If there’s one place in Washington I think is severely underrated for elopements, it’s Lake Cushman. Not just the lake itself, but the entire area around it. And you can trust me on this one, as I’ve been photographing elopements in Washington for over 7 years.
Not only does it have some of the most incredible views right from the shoreline, but the surrounding area is packed with waterfalls, mountain hikes, and forest trails.
This Lake Cushman elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to elope here, along with a real-life elopement you can check out for inspiration.
How to Elope at Lake Cushman: A Mini Guide
Interested in planning a Lake Cushman wedding or elopement? I’ve got you covered.
- Best locations for a ceremony: Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman (most popular) and Lake Cushman Lookout.
- Best time of year to elope: April to October. Skokomish Park typically opens in April and closes for the season in November. I personally recommend May for great weather and fewer crowds. Other areas around Lake Cushman are accessible year-round, but it can snow from December through February.
- Hiking required: No hiking required.
- Closest town: Hoodport (12 minutes).
- Crowd level: Summer can be busy, but in spring and fall it’s easy to have the shoreline to yourself.
- Pet-friendly: Yes.
- Permit information: Since this area is within a national forest, a special use permit is not required for groups under 75 people.
Real Lake Cushman Elopement Photos
Anyone who knows me knows how deeply I love Olympic National Park. I’ve spent years photographing elopements here, exploring corners of the park most visitors never see, and learning which locations are the best in the park for elopements.
Lake Cushman is one of those places.
Okay, you got me. Lake Cushman isn’t technically located in the park, but is in the national forest right on the border. Same difference, right? Located on the eastern side of the park, Lake Cushman feels completely different from the west side of the park. It’s quieter, more remote, and far less trafficked, yet it’s still just about two hours from Seattle. This side of the peninsula is full of hidden gem waterfalls and lesser-known hiking trails that aren’t difficult to access. So when Cristina and Ryan reached out wanting to elope at Lake Cushman, I was so excited.
This elopement took place at Skokomish Park, which is one of the most popular ceremony areas around Lake Cushman. Skokomish Park is open seasonally, typically from late spring through late fall, and offers a wide, open shoreline with room for guests and easy access to the lake. Outside of this time, I often recommend other ceremony spots around the lake. There are several scenic pull-offs that work great for elopements, though many require a short scramble down to the shoreline. However, there is one I love that requires no hiking whatsoever and has one of the best views of the lake! That trade-off usually means far fewer people.
One of the reasons I love photographing elopements at Lake Cushman is how versatile the area is. You can have a lakeside ceremony, then spend the rest of the day exploring waterfalls, forest trails, or nearby mountain views without driving hours across the park. It’s especially ideal for couples who want something quieter than the west side of the park but still want the incredible scenery the park is known for.
If you’re early in the planning process and trying to figure out how Lake Cushman fits into the bigger picture, you can learn more about eloping in Olympic with my in-depth planning guide that breaks down permits, seasons, logistics, and my favorite locations as someone whose been photographing elopements in Olympic for 7 years.
And if you’re interested in similar locations, you might also like this elopement at Lake Crescent.
- Photographer: Me!
- Florist: Millsweet Flower Co.
- Hair and Makeup: Glammed by Bella
- Dress: Baltic Born
Lake Cushman Elopement Packages
If Lake Cushman feels like your kind of place, I’d love to help you plan an elopement there.
I’m Brianna, an elopement photographer who specializes in Olympic National Park and knows this area well. From choosing the best ceremony location based on season and crowds, to planning timelines around light, to handling permits and logistics, I help make sure your Lake Cushman elopement feels fun, easy, and most importantly, like you. And if you want to see how I can make it happen, you can explore my all-inclusive and standard elopement packages for Olympic.
- 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Washington
- A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
- Personalized elopement location recommendations
- Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
- Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
- 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
- Customized elopement timelines
- Optional complimentary officiant services
- Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
- 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
- Travel fees to anywhere in Washington are already included
- Starting at $6,500
Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!
An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.
You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…
That moment when you turn to the person you’re with and ask, “Are you seeing this?” I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, “I can’t believe this place exists,” I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.
These places have always felt like home to me. And if you’re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then we’ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.
If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go ahead…
(I promise you won’t regret it.)
P.S. I’m Brianna. I’m a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer whose mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.
