Adventuring & Eloping in the North Cascades
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about eloping or adventuring in and around the park. In the meantime here are a few of the questions we get asked most often.
Yes! If you plan to get married inside North Cascades National Park then you do need a permit. However, many areas that we associate with the North Cascades are actually on National Forest Service lands and usually do not require permits. Mt Baker for example is not in the National Park and does not typically require a permit for smaller groups.
The park service prefers group sizes under 10, and for some spots even smaller. Typically weddings in the national park require a bit of hiking and as such are on trail only which limits options for larger groups. If you are planning to have a larger group consider some of the areas outside of the National Park that have fewer restrictions. The Mt Baker area for example is more accessible to larger groups and is part of the NFS which doesn’t require permits for group sizes less than 50.
North Cascades is one of the rare parks in the lower 48 that is truly hard to see from the road, while we do think there are some stunning spots along highway 20 especially near Diablo Lake, most locations do require a bit of hiking.
If you want mountain access then we highly recommend limiting your date choices to late July through early October. However, the Mt Baker ski area, and Diablo Lake areas are open nearly year round weather permitting, and both make for extraordinary winter locations especially if you don’t mind throwing on some snow shoes.
Typically speaking the 2 hours after sunrise and the 2 hours before sunset are the best inside the park as the mountains have a nice glow to them, and skin tones look much better during that time of the day.
North Cascades is about 1.5 hours from the nearest town with major amenities in the direction of Seattle, and about 1 hour over Washington Pass to get to the community of Mazama to the East. The park is very secluded and amenities are limited especially in the winter months. Mt Baker is about 1 hour from Bellingham.
Locations in the North Cascades
While not an exhaustive list, here are a few of our favorite general areas of the park with some more information.
Mt Baker
Group Size: 4-40
Hikes: Easy to Hard
Time of Year: August – October
Just to the north of North Cascades National Park Mt Baker is part of the National Forest and as such has fairly lenient rules and restrictions as they allow larger guest counts and even dogs. The area is absolutely stunning and in many ways outshines it’s national park neighbor. Due to the area’s altitude and winter climate the Mt Baker area can experience 100s of feet of snow every season and as such it’s accessibility can be a bit limited to only peak summer and early fall. If you can make it to Mt Baker between August and early October though you will be rewarded with a stunning alpine landscape rich in color and easily accessible for all skill levels of hikers.
North Cascades National Park
Group Size: 4-10
Hikes: Moderate to Hard
Time of Year: July – October
One of the least visited National Parks in the lower 48, there are some truly stunning spots to visit in this hidden gem. The park is a maze of mountain peaks that stretch along highway 20 as it makes it’s way from Concrete to Mazama. Be sure to bring your hiking boots as the trails here can often be long and steep, but worth the effort. If you want a truly PNW experience for your elopement consider one of the “larch marches” in the early fall.
Washington Pass
Group Size: 4-24
Hikes: Easy to Moderate
Time of Year: July – October
A spectacular mountain pass on HWY 20 just East of North Cascades National Park. If you want much of the beauty that the North Cascades offer with a bit less of the hiking time and sweat this is a stunning spot with a few simple trails, and vistas that overlook a massive mountainous valley. As it remains outside of the National Park, permits and regulations are less strict making logistics a bit easier.
Diablo Lake
Group Size: 4-10
Hikes: Easy to Moderate
Time of Year: All Year
A stunning lake that glows a vibrant teal color when the sun hits it just right. The lake is fully surrounded by towering peaks on all sides, many of which have trails and view points of the lake below. Diablo is a great location for a small elopement, and as a bonus is accessible year round.
Leavenworth
Group Size: 4-30
Hikes: Easy to Moderate
Time of Year: All Year
Leavenworth and the surrounding areas are packed with great hikes, lakes, and tons of amenities. This area provides a unique blend of wild landscapes with stunning vistas and great lodging, and amenities that you might want on your wedding day. The town of Leavenworth itself is themed to resemble a small German village and hosts a multitude of festivals and activities all year long. If you want more than just a pretty landscape this area comes with a lot of great activity options for you and your guests while still providing stunning scenery. Leavenworth is especially nice as a winter time elopement destination as the city goes all out for the holidays and you are almost guaranteed snow December through March.
Mazama
Group Size: 4-30
Hikes: Easy to Moderate
Time of Year: July – All Year
Mazama gives off strong Montana and Wyoming vibes with it’s large ranches, sweeping views, and slightly drier climate. The community is chocked full of local charm and resides at Eastern base of Washington pass on your way into North Cascades National Park.