Table of Contents:

• Waterfall Elopement Locations in Oregon
  • Proxy Falls | Willamette National Forest
  • Hug Point | Oregon Coast
  • Latourell Falls | Columbia River Gorge
  • Wahclella Falls | Columbia River Gorge
  • White River Falls | White River Falls State Park
  • Abiqua Falls | Santiam Forest
• Waterfall Elopement Locations in Washington
  • Marymere Falls | Olympic National Park
  • Myrtle Falls | Mount Rainier National Park
  • Panther Creek Falls | Columbia River Gorge
• Real Waterfall Elopement Inspiration
• More Beautiful Pacific Northwest Elopement Locations

Waterfalls are one of the most MAGICAL places you could elope if you’re planning an outdoor adventure elopement. Just picture exchanging vows with the love of your life in front of a massive flow of water over dark basalt columns, surrounded by vibrant green moss and lush canopy, the sounds of the water rushing behind you. Witnessing a beautiful waterfall is truly one of the coolest experiences you can have in the great outdoors, especially if you were with your favorite person on one of the most special days of your lives – so why not have a waterfall elopement?!

There are sooo many incredible waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from small waterfalls to huge, narrow waterfalls to wide, multi-tiered falls. So I’ve narrowed down my top 9 favorite waterfalls in Washington & Oregon for a waterfall elopement to help you choose the right one for your big day. Now let’s go chasin’ waterfalls together! 😉

Waterfall Elopement Locations in Oregon

1. Proxy Falls | Willamette National Forest

Proxy Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the Willamette National Forest near Blue River, Oregon, accessible by a fairly easy trail that takes you through open lava fields, dense forests, and beautiful views. Dogs are welcome on this trail as long as they’re leashed, so feel free to bring your furry BFF’s along with ya!

Distance from Portland: 3 hr 15 min

Hike length: 1.6 mi

Hike type: Loop

Hike difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 147 ft

Entry fee: Free, self-issue Wilderness Permit (available at the trailhead) between June 15 and October 15

Parking pass required: None

Elopement permit required: None

2. Hug Point | Oregon Coast

Hug Point is a must-visit if you’re at Cannon Beach or somewhere nearby on the Oregon Coast! It’s a recreation site super close to Ecola State Park, and is one of my favorite places to take couples because of the huge variety of landscapes it has to offer. Not only does it obviously have beautiful beach views; it also has cool caves to explore, a small but stunning waterfall, a lush rainforest with plenty of greenery, and amazing cliffside views of the coast!

Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min

Hike length: 0.67 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 141 ft

Entry fee: None

Parking pass required: None

Elopement permit required: Ocean Shores Special Use Permit may be needed, depending on elopement details

3. Latourell Falls | Columbia River Gorge

Latourell Falls boasts some of the most beautiful waterfall views in the PNW, and is the third tallest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s crazy easy to get to the base of the falls via a quick walk through the forest from the designated parking lot, or you can take the longer 2-mile loop if you’d like a longer adventure through the forest. The tall, narrow falls flowing onto the dark black rocks make for suchhh an epic spot for elopement photos!

Distance from Portland: 40 min

Hike length: 2 mi (or 15-min walk to base of falls)

Hike type: Loop

Hike difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 639 ft

Entry fee: None

Parking pass required: None

Elopement permit required: None

4. Wahclella Falls | Columbia River Gorge

Wahclella Falls, located near Cascade Locks, is another relatively easy waterfall to get to in the Columbia River Gorge. The basalt cliffs and huge pine trees create a beautiful backdrop to the falls, along with plenty of bright green moss-covered rocks and trees.

Distance from Portland: 40 min

Hike length: 1.9 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 223 ft

Entry fee: Northwest Forest Pass or $5 day-use fee

Parking pass required: Yes; see above

Elopement permit required: None

5. White River Falls | White River Falls State Park

White River Falls, a part of White River Falls State Park near Maupin,  only takes about 25 miles to get to via a moderately-challenging hike. The 90’ falls flow over beautiful basalt cliffs, and can be seen from a railed overlook, with views of the mesas of the Devils Halfacre.

Distance from Portland: 2 hr

Hike length: 0.8 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 170 ft

Entry fee: None

Parking pass required: None

Elopement permit required: Special Use Permit required only for weddings over 50 people

6. Abiqua Falls | Santiam Forest

Abiqua Falls is a really unique waterfall in Oregon that is a must-see for visitors in the area, flowing over massive basalt columns in between slopes of trees that meet at the falls! Abiqua is one of the most epic waterfalls to take photos in front of because of the wide, beautiful landscape and the large cliffs on either side, as well as the huge splash pool the water flows into. 

Distance from Portland: 1 hr 30 min

Hike length: 0.7 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 249 ft

Entry fee: None

Parking pass required: None

Elopement permit required: None

Waterfall Elopement Locations in Washington

1. Marymere Falls | Olympic National Park

The trailhead to access Marymere Falls is located just off the shores of Lake Crescent inside of Olympic National Park! The falls are accessible by a fairly easy hike, and make for such a great destination for elopement portraits if you just had a ceremony at Lake Crescent, or will be exploring other parts of Olympic National Park nearby.

Distance from Seattle: 3 hr 10 min

Hike length: 1.7 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 298 ft

Entry fee: $30 per vehicle fee or $55 annual pass

Parking pass required: Yes; see above

Elopement permit required: Special Use Permit

2. Myrtle Falls | Mount Rainier National Park

If you’re eloping at Mount Rainier National Park, I highly recommend making a stop at Myrtle Falls!! It’s located close to Paradise Inn, and only takes about 20-25 minutes to get to via an easy, wheelchair-friendly trail. The falls are surrounded by vibrant greenery in the spring & summer, and you get absolutely stunning views of Rainier in the background!

Distance from Seattle: 2 hr 40 min

Hike length: 0.8 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 150 ft

Entry fee: $30 per vehicle fee or $55 annual pass

Parking pass required: Yes; see above

Elopement permit required: Special Use Permit

3. Panther Creek Falls | Columbia River Gorge

Finally, Panther Creek Falls is another fave of mine, located just barely on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. It’s unique because it’s actually split into two tiers of waterfalls, an upper and lower falls, which are pretty dang easy to access via a 0.3 mile trail through a beautiful forest!

Distance from Seattle: 4 hr

Hike length: 0.3 mi

Hike type: Out & back

Hike difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 121 ft

Entry fee: None

Parking pass required: None

Elopement permit required: None

Real Waterfall Elopement Inspiration

I recently photographed two of my amazing friends, Noah & Brady, at Latourell Falls for a styled wedding photoshoot, and you will NOT want to miss the photos we got!! Latourell Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in Oregon (more info included above!), and with Noah & Brady’s matching Zara suits + killer style, it made for the dreamiest waterfall elopement photos. Take a look at the full Styled Waterfall Wedding at Latourell Falls here for an abundance of real-life waterfall elopement inspo!

More Beautiful Pacific Northwest Elopement Locations

If you haven’t quite narrowed down your elopement location yet and need some more ideas, I’ve got plenty. Check out more of my favorite guides below for tons of amazing location ideas for a Washington or Oregon adventure elopement!

Ultimate List of the 25 Best Pacific Northwest Elopement Locations

25 Best Airbnb’s in Washington & Oregon for an Airbnb Elopement

10 ADA-Accessible Locations in the PNW for an Elopement