Table of Contents

• The Best Place? The One That Feels Right to You
• When to Elope in Glacier National Park
• Apgar / Lake McDonald / Avalanche Region
• North Fork / Polebridge Region

You cant find more information at the National Park Service website on Wedding Locations in Glacier.

For the sake of this resource, I’ve sorted all of the approved locations into geographical regions and then broken down my top picks for sunset,s sunrises, wheelchair access, etc.

The Best Place? The One That Feels Right to You

There’s no one-size-fits-all “best spot” to get married in Glacier—just the place that feels most like you. Whether you imagine a quiet exchange of vows at sunrise by a lake, a joyful celebration with your family in a forested amphitheater, or a day full of hiking, paddling, and picnicking, I’m here to help you find your version of perfect. Tell me what lights you up—your favorite hikes, the kinds of views you’re drawn to, the way you want to feel on your wedding day—and I’ll guide you to not just the right ceremony location, but the best places for private moments, love letters, and shared experiences all throughout Glacier and beyond.

When to Elope in Glacier National Park

Full disclosure, if you didn’t know this already, but Glacier National Park is wildly seasonal. I mean all four seasons in the same day, lots of days. That charming alpine meadow you’re dreaming of might be buried in snow until mid July, or open record early in mid-June like this year….But here’s the general breakdown of what to expect weather-wise in the park:

• Summer (early-July to early-September): Full access to the park and Going-to-the-Sun Road, best summer weather, and the most crowds possible.
• Fall (mid-September to early-October): Incredible forests of golden larches aplifying the already stunning alpine beauty, possible with a dusting of snow, but expect cooler temps, more unpredictable weather, and fewer people.
• Winter (November to March): Most areas are inaccessible without cross-country skis or snowshoes; Two Medicine is my favorite for adventurous couples on XC skis.
• Spring (April to June): Melting snow, roaring waterfalls, incredible sunrises, but still limited road access. Ideal time for wildlife watching as the forest is slowly waking up from its long sleep.

See our full blog that has helpful tips like our favorite activities by season: When to Elope in Glacier National Park

Apgar / Lake McDonald / Avalanche Region

These are your most accessible locations—great for groups, families, and sunrise ceremonies. In summer these can also be the busiest spots because you don’t need a vehicle pass to access all of them. I’ve shot sunrise at Lake McDonald when the water was glass and the whole lake turned pink. If you’re dreaming of epic portraits without the drive-time, this is the move. You do have to share the beach with early kayakers—but trust me, they’ll cheer you on.

Apgar Amphitheater

• Wheelchair accessible, pet-friendly
• Holds up to 250 guests
• Reserved time slots required
• No roadside parking
• This is a great choice if you have older guests or are planning a more traditional ceremony. It’s surrounded by tall trees, with a small wooden stage and natural arch—it won’t give you a huge mountain backdrop, but it offers ease and comfort. Sweet Peaks ice cream is just down the road for a post-ceremony scoop.

Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline + Ryan Beach

• Up to 15 (peak) / 20 (non-peak)
• Pets allowed, 4 chairs max, no décor
• Must stay below high-water line (this means staying on gravel or rock when the lake is full; no walking into fragile plants or soft soils)
• Ryan Beach is just on the other side, accessed by a short service road. It’s a little more private and a great option for getting the iconic “in the lake” mirror reflection photo.
• You must jump off the dock. I insist! (I’ll get the shot.)

PRO TIP: Ideal for winter & spring weddings, where you can see all the snow and jagged mountain peaks. Perfectly serene sunrises that transform into fire. Truly incredible to see.

Fish Creek Amphitheater + Shoreline

• Great for large groups
• Walk-in only if campground is closed
• No restrooms after closure
• Tucked into the trees, this area feels more private than Apgar and is perfect for a bigger crowd that still wants a nature feel.

Avalanche Amphitheater

• Holds up to 100, but parking is extremely limited
• ADA friendly via the packed earth trail to Avalanche Lake, but does have a slope
• Accessible May–October; otherwise requires snowshoe/hike-in
• This amphitheater has forest vibes and is one of the few spots where you can be close to the action (and the trail to Avalanche Lake). I love this one for spring ceremonies.

Avalanche Picnic Area Shoreline

• Perfect for 2–10 people
• Must stay on vegetation-free surfaces
• Same seasonal access as above; pets not allowed when road is closed
• The hike in is about 2 miles and, while mild for locals, can still be a bit of a workout. Wildlife sightings are common early in the morning.

Lake McDonald Lodge Beach + Sprague Shoreline

• Stunning lake views, easily accessible most of the year
• Best for intimate ceremonies
• Contact Lake McDonald Lodge if using that beach
• These are dreamy for golden-hour ceremonies. The light hits the water just right in the evening, and you can walk straight to dinner afterward.

7-Mile Pullout & 10-Mile Pullout

• Minimal signage, decent privacy
• Great for spontaneous ceremonies with just you two
• Nobody will be there besides you—most people drive right on by. Note: no cell service, so don’t rely on guests or vendors finding you without a plan.

North Fork / Polebridge Region

Remote, rugged, and less crowded. You’ll want 4WD and a taste for adventure. Bowman Lake feels like stepping into a fairytale. I photographed a couple here in mid-May with snow still on the peaks and not a soul in sight. If you’re okay with a long bumpy road (and maybe a bear or two), this spot delivers. Don’t skip the Polebridge Mercantile’s huckleberry bear claw.

Bowman Lake

• 15–24 guests max
• 6+ mile hike if road is closed
• Amazing privacy and wild feel



Kintla Lake

• Only 8 guests allowed
• Road may close; hike is 14+ miles if snowed in
• This is as remote as it gets. Great for couples who want a full-on backcountry feel. Plan for minimal cell service and no facilities.

Juniper River Access

• 12 guests max
• Raft-accessible (yes, really!)
• AIS inspection rules apply
• Best for river rats and paddle couples. You can land your raft and say vows barefoot on the rocks…and then get back on the river!

Sun Point & St. Mary Region

Lakes, cliffs, and golden light. The east side of the park is windier and more exposed, but that means jaw-dropping backdrops and better chances of wildlife sightings.

Big Bend (often called Paradise Meadow)

• Wheelchair accessible
• Group use is limited to gravel area near parking
• Frequently closed until July due to plowing/avalanches
• Not at all private, as the ceremony site is actually in the gravel parking pullout…but still gorgeous and iconic for portraits! If you stop by midday for portraits, but expect to see other bridal couples here. People will shout congratulations from their car as they drive by and honk, so its most ideal for sunsets when the well-meaning visitors are out for dinner.
• Avid Cyclists? This would be an ideal ceremony location for the adventurous couple wanting to E-bike Going-to-the-Sun Road in June or October, when it is formally closed to motorized vehicle traffic.

Sun Point

• Cliffside with jaw-dropping views
• Small groups only (20 max)
• Best at sunrise or sunset due to harsh midday wind
• After your hair is fully windblown, hike to St. Mary Falls and jump in (yes, it’s deep enough to jump off the 5-10ft ledge). It’s the only place in the park you can “cliff jump” (that we know of). 😉



Rising Sun & St. Mary Amphitheater

• ADA and pet-friendly
• Evening hours only
• Good winter option if you can access the area. Covered by snow but plowed roads help, and you can snowshoe in if needed.

Rising Sun Shoreline, Cutbank Field, Red Eagle, 1913 Station

• More rugged
• May require short hikes
• Cutbank is located southeast of St. Mary and has expansive views, perfect for privacy and wildflowers.
• Red Eagle Trailhead is east of the lake, good for private ceremonies with a quick walk.
• 1913 Station is an old ranger station with lots of rustic charm and open space.

Two Medicine Region

Perfect for sunrise, shoulder-season and winter ceremonies, but often underrated because it’s farther from the main park entrances and lacks cell service or flashy marketing—but it is breathtaking. Mountain reflections, fewer crowds, and a more rugged feel make it one of Glacier’s best-kept secrets. Plus there’s a lovely campground there so all your trip’s sunsets will be amazing.

Running Eagle Falls

• ADA accessible
• Gorgeous short walk to a waterfall
• Limited parking
• Ideal for a snowshoe elopement in winter. Picture this: You arrive early, snow crunching under your boots, the falls partially frozen with mist rising off the stream. You say your vows while flakes fall slowly around you. It’s quiet, intimate, unforgettable.

Two Medicine Amphitheater

• 50 guests (peak) / 75 (non-peak)
• Evening use only
• ADA accessible and pet-friendly
• Set in a classic woodsy amphitheater, this is the most structured ceremony space in Two Med. Great for summer events with a guest list.

Pray Lake Shoreline

• 30 guests max
• Not available after Labor Day 2025 (construction)
• This is your mirror reflection spot. At sunrise, the mountains light up in sherbet colors and the lake reflects it all like glass. Best for small groups.



Two Medicine Picnic Area Shoreline

• 15–20 guests
• Windier than Pray Lake and a bit more exposed. Great for morning or midday ceremonies, but loses light early due to the terrain. Skip this for sunset unless you love that moody alpine grey.

Walton Picnic Area

• Year-round access
• Close to the Amtrak Empire Builder route (yes, you can literally train into your elopement)
• Quiet, flat, and wooded. A simple location that could work well for folks doing a multi-day hike or wanting to elope between train stops.

Many Glacier Region

Iconic alpine views with European lodge vibes. Want to feel like you eloped in the Alps without flying to Switzerland? This is it. The view from Josephine Dock is jaw-dropping, and if you’re lucky, a moose might wander into the background.

Lake Josephine Shoreline

• 15 guests max
• 1.5ish-mile hike in (2-mile round trip)
• Stunning for sunrise, but you’ll be hiking in low light—bring bear spray and headlamps. A great option for pairing with a Grinnell Glacier hike or a detour to Cracker Lake.

Many Glacier Hotel Beach

• 15 guests
• Must notify hotel staff in advance
• Classic lodge feel, unbeatable morning light. You can walk straight from your ceremony to coffee and pastries on the lodge deck.



Many Glacier Amphitheater

• 100 guests
• ADA accessible and pet-friendly
• Closed from mid-Sept 2024 to May 2026 due to major construction
• Once it reopens, this is the best big-group option in the region. Easy to access and surrounded by peaks.

Sample Timelines for Eloping in Glacier National Park

5-Hour Hiking Elopement (Avalanche to Big Bend)

• 4:00 PM – Meet at Avalanche trailhead, hike in
• 5:30 PM – Vow exchange at Avalanche Lake Shoreline
• 6:00 PM – Picnic and portraits
• 7:30 PM – Drive GTTSR, stopping for views
• 9:30 PM – Sunset portraits at Big Bend

8-Hour Sunrise + Paddle Elopement (Sun Point to Lake McDonald)

• 5:00 AM – Meet at Sun Point, hike to overlook
• 5:45 AM – Sunrise ceremony
• 6:30 AM – Portraits at St. Mary Lake, grab coffee in town
• 8:00 AM – Drive GTTSR with scenic stops
• 11:00 AM – Paddleboarding session on Lake McDonald
• 12:00 PM – Picnic lunch on the shoreline
• 12:30 PM – Jump off the dock and In-water portrait session

Planning Tips & Logistics

Best for Big Groups

• Apgar Amphitheater: Holds 250, flat and accessible, perfect for all ages
• Fish Creek Amphitheater: Feels more tucked away but spacious
• Many Glacier Amphitheater: Closed until 2026, but fantastic when open

Best for Just the Two of You

• Lake Josephine Dock: Epic views, early light, quiet setting
• 7-Mile Pullout: Hidden in plain sight
• Ryan Beach: Slightly off the main path, very peaceful
• Red Eagle Trailhead: Secluded and rustic

♿ ADA-Accessible Locations

• Apgar Amphitheater
• Fish Creek Amphitheater
• Big Bend
• St. Mary & Rising Sun Amphitheaters
• Running Eagle Falls

🐕 Pet-Friendly Spots

• Most amphitheaters and picnic areas—check the site-specific rules
• Not allowed when roads are closed or in winter access-only areas

🐻 Best for Wildlife Sightings

• Avalanche: Bears, goats, and deer in early mornings
• Many Glacier: Moose are frequent guests
• North Fork: Bear country—plan accordingly
• Cutbank & Two Medicine: More remote = more wild

🌅 Best for Sunrise

• Many Glacier Hotel: Unreal alpine glow
• Sun Point: Cliffside magic
• Pray Lake: Still water reflections
• Lake McDonald: Easy access with iconic views
• St. Mary Lake: Dramatic and peaceful

🌄 Best for Sunset

• Big Bend: Iconic, cinematic light
• Ryan Beach: Glowy and quiet
• Many Glacier Dock: Golden light on the peaks

❄️ Best for Winter Ceremonies

• Running Eagle Falls: Short approach, epic ice and snow
• Two Medicine (general): Underrated, accessible with snowshoes
• Walton: Open year-round and near the train

Don’t Forget these Tips for your Elopement!

• Permit rules exist—but Glacier is flexible if you need to swap spots due to weather. The key is communication. If Logan Pass is snowed in mid-June, they will work with you.
• Elopement Permit Guide – Coming Soon
• What to Pack for Your Elopement – Coming Soon
• Comprehensive Glacier Travel Guide
• E-Biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road

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Final Thoughts

Glacier isn’t just pretty. It’s alive. It’s dynamic. And if you take the time to learn the land and plan with intention, your elopement here will be unforgettable.

Need help sorting through it all or choosing a location that actually fits your vision (and your boots)? Reach out here—I’d be honored to help you plan something wildly meaningful.

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Kathryn Simecek