you want to go wine tasting, you’ll want a location that has some awesome wineries; if you want to go skiing, you’re limited to mountain towns that have great ski resorts & winter opportunities.

Here’s a list of potential elopement activities to get your ideas flowing:

Hiking
Biking
Rock climbing
Swimming (ocean, lake, river, waterfall, pool, hot springs)
Kayaking
Stand up paddle boarding
River floating
Boating
Surfing
Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowshoeing
Wine tasting
Picnics
Helicopter tour
Glacier hiking
Cave exploring
Spa day (massages, facials, etc.)
Private dinner party at a restaurant
Night out in the city

Crowds:

Finally, keep in mind what crowds will be like at different locations. Figure out what peak season is at the location you choose (especially at popular outdoor locations such as national parks) and decide if you want to elope during peak season when the weather is usually best, or if you’re down for cooler/less ideal weather to avoid crowds. If you want to elope during a busier season, see if you can find a more secluded/harder to access location to have your ceremony at, so you don’t have crowds around you.

2. Oregon

The next PNW gem south of Washington, Oregon is another absolutely incredible state to elope in thanks to its huge diversity in landscapes + scenery, from the iconic beaches of the Oregon Coast to the golden desert of Bend to the epic waters of Crater Lake National Park. You’ll love eloping in Oregon if you thrive outdoors, with opportunities to explore a wide array of breathtaking landscapes and drive along one of the most scenic highways in the country, the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Best time of year to elope in Oregon: June-October

Best elopement locations in Oregon:

3. Montana

If you want to elope in a state that has two of the most stunning national parks in the country with high mountains, pristine alpine lakes, and super cool glaciers, Montana is the place. The natural beauty of Montana’s landscapes is insane, and there are a ton of adorable mountain towns that you could stay in for your elopement, too.

Best time of year to elope in Montana: June-August

Best elopement locations in Montana:

4. Wyoming

Wyoming is obviously home to Yellowstone National Park & the Grand Tetons, as well as some of the best hiking, biking, climbing, and skiing in the country. Jackson Hole is a super fun place to explore, too, but no matter where you go in Wyoming you’ll be gifted with stunning scenery.

Best time of year to elope in Wyoming: July-September

Best elopement locations in Wyoming:

For more of the best places to elope in Wyoming, check out this list of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Wyoming Wedding Venues!

5. Colorado

Along with Washington and Montana, Colorado is one of the best choices if you want to elope in an epic mountain range. The Rockies are absolutely phenomenal, encompassing a wide array of mountain environments, and offers a lot to see (and do) even if you’re not a big hiker – waterfalls, scenic lakes, views of gorgeous mountain peaks, and so much more!

Best time of year to elope in Colorado: June-October

Best elopement locations in Colorado:

6. Northern California

Northern California is home to an insane amount of epic landscapes & incredible places to visit, from warm beaches to sprawling vineyards to forests of massive, lush redwoods. You’ll love eloping in northern California if you want to explore a beautiful, rugged section of the coast like Big Sur, the epic views of Yosemite, or the otherworldly desert landscape of Death Valley,

Best time of year to elope in northern California: September-October

Best elopement locations in northern California:

If you’re thinking of eloping in Cali, you won’t want to miss this Ultimate List of the Best Places to Elope in California!

7. Southern California

SoCal has to be one of my personal favorites, since it’s where my wife and I eloped, and I’ve photographed a ton of couples in Palm Springs & Joshua Tree. It’s one of the most awesome places for year-round sunny weather, outdoor adventures, amazing beaches, and rugged desert landscapes. Stay in a 5-star luxury resort or Airbnb in Palm Springs and lounge by the pool, or go stargazing in the epic Joshua Tree desert!

Best time of year to elope in southern California: March-May

Best elopement locations in southern California:

8. Northern Arizona

I absolutely LOVE northern Arizona and its incredible desert scenery, from the vast canyons of Page to the red rocks of Sedona. Every season in northern Arizona is beautiful and offers opportunities for outdoor adventure, plus there are a ton of luxurious spas to enjoy as well as rad desert Airbnbs. It’s also home to one of my all-time favorite elopement destinations, Horseshoe Bend!

Best time of year to elope in northern Arizona: June-September

Best elopement locations in northern Arizona:

Because I love AZ so much, I put together a full guide to the Best Places to Elope in Arizona that you can read here.

9. Southern Arizona

Southern AZ is a world of its own with a much more wild-west vibe than the northern part of the state, and is home to one of my favorite parts of the state, Tucson + Saguaro National Park. There are multiple beautiful national monuments you can visit, tons of wildlife, and even some super cool archeological sites if that’s your thing.

Best time of year to elope in southern Arizona: September-October

Best elopement locations in southern Arizona:

10. Southern Utah

Southern Utah is probably one of the most breathtaking parts of the country, with blue skies pretty much year-round and desert scenery that truly makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Plus, it’s super doable to drive between multiple incredible locations, especially in the Moab area, so you can hit up a few different places during your time in the area!

Best time of year to elope in southern Utah: August-October

Best elopement locations in southern Utah:

11. New Mexico

New Mexico is the perfect location for any couple who is at their happiest in the desert, whether that be exploring the wilderness through epic hikes, witnessing the white sands of one of the most epic national parks in the country, or lounging at a luxurious desert resort & spa.

Best time of year to elope in New Mexico: September-November

Best elopement locations in New Mexico:

Looking for wedding venues in New Mexico to host your elopement? Check out these Top 10 Best New Mexico Wedding Venues!

13. Upstate New York

I love a good east coast wedding – specifically, I can never get enough of upstate New York. Being that my wife is from that area, we love visiting the Catskills & surrounding regions, and can never get over the stunning rolling hills + luscious forests. Upstate NY truly has some of the most epic wedding venues on the entire east coast, in my opinion!

Best time of year to elope in upstate New York: May-August

Best elopement locations in upstate New York:

Upstate New York is definitely one of my favorite places to visit, so I put together a separate Upstate New York Wedding Planning Guide for you, which includes the best venues, Airbnbs, and boutique hotels in the area.

14. New York City

And I can’t forget about the great New York City, a phenomenal place to elope for couples who love being in the big city and exploring shops, restaurants, and some of the best museums in the country. If you’re eloping with a few guests, exploring NYC with them would be such a fun way to spend the days before & after your elopement.