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.
Located on the eastern side of Olympic National 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 Olympic 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 Olympic 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 here for 7 years.
Mini Lake Cushman Elopement Guide
- Best time of year to elope: April-October. Skokomish Park usually opens in April and closes for the season in November. I personally recommend may for great weather and no crowds. You can visit other areas of Lake Cushman year-round, but it does get snow from December-February.
- Hiking required: No hiking required, though you may have to climb over some rocks depending on your ceremony location.
- Closest town: Hoodport (12 minutes).
- Crowd level: In the summer, Lake Cushman is very busy. However, in the spring and fall, it’s easy to have the shoreline to yourself.
- Pet-friendly: Yes.
- Permit information: Since this location is technically within the national forest, a special use permit is not needed if you have less than 75 people at your wedding.
- Important information: The location where this elopement took place is open seasonally, usually from March/April-October/November.
- 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.
- 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.
