One of my favorite parts of living in the Pacific Northwest is the CRAZY amount of amazing hiking trails we have available to us!! But that can make it challenging for couples with mobility issues, or who want to invite guests who have mobility issues, to celebrate their elopement in the great outdoors. That’s why I’ve compiled 10 of my favorite ADA-accessible & wheelchair-accessible locations in Washington and Oregon for your elopement so that you can explore with your loved ones, without limitations!! Happy exploring!
Latourell Falls is one of the most freaking stunning waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge!! It’s SO easy to get to, and you wouldn’t even know it – it looks like it’s somewhere super deep in the lush forest.
The location: Along the Columbia River Gorge near Corbett, OR
Trail length: five-minute walk (or take the 2-mile hike for a longer, not-ADA-accessible adventure)
Terrain: paved
Accessible facilities: parking spots, picnic area, viewpoint
Click here for some real-life Latourell Falls elopement inspiration!
Okay, now Smith Rock isn’t the BEST ADA-accessible location for an elopement, but it does have some spots that are accessible by wheelchair! There aren’t really any trails that are wheelchair-friendly, so this is more a suggestion for anybody looking for an easy place to drive to & get amazing views, without having to walk or do any hiking. The desert views, golden sunset, & massive jagged rocks are seriously unbeatable!
The location: Terrebonne, OR
Trail opportunities: you can get down to the main river canyon via the paved Canyon Trail with a wheelchair with “off-road” tires, or take the gravel paths at the parking level to get great views (such as the Rim Rock Trail)!
Terrain: paved, gravel
Accessible facilities: tent campsites, parking, restrooms
Check out Kelsey & Mel’s Smith Rock elopement to get an idea of what this incredible state park looks like!
The Painted Hills honestly make you feel like you’re on another planet! There are a couple of short trails that are wheelchair-accessible, and that’ll take you through the absolutely unreal deep red rocks. The views of the multi-colored rolling hills are to die for, y’all!
The location: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument,
Trail opportunities: both the Painted Cove Trail & the Leaf Hill Trail are wheelchair accessible!
Trail length: Painted Cove Trail: 0.3 miles / Leaf Hill Trail: 0.3 miles
Trail type: Painted Cove Trail: loop / Leaf Hill Trail: loop
Elevation gain: Painted Cove Trail: 42 ft. / Leaf Hill Trail: 22 ft.
Terrain: gravel, wooden boardwalk, dirt
Accessible facilities: restrooms, picnic tables
Sparks Lake is a gorgeousss lake near Bend where you’ll get beautiful views of Mount Bachelor & Broken Top, along with deep green forests and super pretty meadows. This is a great location for couples who want to take their guests on a little bit of a walk, but one that is still easily accessible & wheelchair-friendly!
The location: Deschutes National Forest
Trail length: 2.4 miles
Trail type: loop
Elevation gain: 108 ft.
Terrain: paved, natural dirt
Accessible facilities: parking spaces, restrooms
The Godfrey Glen Trail is one of the coolest wheelchair-friendly trails, and is actually a part of Crater Lake NP. It takes around 25 minutes to complete, and takes you through a super pretty flat area at the lower valley of Munson Creek. The ravines surround you with volcanic rocks & green trees, and honestly it’s such a rad experience walking through this insane scenery!
The location: Crater Lake National Park
Trail length: 1.1 miles
Trail type: loop
Elevation gain: 65 ft.
Accessible facilities: parking, restrooms
Gold Creek Pond is another all-time favorite of mine because it is SO easy, and you get suchhh amazing views without much effort at all. The paved loop takes you around the beautiful mountain pond near Snoqualmie Pass, and is perfect for families with kids or anybody who can’t do a challenging hike! It seriously looks like you hiked miles to get to this pond, but really, you just park, walk a short loop, and you’re there!
The location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Trail length: 1.2 miles
Trail type: loop
Elevation gain: 45 ft.
Terrain: paved asphalt, wooden boardwalk, wooden bridge
Accessible facilities: parking spaces
I did the most FUN session at Gold Creek Pond with Kai & Garret that you can take a look at here!
Picture Lake is another short trail that gives you amazing, amazing views with super minimal effort. The lake is located in the Heather Meadows area of the Mount Baker wilderness and you get to see absolutely stunning views of Mt. Shuksan – the reflection of the mountain in the water on a clear day is jaw-dropping!
The location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Trail length: 0.4 miles
Trail type: loop
Elevation gain: 6 ft.
Terrain: boardwalk, gravel, natural surfaces
I looove Hurricane Ridge because it’s one of the most EASILY accessible locations in Olympic National Park! All you have to do is drive up Hurricane Road & bam – you’ll get amazing views. Or you can take the slightly more challenging (but still wheelchair-friendly) 3.4-mile trail if you’re looking for a longer adventure!
The location: Olympic National Park
Trail length: 3.4 miles
Trail type: out & back
Elevation gain: 826 ft.
Terrain: paved asphalt
Accessible facilities: parking spots
Rainy Lake Trail is a quick, wheelchair-accessible trail that takes you to Rainy Lake, a gorgeous body of water in the North Cascades. It’s a must-visit if you’re taking a trip through the Cascades and are looking for an easily-accessible stunning spot in the middle of the mountains!
The location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Trail length: 2 miles
Trail type: out & back
Elevation gain: 131 ft.
Terrain: gravel, paved asphalt
Finally, the Hall of Mosses is another awesome option for couples looking for easily-accessible locations within Olympic National Park. It’s an easy & short hike that takes you through the lush, vibrant moss of the rainforest and will seriously make you feel like you’re in the middle of a fairytale!
The location: Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Trail length: 0.8 miles
Trail type: loop
Elevation gain: 100 ft.
Terrain: gravel
I hope one of these wheelchair-accessible trails in Washington or Oregon ends up being the PERFECT spot for your elopement, whether it’ll just be you two or you’re bringing your loved ones along!! I can’t wait to see which one you choose – and be sure to reach out here if you’re looking for a photographer to tag along with ya to capture all the special moments 😉 Plus, check out more of my favorite PNW elopement resources below!
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