How to Elope in Glacier National Park: The Ultimate Guide

Okay, so you’ve decided to elope in Glacier! What now? Here’s your ultimate guide to that magical Montana mountain elopement that you’ve been dreaming of! An elopement is a wonderful adventure and there’s no better place for it than Glacier National Park. Known for its towering peaks, vibrant valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and expansive glaciers, Glacier National Park offers an unforgettable backdrop for couples seeking an intimate, nature-focused ceremony. Here’s a comprehensive guide to planning your elopement in Glacier National Park, covering everything from permits to the best locations, weather considerations, and local vendors. Let’s get right into it!

1. Choose Your Photographer

The first step in planning your elopement is selecting a photographer who will capture the magic of your day. Glacier National Park’s beauty is hard to put into words, but the right photographer will ensure those once-in-a-lifetime moments are captured forever. I would obviously LOVE to be the one to do that for you, but I think that it’s even more important that you choose someone who you get along with and whose style you love. After all, your photographer will be a huge part of your elopement!

Here’s what to consider when choosing a photographer:

• Local Expertise: It’s ideal to hire a photographer who knows Montana well and is familiar with the best lighting conditions, park regulations, and lesser-known spots to avoid crowds.
• Style: Every photographer has their unique style. Whether you prefer light and airy, moody and cinematic, or something in between, make sure the photographer’s portfolio aligns with your vision for your elopement.
• Personality: Consider your photographer to be your sidekick, maid-of-honor, guide, and artist all wrapped up into one for the day. So you’d better make sure it’s someone that you will enjoy having by your side.

2. Select Your Date

Glacier’s seasons are diverse and your experience will vary depending on the time of year. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the best date for your elopement:

• Summer (June-September): The park is fully accessible, with all roads and trails open, including the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s the most popular time to visit, so expect crowds, but also long days, pleasant weather, lots of wildlife, wildflower, and vibrant landscapes. Sunrise comes early and sunset late, but that leaves plenty of daylight for exploring the park!
• Fall (Late September-October): Fall is quieter, with fewer visitors and stunning autumn colors. Temperatures cool down, and some roads may begin to close due to snow, but it’s a magical, more private time to elope.
• Winter (November-April): Glacier in the winter is a snowy wonderland. While many areas are inaccessible with the Going-to-the-Sun Road being closed for the season, the park becomes an intimate, peaceful spot for a winter elopement. Be prepared for cold weather and limited access, but a beautiful and private elopement.
• Spring (May-Early June): Early spring offers the beginnings of re-growth, melting snow, and a vibrance of green. However, much of the park, including Going-to-the-Sun Road, may still be closed due to snow. This season will have less visitors and more privacy despite the limited access.

Make sure to consider not only the weather but also the lighting conditions (sunrise and sunset times vary throughout the year), crowd levels, and whether you’re okay with certain areas being closed during your chosen season.

The best timing for your elopement lighting-wise is early morning or late evening (approximately 1-2 hours before and after sunrise/sunset). Depending on the season, this ranges anywhere from 5:30-8:30am for sunrise and 4:40-9:40pm for sunset. You can easily find out what time this is by checking the Date and Time Site and searching for Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park is a popular spot in the summer with nearly 3 million visitors a year! Memorial Day to Labor Day bring that largest wave of tourist and with it stricter regulations, road congestion, and limited parking availability. Popular areas can experience significant traffic delays, and parking spots at popular trailheads often fill up by early morning. The park also implements a ticketed entry system during peak season for certain areas, so be sure to plan ahead and secure reservations if needed (your special use permit for your elopement covers this on your elopement day). Early morning or evening ceremonies can help avoid crowds and make for a more peaceful experience during these busy months. Eloping on a weekday can also help to lessen the crowds during the summertime!

In addition to crowds, Going-to-the-Sun Road is subject to seasonal closures that can affect your elopement plans. This iconic drive typically opens fully between late June and early July, depending on snowmelt and plowing efforts, and closes again in mid-October or earlier due to snow. The road’s higher elevations, particularly around Logan Pass, often remain snow-covered well into spring, limiting access to certain areas. If you’re eloping in early summer, late fall, or even winter, be sure to check the National Park Service’s road status updates to confirm whether this scenic route will be open on your date. Having an alternate plan for locations in the event of road closures is always a good idea, especially if you’re set on a specific spot along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

3. Decide on Your Ceremony Spot

One of the best parts of eloping in Glacier National Park is the abundance of stunning ceremony spots. There’s no end to the gorgeous landscapes and breathtaking scenes. That being said, your ceremony must take place in one of the designated spots. Whether you want an easily accessible location or a more adventurous, remote setting, Glacier has it all. Make sure to keep your hiking ability, desired intimacy, and accessibility for guests in mind when selecting your spot. There currently are over 30 locations with a range of amenities, maximum participants, and accessibility. You must reserve your ceremony spot in advance (more details to come below) with a maximum of 2 hours. The park only gives out two reservations per day for each ceremony location, so these book up fast. Not all of these locations are open year round, and are all subject to closures so make sure to check out the park website for updated information. You can find a complete list of wedding ceremony locations and details here.

4. Pick an Officiant

Next we need someone to marry you, or do we? Montana offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing an officiant.

• Local Officiants: Hiring a local officiant familiar with Glacier can make things easier, especially if they have experience conducting ceremonies in the park.
• Friend or Family Member: In Montana, it’s also legal to have a friend or family member officiate as long as they are ordained. You can easily get ordained in the state of Montana for free at this link.
• Self Solemnization: Self-solemnization is a unique option in Montana that lets couples legally officiate their own wedding without needing an officiant, giving them total control over the ceremony. It’s a great option for those who want a personal, unique experience that truly reflects their relationship. This can be done by filing a declaration of marriage without solemnization with the county clerk’s office.

5. Apply For Your Permit

You’ll need a Special Use Permit for your Glacier National Park elopement. I will be brief as the park’s website covers all of the requirement at this link, but here are some takeaways:

• Apply Early: The park limits the number of weddings and elopements on any given day, so it’s essential to apply for your permit as early as possible. Applications are accepted starting a year out from each date. You must obtain the permit at least 14 days prior to your elopement.
• Decide on Your Top Two Ceremony Locations: You will need to list a primary and secondary location option on the application, so make sure you’ve decided on on your top two.
• Permit Cost: As of now, the permit fee is $125 and can be paid online.
• Provide All the Details: You’ll need to indicate your desired ceremony location, number of guests, and any other relevant details on the application and will be held to this, so be specific!
• Bring It With You: You will need to bring a printed copy of your certified permit on your elopement day.

Be sure to review the park’s specific guidelines regarding group size, locations, and any restrictions to ensure your elopement complies with the rules.

6. Book Your Vendors

You may want more than just a photographer and officiant to make your elopement day complete. Here are some additional vendors you might want to book:

• Florist: A local florist can create a bouquet that complements Glacier’s natural beauty. Choose florals that will hold up to the climate and setting. The park regulations allow for you to bring your bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages into Glacier.
• Hair and Makeup: The weather in Glacier can be unpredictable, so it’s important to hire a hair and makeup artist who understands how to work with the conditions. They’ll ensure your look holds up throughout the day, from the ceremony to those adventurous photoshoots.
• Videographer: If you want to capture your day in motion, consider hiring a videographer.
• Planner: Who says you have to do it all yourself? Local planners make a great addition to your elopement and are the best resource in the planning process!
• Catering: Whether it’s a sunset picnic or a custom elopement cake, don’t forget to make it yours! Catering is the perfect touch to your elopement day!

Vendor availability may be limited depending on the season, so try to book early.

7. Apply For Your Marriage License

This step is crucial to making your elopement official! The closest spot to pick up your marriage license is the Flathead County Courthouse, in Kalispell, Montana. The office will be on the third floor. You can apply for your marriage license online at this link to speed up the process, but you will both need to go to the clerk’s office within 180 days of your elopement with the proper documents and ID to pick it up. The fee for this process is $53. After your elopement, you will need to deliver or mail the signed license (along with the appropriate form) back to the clerk’s office.

8. Plan Your Trip

Now that the major details are squared away, it’s time to plan your trip. Glacier National Park is remote, so travel logistics are important.

• Nearest Airport: The closest and most convenient airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, which is about 30 minutes from the west entrance of the park.
• Accommodation: Book accommodations early, especially if you’re eloping in the summer. Glacier has several historic lodges, campgrounds, and nearby vacation rentals. Check out Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and surrounding areas for more places to stay!
• Transportation: Transportation in Glacier National Park can be tricky, so it’s important to plan ahead. Renting a car is your best bet, especially since wedding groups have a limited vehicles count, and parking isn’t reserved. Arrow Shuttle is another great option. For a fun and scenic option, you can book a ride on the vintage Red Buses. Glacier also offers hiker shuttle services on Going-to-the-Sun Road from July to Labor Day. Just keep in mind, Uber and Lyft are not reliable in the park due to poor cell service, so it’s best to use a shuttle or local taxi service instead.

Plan your travel around your ceremony location, and consider how much time you’ll need to get to your chosen spot for your elopement day.

9. Don’t Forget These Essentials

• Park Entrance Pass: With a Special Use Permit, each vehicle (with up to 15 people) must pay the standard visitor entry fee for a 7-day pass. For more details on this, please check out the park’s entrance fee page.
• Special Use Permit: Make sure to bring a printed copy of your permit with you!
• Marriage License: Don’t forget to bring your marriage license, as you’ll need it to legally tie the knot!
• Bug Spray: Mosquitos will be the unwelcome guest at your elopement if you forget this in the summer.
• Bear Spray: Essential for safety, as Glacier is home to many bears. I would recommend always keeping bear spray close for both safety and peace of mind.
• Extra Socks & Warm Clothes: The weather can change quickly, even in warmer months. Extra sock can be crucial to keeping warm if you get your first pair soggy and jackets, coats, and layers will help you ward off that surprise chill.
• Umbrella: Glacier’s weather can be unpredictable, so an umbrella is a smart backup in case of rain.
• Water & Snacks: Stay hydrated and full of calories, especially if you’re hiking to a remote ceremony spot.
• Sunscreen: At such a high elevation, you can get crispy much quicker than you would think.
• Hiking Shoes: You don’t want to be trying to hike in those loafers or heels you brought for the ceremony!
• Flashlight: If your ceremony or photos run into early evening or before sunrise, a flashlight is handy to safely navigate in the dark.

10. Let’s Get You Married!!!

Now that you’ve planned the details, it’s time to relax and focus on your elopement Your Glacier National Park elopement will be a day full of adventure, breathtaking views, and unforgettable memories. Soak in every moment, trust the process, and enjoy the day you say “I do” in one of the most magical places on earth!

Don’t forget to follow leave no trace principles to help take care of our park!