First and most importantly: getting married or eloping in Glacier National Park does require a special use permit. There are almost no exceptions related to weddings in the park and special use permits. This blog will walk you through how to get a special use permit for eloping in Glacier National Park, and many other tips for planning a stress free and adventurous elopement within the park.
Couple Eloping in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a great all-rounder for an elopement. It doesn’t matter if you’re somebody looking for a truly wild backcountry elopement, or just some easy access roadside pull offs - there are views accessible for everybody!
When Do I Need to Pull a Special Use Permit for Glacier National Park?
A permit is needed if: you plan to hold any sort of wedding, elopement, or wedding related ceremony. This includes: vow exchanges, ring exchanges, wedding ceremonies and even “mock” ceremonies. Basically, there are no exceptions related to weddings and it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Assume you need a permit, and apply early!
No permit is needed if: the nature of the photos is not for an elopement, wedding, vow or other marriage ceremony.
No permit is needed if: a professional photographer is hired for photos such as family photos, couple photos, or other non-wedding related photography.
How to Pull a Special Use Permit for Eloping in Glacier National Park
First, you need to fill out and submit the official Glacier National Park application for special use permit. Do this as soon as possible. Due to the high demand for permits in this park, it should be one of the first things you do! The park also asks that you be patient after submittal, as responding to floods of update emails slows the process for everyone.
Monitor closures and alerts for your permit location regularly, and only reach out for changes/updates if your location is affected.
Eloping in Glacier National park requires the correct paperwork and some extra fees, but it’s worth it!
LINK TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK SPECIAL PERMIT FORM
MONITOR PARK CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS HERE
Tips for submitting your form:
Submit early. Permit slots fill up months in advance, especially for ideal times of day. If you plan on having a large group (15+ people) your options are very limited, so pull your permits as soon as you know your date.
Be specific. Provide exact times of day and location names on your form.
List your photographer’s contact info.
List all items you will be taking with you to the ceremony location under “equipment.”
Provide exact number of guests and vehicles in your entire party.
Where can I elope or have a marriage ceremony in Glacier National Park?
The areas allowed for ceremonies within the park are limited. Generally, most locations allow between 10-15 guests. These are the locations where permits are given:
Lake McDonald District including:
Apgar Amphitheater
Apgar Picnic Area
Fish Creek Amphitheater
Fish Creek Picnic Area
Avalanche Amphitheater
Avalanche Picnic Area
7 mile pullout (Sandy Point)
10 mile Pullout (Jackson Bay)
Sprague Picnic Area
Lake McDonald Lodge Beach
Ryan Beach
North Fork District
Juniper River Access
Bowman Lake Day Use Area
Kintla Lake Day Use Area
Two Medicine/Walton District
Pray Lake
Two Medicine Campground Group Site
Two Medicine Campground Amphitheater
Two Medicine Picnic Area
Walton Picnic Area
Triple Divide (St. Mary) District
St. Mary Amphitheater
Rising Sun Amphitheater
St. Mary Lake Shoreline (across from Rising Sun Picnic Area)
Sun Point
1913 Ranger Station
Red Eagle Trailhead
Chief Mountain (Many Glacier) District
Shore of Josephine Lake
Many Glacier Hotel Beach
Many Glacier Hotel Green (behind main Lodge)
Many Glacier Hotel -SW Beach 1
Many Glacier Hotel Deck
Many Glacier CG Amphitheater
For a full location list, including parking limits, guest limits and other information regarding pets and accessibility, see this list. Eloping in Glacier national park outside the permitted areas above is strictly forbidden, and can result in jail time or up to a $5,000 fine.
Where are wedding groups over 15 people allowed within Glacier National Park?
Most locations are limited to 10-15 people maximum, especially during peak season. These are the locations within Glacier National Park where groups larger than 15 people are allowed during peak season:
Fish Creek Amphitheater (30)
Avalanche Amphitheater (20)
Pray Lake (30)
Two Medicine Campground Amphitheater (30)
St. Mary Amphitheater (30)
Rising Sun Amphitheater (30)
1913 Ranger Station (20)
NOTE: “peak season” is defined by the park as the 2nd Friday in May - 2nd Sunday in October. In many places, larger groups are allowed in the off-season.
For a full list, see the following Wedding Location list by the Glacier National Park Service
Where are groups of up to 50 people allowed within the park?
Wedding groups larger than 30 are only allowed within the park during the non-peak season (2nd Monday in October - 2nd Thursday in May) between sunrise and sunset.
In the non-peak season, there is no guest limit for approved Chief Mountain District locations, and Triple Divide District locations (excluding St. Mary Amphitheater).
Fish Creek Amphitheater is the ONLY other location within Glacier National Park where wedding groups up to 50 are allowed in the non-peak season.
Generally, you should opt for a smaller, more intimate ceremony inside the park with your closest friends and family. If you’re eloping in Glacier National Park with more than 30 people, consider a bigger venue outside the park instead.
What does a special use permit allow me to do?
Remember that special use permits are legally binding documents. You have certain responsibilities after pulling a special use permit, so read the permit carefully!
A special use permit for Glacier National Park allows you the following:
✓ To hold a wedding or elopement ceremony at an approved location, during the approved times and with the approved number of guests and vehicles.
✓ 2 hours of ceremony time
A permit does NOT allow or guarantee the following:
Parking spaces
Park entry
The spreading, scattering or spraying of ANY item (i.e. no bubbles, confetti, champagne spray, real or artificial is allowed)
Any tables or decor (up to 4 chairs are approved ONLY for Pray Lake, North Fork locations, 7 and 10 mile pullout, and Lake McDonald Lodge Beach)
SEE THE COMPLETE LOCATION LIST HERE
Why are special use permits required for weddings and eloping in Glacier National Park?
Special use permits help offset your impact on the park and its staff. Money for these permits goes toward keeping parks clean and wild for generations. Maintaining trash services, roads, campsites, and bathrooms for visitors is expensive. Permits also help the rangers restrict and monitor large groups to reduce negative impacts on wildlife and overuse of the parks.
When Should I Elope in Glacier National Park?
The best time of year is when the “Going to the Sun” road opens. This is typically late June to mid October, and is dependent on conditions. Consider how well you deal with the heat or cold. Check climate patterns for the area to find out when the conditions are most likely to be what you want. Also keep in mind peak visitor times to avoid crowds. Sunrise times in the off season and beginning of the peak season will likely be the least crowded.
Where to Stay While Eloping in Glacier National Park:
Whitefish, Montana. Whitefish is the furthest from the park, but offers the most options as far as restaurants, hotels, activities and shopping.
West Glacier, Montana. This is the closest option, but is the smallest town with the fewest options.
Columbia Falls, Montana. Columbia falls is the middle ground. It has more options and more restaurants than west glacier, but not as many as Whitefish.
Best locations for eloping in Glacier National Park?
Lake McDonald. It has the most location options, and all locations allow up to 15+ people in peak season. It also has the most wheelchair and pet accessible locations in the park.
Two Medicine. Two Medicine Lake and Pray Lake also allow groups between 12-30, and are pet/wheelchair friendly.
West Glacier. Hidden Lake Trail, St. Mary’s Lake, and Going to the Sun Road.
East Glacier. Grinnell glacier and Iceberg Lake.
Elopement Activities to try at Glacier National Park:
Paddle boarding
Hiking
Picnic
Ice cream at Sweet Peaks
Elopement picnic in Glacier National Park
Tips for Eloping in Glacier National Park
Footwear. All guests should wear hardy, warm footwear with good traction and ankle support. Hiking boots, or running/trail running shoes are great options. If you want to bring a pair of formal shoes for your ceremony, put them in your pack and change into them at the location.
Be considerate of wildlife - do not feed, approach or disturb wild animals.
Use bear aware caution and rent bear spray in town. Prevent bear encounters by talking loudly and making noise while hiking. Bears don’t want to encounter you either, and surprising them is the cause for most accidental attacks.
Choose one area and stick to it. Glacier is enormous. Stay in either in West Glacier, East Glacier or Two Medicine to help cut down on time and see more in one area.
ALWAYS practice Leave No Trace ethics:
Plan Ahead and Prepare. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
Dispose of Waste Properly.
Leave What You Find.
Minimize Campfire Impacts.
Respect Wildlife.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors (never hike with music playing).
WANNA SEE MORE?
SEE A FULL GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT GALLERY
Hey! Interested in a similar elopement, or someone to help you elope in Glacier National Park?
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The content on this blog was written and curated by Mariah Arianna, copywriter and content blogger for photographers