Table of Contents
• Reasons to Elope at Mt. Baker
• When to Elope at Mt. Baker
• Best Elopement Locations at Mt. Baker
• Permits and Licenses for Eloping at Mt. Baker
• Lodging for Your Mt. Baker Elopement
• Mt. Baker Elopement Photography
Reasons to Elope at Mt. Baker
As a well traversed Washington native, Mt. Baker is by far one of my favorite locations in the entire state, both for the hiking, and for the ease of getting married in the National Forest. Nestled up in the most northwestern part of the state, Mt. Baker is the third highest mountain in Washington and has something to offer all year round. I’ve had the joy of visiting Mt. Baker in several different seasons and with all kinds of weather and let me tell you, it never ceases to amaze me and make my jaw drop at how gorgeous it is!
If you’ve been dreaming of eloping at Mt. Baker, or are just curious what the process might look like, you’re in the right place. First off, let me try and convince you why it might just be the best (and easiest) place to get married.
Very Affordable and Straightforward
Most national parks and forest land in Washington State require a Special Use Permit and charge a fee for all wedding ceremonies; however, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, no permit is required for groups of 75 or less people. And let’s be honest, an outdoor adventure elopement with more than 75 people sounds a bit overwhelming. I’d suggest keeping your ceremony guest list to less than 15 people. Most trails are narrow and a bit steep, which can be far for some family members to walk. That said, if you’re wanting a larger group, there are some gorgeous overlooks right by the parking areas that I’d recommend.
Mt. Baker also doesn’t have a specific list of permitted ceremony locations, so you can pretty much elope anywhere you want! As long as you leave the environment is just as you found it, and respect other visitors, anywhere in the area is free game for your ceremony and portraits. This makes the planning much easier since no park rangers need to be notified or give approval for anything.
Easy to Access Mountain Views
Although there are many views that do require hiking, Mt. Baker is also extremely drivable, especially in summer and fall. Once open, the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway (SR 542) takes you all the way up to a parking lot at Artist Point, where you can enjoy the views simply by stepping out of your car. Or, if you’re looking for a more up close view of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan, this parking lot offers several short walking trails that require minimal effort for spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. On your way up the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway are also several pull offs taking you to other short walking trails, such as Picture Lake and Heather Meadows. These are easy trails that anyone of any fitness level can complete, making it the perfect location if you have guests who can’t hike, or don’t want to, but still want to enjoy the mountain scenery. Picture Lake is even wheelchair friendly!
Hiking Trails for Various Levels
For those who are more interested in hiking, there are plenty of incredible options within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Whether you’re looking for a trail that’s only 3 miles round trip, or want to make a day of it and venture out for a longer 10 mile hike, Mt. Baker has something for everyone.
Your Furry Friends can Come Along
One benefit of Mt. Baker being in a national forest, rather than a national park, is that it’s dog friendly! If you have furry friends that you’d like to include in your elopement they are welcome to join, as long as they’re on a leash. There may be a few trails that are an exception, but for the most part, they can tag along on the adventure! If you do decide to bring your dogs, I’d suggest having a friend or a designated person in charge of taking care of it during the day, so you are free to enjoy your ceremony without worrying about the dog getting fed and behaving.
When to Elope at Mt. Baker
Although beautiful at any time of the year, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is the most easily accessible once the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway opens in the summer after most of the snow has melted. Due to the high elevation, Artist Point and much of the surrounding area is covered in snow the majority of the year. Generally, the Scenic Byway is open from July-October, depending on each year’s snowmelt and snowfall. If you’d like to avoid the snow, I’d suggest planning your day somewhere between end of July to early October. That said, the Heather Meadows area of the forest is accessible and plowed all year long and Artist Point can be reached by hiking 2.7 miles there and back from the Heather Meadows parking lot, often in snowshoes or crampons. So if you love the snow and want a bit of an adventure, that is an option!
Regardless of the time of year, I will always recommend choosing a weekday for your elopement. The weekends can get so crowded that it’s difficult to find a view that isn’t impeded by other couples eloping or tourists enjoying the view. One other way to avoid this is to plan your ceremony, or at least your portraits, either during sunrise or sunset. Not only does this help avoid crowds, but also offers the best golden lighting and alpenglow that makes photos in the mountains so dreamy.
Summer
PROS: The Mt. Baker Highway is open all the way to Artist Point, meaning most of the trails are open. Wildflowers are also in full bloom and the weather is generally the nicest!
CONS: Due to the excellent conditions, Mt. Baker tends to be the busiest from the end of July through August. If you’re looking to elope in this timeframe, but also desire privacy, I might suggest choosing a location a bit further into the trails, or at sunrise on a weekday.
Fall
PROS: Personally, fall is my absolute favorite time at Mt. Baker! The forest is a bit less busy and the colors in the foliage are breathtaking! Never have I seen such an array of reds, oranges, and yellows all in one place before. The huckleberries are also delicious 🙂
CONS: Fall at Mt. Baker is a bit rainier and snow can often come early, so being flexible and having a few options and plans in place is a must, at any time of the year, but especially the fall. Spring can also be great at lower elevations, but the trails are harder to access and there is often lots of rain.
Winter
PROS: If you love the snow and want to put on your skis or snowshoes, the snow covered landscapes are magical! It’s also far less crowded.
CONS: Winter isn’t the best if you’re hoping to explore the alpine trails and have more predictable weather. It’s also really cold!
Spring
PROS: Spring can be great at lower elevations where trails are open, as there are less crowds and lots of greenery.
CONS: The trails are harder to access due to roads still being closed from snow. There is also often lots of rain in the spring, so prepare a Plan B, or bring some cute clear umbrellas!
Best Elopement Locations at Mt. Baker
Although there are countless stunning locations for a Mt. Baker Elopement, here is a list of some of the most popular and easily accessible.
Artist Point & Huntoon Point: The iconic view of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker that only requires a short 1.2 mile hike roundtrip. This trail is only accessible three months out of the year (mid-July-October) unless you want to snowshoe several extra miles. In the summer months, glacial tarns are scattered throughout the trail making it an absolute dream for magical photos, both at sunrise and sunset.
Heather Meadows & Bagley Lakes: Known for it’s heather and huckleberry meadows, Heather Meadows is an area of the national forest that is the entrance point to several trails, but also offers beautiful views right from the parking lot. You can hike down to the Bagley Lakes, up part of the Chain Lakes Loop, or use the paved area for your small ceremony.
Winchester Mountain Fire Lookout: If you’re wanting epic 360 degree mountain views and an exciting adventure with minimal effort, this is a perfect option. The trail begins at Twin Lakes and climbs up to the Winchester Fire Lookout, with a total of 3.4 miles of hiking roundtrip. It is important to note that although the trail itself isn’t difficult, the road to this trail is quite an adventure and requires a high clearance vehicle unless you want to park a ways down from the trailhead and add 2.5 miles each way of road walking. But honestly, it’s worth it for the views!
Picture Lake: Wheelchair accessible, this half mile paved walking trail features Mt. Shuksan as the picturesque backdrop to the lake. Great spot for a ceremony if you are having family attend who require a shorter walk.
Chain Lakes Loop Trail: A 6.5 mile loop, this trail is for those who are seeking more of an adventure. Either beginning at the Artist Point, or Heather Meadows parking lots, it ventures out to multiple lakes, several of which would be beautiful ceremony locations. Portions of this trail can also be done on their own, such as the portion from Heather Meadows going up to a Herman’s Saddle, overlooking Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan.
Permits & Licenses for Eloping at Mt. Baker
Getting Your Washington State Marriage License
In order to get legally married at Mt. Baker, you’ll need to obtain a Washington State marriage license. This can be done at any county clerk’s office in the state, or, if you’re out of state, you can apply online and receive your license in the mail. It is important to note that the license expires after 90 days, but also isn’t valid until it’s been in your possession for three days. So be sure to get your license early enough, but not too early that it expires.
Northwest Forest Pass
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for any vehicle that will be parking in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Day passes are available for $5 or an Annual Pass for $30. An alternative pass option is the America the Beautiful Pass, which is also valid for entry to any National Park. Passes can be purchased HERE, at a US Forest Service Office, or other local outdoor recreation shop that may sell them.
Elopement Permit
As previously mentioned, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest typically does not require any Special Use Permits for elopement ceremonies. However, it’s wise to double check, just in case regulations change. You can do this by looking on the National Forest Service website.
Lodging for Your Mt. Baker Elopement
Where is Mt. Baker?
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is about three hours north of the Seattle Tacoma International Airport and 1.5 hours from the smaller Bellingham International Airport. Roughly 90 miles from Seattle and 30 miles from Bellingham, both are great options if you’re flying in from out of state. If you’re coming from Canada, it’s about a 2 hour drive from Vancouver, BC.
Airbnbs & Housing
If you want lodging close to the trailheads and Artist Point, I’d recommend staying in the towns of Deming, Maple Falls, or Glacier, Washington. All are super cute small mountain towns that feel secluded and private. I highly suggest booking somewhere cozy and relaxing to stay in during your elopement. Having a nice, warm house or cabin to come back to after adventuring makes the experience that much more enjoyable. There are lots of cute cabins and a-frames available if you book early enough. Here are some of my favorites:
Mt. Baker Hygge Hus: A dreamy, secluded, modern looking cabin complete with a cedar hot tub and fireplace. Literally a dream for any elopement (and honeymoon ;). The aesthetic of this spot is perfect for getting ready photos and a first look, as well.
Rustic 70s A-Frame: A renovated a-frame tucked into the trees is as picturesque and cozy as it gets! With lots of windows, a fireplace, and loft to sleep in, this is a charming choice for lodging.
Wander A-Frame: Voted as one of the Top Ten Cabins in Washington, this remodeled a-frame is well known for its mix of modern and quirkiness. It has a large deck area and two queen sized beds. RVs and tents are also welcome if you are having family or friends join.
Cedar Point Cabin: A cozy wooden cabin that accommodates four people, this option has it’s own hot tub and private deck looking into the forest.
Lodge with Hot Tub & Sauna: If you have family or a wedding party joining for your elopement and you’d all like to stay in one place, this Bavarian style lodge accommodates 16+ with 6 bedrooms. Complete with a hot tub and sauna, as well as a large yard, this would be a great location for an after ceremony reception.
Mt. Baker Lodging Rentals: There are dozens of cabins, chalets cottages, and other vacation rentals available on this site that suit various preferences and requirements. Many of the rentals have amenities such as hot tubs, fireplaces, and yards.
Campsites
If you prefer the outdoors, or have guests who want a cheap place to stay, there are many wonderful campsites near Mt. Baker.
Silver Falls Campground: This is a smaller campground, offering sites to accommodate tents and RVs. There is also a group picnic shelter for up to 25 people. Campsites have picnic tables, campfire rings with grills, vault toilets, and drinking water provided, but no electrical hookups are available.
Excelsior Group Camp: There are two large group sites in the campground that sleep 50 people. Picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets are also provided.
Mt. Baker Elopement Photography
Have I convinced you that you should elope at Mt. Baker? If so, and you’re ready to begin planning, I’d love to help! Click HERE to view my elopement pricing, or inquire HERE to see if I’m available. As a Washington State Elopement Photographer, I love helping couples bring their dream days and adventures to life! Anything you need help with – finding vendors, lodging, trails, etc – I’m your gal 🙂 Can’t wait to meet you!
