Engagement Photos in Olympic National Park
Late summer in Washington is *actually* the pure magic, not exaggerating. And one of the most impressive places to spend your time is Olympic National Park. In late summer, the golden hour light lasts a little longer, the trails are dry, and the alpine meadows are dotted with wildflowers. Sounds like a pretty great place to have some engagement photos, am I right!? I recently had the absolute joy of photographing engagement photos at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, and it was everything I love about photographing outdoorsy, down-to-earth couples who are up for a little adventure.
We met in the late afternoon and set off on a shorter, but steep hike to a ridge overlooking both the Olympic Mountain Range and the Puget Sound. The views up there are breathtaking — layers and layers of mountains fading into the horizon, and on clear days, such as this one, you can even spot Canada across the water!
As we explored the ridge, the sun dipped low and absolutely lit up the sky in bright oranges and yellows and all of those magical sunset colors. Elyse + Brandon romped around the grass, having an absolute blast with each other, and taking in these beautiful views that they were seeing for the first time! These two actually traveled across the country to Olympic National Park, just for their engagement photos! Just as we were wrapping up, we were surprised by a few curious deer who wandered nearby — truly the cherry on top of an already incredible night.
Olympic National Park is my personal favorite national park, so getting to share part of it’s beauty with Elyse + Brandon for their engagement photos was everything! If you're dreaming up having engagement photos in Olympic National Park, here are a few reasons why it might be a good spot!
3 Reasons to Have Your Engagement Photos in Olympic National Park
1. Variety of Landscapes in One Park
Olympic is one of the most diverse national parks in the U.S. That’s why it’s my favorite! In just one day, you can explore mountain ridges, the lush Hoh Rainforest, and expansive, wild beaches. For your engagement photos, that means you can choose the vibe that fits you best — whether it’s mountaintop views like Hurricane Ridge, mossy trails in the Hoh Rainforest, or a sunset picnic at Ruby Beach.
2. Peace and Privacy, Even in the Summer!
Compared to other national parks, Olympic often feels quieter and more spacious. Especially if you’re up for a little hike, it’s easy to find private spots where it’s just you, your person, and maybe even the sound of some marmots or elk in the background!
3. Nature Just Feels More Magical Here
There’s something about Olympic that feels extra wild and extra special. It has such a calming, yet invigorating experience. Maybe it’s the quiet, lush rainforest, or the layers and layers of mountains, or how deer aren’t afraid to wander into your session like they’re part of the plan. If you’re looking for a place that makes your engagement photos feel like a storybook, this is it!
Feeling inspired by these photos in Olympic National Park? Check out these other elopement days on the Olympic Peninsula!
Hiking Elopement in Olympic National Park
FAQ for Planning an Elopement in Olympic
Whether you're already planning an adventure elopement or just want to celebrate your engagement with a fun, intentional day outside, Olympic National Park is one of my all-time favorite places to explore with couples. Let’s chat about how we can start dreaming up a once in lifetime elopement experience, or engagement photos in Olympic National Park!
Ready to schedule some engagement photos or book your elopement in Olympic National Park?
Let’s get started!