Mount St. Helens Elopement Guide | Mount St. Helens Elopement Photographer
*Photo not mine: Adobe Stock Photo
Why you should consider a Mount St. Helens Elopement:
Mount St. Helens might be one of the craziest landscapes in Washington State. You can easily feel like you’re on another planet due to the effects of the eruption that happened 1980. Overall Mount St. Helens is a very underrated location with few visitors compared to Mt. Rainier and other popular locations throughout Washington. Because of this, it makes for a great adventure elopement location.
Due to the high volume of elopements in the Pacific Northwest, it can be difficult to find a remote location with few crowds. Mount St. Helens offers A LOT of options. Whether you want to summit the volcano itself, have a backpacking elopement nearby trails with epic views of the volcano and Spirit lake, or have a picnic by a lake Mount St. Helens has it all.
Something to note: Pets are not allowed in the national monument area of Mount St. Helens. This area is the yellow portion of the map below. Dogs are allowed in the green areas and there are still a lot of beautiful hikes throughout those areas.
Mount St. Helens Elopement Locations
Mount St. Helens has two main access roads. Highway 504 from the Northwest and NF-99 from the East. Check out the map below for most of the trailheads, viewpoints, and various trails in the area. Below are some of the trails that would make for an amazing elopement or adventure sessions.
Elopement Trails on the West side of St. Helens:
Hummocks Trail
Length: 2.3 miles, roundtrip
Location: West Side of Mount St. Helens on highway 504 (Spirit Lake Highway)
Summary: This hike is perfect for those who want an easier hike with minimal elevation gain. You have beautiful views of the mountain on a clear day and the trail goes by several small ponds and the North Fork Toutle River.
Johnston Ridge Observatory
While this isn’t a trail itself, there are some trails that start from this parking lot. There are also amazing views right from the observatory on the Eruption Trail (paved hike that is less than one mile), so this is also a good option for those who don’t want to hike very far. For those who do want to hike, Harry’s Ridge Trail is a great option (listed below)
Harry’s Ridge Trail
*Photo not mine: Adobe Stock Photo of Harry’s Ridge
Length: 7.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation: 1,500 ft
Location: West Side of Mount St. Helens on highway 504 (Spirit Lake Highway)
Harry’s Ridge follows a ridgeline which offers amazing panoramic views of Mount St. Helens and/or Spirit lake throughout most of the hike.
Elopement Trails on the East side of St. Helens:
*Photo of Mount Margaret from an old GoPro in 2016, so please excuse the low quality. This gives you an idea of how epic the views are though!
Norway Pass - Mount Margaret
Length: Norway Pass: 4.4 miles to Norway Pass; 11 miles to Mount Margaret (round trip)
Elevation gain: 1,500 ft
Location: East Side of Mount St. Helens on Forest Rd 26.
Okay, this is one of my favorite hikes on Mount St. Helens. In my experience the East side has less traffic and offers some of the coolest scenery I’ve ever seen. In the summer this trail is peppered with beautiful wild flowers and in the fall the trail turns into fiery shades of red and yellow. For some of the most epic views, I suggest going the extra distance to see Mount Margaret. This hike is one of those hikes where you don’t know where to look, because you have incredible views in every direction. On a clear day you can see St. Helens, Spirit lake, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood.
This is a great backpacking elopement option. You do need to reserve a backpacking permit ahead of time, but this is actually a great thing, because it guarantees you a camp spot and it also means you have more privacy.
Windy Ridge and Plains of Abraham
Length: 8 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 2,000 ft
Location: East Side, Windy Ridge Parking Lot
This hike features epic views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, as well as St. Helens. Plains of Abraham is known for it’s beautiful wild flower displays in the summer as well.
Plains of Abraham also allows bikes, so this is a PERFECT location for a couple interested in a mountain biking elopement.
***A lot of these hikes are 5+ miles, but keep in mind that you don’t have to complete the entire hike. A lot of these hike options have beautiful views throughout the entire hike, so you can find a ceremony location without completing the entire hike! I offer location scouting, where I can help you find the perfect spot that fits your needs.
where to stay for your mount st. Helens elopement
Finding a place to stay in close proximity to Mount St. Helens can be a bit tricky, as the area surrounding St. Helens is fairly remote. Below are a few different options and ideas for how to plan a full weekend near the mountain.
Rentals near Mount St. Helens
You can find some great rental cabins within an hour or two of St. Helens (depending on what side of the mountain you are going to). Below are 3 cute houses/cabins you can rent on AirBNB:
Description: This cabin is a favorite with our guests, especially for couples. This cabin has a kitchenette with dishes, silverware, pots and pans. This cabin sits on the shores of Silver Lake and has its own private deck. This cabin has 1 full size bed and can accommodate up to 2 guests. All cabins are complete with bedding & towels/linens. This cabin includes a fire pit & picnic table. Cabins are pet friendly.
Description: Welcome to Otter Pond!! Replace the sights and sounds of traffic and the suburban shuffle on the Toutle River. You will have acres to explore, riverfront, horse shoe pit, grill, and multiple fire pits! Relax with the songs of frogs, birds, crickets, and enjoy the deer, eagles, ducks, geese, rabbits, beavers and otters that pass through!
"Alpinwald" Hot Tub, White Pass, BBQ, Gazebo
Welcome to Alpinwald (Alpine Forest): the perfect park like setting for a family get-together, a romantic get-away, a reunion of friends, and everything in between. It offers bright vaulted ceilings, a fully stocked kitchen, a wood burning stove (also central heat and AC), a well-maintained hot tub and gorgeously landscaped grounds. Just minutes from Packwood town center, it is an ideal gateway to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park and White Pass Ski Area.
Campgrounds near Mount St. Helens
For most of these campgrounds you can secure a reservation through the Recreation.Gov website here.
Backcountry camping Neat Mount St. Helens
One of the most intimate ways to experience Mount St. Helens is through a backcountry camping experience! If you’re considering a backpacking elopement, I highly recommend considering a trail on St. Helens. It is permit based in most of the areas, so you can be guaranteed a campsite and a remote experience.
You can find trails and options on the USDA Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service website here.
Once you’ve identified the trail you want, visit the Recreation.gov website to secure a backcountry permit here.
If you’re considering a backpacking elopement check out this blog post on the topic!!
Are you considering an elopement at Mount St. Helens? Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!
Just fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you ASAP!