There’s something about Glacier that holds you. Maybe it’s the way the mountains stand in quiet confidence, or how the wind carries a kind of stillness you didn’t know you needed. The land doesn’t ask you to perform. It invites you to slow down, to feel more deeply, to remember what brought you here in the first place—each other.

Eloping in Montana isn’t about skipping tradition. It’s about choosing something more aligned. Something that feels like your love: rooted, a little wild, and fully present. It’s walking into a vast, untamed landscape and saying, This is enough. You are enough. Together, that’s more than enough.

As photographers, we’re drawn to the quiet moments. The in-between. The honest. We’re not here to stage every second or turn your love into a checklist. We’re here to walk alongside you, gently guiding when needed, and giving space when it matters most. Our work is moody and intimate, rooted in storytelling, and always focused on the real connection between you. We want your photos to feel like memories. The way your hands find each other without thinking. The soft laughter shared just before a kiss. The stillness after vows, when the weight of it all settles in. These are the things we hold close. This is the story we’re honored to help you tell.

This guide was created to walk you through the practical parts of planning—permits, things to do, entrance requirements, all the details. But we’re also here to hold space for what matters most. Your day doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It only needs to feel like yours.

Getting Married in Glacier National Park

List of approved elopement ceremony locations sorted by district:

• Many Glacier
• Two Medicine/Walton
• St. Mary
• Lake McDonald
• North Fork

Jump to:
– Discover things to do in Glacier National Park
– How to obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP)
– Vehicle reservation requirements
– Montana elopement packages

Wedding Locations in Many Glacier District

“Switzerland of North America′′

Lake Josephine Shoreline (pictured below)
One-mile hike to location (2 miles round trip). Vehicle access to nearest trailhead is last week of May-mid October. 15 people max. No tables/chairs/decor.

Many Glacier Hotel
3 optional areas: green (behind main lodge), SW beach, and beach. 15 people max. No tables/chairs/decor. Vehicle access from last week of May-mid October. During seasonal road closures, you must ski/snowshoe/hike to location. Permittee must notify Many Glacier Hotel prior to elopement.

Many Glacier Amphitheater
Up to 100 people max. Closed during evening programs June-September. Wheelchair accessible. Pets allows. No tables/chairs/decor. Seasonal road closures.

Two Medicine/Walton District

Two Medicine Picnic Area Shoreline (pictured below)
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Pets allowed. Vehicle access last week of May-mid October (must hike otherwise). Pets prohibited during road closures. No tables/chairs/decor. No roadside parking.

Two Medicine Amphitheater
50 people max in peak season, 75 people max in non-peak season. Pets allowed. Wheelchair accessible. No tables/chairs/decor. Seasonal road closures. Closed during evening programs June-September.

Pray Lake Shoreline
30 people max. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. Season road and gate closure. No roadside parking. Ceremony must take place on beach surface, not on the meadow.

Running Eagle Falls
15 people max. Wheelchair accessible. Seasonal road closures last week of May-mid October. No roadside parking; very limited parking. No tables/chairs/decor.

Walton Picnic Area
15 people max. Year-round vehicle access. No tables/chairs/decor. Food and beverages allowed in designated picnic spaces only.

St. Mary District

1913 Ranger Station (pictured below)
20 people max. Year-round road access. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface.

Cutbank Field
12 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Vehicle access late May-mid October. Must use field south of trailhead and stay within 250ft of road. No tables/chairs/decor.

Red Eagle Trailhead
12 people max. Year-round vehicle access. No tables/chairs/decor.

Sun Point
20 people max. Seasonal road closures. Possible spring closures due to plowing operations and avalanche danger.

Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Vehicle access early May-late October. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface.

Rising Sun Amphitheater
100 people max. Vehicle access early May-late October. Wheelchair accessible. Pets allowed. Pets prohibited during seasonal road closures. Closed during evening programs June-September.

St. Mary Amphitheater
50 people max in peak season, 75 people max in non-peak season. Year-round vehicle access. Pets allowed. Closed during evening programs June-September. Wheelchair accessible.

Lake McDonald District

Big Bend
10 people max. Vehicle access early July-mid September. Wheelchair accessible. No tables/chairs/decor. May only use developed gravel area adjacent to parking.

Apgar Amphitheater
250 people max. Year-round road access. Wheelchair accessible. Pets allowed. No tables/chairs/decor. Closed during evening programs June-September. No roadside parking.

Apgar Picnic Area Shoreline
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Year-round road access. Pets allowed. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface.

Fish Creek Amphitheater
200 people max. Vehicle access late May-early September. Wheelchair accessible. No tables/chairs/decor. If campground/gate is closed for the season, must walk in.

Fish Creek Picnic Area Shoreline
20 people max in peak season, 25 people max in non-peak season. Vehicle access late April-late December. Pets allowed. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface.

Avalanche Amphitheater
100 people max. Vehicle access early May-mid October. Wheelchair accessible. No tables/chairs/decor. Parking is extremely limited at Avalanche Creek.

Avalanche Picnic Area Shoreline
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Vehicle access early May-mid October. Pets allowed. No tables/chairs/decor. Limited parking at Avalanche Creek.

7-Mile Pullout Sandy Point
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Year-round road access. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface.

10-Mile Pullout Jackson Bay (pictured below)
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Year-round road access. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface.

Sprague Picnic Area Shoreline
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Vehicle access mid May-early September. Pets allowed. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. Picnic area gate is closed by 9:00 pm.

Lake McDonald Lodge Beach
15 people max in peak season, 30 people max in non-peak season. Year-round road access. Pets allowed. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. Permitee must notify Lake McDonald Lodge prior to elopement.

Ryan Beach
15 people max in peak season, 20 people max in non-peak season. Year-round road access. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. Permitted area is the beach only, not the meadow.

North Fork District

Juniper River Access
12 people max. Accessible by vehicle mid May-mid October; by river as well (AIS inspections/boating restrictions apply). No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. Must ski/snowshoe/hike to location during seasonal road closures.

Bowman Lake Day Use Area
15 people max in peak season, 24 people max in non-peak season. Vehicle access mid May-mid October. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. If road is closed, must travel by foot 6+ miles each way to location.

Kintla Lake Day Use Area
The most remote ceremony location in the entire park. 8 people max. No tables/decor; up to 4 chairs permitted on durable surface. Season road closures. If road is closed due to snow, cars can park at Polebridge Ranger Station and hike/ski 14+ miles each way to the area.

Things to do in Glacier National Park

Paddle on Swiftcurrent Lake
Being out on the water with those massive mountains all around is something else. Rent a canoe or kayak and just let the lake carry you. The water is usually calm, and sometimes you might see an eagle flying overhead or a deer at the shore. It is the kind of quiet moment that makes you slow down and really breathe. Visit Glacier Park Boats for rental information and bookings.

Take a Cold Plunge
If you are feeling brave, find a little spot by a glacier-fed stream or lake and jump in. The water is freezing but it wakes you up like nothing else. It is a wild, refreshing feeling that somehow makes you feel connected to this place in a way words cannot quite capture.

Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road
This drive is unforgettable. The road twists and turns, giving you stunning views around every corner. Take your time. Stop when something grabs your attention. Step out, feel the wind on your face, watch the light change, and listen to the sounds around you. It is one of those experiences that sticks with you long after you leave.

Hike to Glacial Lakes
There are many trails that lead to beautiful, bright blue lakes shaped by glaciers. Grinnell Lake and Hidden Lake are favorites for good reason. Along the way, you will walk through fields of wildflowers blooming in all kinds of colors. When you get to the lakes, it feels like you have stepped into a dream. Calm, powerful, and breathtaking.

Chase Waterfalls
Do not miss St. Mary Falls or Red Eagle Falls. Both are incredible spots where the water crashes down with so much energy and life. They are perfect places to pause, listen, and feel the power of Glacier’s wild heart.

Backcountry Camping at Cracker Lake
For the adventurous, camping at Cracker Lake is a must. It is tucked away, surrounded by towering peaks and bright turquoise waters. Spending a night here means falling asleep under the stars with nothing but the sounds of nature around you. Visit the NPS website for backcountry reservation details.

Explore Trail of the Cedars
This trail feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Towering cedar trees rise all around, their trunks wide and ancient. The path is easy and peaceful, giving you a chance to feel small in the best way.

Trek Iceberg Lake and the Highline Trail
Iceberg Lake is stunning with icy blue water framed by rugged cliffs and glaciers above. It is a hike that rewards you with views you will not forget. The Highline Trail is another classic. It runs along the edge of the mountains with sweeping views below. It is a chance to feel on top of the world and totally connected to this wild place.

See the Wildflowers and Wildlife
In the warmer months, the meadows explode with wildflowers that look like they were painted by hand. Keep your eyes open for wildlife too. Mountain goats balance on rocky cliffs, marmots dart through the grass, and sometimes a moose wanders nearby. It is a reminder that this place is alive in every way, and for a little while, you are a part of it.

Check out our favorite Glacier National Park hikes on AllTrails

Obtaining a Special Use Permit

1. Submit Your Application
Download the Special Use Permit application from the Glacier National Park website. Fill it out with details like your ceremony location, date and time, number of participants, and any equipment you’ll bring. Once complete, email the application in Word or PDF format to glac_sup@nps.gov at least 20 business days before your event but no more than one year in advance.

Keep in mind that the number of vehicles allowed depends on how many people are attending your ceremony. It’s important to stay within these limits, as going over the allowed number of vehicles is not permitted:

• Up to 20 participants: 4 vehicles
• 21 to 60 participants: 6 vehicles
• 61 to 100 participants: 10 vehicles
• 101 to 250 participants: 15 vehicles

For any event with more than 20 people, a permit monitor may be required at a rate of $50 per hour, billed for a minimum of two hours.

2. Pay the Application Fee
There is a non-refundable $125 application fee that must be paid through Pay.gov using the “Glacier NP Special Park Uses Fees” form. Make sure the payment name matches the applicant’s name. Keep the confirmation email for your records.

3. Review and Permit Issuance
After your application and payment are received, the park will contact you to confirm details and send a preliminary permit. You’ll need to review, sign, and return this permit within 30 days or risk cancellation. Once signed by both you and a park official, the permit becomes valid.

Vehicle Reservations

If you’re driving into Glacier during the busy summer months, you’ll need a timed entry vehicle reservation to access popular areas like the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road past Apgar, the Many Glacier and North Fork entrances. These reservations are required from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., but if you arrive earlier or later, you won’t need one.

You can reserve your spot online at Recreation.gov or by phone. There is a small $2 processing fee for each reservation. On top of that, every vehicle needs a park entrance pass, which costs $35 and is good for seven days.

When you arrive, park staff will check your vehicle reservation, entrance pass, and photo ID. Since cell service can be spotty in the park, it’s best to have a printed or saved copy of your reservation ready. For the NPS website for more details on Glacier National Park timed entry requirements.

Montana Elopement Packages

Out here, surrounded by wild skies and quiet mountain air, there’s space to breathe deeply and move through your day with intention. No timelines to race against. No pretending. Just the two of you, being exactly who you are. This is where we come in—not just as your photographers, but as guides, a calming presence, and someone who’s fully invested in telling your story with heart.

Our Glacier National Park elopement packages begin at $6800 and include:

• Full-day photography coverage. Your story deserves more than a rushed timeline. We move at your pace, letting the day unfold naturally.
• Planning support from start to finish. Location ideas, timeline creation, permit assistance, and experienced advice to shape a day that feels like you.
• Custom location and experience guide. Designed specifically for GNP elopements with hand-picked trails, ceremony spots, and seasonal tips.
• High-resolution edited images. Delivered in a beautiful online gallery, ready to download, print, or share.
• Sneak peeks within 24 hours. We are just as excited as you to see some moments captured.
• Complimentary officiant signing. We can double as your ceremony celebrant with a custom tailored script, or simply sign the marriage license to make your commitment legal. No witnesses are required in the state of Montana.

Contact us to start planning your adventure elopement in Montana