Do you need a permit for your Washington National Park elopement? The short answer is YES! Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades National Parks all vary in size, the amount of visitors they see each year and the natural and cultural resources they protect. For that reason, each park sets its own special use permit requirements. 

Obtaining a special use permit for your elopement or intimate wedding helps the parks manage the potential interference of other visitors’ experience, congestion of popular spots and overuse or damage of the natural resources that particular park was established to protect.

While you should technically get a special use permit for elopements and intimate weddings of every size within Washington’s National Parks, we know many don’t for elopements with no or just a few guests. The reality is that the parks don’t have the staff to chase down and kick out every group–Just know, if you do get stopped by a ranger, you could be asked to show your permit, even fined and/or asked leave the park. That would be a pretty big bummer on your wedding day!

Whatever you decide, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles and don’t take/share photos that promote poor LNT practices! We know other vendors that have been fined after the fact because they didn’t know (or chose to ignore) the rules and restrictions–They posted photos on social media that broke the rules, tagged the parks, rangers saw the photos and mailed their businesses tickets!

Special use permits are super easy to get and we’ve never had a couple denied for one! Again, the priority is to keep an eye on the popular spots to ensure they aren’t damaged. It’s a good excuse for the parks to touch base with each couple and educate them properly. It’s nothing to be afraid of!

***Wedding ceremony permits are issued to couples NOT photographers/videographers, planners or officiants

Mount Rainier National Park

Of Washington’s 3 National Parks, Mount Rainier National Park’s rules and restrictions are definitely the most strict!

• The special use permit application for your Mount Rainier National Park elopement can be found HERE!
• Submit your application at least 4 weeks prior to your wedding day. Although, we recommend applying as soon as you know you want to get married in the park!
• Be sure to read through the restrictions and conditions section, under ‘Permit for Weddings’
  • Party size will determine which ceremony locations you will be allowed to use–Groups over 12 will likely be required to use front-country locations (roadside, overlooks, amphitheaters)
  • Even if you have a permit, you can’t impede on the activities of other visitors
    • You can’t technically ask other guests to move or not to watch
    • Do not block/rope off ceremony area
    • Keep the noise down and make sure any music isn’t too profane or obnoxious
  • Special setups, like chairs, flower arrangements, rugs, etc, require special permission
  • No throwing of rice or confetti in the park
  • Florals cannot include seeding flowers or any plants on the WA State noxious weed list
  • If you have professional photography/videography, include their contact info on the application–Additional permissions may be required for professional photographers/videographers
• We do NOT recommend the Paradise & Sunrise areas on Saturdays and Sunday during peak season (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
• To apply:
  • Download and fill out the application
  • Pay the $25 application fee on Pay.gov
  • Email your application & Pay.gov transaction ID to mora_special_use@nps.gov
  • A coordinator will contact you to discuss the details of your event
  • To finalize your permit, you will be required to pay a $250 management fee

Olympic National Park

• The special use permit application for your Olympic National Park elopement can be found HERE!
• Permits are typically required for guest counts of more than 5 people, including vendors but we always suggest touching base with the park anyway to make sure ceremonies are allowed/there are no restrictions at the location you’re thinking
• Submit your application at least 3-4 weeks before your wedding day. Again, we recommend applying as soon as you know you want to get married in the park!
• Normal use of public areas by other visitors cannot be restricted
• Seating/audio equipment/elaborate setups aren’t usually allowed
• No additional permissions/permits are needed for photographers or videographers as long as their equipment is hand-held/minimal
• To apply:
  • Scroll down to ‘Weddings & Ceremonies’
  • Download, print and fill out the application
  • Mail your application to: Olympic National Park 600 East Park Avenue Port Angeles, WA 98362
  • You will be emailed a payment link for the $50 application fee
  • In addition, it is recommended that you send an email, using the contact form on the same page, to let them know the application is on the way. Include your requested date

North Cascades National Park

• Information on the special use permit application for your North Cascades National Park elopement can be found HERE!
• If you have a professional photographer/videographer, they may be required to apply for a separate permit
• To apply:
  • Scroll down to ‘Weddings and Group Gatherings’ for more information
  • To receive application materials for your wedding or elopement, please email the Commercial Services Office using the contact form indicated
  • A $50 non-refundable application fee is required and can be paid online at Pay.gov–A copy of your payment confirmation receipt must be forwarded to the Commercial Services Office

If your application is approved by one of the parks above, you will be sent a copy of the permit to review and sign. You will need to return the signed copy to the park for the superintendent’s signature, along with any additional requirements. A copy signed by the superintendent will be returned to you–You must have this copy with you during your permitted activity!

Bonus Info: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest covers more land in Washington than any of the 3 National Parks and includes some extremely popular locations, like Artist Point. Non-commercial events (events where guests/participants are not charged a fee and the primary purpose of the event is not for sale of goods or services) under 75 do not require a permit. However, we NEVER recommend weddings over 25 in these areas and the Forest Service asks that you limit your guest count to 12 or less when traveling out of the front-country with your group! The Forest Service has seen an increase in elopements and while a permit is not required, they have a list of “dos” & “don’ts”:

• Don’t use seeded florals in your floral arrangements
• Don’t throw rice, seeds or confetti
• Don’t rope off areas to other visitors
• DO limit ceremonies to 20 min or less
• DO carpool as parking is limited
• Don’t hand flags, signage or balloons to notify guests of your ceremony location
• DO stay off of sensitive vegetation
• Don’t block the flow of vehicle or hiker traffic
• Don’t fly drones
• DO prominently display your day-use, NW Forest or America the Beautiful Pass
• DO follow the Leave No Trace Principles
• DO have a backup plan in case of snow, road washouts, etc (Artist Point is often closed from Austin Pass/Heather Meadows Visitor Center during the shoulder seasons with no set open/close dates)

As elopements become more and more popular and parks/public lands around the country become more and more strict. Let’s take care of these spaces and play by the rules! Never guess on whether or not you need to get a permit! Always call the local ranger station for more information, they will be happy to assist you!!

Need help planning your Washington National Park elopement or intimate wedding? Contact The Greatest Adventure Weddings & Elopements to set up a complimentary consultation!

Cheers & happy planning!

Erika