How to Adventurously Elope in Oregon
Everything you need to know about eloping in Oregon
Updated April, 2021
So you want to elope in Oregon, but want to add some additional adventure to your elopement? Well, you are in the right place! My name is Lindsay and I will guide you with picking a location that is just as unique as your love, what gear you will need, where you should stay, if your dog can join you, what vendors you will need, and the best time of year depending on the style you want...pretty much everything you will need to plan your elopement in Oregon!
Okay, so how do I plan my elopement?
• Settle on an adventure. This will really guide you on the rest of the process. Play a fun game with it, like a “skies the limit” kind of game and write down all of the ideas that you both generate. Then start narrowing it down until you have settled on what your perfect elopement looks like.
• Determine how many people you want to attend. Elopements can be just the two of you or a small group of friends and family. That’s the beauty, you get to choose! You usually need two witnesses (I can be one if you need).
• Pick a location. Whether you want a single day elopement, a road trip elopement or perhaps you want to head out on a two (or three) day backpacking elopement, below are some amazing locations that will give you a gorgeous canvas for you to write your love story on. I will totally help you pick a location that perfectly matches your adventure, activity level and vibe...I have a HUGE list of locations, so you are not limited to the ones below by any means.
• Determine when you want to elope. There is a reason that Oregon is so green...we receive a lot of rain! June through September will give you the best chance of having a rain free elopement over the entire state. October and November offer some of the best foliage around! January and February are the heaviest snow months. Mountain wildflowers usually make their debut at the end of July. Don’t have a set date? No problem, we can choose that together to ensure you have the perfect timing for your specific adventure. Click HERE for all of those Oregon weather details, broken out by location area.
• Book your vendors. Not sure where to start? Check out my vendor list below! These vendors made the list by either being really cool people who love to adventure, or they offer super awesome services, or BOTH!
• Get those pesky permits and licenses. Each Oregon county issues marriage licenses, but the Portland Airport is located in Multnomah County. You do not need to get married in the same county that you are eloping in, but you will need to appear in person to obtain your license and pay your fees. As for permits, depending on the location there could be a trailhead permit or limited entry permit that will need to be obtained. The good news is that I help with this!
• Relax and have fun! This is the whole point, right? Enjoy the process and let me help you with those logistics.
Clothing and Gear:
When you are choosing your dress, keep in mind that it will likely be either strapped to a pack, or shoved into the top of a pack, so double check on how easily wrinkles shake out. Same goes for suits. Your location will also help influence your dress. I recommend something that flows if you are going to be on a cliff-let those winds add that movement! Shoes should be chosen based on the terrain-don’t be afraid to wear hiking boots or Chacos with your fancy clothes! You can always throw in another pair of shoes to change into. I recommend you choose clothes you can layer and that are photogenic for those moments when you are not dressed in your wedding attire, unless you are a die hard and want to hike in your formal outfits. Capturing all of the special moments in between is just as important in telling your story. Oh, and welcome to the dirty dress club! This is a right of passage that you should totally embrace, having a dirty dress just adds to the specialness of the day. I mean, you only do this once, right?
Having your gear taken care of for you allows you to focus on what to pack to look your best, which is why I am here to help outfit you! Maybe you decided that you want to backpack into an epic location but you don’t want to check your backpack on your flight and risk your gear being stolen or ruined. I got you! I have tents, hammocks, backpacks, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, stoves, water systems, climbing ropes and headlamps to make your trip epic! You can also rent gear at REI or Salem Summit Co. But what if you want to go to an epic spot and camp, but not backpack? I have gear for that too! There are some stunning locations to camp in that would look straight out of a magazine with a Life In Tents tent nestled amongst the trees in a grassy field. And guess what? I help coordinate all of these details for you and when you book with me I will ensure that you are totally prepared.
What if you are just wanting to do a day hike, but do not have gear? No worries-I’ve got you covered and can absolutely assist you in outfitting you! I bring lots of extras with me so that you are hydrated, comfortable, safe and happy…even if you have your own gear!
Locations:
There is a reason that Oregon is listed as one of the top elopement destinations in the world! This little state of mine has everything you could possibly imagine; the ocean, mountains, valleys and wine country, high desert, a rainforest and places that look like they belong on the moon. I’m sure you have seen some of the most common elopement locations in Oregon, but what about those locations that are slightly off the beaten path? This is where my expertise really comes into play! I freakin’ love adventuring and have frolicked all over this state! And because I am an avid outdoors person, I am equipped to camp, backpack, rock climb, and snowshoe. Yep, I am pretty much your Adventure Elopement Tour Guide Barbie. Below are some of my favorite off the beaten path locations, as well as some more widely known ones and all of the details associated with each spot. I recommend combining some of the locations and making it a day or two (or three) day event!
Oregon Coast:
Cape Kiwanda | Pacific City, Oregon
107 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day Hike | Fees: None
Okay, this one is not off the beaten path-but, hear me out...it is truly stunning and offers more than the typical coastal look. The giant sand hill makes it very unique and is also why it bumps it to the medium category. This is a really popular location however, so I recommend that you look for a midweek date. Accommodations and nourishment: Harts Camp will fulfill your Airstream dreams with the coolest trailers that are pet friendly and super unique. Head over to the less known Oar House for some seriously good food, and if you are lucky enough, you might time it right to listen to the locals perform Karaoke.
Dead Mans Cove | Ilwaco, Washington
116 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day Hike | Fees: Parking
And I know, this one is technically in Washington-but you can practically see Oregon, so I included it. You access the cove via a trail from the Coastguard station located at Cape Disappointment. The lighthouse is super pretty and the cove is truly magical. The tides do play a role with this location, so make sure your date and time line up with low tide. Click HERE for the tide schedule. Washington has very similar marriage license requirements as Oregon. Click HERE to access their website to see the requirements. Accommodations and nourishment: To get you back over to the Oregon side, drive 20ish miles to Astoria, Oregon. You know, where the Goonies was filmed! There are some adorable Airbnb’s in Astoria as well as the swanky Hotel Elliott to stay in. Head over to Rogue Ales Public House for some Oregon beer and American food.
Cascade Head | Otis, Oregon
98 miles from Pdx Airport | Not Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate | Day Hike | Fees: None
If you are looking for mossy forests that looks like they are straight out of a hobbit movie and then ending with epic Coastal views, then definitely check out Cascade Head! Another plus about this location is that you are just down the road from Neskowin, which is a super cute town that also has a haystack rock, which is amply named Proposal Rock. You pretty much get the best of all worlds; gorgeous forests, amazing views and coastal magic! Accommodations and nourishment: Definitely recommend Airbnb for this town. Restaurants are fairly limited in this area and it’s a pretty small coastal town, so be prepared for early closing hours.
Face Rock State Park | Bandon, Oregon
261 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day Hike | Fees: Parking
This stretch of beach is simply stunning and home to the famous Wizard Hat. There are lots of rugged locations where you can escape the crowds and bask in the gorgeous rock formations. Tides play a role at this location, so make sure to check your date and time HERE to ensure that you have the best looking photos. Accommodations: Airbnb has a lot of really cute places to stay in this area.
Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood Area
Lost Lake Resort | Hood River, Oregon
85 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy/Hard | Day Hike | Fees: Boats & Cabins
Lost Lake is one of my all time favorite places! It’s nestled at the base of Mount Hood and is one of the most photographed lakes in the state! If you are wanting a cabin feel with row boats, mountain reflections and adventure, lost lake is the place! There are several trails in the area, but my two favorites are the lake trail and the butte trail. The lake trail adventures around the whole lake, making it easy to still experience those amazing reflections but escape the picnickers. My other favorite is the Butte trail, it’s pretty steep but the views are worth it! Lost Lake is closed from November through April.
Cooper Spur & Cloud Cap Hike | Hood River, Oregon
87 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate/Hard | Day and Overnight | Fees: NW Forest Service, Camping Fees
One of the cool things about this location is that it can be done anytime of year! It just depends on if you want to snowshoe or hike! This hike is a 7 mile in and out hike through some gorgeous alpine forest with amazing views of Mt. Hood, Rainier and Adams. Accommodations: You can camp at the trailhead or along the trail. For the winter (or summer for that matter) months, the Tilly Jane A-Frame is a super fun place to crash. You will either need to rent out the whole cabin, or plan on sharing the space with fellow adventurers...either way sounds pretty great to me!
Columbia Gorge | Cascade Locks, Oregon
40-60 miles from Pdx Airport | Not Super Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Varies | Day Hike | Fees: Parking
If you are wanting a waterfall as your backdrop, then look no further...well, actually do look further, because there are still some more amazing falls that are less known coming up! The Columbia Gorge is home to 90 waterfalls, and that is on the Oregon side only! There are falls that are an incredibly short hike and there are falls that we will spend the majority of our day making our way to. There are super popular ones and somewhat lesser known ones. The Gorge is a pretty magical place-definitely not off the beaten path, but the magic still makes it worthy! Accommodations and nourishment: Hood River is not far away and is seriously such a cute town and has all kinds of cool restaurants and places to stay. The only downside-they really crack down on speeders...trust me, personal experience talking here.
Cascade FootHills:
This location was hit really hard in the 2020 wildfires. I will note by each location if there are any restrictions.
Triangulation Peak | Detroit, Oregon (this area was recently damaged in a forest fire)
123 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate | Day or Overnight | Fees: NW Forest Pass, Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
This is one of my favorite hikes and can be either a day trip or we can make it an overnight trip by staying the night at the top, capturing the gorgeous sunset and sunrise! Mt. Jefferson is so close that you feel like you can just reach across the valley and touch it. And Boca Cave is a little hard to find cave that perfectly frames the mountain-talk about an epic place for portraits!!! Best time of the year is June through October as snow does make this a more difficult one to get to in the snow. The new permit system takes effect at the end of May, 2020, I will update this as soon as the permits are finalized! Accommodations and nourishment: I highly recommend a backpack tent for this one! But if you are wanting an actual bed, no worries-there are some cute Airbnb locations in the area too. Detroit doesn’t offer much in the way of restaurants, but I can totally recommend some nummy backpack meals!
Opal Creek | Lyons, Oregon (this area was recently damaged in a forest fire)
104 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day or Overnight | Fees: Wilderness Permit
Opal Creek is truly a magical location with turquoise water, old growth trees, and mossy forest floors. The trail takes you through the forest to a little community called Jawbone Flats. There are so many spots along the trail to capture some truly epic locations! This location can be done in one day, but I recommend you rent one of the cabins (not dog friendly though) in Jawbone flats! These off the grid cabins are the perfect way to spend your time together; off the grid and disconnected from the real world. Just a FYI-you will have to pack in your bedding and food, unless you are down for the vegetarian food that is served from the main kitchen. Want to get your geek on? Add on a mushroom class or a tour of the off-grid system!
Abiqua Falls | Scotts Mills, Oregon (this area was recently damaged in a forest fire)
55 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate/Hard | Day Hike | Fee: None
Oh, how I love Abiqua! This location is gorgeous, and a really short hike. HOWEVER, don’t let the length fool you! It is still rated difficult for a reason...think of it as “short man syndrome” in trail terms! There are ropes involved (several), which to me just adds to the adventure! But when you come around the corner and see the falls for the first time (cue Angel music), magic! But let’s back up a sec and talk about how to get there. You must have 4-wheel drive to make it down this road! But don’t you worry-both of my vehicles got you covered. If you don’t have 4-wheel drive, plan on adding on an additional 4 miles onto your hike, with the last part all uphill! Accommodations and nourishment: You are fairly close to Silverton, Oregon which is a really quaint town with lots of great places to stay and eat.
Cascades:
Canyon Creek Meadows | Sisters, Oregon
163 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate | Day or Overnight | Fees: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
This hike is in my top three hikes ever! After hiking through some spectacular forests that pass by some super cute alpine lakes, you enter an alpine meadow filled with gorgeous wildflowers, and to top it off, Three Finger Jack is in the background making this one of the best mountain scenes in Oregon. But, wait! There’s more! If you continue on, you come to another meadow that is closer to the base of the mountain, allowing for more stunning photo opportunities. And then, if you continue on, you come to an alpine lake filled with cool green glacial melt. The views are epic! July is the best time to go if you want the meadow filled with wildflowers, but honestly it is stunning until the snows come. Accommodations and nourishment: Your 4-star hotel is definitely a backpacking tent on this one, but there are lots of places to car camp nearby, so you could easily have a home base and just enjoy the hike for the day. Either way would be amazing!
Jefferson Park | Sisters, Oregon (parts were recently destroyed by wildfires)
136 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Hard | Overnight | Fees: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
It’s hard to explain the jaw-dropping beauty of this area. You will hike along the Pacific Crest Trail for a good portion, which is always fun to be able to tell people that you hiked the PCT. And I’m not gonna lie, some of the trail is pretty gross from the fires, but you know what they say...a hard journey makes the destination sweeter, or something like that. Anyways, once you enter the “Park” you are greeted with gorgeous alpine lake after alpine lake, each with its own personality and charm. Camp sites are scattered all around, allowing you to maintain some solitude. Sunrise is one of those experiences that you will never forget. The alpenglow on Mount Jefferson paired with the reflection on the glassy waters of the lake is breathtaking. Accommodations and nourishment: Definitely plan on backpacking! While an in and out trip is totally doable here, this location does have a lot to check out, so why not stay another night and explore!
Clear Lake & the McKenzie River Area | Sisters, Oregon
147 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy/Moderate | Day or Overnight | Fees: None
This lake will blow your mind! There is a really nice trail that goes all around the lake, guaranteeing you will find some intimate locations. You can also rent a rowboat to add to your experience, and trust me, you will not get over how clear and blue the water is! The McKenzie river flows out of Clear Lake and maintains that gorgeous color the whole way! There are several stellar waterfalls as well as the famous Tamolitch Pool all packed into 24 miles of beauty. This area also has some amazing backpack locations! Accomodations: Loloma Lodge is my top pick for you-quirky, cool and cabiny! Maybe you are wanting something a little more rustic? Definitely check out McKenzie River Mountain Resort, they even take pets! Clear Lake Resort also has some super cute cabins to rent.
Central Oregon:
Alder Springs Trail | Sisters, Oregon
181 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate | Day or Overnight | Fees: None
This is not a very well known hike, but has some really great rock formations, a gorgeous river that you have to forge, and some peaceful meadows surrounded by gorgeous ponderosa pines. There are a lot of great areas to stay the night, but this also makes a great day hike destination! FYI, this trail is only open during April through November to help protect the wildlife. But would be such an awesome, unique location. If you plan on bringing your pup, the sandy ground can be super hot in the summer! Plan on hiking early in the day or outfitting them with some cute booties so that they can enjoy the area as much as you will!
Golden Lake via Green Lakes | Sisters, Oregon
180 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate | Overnight | Fees: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit
This is one of my favorite backpacking trails. It’s a 13 mile in and out trail that delivers you to an incredibly gorgeous alpine lake situated in between Broken Top and the Three Sisters Mountains. The lake is surrounded by grass that lazily blows in the breeze. The sun sets right behind South Sister and the light ends up so creamy, it’s amazing! And sunrise, unfreakinbelievable! The fog swirling on the lake with the alpenglow on the mountains behind it-Gah! Take me back! One of the other really cool things about this area is a network of trails and additional lakes. There are so many areas to explore and use for photos!! Plan for the summer months if you are wanting to use this location, with the best time being August and September. Accommodations: Hammock or tent.
Sparks Lake | Bend, Oregon
190 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day or Overnight | Fees: None
Sparks Lake is such a gorgeous lake! If you are wanting an easy to get to location with a place for your friends and family to camp, this definitely needs to be on your list. South Sister reflects her beauty in the lake making for a stunning backdrop. Sunrise is truly breathtaking, but sunset is almost just as pretty. You can boat on this lake as well, so let those creative ideas flow...ooh! Maybe a fun floatie!! Accommodations: This is a very popular lake, so think about a mid-week date to give you a better chance of finding a camping spot. There is a campground at the entrance called Soda Creek Campground that you can reserve 6 months in advance. Or if you want to chance it, you might be able to find a spot along the road. You are also 30 minutes from Bend, so you can definitely find some amazing places to stay and eat! I love Bend!
Smith Rock | Terrebonne, Oregon
138 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Moderate/Hard | Day or Overnight | Fees: State Park Day-Pass and permit for groups and structures
I have been climbing, hiking and visiting Smith Rock for over 15 years and let me tell you, when you first see it as you drive in, it is just as magical after the 185th visit as it was the first time! So here’s the thing with Smith Rock, it is a playground for lots of different types of people, which is awesome because you can plan quite the adventure here! Are you a climber or hiker? Me too!! No matter your climbing level, there are great places to climb here to get those epic wedding shots of you climbing in your dress. The most popular trail is Misery Ridge, and while it is holds some amazing views, it has that name for a reason. One of the best views in my opinion is when you hike the Burma Road Trail. The trail is super fun and you are rewarded with great views in every direction, but my favorite is the view of the park. This is a super unique vantage! There are so many places in the park to explore, so while it’s tempting to just hop out of the car and start having your portraits taken, I recommend a little adventure first. It will definitely give you a more unique look and experience. Accommodations and nourishment: There are a couple of campgrounds in the area-one is the Bivy, which is located at the park. But if you are looking for a more rustic campground where you can hang out with some fellow craggers, definitely check out Skull Hollow Campground. Camping not your thing? No worries-there are a ton of rentals in the area, so make sure you check out Airbnb. Wanting some grub? Terrebonne Depot has really good food and is close by and if Pizza is your thing, check out Base Camp Pizza.
Oregon High Desert:
Fort Rock State Park | Fort Rock, Oregon
227 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day or Overnight | Fees: State Park Pass
If you are looking for a super unique desert location, I love this one! Plan to visit the old Fort Rock General Store for some epic vintage hipster shots, trust me you won’t be disappointed! And then head over to the rock for some amazing sunset shots. This horseshoe shaped rock juts straight out of the flat ground and is totally stunning. And since you are already sort of in the middle of nowhere, head over to Crack in the Ground (about an hour away)! For real, you will go from the desert to a crack canyon that will remind you of something straight out of Lord of the Rings! Accommodations and nourishment: Plan on camping or driving back to Bend to stay.
Crack In The Ground | Lakeview, Oregon
This location is only about an hour from Fort Rock and is probably one of the coolest places ever! Open year round, it’s an ancient fissure that is over 2 miles long and gives straight Lord of the Rings vibes! The Christmas Valley Sand Dunes are not too far away either-so if you want to add in a little Morocco vibe, we can totally do both in the same day! Want to see more images from this stunning location? Click HERE to check it out. Accommodations and nourishment: Plan on camping or driving back to Bend to stay.
Painted Hills | Mitchell, Oregon
195 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy/Moderate | Day or Overnight | Fees: None
Okay, the Painted Hills are probably one of my all time favorite locations. I seriously get goosebumps every single time I visit (which has been at least once per year for over 20 years). There is a reason it is listed as one of Oregon’s seven wonders! What makes this area great is that not only are the painted hills gorgeous, but in July and August you also have these super cute sunflowers that line the dirt roads. And because I have been coming to this area for so long I know all kinds of great places along the John Day River that would be fantastic locations to shoot at, not to mention some local swimming holes and camping spots. There really isn’t a best time of year to visit-it is always gorgeous, but it is easier to get there when Ochoco Pass doesn’t have snow. Accommodations: Camping in the Ochoco Forest is hands down my favorite! With gorgeous meadows and ponderosa pines, it doesn’t get much better!
Super Unique Desert Adventures:
Christmas Valley Sand Dunes | Christmas Valley, Oregon
240 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day or Overnight | Fees: None
Do you love the look of the Sahara Desert? Long sweeping dunes giving the impression that you are the last two people on Earth, but you don’t want to travel all the way to Africa? Well, you are in luck because Oregon has an area of 11,000 acres of these amazing sand dunes!! It’s pretty cool-the dunes are over 60 feet high and these dunes are the largest inland dune system in the Pacific Northwest. I mean, just picture this...tents from Life in Tents in the middle of a sandy desert where you and your favorite person elope in front of your closest friends and family and then party the night away surrounded by gorgeous stars. Yep, that can happen. Accommodations and nourishment: Now that you are making the trek to the remote areas of Oregon, I would really recommend that you plan on camping at least a night or two. I am totally down to capture your whole adventure! Trust me, you will totally thank me!
Alvord Desert and the Steens Mountains | Princeton, Oregon
384 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Overnight | Fees: Hot Springs
Alvord Desert is like no other place in Oregon! For starters the mostly dried up lake is 12 miles long and 7 miles wide, bordered on one side by the Steens Mountains. Alvord Desert affectionately called Oregon’s salt flats and is seriously so gorgeous. Definitely plan on adding the Alvord Hot Springs to your list of areas to have photos at. They are a super cute and clean hot springs that would be so unique and fun to do a shoot at...soaking in the springs with your love, the mountains and the desert in the background, depending on the direction! Ahhh! Back to the Steens Mountains, have you always wanted wild horses to be a part of your elopement? Well, you are in luck! There are herds of horses (with babies!!) all through these mountains and because they are used to people stopping and watching them, you would totally be able to have them in the background of your portraits. How cool would that be?! Accommodations and nourishment: Camping in the Steens Mountains is not for the weak! Everything is extreme in these parts-and the weather is no exception! But with that being said, I absolutely recommend camping or backpacking here! I have camped in some seriously rugged areas, but felt like I earned a special badge after camping here! Another option is to camp on the dry lake bed itself, how many times can you do that, right?!! Make sure you check in with me though, because there are certain times of the year where the wind can actually blow the water in the lake from one end to the other. Imagine going to bed in a dry location and waking up to six inches of water? Lol! There is also a pretty cute motel in Frenchglen (the closest town with gas) about an hour away. Places to eat are hard to come by, so definitely pack food with you!
Summer Lake Hot Springs | Princeton, Oregon
316 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Overnight | Fees: Hot Springs
This location is ideal for those couples that really dig being off the beaten path! Your road trip here should definitely be a part of your whole elopement. I imagine a Desert Gypsy theme for this elopement location. And if you time it right, you could be staying with people on the Burning Man pilgrimage. These hot springs are a little more established than Alvord Hot Springs, and offer a gorgeous rustic setting with snow capped mountains in the background. Accommodations: Rent a cabin at the hot springs (your dog is welcome here too!) or plan on camping on nearby forest service land.
Owyhee Canyonlands
453 miles from Pdx Airport BUT only 120 miles from Boise Airport | Dog Friendly* | Difficulty: Varies | Overnight | Fees: None
The Owyhee’s are for extreme adventurer and hold a special place in my heart! How many places have you visited that have a giant billboard sized sign stating that you are entering a place where services are not available? Everything is just more extreme; rocks, snakes, vistas, stars-everything! And 4-wheel drive is a must for this location, as well as having special tires. Because remember, you are on your own out here (cue tumbleweed crossing the road music). Did I mention that the nearest hospital is 3 hours away in Boise. So now that I have scared some of you off, those that are still reading-this place is magical!!! Three Forks Hot Springs feels like you are in some foreign land with red rock canyons, grassy meadows and the three forks of the Owyhee River coming together and taking center stage. The Hot Springs are a natural pool on the other side of the river that looks straight out of a movie. Leslie Gulch is another gorgeous spot, with several trails to explore and can be accessed easier than Three Forks. Bring your climbing shoes, the bouldering here is awesome! One of the hikes comes to an end at an orange cliff called “honeymoon rock”, how fitting is that?! Now, if you are truly wanting a location that looks like you are eloping on the moon, Jordan Craters will blow your mind! Jordan Craters is probably one of the more remote locations on this list and the best time to go is spring and fall. Summer is just too damn hot. You can camp right by the rim and with it being 27 miles square miles, solitude will be easy to find. I’ve heard that you can even repel into the cavern, which I am so down to do! Accommodations: Definitely camping or backpacking! *Oh, and if you plan on bringing your dog make sure you are aware that there are rattle snakes and the ground can be super hot in the summer!
Southern Oregon:
Lake of the Woods
303 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Overnight | Fees: Cabins
Lake of the Woods has a similar feel to Lost Lake. It is a gorgeous lake with that cute, mountainy community where you can explore until your heart's content. Mount McLoughlin sits in the background and splashes its reflection on the lake. One of the cool features about this location is the cabins! If you are looking for a location where you can have your 20 closest people attend, this would definitely accommodate that. The cabins are so cute and even come with their own Pendleton blanket! What?!! There are also campgrounds nearby if you would rather go that route.
Toketee Falls
240 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Easy | Day Hike | Fees: None
This waterfall is a nice short hike that follows the North Umpqua River, giving lots of stunning spots along the way for photos. Once you get to the falls, there is a platform to view the falls, but you want some adventure, right? I recommend that we bring some ropes, anchor off a tree and scramble down to the base of the falls. That is where the view is Ah-mazing!! Toketee Falls is only 40 minutes from Crater Lake, so why not do both locations. I mean, how amazing-Crater Lake and an epic waterfall? Yes please!! Accommodations: I recommend either camping in Forest Service land, or staying at the Crater Lake Lodge.
Crater Lake National Park
243 miles from Pdx Airport | Dog Friendly | Difficulty: Varies | Day or Overnight | Fees: National Park Pass
Crater Lake is definitely a well known Oregon jewel (also a Seven Wonders of Oregon), and for good reason! Did you know that it is the deepest lake in the US? Makes you want to jump off a cliff and go for a dip, huh? Are you wanting some snow in your photos in the middle of August? More times than not, you can find some at Crater Lake. Crater Lake is perfect for those adventurers who also want some modern comforts. The lodge is incredibly photogenic as well, so we can add in a cozy indoor session too. Want to zip-line in your wedding dress? Yep, they have that. Or rent a mountain bike? Yes! So cute. Or get away from the crowds and go backpacking-absolutely! There are lots of trails and destinations here. Accommodations: Whether you are wanting to rough it backpacking or dress it up a notch and stay at the Lodge, I recommend either one!
Vendors:
Florists:
Having a florist who can make a bouquet that withstands being shoved into a backpack, can still look amazing in the summer heat, and can capture your adventurous spirit is super important! These ladies do amazing work and are adventurers at heart.
Hair and Makeup Artists (HMUA):
Just because you are having an adventure elopement doesn’t mean that you can’t have your hair and make-up done. These ladies love adventure and can help enhance your natural beauty.
Underwood Makeup (Northern Coast)
Meaghan with Fleur T Beauty Co. (Valley Area)
Marina Hayes Artistry (Portland, Oregon)
Classic Beauty By Heather (Central Oregon)
Julie Ruth Aesthetics (Valley Area)
Officiants:
Officiant Jimmie (totally down to adventure)
Wedding Dresses and Boutiques:
Rue de Seine will make your bohemian dreams come true!
Elizabeth Dye has gorgeous, one of a kind dresses-especially colored ones!
Charlotte’s Weddings has a great selection and helpful staff!
Etsy truly unique designs with a large price scale!
Brides for a Cause has a great selection and makes your heart happy knowing you helped support a charity!
Suits:
The Black Tux You can rent or buy. Their rental program is super cool!
Desserts:
Whether you are looking for a cake or something that will pack in your backpack, these are my favorites!
Hopefully you are beyond inspired to plan your adventure elopement in Oregon, and I cannot wait to help you and capture it! Ready to chart our course? Click HERE!