Location is key

Location

Glacier National Park

Flathead National Forest
/Greater Lake Region

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Custer Gallatin National Forest

Kootenai National Forest

Montana has so many options for locations it can sometimes be a little overwhelming trying to figure out where to go. The good thing is, whatever you decide will be so special and beautiful! Montana has 2 national parks (Glacier & Yellowstone), 1 national monument, 170 state parks, and so many hidden gems we love to visit. 

This guide will cover five of our favorite place in Montana to help you narrow  down what you want on your wedding day. 

1. Glacier National Park
2. Flathead National Forest/Greater Lake Region
3. Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
4. Custer Gallatin National Forest
5. Kootenai National Forest

Depending on what kind of Adventure you want for you wedding day will determine what area you want to explore. All of these places offer beautiful scenery that is perfectly Montana. Eloping in any of these areas will be an adventure in the heart of the state.  

Known for its raw beauty and massive glaciers, Glacier National Park is iconic and breathtakingly gorgeous. Located in North West Montana and extends into British Columbia. Glacier has some absolutely iconic destinations to elope and so many rugged and unpopulated trails for those willing to venture them. Glacier offers accessability to gorgeous spots to elope like Lake McDonald, Going to the Sun Road, and Sun Point. For those up for more of a hike there are options such as Hidden Lake, Avalanche Lake, and Mount Oberlin Trail. Crowds can be avoided by planning your adventure for early morning, or evening, and by hiking to less popular locations. 

A few locations we love are the following:
     Hidden Lake - moderate, 5.3 mi, 1374 ft elev. gain (see trail here)
     Avalanche Lake - moderate, 5.9 mi. 757 ft elev. gain (see trail here)
    Mount Oberlin Trail - hard, 3.5 mi out & back. 1519 ft. elev. gain (our fav trail)   

Hidden Lake is the perfect location for couples who do not want to go on an intense adventure. There are several options for eloping at this location. There is an overlook of Hidden Lake that is 2.9 miles from the parking lot, the path along the way is mostly boardwalk to the lookout. For those wanting an up and close view, the trail continues down several switchbacks. This location offers a crisp glacier lake views and stunning peaks in the background. The start of this hike is on-top of Logan Pass, this parking lot is highly trafficked so getting there early is essential. Logan Pass is access by Going to the Sun Road which is closed from October-June/July, you can check for openings here. Going to the Sun Road also requires a ticketed entry in addition to the park pass, you can get more information and purchase your ticket here. Please note: while you can get portraits done here on your wedding day, GNP is not issuing Special Use Permits on Logan Pass at this time. More information is including on our How to Elope in Glacier National Park blog post!

Avalanche Lake is a nice hike along a valley and creek leading to the actual lake. While hiking you can see the vast damage from previous avalanches and stand in wonder at the absolute volume of such an event. Once you reach the lake there are several waterfalls cascading into the lake with high peaks above. This spot will not be available from 10/1/2022-5/10/2023 due to construction. 

Mount Oberlin Trail is rates as hard due to the last 0.5 miles which become steep and rugged, combined with the harsh winds, this hike is not for the faint of heart. The views though, worth it! This spot like Logan pass is not one of the Park's approved ceremony spots but portraits at sunrise anyone?!

I could go on about Glacier but I'll save some bonus locations for when you inquire!

Flathead National forest lies primarily in Flathead County, south of Glacier National Park. The forest covers 2,404,935 acres of which about 1 million acres is designated wilderness. They have dozens of day-hikes to suit your specific needs and since national forests are usually a little more remote than national parks, you can get the views without the possibilities of crowds!

Covering 2,404,935 acres of land, Flathead National Forest is one of Montana's largest wilderness areas. With many lakes, the Mission mountain peaks, miles of trails with options for day hikes & backpacking trips, this piece of land offers endless adventures for the couple who wants a true wilderness adventure. 

A few locations you may love:
Flathead Lookout - moderate, 2.4 mi out and back, 652 ft elev gain (see trail here)
Birch Lake Trail - moderate, 6.2 mi out & back, 1,049 ft elev gain (see hike here)
Columbia Mountain Trail - hard, 11.8 mi out & back, 4,993 ft elev gain (see hike here)

The mountains surrounding Flathead lake are extensive and offer a variety of outdoor activities and recreation. Most hikes in this area are rates as moderate or hard so a good pair of hiking boots and at least a day pack is recommended, you can always change your shoes once we get there or keep rocking the hiking boots. 

Flathead Lake offers small towns along the edge, the lake itself is the largest natural lakes west of the continental divide. The lake is over 27 miles long and is so large there is a 3 mile island in the lake called Wild Horse Island,. The trip can be treacherous but you can access the island via canoe (and ferry) which would make for a fun elopement! Also there are actual wild horses on the island and rumor has it a mountain lion.  

Other fun idea include a sunset sailboat wine & cheese cruise on the lake. This is a gorgeous cruise and great for winding down after a long day of things like getting married in an epic Montana location. Just a thought. 

The United States Congress designated the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in 1978 and it now has a total of 943,648 acres. Spanning the Montana-Wyoming border on the Shoshone, Gallatin, and Custer National Forests, the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness is the juncture of two mountain ranges (Beartooth and Absaroka) with differing geologic types (USDA). 

This area is extremely rugged and gorgeous topography contains hundreds of lakes, rolling plateaus, and deep glacier-carved valleys. Montana's largest peak, Granite Peak at 12,799 ft is located in this wilderness near the Montana-Wyoming border. 

Elopement in this area require a Special Use Permit which can be obtained by calling the Ranger District Office at 307.527.6241. 
For summer events, proposals are due by March 15.
For winter events, proposals are due by September 15.

Like any high-altitude, cold and wind may strike any day, this boulder-strewn Plateau lies between 9,000-10,000 feet below bare crags and peaks with vibrant red and yellow. the plateau us cut by deep canyons and carpeted in wildflowers in early July as the ground thaws. This is an extremely fragile environment that is a rare sight in the lower 48. There are expansive lakes stemming with trout and the wildlife is abundant and includes moose, elk, mule deer, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and grizzlies. The extensive trails like the wildflowers are under snow until early July.

Some fun elopement ideas:
Blue Lake to Monument Peak - hard, 3.9 mi out and back, 1,538 elev gain (see trail here)
Glacier Lake - Moderate, 4.6 mi out and back, 1,492 ft elev gain, pets allowed, (see trail here)
Suce Creek Trail - moderate, 6.7 mi out and back, 1,443 ft elev gain (see trail here)

The Custer-Gallatin National Forest stretches over 3 million acres, across 7 ranger districts, the Forest is known as one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the area. Ranger Districts include Bozeman, Hebgen Lake in West Yellowstone, MT, Yellowstone R.D. in Livingston, MT, Gardiner R.D., Beartooth R.D. in Red Lodge, MT, Ashland R.D. in far southeastern MT and Sioux R.D. in Camp Crook, SD.

The Forest hosts three gateways to Yellowstone National Park, over a million acres of Wilderness between the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and features adventures among rugged mountains, including the tallest Peak in Montana to the remote buttes and bluffs of southeastern Montana and northwestern South Dakota.

Custer Gallatin requires a Special Use permit for elopements and weddings, more information can be accessed here. 

Some fun elopement ideas
Woodbine Falls - easy, 1.4 mi out & back, 291 ft elev. gain (see trail here)
East Rosebud Trail to Elk Lake - moderate, 6.7 mi out & back, 774 ft elev gain. (see trail here)
Rimrock Lake - moderate, 12.3 mi out & back, 2, 125 ft elev. gain (see trail here) 

Kootenai National Forest is located in North-Western Montana and spans over into the panhandle of Idaho bordering Canada. The Kootenai National Forest hold impressive forests, wildlife and landscapes, including striking cliffs, spires, river canyons and the magnificent peaks of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and Whitefish Range. This vast range holds extensive recreation and history. This extensive uncrowded landscape has been the lifeblood for many peoples for thousands of years and continues to foster a pioneer spirit passed down through the generations. Whatever the season, the Kootenai National Forest contains 2.2 million acres in which to explore!
Since this is a national forest you will also need a special request permit for an elopement here. 
Some favorite spots
Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area - easy, 4.5 mi, also a paved option that is a mile long, minimal elev gain (see trail here). 
Eloping under century old trees?! Umm yes please!
Kootenai Falls Trail - easy, 0.8 mi out & back, 91 ft elev.  gain. (see trail here). 
Henry Lake Trail - easy, 3.2 out & back, 708 ft elev. (See trail here)

Book ONe of these locations