A 2023 Columbia River Gorge Elopement Guide

If you're planning a Columbia River Gorge elopement, this guide was created for you! A a Portland, Oregon elopement photographer, I've traveled to some of the most breathtaking spots all over the PNW. The Columbia River Gorge is always at the top of my list when recommending locations for my couples. Whether they're eloping or having a larger wedding, it’s such a stunning destination! The Gorge is full of lookouts, forests, waterfalls and even cute towns to base your stay at. Keep reading to learn why you should elope at the Columbia River Gorge, the rules & regulations, my favorite Gorge elopement spots and more.

1. Why elope on The Columbia River Gorge?

The Columbia River Gorge is a National Scenic Area that forms the border between Oregon and Washington. The river canyon runs 80 miles long with a depth of about 4,000 feet, winding around cliffs, spires, and ridges right up against the PNW's Cascade Mountain Range. In my opinion, the Gorge is one of the most beautiful places to elope in the entire Pacific Northwest! You can elope at a scenic, outdoor location or have an intimate wedding at one of the nearby venues. We'll discuss specific locations later in the blog (trust me, I have tons!), but all of them are just spectacular. There are waterfalls, forests, cliffs, and even a little desert! The perfect elopement spot for the couple who wants to incorporate the beauty of nature into their big day.

2. What are the Columbia River Gorge rules & regulations?

Now that you've heard why you should elope at Columbia River Gorge, it's time to talk about the rules & regulations to follow. As I mentioned earlier, the Gorge is a National Scenic Area, so precautions are put in place to protect the environment. It's essential to me that I do my part as a photographer to follow these regulations and that my couples respect the land that we are using. If you have less than 75 people (which, elopements are usually less than 10!), you don't need a permit to hold your ceremony here. However, if you are having a wedding with over 75 guests, you must obtain a Special Use Permit well in advance of your wedding date! Other than that, here are the official rules for holding an event at the Gorge:

Access for the general public to sites, trails, and/or roads must be maintained (no area may be closed or cordoned off).
Wedding ceremonies may not be officiated by individuals who are paid for their services; this is a commercial service widely available off of National Forest System land.
No vendors, food trucks, or carts are allowed; this commercial service is not authorized on National Forest System land in the Scenic Area.
Most sites in the Gorge can only accommodate up to 20 people and ten cars.
Throwing objects, including rice, birdseed, confetti, or lanterns, or the release of helium balloons is prohibited.
Candles or open flames are not allowed. Campfires are not allowed unless in a designated campfire location.
Overnight camping is not allowed unless at a designated campsite.
No amplified music is allowed.
Decorations such as crepe paper and balloons are prohibited.
All litter must be disposed of properly.

3. How to legally elope on The Columbia River Gorge

Since the Columbia River Gorge is technically located in Oregon, you must adhere to the Oregon marriage laws. Don't worry, though; I'll walk you through the entire process!

Where do I get my Oregon marriage license & how much does it cost? You can visit the Hood River County Clerk's office to get your marriage license for a fee of $50.

Is there a waiting period for my marriage license to be valid? Yes! There is a 3-day waiting period for all Oregon marriage licenses, so be sure to time your travel & elopement date accordingly. After the three days, your license is valid for 60 days. You can apply for your license online here and pick it up at the County Clerk's office. There will be about a 15-minute wait while it's prepared!

What do I need to bring to the County Clerk's office? Both parties will need to bring their photo I.D. and need to know the following:

Their mothers' maiden names.
The location where each applicant was born.
The social security number of each applicant.

How many witnesses do you need? You'll need two witnesses for your Columbia River Gorge elopement.

Do I need an officiant? Yes, you cannot self-solemnize in the state of Oregon, so you'll need someone to officiate.

4. When should you plan your Columbia River Gorge elopement?

Time of year

The best time of year to elope in the Gorge is between the months of April & late June and then again through September and October. So, if you want to elope surrounded by the Gorge's wildflowers and orchards, you should do so during April, when it's peak season! On the other hand, if you'd prefer to elope with the fall foliage as your backdrop, September and October are the best months to choose. Keep in mind that the Gorge can get very windy, but it always makes for great photos!

I've photographed elopements in the Gorge in the winter as well, and although I can't promise good weather, it has the potential to turn into a winter wonderland. If that sounds like fun to you, don't shy away from planning a winter elopement!

Time of day

It's best to plan your elopement early or late in the day to avoid peak visitation and congestion times (before 11 am and after 4 pm, April through September). But, of course, this doesn't apply if you're eloping at a venue or Airbnb!

5. My favorite Columbia River Gorge elopement locations

Now, we can talk about my all-time favorite Columbia River Gorge elopement locations! When we officially start working together, I'll help you choose a personalized spot that fits your vision. But for now, here are some of the best ones!

Venue: The Griffin House

The Griffin House is overall one of my favorite Oregon wedding venues. It's an outdoor wedding & reception venue in the heart of the Gorge, with a guest capacity of up to 175. They also offer overnight rentals so your friends & family can all stay in one place! You can privately elope at a beautiful outdoor location and then bring the party to The Griffin House if that's your vibe. Or, you can still have an all-day intimate wedding or elopement exclusively at the venue; it's entirely up to you!

Outdoor location: Rowena Crest

The Rowena Crest Overlook has one of the most incredible viewpoints of the Gorge and Mayer State Park. The wide, paved area is at the top of a high hill, giving you panoramic views of the Columbia River, a hidden lake, the horseshoe-curved highway, and picturesque cliffsides.

Outdoor location: Government Cove

Government Cove is one of the most accessible trails in the area since it's right off the highway! It's a great place to enjoy the scenery of the surrounding Columbia River Gorge and even views of Washington's rolling hills. It's not a particularly crowded spot, so chances are we'll have the whole place to ourselves! In addition, the peninsula is only about a 20-minute drive from Hood River, where you'll most likely be staying for your elopement. But we'll chat more about that later!

One last thing: Government Cove is owned by a local tribe called Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. There is no fee to use their land for events like elopements, but they suggest making donations to The Chúush Fund: Water for Warm Springs - MRG Foundation.

Hiking Trail: Tom McCall Point

The Tom McCall Point trail actually starts at the Rowena Crest Overlook and is filled with views of the eastern Columbia River Gorge. This is another location where you can find seasonal wildflowers in Oregon! There are many native plants along this trail, so staying on the paved path and respecting the surrounding land is essential. Tom McCall Preserve is open during the months of June and November, so be sure to choose your elopement date accordingly.

Hiking Trail: Horsethief Butte

Horsethief Butte is part of Columbia State Hills Park and remains a prominent landmark along the Columbia River. It comprises hexagonal columns of Wanapum basalt flows over 15 million years old. Can you believe that? The sheer cliff faces attract rock climbers on the spring weekends, so this would be an excellent weekday elopement spot. In addition, the trailhead offers a short hike to breathtaking views of the Gorge as well as Mount Hood!

Outdoor location: Mt. Hood area

There are four locations in the Mt. Hood-Columbia Gorge region, all of which would make for beautiful elopement spots. The Dalles is a sun-drenched area at the eastern entrance of the Gorge. It gets 300 days of sunlight annually, and it's best to visit in the spring!

Next on the list is Hood River, located at the crossroads of the Gorge and the Cascade Range. This area is known for its dramatic vistas, flowing waterfalls, and wildflowers fields. If you end up visiting, be sure to drive the iconic Hood River Fruit Loop!

Mt. Hood Territory, the following location in the region, is filled with many state parks, recreation sites, and the infamous Mt. Hood Scenic Byway. This byway offers some of the most scenic views in all of Oregon, so it definitely wouldn't hurt to check it out.

Last but not least is West Columbia Gorge. The highlight of this location is Multnomah Falls, arguably the most awe-inspiring waterfall in all of the Gorge. However, it does attract large crowds on the weekends during summer, so be sure to plan accordingly!

Outdoor location: The Wallowas

The Wallowas in Oregon is one of my personal favorite elopement locations! It's a little further away from PDX, but so worth it, in my opinion. You can hike, horseback ride, or take a gondola up to the summit; how cool is that?! In addition, you're surrounded by the Eagle Cap Wilderness in The Wallowas and have insane views of Hells Canyon.

6. Where to stay for your Columbia River Gorge Elopement

I always recommend that couples stay in Hood River when eloping at the Columbia River Gorge. It's a super cute town with good breweries and even better restaurants, the perfect location to round out your elopement stay! Here are a few specific accommodations to check out:

The Society Bingen: Offers a "refined, off-the-beaten-trail experience" to all of their guests. They have rooms, hostel-style bunks, and cabins for you to choose from.

Scandanavian Airbnb: This A-frame cabin sits on five private acres and is only a mile and a half from the nearby town of White Salmon. You can access hiking trails right from the property, which is perfect for all my adventurers! The cabin sleeps eight guests, so you can have a few loved ones tag along or take the whole place for yourself.

Modern Cabin: Keeping the cabin theme, this Airbnb is in Stevenson, WA, about 45 minutes from Portland. You'll feel totally secluded in this cabin, considering it sits on a whopping 16 forested acres! The glass windows on both floors look out to the cedar trees and nearby creek.

A-Frame Cabin: **Didn't see a link for this one that you photographed an elopement at!

Skamania Lodge: First things first, this lodge has treehouses. Need I say more? Skamania is also located in Stevenson, WA, but the resort has more than everything you could need for a relaxing stay in the Gorge. You could even honeymoon here and extend your adventure!

7. Elopement activites on the Gorge

Did you really think I'd give you all of this Columbia River Gorge elopement information and NOT include fun things to do? I love when my couples incorporate fun activities into their elopement day, especially when I get to document them! Here are a few of my favorites:

Zipline at Skamania Lodge: Yes, Skaminia Lodge also has ziplining tours. They last about 2.5 hours and range from 100 feet to over 900 feet in length. You'll catch aerial views of the rainforest canopy of Douglas Firs on your way!

Boat Ride: If you want to cruise the Columbia River Gorge, why not embark on a sailing tour? You can hoist the sails, steer the boat, or just sit back and relax with your love while taking in the view. You can book either a morning or sunset cruise with a duration of 2 or 3 hours. They also have the option of creating a custom sailing adventure totally tailored to you and your partner!

Helicopter ride: If you want to see Mt. Hood and the Gorge from the sky, you can book a helicopter tour on your elopement day! Oregon Helicopters offers the option to fly to your ceremony location pretty much anywhere in Oregon. Talk about a grand entrance!

Hike a waterfall: We've already established that the Gorge is filled with spectacular waterfalls that are 100% worth seeing. If you don't want to elope at a waterfall, we could spend part of the day hiking to one of them and taking gorgeous photos. Here is a list of some of the best waterfalls nearby:

Rent a classic car and drive the old historic highway: The Historic Columbia River Highway was the first scenic highway in the U.S. to be designated a National Historic Landmark. So, while you're here, you might as well go all out and rent a vintage car to drive it! The highway is about 70 miles long, wrapping around waterfalls and passing by the Columbia River Gorge vistas. What a perfect way to celebrate your elopement.

8. Columbia River Gorge wedding & elopement inspiration

Abby & Abby’s Columbia River Gorge wedding

Abby & Abby’s wedding at The Griffin House turned out to be one of my favorites! Although it rained pretty hard on their big day, nothing could put a damper on the love that shone through. They ended up renting clear umbrellas for everyone, and it actually made for some pretty unique ceremony photos!

To check out their full story, you can read their blog here.

Shelby & Jeff’s Columbia River Gorge wedding

Shelby & Jeff’s Griffin House wedding at Hood River was so unbelievably beautiful! They had a monochromatic white wedding, and it happened to be one of the windiest days every at the Gorge. Everything held together perfectly, and we got some amazing photos all day long!