While places in Oregon like Cannon Beach and the Columbia River Gorge deserve all the hype, many couples tend to look past the Mt. Hood area, not realizing the immense beauty this area has to offer. Filled with various different sceneries, this location encompasses exactly what it means to be in the Pacific Northwest.
This guide covers a variety of different topics that will you plan your Mt. Hood elopement. And if you’re interested in learning more about the beautiful locations Oregon has to offer, check out my Oregon Elopement Guide.
How Do I Get To Mt. Hood?
The closest airport to Mt. Hood is the Portland International Airport, located an hour and a half away. You will need to rent a car in order to reach the mountain.
Best Places to Elope in Mt. Hood
Mt. Hood has some of the most epic elopement locations in Oregon. Filled with hiking trails, dense forests, snow-capped mountains, and crystal clear lakes, Mt. Hood is one of the most underrated and beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.
Trillium Lake
One of the busiest locations in the Mt. Hood Forest, Trillium Lake, is arguably one of the best locations to get an epic view of Mt. Hood. Enjoy paddle boarding, walks on the trail, and a sunset picnic at this beautiful spot.
Old Salmon River Trail
This flat and easy trail is situated within an old-growth forest, perfect if you’re looking for an elopement with Pacific Northwest vibes. The scenery along the Old Salmon River Trail is beautiful and perfect for photos.
Lolo Pass
Lolo Pass is an adventurous hiking trail filled with a variety of different sceneries from mountains to forests. While this trail is one of the more difficult, the bottom of the trail becomes a popular spot for snowshoeing during the winter months.
Mirror Lake
While Mirror Lake doesn’t provide as epic of a view as Trillium Lake does, don’t rule this location out just yet. The hike itself is moderate, but the ending view of Mt. Hood is worth it. This is an extremely popular location though, especially on the weekends, so plan accordingly.
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
If you’re wanting both an epic view of Mt. Hood and a completely remote experience, consider booking your elopement through Mt. Hood Ski Bowl. This location is stunning, though must be timed correctly if you want to take the ski lift down instead of hiking the steep mountain.
Silcox Hut
This cozy and rustic cabin is a great elopement location, especially in the winter months when it’s chilly outside. Imagine exchanging vows with complete privacy in the Silcox Hut, then following it up with a romantic candlelight dinner. Plus, it’s close to other outdoor locations that are just as beautiful.
Paradise Park
Best visited in the summer months, Paradise Park is a jaw dropping elopement location filled with sweeping views and wildflower meadows. The trail itself is 12 miles long, though you don’t need to go far to get some beautiful views for your Mt. Hood elopement.
Lost Lake
Lost Lake not only has one of the best views of Mt. Hood, but there are a variety of things to do and places to stay around the lake. Kayak rentals, campgrounds, and hiking trails are just a few of the many hidden gems around this area.
Tamanawas Falls
Tamanawas Falls can be accessed by a 3.4 mile roundtrip trail through Douglas fir and the Mt. Hood River. This waterfall and trail have some beautiful places for pictures. Plus, if you’re lucky, you can even walk behind the waterfall!
Do I Need a Mt. Hood Permit to Elope?
Yes. Like most national forests and parks, you will need a permit to elope on Mt. Hood. However, the permit will more than likely be free. According to the national forest website, as long as you have less than 75 guests, the special use permit is free.
That being said, you still need to apply for the permit, even though you won’t be paying anything.
You can apply for the permit by filling out the “Proposal Request Form” found at the bottom of the website, and email it to Greg Martin at jay.g.martin@usda.gov.
When Should I Elope on Mt. Hood?
Fall
Like most locations in Oregon, the fall is a perfect time to elope. You’ll not only experience the beautiful autumn colors, but you’ll experience much more privacy on the trails. The weather is a bit cooler, but it’s worth avoiding the heavy crowds of summer.
Winter
One of the most underrated seasons for elopements is the winter, especially in Mt. Hood. This location turns into a winter wonderland! Keep in mind that it’s fairly foggy this time of year, so if a good view of Mt. Hood is a must, consider eloping on a clear day or different season.
Spring
The spring months will still have lots of snow. Since Mt. Hood sits at a higher elevation, many of the trails will still be covered in snow or mud. However, the end of the spring season brings full rivers and waterfalls.
Summer
The summer is one of the worst times to visit Mt. Hood. Not only are there tons of people, but parking can be difficult and prices increase for lodging. If you’re set on a summer date, consider a weekday during sunrise or sunset to avoid all the crowds.
Most Epic Places to Stay on Mt. Hood
Mt. Hood has some incredibly beautiful and off-the-grid Airbnbs, perfect if you’re looking for a remote and romantic place to stay for your Mt. Hood elopement. There are also numerous hotels and campgrounds nearby as well.
Airbnbs
- Mountain A-Frame with Hot Tub
- River View Chalet
- Scandinavian Cabin in the Woods
- Little Cabin in the Woods
- Tree Encompassed Cabin
Hotels
- Timberline Lodge
- Cooper Spur Mountain Resort
- Mt. Hood Oregon Resort
- Old Parkdale Inn
- The Lodge at Government Camp
Campgrounds
- Trillium Lake Campground
- Still Creek Campground
- Hoodview Campground
- White River Campground
- McNeil Campground
Best Mt. Hood Elopement Activities
Being so close to Portland, there are so many different activities you can incorporate into your elopement day. Here are a few ideas you can find on Mt. Hood and in Portland.
- Drive the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop for gorgeous views
- Head up during the winter to ski and snowboard
- Take a hike to a nearby waterfall during the spring
- Pack a picnic and enjoy it by the lake
- Go on a hot air balloon ride during sunset
- Rent a kayak and enjoy your time on a lake
- Visit a local bookstore in Portland
- Explore the well-known garden around the city
- Visit a fancy restaurant for a celebratory dinner
- Visit the local farmers market
- Hire a tour guide and go on a local food tour
- Go wine tasting
- Try some amazing doughnuts and ice cream downtown
Mt. Hood Elopement Packages
Mt. Hood is one of the most beautiful locations in Oregon to elope at. I help couples plan and perfect their elopements in epic places, like Mt. Hood. Check out a preview of what I include in my photography elopement packages below.
Mt. Hood Elopement Package Pricing
- 4 hours – 1.5 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Oregon
- 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 Oregon are already included
- Starting at $6,500
Want more elopement inspiration? Check out my Mountain Elopement Guide, Washington State Elopement Guide, and this Stunning Hurricane Ridge Elopement.
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. My 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.
