11 Ways to Elope Without Hiking in 2025
One of the most common misconceptions I encounter when chatting with couples who are considering an elopement is that they’re not adventurous enough to elope. There’s a bit of an unspoken myth out there that only avid hikers are allowed to have their wedding in an epic location, and today I’m going to talk about why that’s simply not true.
While some elopements do involve hiking, extreme sports, or adventurous activities like rock climbing or kayaking, it’s not a prerequisite in order to elope.
Who started the the myth that you have to hike on your elopement day?
As elopements gain traction on social media, trends and expectations have begun to form about what makes an elopement an elopement. It’s our natural human response to establish a viewpoint on the things we see, whether it’s simply internalized or we share it with others. There isn’t one single person who created the myth that you have to hike for your elopement, but it has become a bit of an assumption based on the kind of photos that tend to circulate the most or gain the most attention on Pinterest and Instagram.
Much like with traditional wedding days, there are certain opinions about what you should or shouldn’t do, and I’m here to remind you that elopements are meant to be a freeing alternative to a wedding day filled with stressful obligations. There’s no room for stress on your elopement day—what will make it special and the most “you” is doing things you actually enjoy, not what everyone else is doing.
The idea of having an elopement immersed in the wild beauty of nature is an exciting, refreshing way to experience your wedding day. But if hiking isn’t your thing or the idea of doing so on your wedding day just doesn’t light you up, you can absolutely still have a powerful experience and end up with incredible photos to remember your day—no hiking required.
The belief that you have to hike in order to reach a beautiful location for your elopement is an understandable one. Unless you spend much of your free time visiting national parks and public lands, it can be hard to imagine that you can access inspiring natural landscapes that look secluded and wild with very little effort. But the thing that is so cool about these locations is that in many cases, accessibility was built into the existing beauty.
America’s public lands have been around for thousands of years, and the entities governing these lands have only been managing them for a couple hundred years; the whole purpose of that land management is to keep its beauty pristine and wild so people can continue to visit for hundreds more years. Infrastructure has been put in place, roads have been paved, pull-offs and overlooks from main roads have been built, and hiking trails have been established. Meaning, you can visit these places without being required to traverse on foot like people would have in the days of environmental advocates like John Muir.
However, the balance between providing accessibility for people to enjoy beautiful lands and recreate responsibly outdoors means much of the land in these locations needs to remain untouched. There are over 40 million acres of designated wilderness areas across 50 of America’s 63 national parks as well as what’s called ‘Other Categories of Wilderness’:
“Many national parks have "other categories of wilderness" - lands not designated, but managed as wilderness per NPS policy. This includes the categories of eligible, proposed, recommended, and potential wilderness. Together with NPS designated wilderness, this means over 80 percent of all NPS lands are managed as wilderness.”
So, understanding that only 20% of national parks lands are managed as front country (easily accessible by the public) adds to the illusion that the majority of elopements require trekking through untamed landscapes just to find a private yet epic place to say your vows. With that in mind, how exactly is it that I’m proposing that you don’t have to hike to find these spots?
What kind of elopement locations don’t require hiking?
You might be surprised to learn that many of the gorgeous spots you see online in a couple’s elopement photos are taken on the side of the road, at an overlook in a national park, or right next to a parking lot. Accessibility to beautiful locations really does depend on the region you’re eloping in and how the infrastructure is set up, but there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops that don’t require hiking to get to. For example, there are so many spots in national parks that you’d think are hidden away in the backcountry wilderness, when really they’re just a minute or two walk from a parking lot.
But, I don’t want to make it seem that if you don’t want to hike, it means you have to say your vows next to a busy road. Depending on how populated the location is, “right off the road” still might feel like the middle of nowhere. A good example of this is Joshua Tree National Park in California, where you sometimes won’t encounter another person for several hours—even on the rock formations a couple hundred feet off the road. You’ll probably still see the road because the landscape is vast and open, but simply walking a short distance from the road still feels very secluded. Whether or not you’ll see other people just depends on time of year, time of week, time of day, and whether that particular spot is popular or not.
Acadia National Park in Maine has a large parking area next to the rocky cliffsides of Otter Point, and when you’re down on those rocks just across the road, the sound of the ocean waves drowns out any road noise.
Do you have to hike to elope?
My answer to this is probably obvious by this point, but it’s a resounding no! Personally, I love to hike and I love hiking elopements. I thoroughly enjoy researching hiking trails in my personal time and tracking how many miles I hike each year. It’s rare my husband and I take a trip away from home that doesn’t involve hiking, and we try to enjoy as many local trails as we can.
But even though I really love hiking as a hobby, I know not everyone does. Even if you would call yourself a hiker, you may not picture doing it on your elopement day, and that is perfectly okay! Eloping is about creating a day that reflects your relationship honestly, and that doesn’t mean you have to do all the things—even things you enjoy.
I think it’s also important to recognize at this point that one person’s definition of a hike may be completely different from another’s. Even one mile would be considered a hike, but if it’s on flat, level ground, it takes no time at all to get where you’re going and you probably won’t break a sweat. But one mile with 1,000’ of elevation gain up rocky terrain is a different story. Same distance does not equal same level of effort, so if you’re thinking you don’t want to hike on your elopement day because you’re picturing the latter, just know that not all hikes are created equal.
A real-world example of this is in Yosemite National Park in California. One of their designated elopement locations, Bridalveil Falls, is an 0.8 mile out-and-back trail with 114 feet of elevation gain. It takes an average of 21 minutes to hike, making it a very easy, accessible elopement location. It’s more like a chill walk, and one that leads to an incredibly gorgeous location for your elopement. There’s even restrooms nearby.
See how an elopement hike doesn’t always equal super intense outdoorsy adventure?
How to decide whether or not to hike on your elopement day
Ultimately, the two of you are the ones who will best know whether a hike is right for your elopement. However if you’re feeling split, here are a few factors to consider:
Are you okay with dedicating potentially several hours of your elopement timeline to a hike or would you rather use that time on a different activity?
When you visit natural landscapes, do you tend to prefer leisurely sightseeing or do you enjoy getting out into the landscape as much as possible?
Does the thought of getting dirt and mud on your or your partner’s dress make you smile or squirm?
If you’re thinking of inviting guests, would they be able to make the hike with you? Would you prefer to keep your hike reserved for just the two of you and meet up with your loved ones later?
I love hiking elopements as much as I love elopements that don’t involve hiking, and I’d love to help you figure out which one feels like the right fit for you! I’ve written several Example Elopement Timelines so you can get some tangible ideas for your own elopement. Some of the timelines involve hiking and some don’t, so you can compare and see which structure makes you feel the most excited.
In the end, what truly matters is that your day feels like the most authentic reflection of the two of you. No matter what that looks like, just the mental picture of it should make you feel elated and at peace about how you’re choosing to elope.
11 Exciting Ways to Elope Without Hiking
1. Make it a Camping Elopement
Imagine yourselves waking up on the morning of your elopement to the sound of chirping birds. You throw on a pair of shoes and step outside your tent/van/RV/camper and take a deep breath of fresh, morning air. The fiery orange sun is just starting to climb above the horizon, and a warm breeze blows past you with an invigorating “good morning” from nature. The two of you prepare some camp stove coffee as you sit outside, taking in the sounds, smells, and sights of the early morning, knowing this will be the best wedding day you could possibly imagine.
So many camping locations don’t require hiking or backpacking. You simply drive up, find a spot, and set up camp. Many campsites are first come first serve, while others allow you to make reservations in advance online to guarantee an available spot (which is what I recommend for a camping elopement).
Having a camping elopement is a perfect fit for those who enjoy roughing it, and being fully immersed in nature all day and through the night. For those who do van life, travel often, or simply enjoy getting away from the comfort of indoor living, a camping elopement is a no-brainer.
Best Camping Elopement Locations:
San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Zion National Park, Utah
Moab, Utah
2. Go Kayaking, Canoeing, or Paddle Boarding
There are so many ways to enjoy an elopement on the water, but some of the most fun include kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. Whether you’re keeping cool in the middle of summer or enjoying the chilly air of autumn, paddling along the water is a super enjoyable elopement day activity.
Best Water Elopement Locations:
Glacier National Park, Montana
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Lake Tahoe, California
Alpine Lakes of Colorado
3. Have a Snowboarding, Skiing, or Ice Skating Elopement
For a winter elopement, incorporating winter sports into your day is such a fun way to embrace the season and do something unique. Even if you just want to ride the ski lift to see the views and don’t partake in the activities, a winter elopement is magical in every way.
Best Winter Elopement Locations:
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Flagstaff, Arizona
Colorado
Washington
4. Say Your Vows by a Waterfall
Let’s go chasing waterfalls! Waterfall elopements are romantic, moody, and exciting. Even if there’s other people around, you gain an element of privacy because they likely won’t hear what you’re saying. Waterfalls create an atmosphere of magic and powerful beauty—the perfect setting for your outdoor elopement.
Best Waterfall Elopement Locations:
Oregon
Washington
Yosemite National Park, California
Toccoa Falls, Georgia
Iceland
5. Go Rock Climbing
For couples who love to go rock climbing and bouldering, there are a few locations that are well-known for exactly that. Including an activity that allows you to see even more of the landscape around you while participating in something you both thoroughly enjoy is bound to leave you feeling fulfilled with your day.
Best Rock Climbing Elopement Locations:
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Yosemite National Park, California
Moab, Utah
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
6. Have an Off-Roading Elopement
If you’d like to explore a rugged landscape from the comfort of your car, consider an off-roading elopement. There’s tons of off-roading trails all over the US, and it’s a perfect adventurous activity that doesn’t require a ton of physical energy (though getting tossed around in the car can be tiring in the best way). You’ll want a vehicle with high ground clearance and 4WD or AWD, and some locations are best traveled with a seasoned guide. However you choose to do it, off-roading is an exciting way to experience your elopement.
Best Off-Roading Elopement Locations:
Moab, Utah
Mojave National Preserve, California
Colorado
7. Go Mountain Biking
Where there’s mountains, there’s mountain biking trails, and there’s no better alternative to exploring as much of the landscape as you can up close an personal than by mountain bike. While it’s a bit of a logistical challenge to photograph, it’s 100% doable and a great way to embrace an adventure on your elopement day.
Curious how to go mountain biking in a wedding dress? Check out my blog on my favorite non-traditional wedding dress brands—the first one on that list is perfect for activities like mountain biking as they create custom bridal separates. And of course, when you do any kind of activity on your elopement day, you can be dressed comfortably and put on your elopement attire later if that’s what you want to do!
Best Mountain Biking Elopement Locations:
Bentonville, Arkansas
Crested Butte, Colorado
Park City, Utah
New Hampshire
8. Have a Beach Elopement
Something about being on the beach reminds us of what it feels like to be a kid again, and that carefree, playful spirit is exactly what a beach elopement is all about. You can run around in the sand together, play in the waves, climb on rock formations, build a fire and take a seat on washed up driftwood as the sun goes down.
Best Beach Elopement Locations:
Olympic National Park, Washington
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Acadia National Park, Maine
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
9. Take a Dip in a Hot Spring
While some hot springs are managed by resorts, there are also several wild hot springs right in the middle of nature. No matter which you choose for your elopement, soaking in a hot spring is yet another way to experience your wedding day untraditionally.
Best Hot Spring Elopement Locations:
Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado
Travertine Hot Springs, California
Langford Hot Springs, Texas
10. Go Stargazing
There are several locations across the country designated as International Dark Sky Places, awarded this title by the International Dark Sky Association for their commitment to limiting light pollution. Flagstaff, AZ was the first to be designated in 2001, and there’s now over 200 certified locations all over the world. A stargazing elopement gives you the chance to relax, slow down, and enjoy a magical experience together.
Best Stargazing Elopement Locations:
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Sedona, Arizona
Acadia National Park, Maine
11. Take a Helicopter Tour
Sometimes the best way to explore a certain landscape is from above! You can start and end in the same location or, if you really want an adventure, land somewhere else to say your vows or take your portraits. An especially cool way to have a day like this is taking a helicopter tour to a glacier!
Best Helicopter Elopement Locations:
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Alaska
Whether you choose one activity from this list, a combination of several, or you come up with your own unique way to elope, there’s no question that your elopement will be extremely special regardless of whether you hike or not.
Hey friend! I’m Andrea, a New Hampshire Elopement Photographer, and I’m so glad you’re here. I love helping couples plan elopements in the beautiful region of New England, and this blog is just one of the many ways I enjoy providing information that will help my couples enjoy a beautiful, fulfilling elopement experience.
Ready to begin planning your own elopement? Reach out and let’s get started!
