A Glacier National Park Elopement or Wedding: The 2025 Guide
I’ve been going to Glacier National Park for the last 20+ years, often returning to my favorite sites and trails, while also finding new areas to explore.
Over the years, I’ve seen many people elope or get married in the park, and many more couples travel here for photos.
My friend Matt Ehnes is Montana-based, and has taken some of the most stunning photos of couples and families in the park.
I’ve seen him work wonders, no matter the weather, and deliver not just beautiful images, but memorable experiences for people in Glacier.
Key Info on Planning a Glacier Wedding
Consider the Seasons
- Summer (June to August): This is the most popular time to visit the park due to pleasant weather and accessible roads. However, it can be crowded, so plan for early mornings or weekdays to avoid the rush.
- Fall (September to October): Fall offers stunning foliage and fewer crowds. The weather can be unpredictable, with cooler temperatures and the possibility of early snow.
- Winter (November to March): Winter provides a serene, snowy landscape. Many park facilities are closed, and access can be limited. It’s perfect for a truly intimate and adventurous elopement.
- Spring (April to May): Spring sees the park coming back to life, with wildflowers and melting snow creating beautiful scenery. Some areas might still be inaccessible due to snow.
Wedding / Elopement Permits Needed
You will need a Special Use Permit from Glacier National Park for your ceremony. This can be obtained through the park’s Special Park Uses office. It’s essential to apply in advance, as processing can take several weeks.
Choosing a Location
I go into specifics about locations down below, but keep in mind: while ceremonies are only permitted at certain sites, you can also choose to do family photos or couples shoots at any place you’d like (waterfalls, hikes, etc).
This is taken in the tunnel along Going-to-the-Sun Road:
Limitations
Glacier is remote, and the weather can be rough and unpredictable. Keep these limitations in mind, whether you plan to elope or just visit:
- Construction: Some part of Glacier NP is always under construction! This information should be conveyed during the permit process. For example, the Many Glacier Amphitheater is off-limits until 2026.
- Guest Limitations: Most locations in Glacier have a guest capacity limit, so plan your guest list accordingly. For example, the Two Medicine shoreline (photo below) has a 15-20 person limit.
Choose a Photographer for Your Elopement
I mentioned my friend Matt Ehnes off the top. He grew up in Montana, and has run professional photography businesses on both sides of Glacier National Park (Bozeman and Great Falls).
📷 Click Here to Contact Matt Ehnes (Glacier Photographer)
Couples and families always walk away with great memories (and amazing images) from working with Matt.
For me, personally, I love that he’s zero-drama, flexible, and has the experience necessary to figure out solutions to a variety of challenges, from the weather to construction (and also challenging personalities 😅😅).
If you’re outdoorsy and want to hike a couple of miles to the perfect spot, he’s up for an adventure. It could be a spot you’ve chosen, or one he’s found from one of his many visits to the park over the years.
Glacier National Park Elopement Ceremony Locations
Glacier National Park grants Special Use Permits for wedding and elopement ceremonies at 32 different sites.
While you can find the entire list by clicking here, these are some of my favorites to consider, along with some key info to know about each:
Big Bend
- Capacity: 10 people
- Accessibility: July through September
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: July through mid-September (due to snow). The photo below shows parking along the road at Big Bend. The photo at the top of this blog is the stunning view!
Apgar Amphitheater
- Capacity: 250 people
- Accessibility: All seasons
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: Scenic views of Lake McDonald; easily accessible
Fish Creek Amphitheater
- Capacity: 200 people
- Accessibility: May through September
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: Wooded area near Fish Creek Campground
Lake McDonald Shoreline
- Capacity: 15-30 people (depending on the season)
- Accessibility: All seasons
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: Historic lodge setting with lake views. The mountains often reflect in the mirror-like Lake McDonald.
Many Glacier Hotel (different areas)
- Capacity: 50 people
- Accessibility: Usually mid-May through October
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: Historic hotel with stunning mountain and lake views
Lake Josephine
- Capacity: 15 people
- Accessibility: No vehicle access and requires a 1 mile hike
- Restrooms: No
- Special Notes: Permit location is on the dock
St. Mary Amphitheater
- Capacity: 50 people
- Accessibility: Yes, through all seasons
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: East Glacier and easily accessible
Sun Point
- Capacity: 30 people
- Accessibility: Limited parking, open late May through October
- Restrooms: No
- Special Notes: Secluded area with panoramic views
Two Medicine Lake Shoreline
- Capacity: 15-20 people
- Accessibility: Late May through October
- Restrooms: No
- Special Notes: Spectacular lake and mountain scenery
Avalanche Amphitheater
- Capacity: 100 people
- Accessibility: Mid-May through mid-October
- Restrooms: Yes
- Special Notes: Located in a lush, forested area
Bowman Lake
- Capacity: 30 people
- Accessibility: No
- Restrooms: No
- Special Notes: Remote location with stunning lake and mountain views
Pray Lake
- Capacity: 30 people
- Months: May – October
- Restrooms: No
- Special Notes: Remote location with stunning lake and mountain views (plus wildlife!)
Couples (or Family) Photography Locations
In addition to the gorgeous locations officially sanctioned by Glacier National Park to host elopement or wedding ceremonies, some couples might want to explore other parts of the park for pre-ceremony photos. Here are a few of my favorite scenic spots.
Virginia Falls
- Description: Virginia Falls is a stunning waterfall located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in East Glacier, known for its powerful tiered cascades.
- Highlights: The trail to the falls passes through scenic landscapes and offers views of other waterfalls, including St. Mary Falls.
Grinnell Lake
- Description: Grinnell Lake is often featured in the iconic photos of Glacier. It’s an alpine lake located in the Many Glacier area on the east side of the park.
- Highlights: The turquoise waters, surrounded by peaks, are fed by glaciers from the surrounding peaks. You’ll likely see moose and other wildlife here!
Hidden Lake
- Description: Hidden Lake is a beautiful, serene lake situated near Logan Pass. It’s a popular destination for hikers.
- Highlights: The trail to Hidden Lake offers breathtaking views of alpine meadows, wildflowers, and mountain goats. The overlook provides a stunning panorama of the lake, with the option to hike down to the lake’s shore.
Avalanche Lake
- Description: Avalanche Lake is nestled in a glacial basin, surrounded by peaks. It’s a hike from the Trail of the Cedars.
- Highlights: The hike to Avalanche Lake is relatively easy and family-friendly. The trail meanders through dense forest and along a creek, opening up to the stunning views of the lake and waterfalls.
Trail of the Cedars
- Description: The Trail of the Cedars is a short, accessible loop trail that winds through a beautiful old-growth forest of western red cedars.
- Highlights: This trail is famous for its lush, moss-covered landscape and towering cedar trees. It features a boardwalk and paved sections, making it suitable for all visitors. The park installed a unique sprinkler system to protect this unique environment from the threat of wildfires!
Many Glacier
- Description: Many Glacier Hotel (the historic lodge) is on the list of approved wedding venues, but the Many Glacier area itself offers beautiful views for photos.
- Highlights: There’s a huge parking lot nearby, and a lengthy shoreline with Many Glacier’s iconic mountains and peaks in the background.
Glacier Elopement & Wedding Permits
This may seem complicated, but it’s really not … and Matt can help you navigate Glacier’s permit system. It’s the necessary hassle that goes with eloping to Glacier… but worth it!
The bottom line is: you might need one permit, two permits, or none at all! It depends on when you plan to elope in Glacier, and where you’d like to go.
Wedding Permit
Complete the Special Use Permit application form, which is available on the park’s website. The application will ask for details such as your chosen location, date and time of the ceremony, number of guests, and any additional services (like photography, music, etc.).
There’s a $125 application fee to pay.
Once submitted, the park staff will review your application to ensure it complies with park regulations and assess any potential impacts on the environment and visitor experience.
Submitting your application well in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Permit
Glacier’s beautiful Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens (post snow removal) by the end of June.
If you’ve secured a wedding permit from the park, and your wedding or elopement site is between Apgar and Big Bend, you do *not* need a separate vehicle reservation.
Otherwise, Glacier National Park requires vehicle reservations to drive along the road.
In 2024, the dates were:
- May 24 – September 8: Reservations required for Going-to-the-Sun
- July 1 – September 8: Reservations required in Many Glacier
Reservations are required between 6:00am and 3:00pm.
PRO TIP: You’re free to enter the park *before* 6:00am or *after* 3:00pm without a permit for Going-to-the-Sun Road!
Keep in mind: the sun sets late! You’ll have a glow until 9:00pm through the summer months in Glacier, so a 3:00pm entry will give you plenty of time.
The Best Time of Year to Elope
The easy answer is summer, but there are pros and cons to each season!
Elope in Summer
Most people elope in Glacier during the short summer season. Here are the benefits:
- The full park & all roads are open
- Warmth!
- Long days (the sun sets late!)
- Wildflowers are blooming
Cons of a summer wedding in Glacier include:
- Heavy traffic in the park
- Crowded trails
- Parking challenges
- Possible wildfire smoke obstructing the views
Elope in Fall
Fall is a great time to consider a Glacier wedding. The benefits include:
- Smaller crowds and less traffic
- Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations aren’t needed from September on
- Many roads are still open before snowfall
- Fall colors
The drawbacks of eloping in the fall include:
- Going-to-the-Sun Road may close if it snows
- Temperatures dip and the weather becomes more unpredictable
- Less daylight
Elope in Winter or Spring
Getting married in Glacier National Park during the winter can be beautiful, but might require some flexibility.
The benefits include:
- Snowy, winter wonderland backdrops
- Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
- Lake McDonald & parts of West Glacier (Apgar) remain open to visitors
The drawbacks are pretty obvious:
- Snowstorms are unpredictable and could close roads.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road closes beyond Lake McDonald on the west side, but as you can see below, the main entrance remains open:
GALLERY of Montana Elopement Photos
Where to Stay Near Glacier National Park
If you plan far in advance, you can secure rooms in one of the historic lodges in Glacier National Park (one on Lake MacDonald, the other at Many Glacier).
Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell are all great destinations with hotels and rental options.
You can use this interactive map to plug in your dates to see rates and accommodations available.
Other Activities Near the Park
For couples (and guests) looking to spend more time around Glacier, you’ll find plenty of options. Here are a few favorites:
🏔️ CLICK to Book: Whitewater Rafting
FAQs on a Glacier Elopement
Let’s tackle a few more frequently-asked-questions for couples who’d like to elope in Glacier National Park.
Should I be concerned about bears and wildlife?
You definitely need to be aware, but not concerned. Especially in the more crowded areas where your ceremony would be held, the bears will likely steer clear. They do their own thing for the most part. In the summer, you’re likely to see a bear at some point during your visit, either from the car or on a hike. We always bring bear spray with us. For me, it’s far more exciting to see a moose (from a distance) or mountain goats.
What airports are close to Glacier?
Kalispell’s airport (Glacier International) is expanding, and is closest to the park. It’s a half-hour drive from the West Glacier entrance.
How do wildfires impact elopements and weddings?
There’s no way to predict if or when this will happen, but wildfire smoke tends to impact Glacier National Park each summer. It’s been a while since a major fire inside the park has caused restrictions, but almost every summer smoke from wildfires in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho will waft up and cause a haze in Glacier. I’ve seen it happen in June, July, August, and September.
Which is better: East or West Glacier?
They’re both amazing. It really depends on what you want to see, how many guests you’ll have, and what setting you’d like.
Can you really have a winter wedding at Glacier?
Yes, but you should be somewhat flexible (based on unpredictable snowstorms) and also remember: many of the roads in the national park are closed. Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually plowed all the way down the shore of Lake McDonald in West Glacier.
How many guests can we have?
It depends on each site. It ranges from 10 people to 250 people! The limits are listed (click here) on Glacier’s wedding location page. The Apgar Amphitheater hosts 250 guests:
Wrap: Is it Worth Eloping to Glacier?
Whether you live in the northwest or are considering traveling from another part of the USA or the world to get married at Glacier, it’s a destination that always delivers! I’m in constant awe of the sites, and how they change through the seasons and the years.
With an increase in demand, getting married in the park is more challenging (with permits needed) and there are many things to consider while making your plans. Still, with the right preparation and the right photographer, you’ll walk away with memories and images you’ll cherish forever.
As a side note, if you’re on the east side of Glacier and have guests wondering what there is to do outside the park, here are a couple posts that might help: