The Best and Most Scenic Places to Elope in Idaho from a Local

Scenic Idaho - the Gem State known for it’s postcard worthy scenery and millions of acres of national forest, jagged rocky mountains, and glittering alpine lakes. As a North Idaho elopement photographer, I have couples from all over the country come up here to elope in the breathtaking landscape this state has to offer. With Idaho being such an underrated state for elopements, I just had to write a blog about The Best and Most Scenic Places to Elope in Idaho from a Local to show you how perfect this state is for your elopement. Let me give you a virtual tour of my home state, starting from the Northern part of the state and working South.

Interested in eloping in Idaho? Head on over to my pricing and packages page to learn all about what’s included with my Idaho elopement packages. I’ll help guide you along the whole process of planning and photographing your elopement in this scenic state!

Where is the Most Beautiful Place in Idaho? 

A question I hear often is, where is the most beautiful spot in Idaho? Many people pick the Sawtooths, but after hearing about North Idaho - they may be torn (I’m honestly pretty torn myself)! I am definitely biased being from North Idaho - we have such a wonderful mix of all sceneries in this state. But after exploring each of my favorite places below, I’ll let you decide for yourself! 

Priest Lake

Known as the Crown Jewel of Idaho, Priest Lake is a top contender for one of the best places to elope in the Northern Idaho region. Only 30 miles from the Canadian border, the crystal clear lake sits nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, home to some of my favorite hiking trails with alpine lakes and jagged rocky peaks. This is a wonderful spot for outdoor activities at any time of the year (and a good place to see a moose)!

At the far North end of Priest Lake is a thoroughfare that leads up to Upper Priest Lake, a spot that can only be accessed by hiking, boat/kayaking. This is a wonderful spot for wildlife viewing, and then entering the Upper Lake is like finding a mountain paradise. 

This is also my go-to winter elopement location for Northern Idaho - since it lies so much further north, there’s much better chances of a winter wonderland setting than towns like Coeur d’Alene. Here’s a winter elopement example of a cozy cabin Priest Lake elopement in February so you can see how beautiful it was!

And for some Spring inspiration, this spring forest micro-wedding was one of my all time favorites to photograph in Priest Lake!

Hill’s Resort

Nestled in between gorgeous hemlock trees and right by the lake is Hill’s Resort! With quaint and rustic lakeside cabins to rent for you and your group to stay, there’s also a restaurant inside that offers a private dining experience for your intimate group.

Elkin’s Resort

With cozy cedar cabins, a marina, restaurant, Elkin's Resort another fantastic option for lodging and dining by the lake. The picturesque views that surround this resort are one you’ll just have to see for yourself. The lawn offers views of Chimney Rock, a tall, granite tower that you can see looming in the distant mountains. 

Priest Lake State Park

My family has spent several years here camping at Indian Creek Campground in Priest Lake State Park! The place is one of my favorite childhood memories. It’s a great place to ride bikes, there’s an amphitheater and a little general store to get amazing ice cream and souvenirs, and it has bathrooms and showers (plus the cutest little Columbian Ground Squirrels, and Steller’s Jays if you’re a bird nerd like me). There are several other campsites in the area if you’re looking to experience the rugged beauty up close, and hiking trails for all ages.

Priest Lake Adventures

For adventurous activities, Priest Lake Adventures offers UTV rentals/tours in the summer, and snowmobile excursions in the winter. Take a ride up to Sundance Mountain Lookout for incredible views of Priest Lake from above. Check out this 2 day Priest Lake elopement with UTV rides and sunset horseback riding!

Learn more about how to elope in Priest Lake Idaho with even more detailed information about this spot.

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: Any time of the year, but my favorites are February for winter elopements, and May-October.

• Scenery Types: Forest, Mountains, Lakes

• Activity Ideas: Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Camping, Snowmobiling, Huckleberry Picking, UTV Excursions, Drive up to a Lookout Tower

Lake Pend Oreille (Pronounced Pond-er-ay)

Spanning over 65 miles long and having a depth of 1,150 feet (they test submarines in this lake, crazy right?!), this is a beautiful lake with many features that would be amazing to incorporate into your Idaho elopement! This lake starts right outside the town of Athol (my hometown) and goes all the way up to Sandpoint. I've done many photo shoots and elopements here over the years, as it has the best views of the mountains with it being easy access. It has crystal clear water and there are mountains that rise straight up out of the water, complete with mountain goats. The boat launch at Farragut State Park makes this spot look like the popular elopement spot at Lake Crescent in Washington!

Farragut State Park

A state park located at the southern end of the lake is Farragut State Park! It used to be a WW2 naval training station with lots of history. This state park offers amazing camping, hiking opportunities, disc golf (a personal favorite of ours), swimming, mountain biking, and fishing. Also a great place for kayaking! This is also the place I got engaged back in October 2016 so it’s always been a special place to me! Farragut also offers a picnic pavilion perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony space and/or reception.

There’s also a wonderful overlook area that’s perfect for an easy-access ceremony location option. See what that looks like to elope in Farragut State Park at this spot.

Bayview

As a kid my family always took drives out to Bayview. It’s right outside Farragut State Park and it’s a quaint community right on the lake - so much so that there’s floating houses here! And for July 4th weekend the town shoots off fireworks (and watching the show from our boat in the water is an experience like any other)! And if you like Italian food, Taverna is a great dinner option (we just went here for our anniversary and it was fantastic, let’s just say that I tested it out for you guys and it was a success, 10/10)!

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: May-October

• Scenery Types: Mountains, Lakes, Field

• Activity Ideas: Boating, Kayaking, Fishing, Camping, Mountain Biking, Disc Golf, Paddleboarding

Sandpoint

Sandpoint is a stunning mountain town located at the northern tip of Lake Pend Oreille. With a main street full of local shops and more restaurants, this is a great place to visit if you're in the area. I often recommend this town for my couples to stay if they want to do a hike in the Selkirks for their elopement. 

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer Mountain Resort overlooks the town of Sandpoint and is Idaho’s largest ski resort! Open in the summer for scenic chairlift rides, hiking, and mountain biking, along with shops and restaurants. Winter also has these along with skiing and snowboarding. If you want yummy food with a great view (and by great, I mean views of Canada, Idaho and Lake Pend Oreille, Washington, and Montana) check out the Sky House - a mountaintop dining experience! It’s also available for weddings (can you imagine a mountain top micro-wedding here?? Yes please)!

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: June-September

• Scenery Types: Mountains, Lakes, Forest

• Activity Ideas: Hiking, Biking, Skiing/Snowboarding, Scenic Chairlift Rides, Shopping

Coeur d’Alene

Lake Coeur d'Alene is known as the Playground of the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason! There are so many things you can do here. From watersports, to parasailing, ziplining, hiking, taking a cruise, or even staying in a luxurious resort, there are plenty of things to do to keep busy! If you want to go further out of town, the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe River are popular summer places to hang out, especially if you like fly fishing or more summer activities like camping. Coeur d’Alene is also home to the world’s longest floating boardwalk.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort

If you’re looking for a luxurious, lakeside resort to stay at while you’re in town, the Coeur d’Alene Resort is a treat! Even if you aren’t staying at the resort, you can visit the main lobby that has shops and a lounge. The resort also has some fantastic restaurants, like Dockside, Tito’s or Beverly’s. There’s also a marina with scenic cruises of the lake - a great option for a reception with dinner.

Timberline Adventures

To see picturesque views of the Coeur d’Alene area from above, book with Timberline Adventures! With all inclusive packages available, you can do all 7 ziplines and have a tree house lunch included - what a fun (and adventurous) elopement activity to do! I’ve done the zipline tour myself for an elopement and it’s truly incredible, such a fun experience! Check out the ziplining elopement here!

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: May-October

• Scenery Types: Mountains, Lakes, Forest, Rivers

• Activity Ideas: Fishing, Boating, Hiking, Camping, Scenic Boat Tours, Ziplining, Shopping, River Floating

Wallace/Kellogg

Home of the popular Hiawatha Trail, Wallace has many outdoor activities to enjoy. Wallace is a historic mining town. Mountain biking, hiking in the national forest, and snow sports in the winter surround this beautiful area of the Silver Valley. There are also some great breweries and restaurants here. Fun fact: portions of the movie Dante’s Peak was filmed here!

Silver Mountain Resort

Silver Mountain Resort is a resort to ski or snowboard at that also has an indoor water park and America's longest gondola for exploring the slopes and mountain biking for the summertime. There’s also opportunities for scenic mountaintop weddings here! Check out this Silver Mountain Resort elopement!

Moon Pass Lookouts

Looking for a lookout tower getaway? These secluded Moon Pass lookout towers come with glass rooftops, so you can stargaze at night, and enjoy the forest all to yourselves. No wi-fi or cell service here, just you and the outdoors, and of course a cozy crackling fire.

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: June-September

• Scenery Types: Mountains, Forest

• Activity Ideas: Mountain Biking, Camping, Hiking, Scenic Chairlift/Gondola Rides and Snow Sports, Breweries, Water Park

McCall

McCall is a popular place to visit in the summer and in the winter. Located right at the base of Payette Lake and just north of Lake Cascade, this little town is so cute! In the winter, there are plenty of ski resorts to go to, and they have an activity barn with some winter activities great for kids! They also have a winter carnival. Other winter sports include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and Nordic skiing. There are also hot springs in the area - an outdoor winter elopement favorite! In the summer you can do things like hike, camp, mountain bike, kayak, ride horses, and swim. The Shore Lodge is a beautiful place to stay right on the lake as well - it would make for a beautiful place to get ready before getting married among the scenery!

For some McCall winter elopement inspiration check out this snowshoeing elopement in McCall at Ponderosa State Park!

Ponderosa State Park

Ponderosa State Park is located right in the middle of Payette Lake on a peninsula surrounded by the beautiful lake, mountains, and trees. There are views of the lake almost right as you enter the park, and it offers many hiking and other outdoor activities. Perfect for easy access ceremony locations without missing out on the views.

Tamarack Resort

Known as America’s only Ski, Golf, and Lake Resort, Tamarack Resort is a treat for an Idaho micro-wedding! The resort offers fine dining options, luxurious rooms to stay in, and different venue options for your wedding. There’s also hiking opportunities up on the mountain, along with scenic chairlift rides as well. Osprey Meadows Lodge is another superb option for a smaller intimate wedding.

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: June-September

• Scenery Types: Mountains, Lakes, Forest

• Activity Ideas: Horseback Riding, Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Boating, Kayaking, Camping, Snow Sports

Stanley/The Sawtooth Mountains

Located in the Sawtooth Mountain Range, Stanley is a little town with big views and tons of outdoor activities! There are amazing hot springs to visit anytime of the year. Other outdoor activities include swimming, hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, horseback riding, backpacking, and so much more! There are some incredible hot springs in the area as well. Nearby Redfish Lake is a popular destination, for good reason. It has great views of the Sawtooth's and is a great family recreation area.

Stanley Lake offers stunning views of the mountains and is my favorite lake down there! Many alpine lakes surround the area and are perfect if you love hiking or backpacking. Just about all the places you could stay at in town offer majestic views of the mountains as well. This charming mountain town is definitely an Idaho elopement hotspot - and it's definitely one of my top picks for an Idaho elopement location. 

Learn how to elope in Stanley here!

Redfish Lake Lodge and Marina

A lodge and marina located right on the shore of Redfish Lake! This lodge offers places to eat, stay, and rentals for a day out on the turquoise waters. The lodge also offers Sunset Appetizer Cruises - such a fun way to relax and eat some food, and take in the mountain views (you seriously need to take a boat out onto the lake to see how crazy the mountains are, there’s nothing else like it)!

To see just how beautiful this area is, take a look at this colorful summer Stanley elopement with a Sunset Appetizer Cruise.

• Best Time of Year to Elope Here: June-September

• Scenery Types: Mountains, Lakes, Forest, Field

• Activity Ideas: Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Boating, Kayaking, Camping, River Rafting, Mountain Biking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding

Ketchum + Sun Valley

A little bit further south than Stanley is the town of Ketchum and Sun Valley! Sun Valley is only about an hour away from Stanley, and with more options for amenities. Sun Valley was also America’s first destination ski resort, so it’s well known for snow sports. In the summer you can find lush green scenery. There’s a nice grocery store here and lots of condos you can stay in for your trip. It’s a gorgeous mountain town either in the summer or winter. Sun Valley also has the coolest looking Starbucks ever! These towns also have a bit more vendor options for your elopement too,

Wanna see a cozy winter Sun Valley elopement? Check it out!

Galena Lodge

In between Stanley and Sun Valley, you’ll go over a mountain pass in the Boulder Mountains, and you’ll come across Galena Lodge! A mountain recreation area where you can have a wedding, grab something to eat, or enjoy and go exploring in the mountains. A cozy little getaway tucked away in the mountains.

Victor + Driggs

The towns on the Idaho side of the Tetons! While I typically stay here when I work in the Tetons, this is still a wonderful spot to explore the beauty of the mountains - without having to go into the national park itself. Driggs and Victor have some great little restaurants, and still some amazing hiking opportunities to see the Tetons for yourself - but in Idaho! We always hit up Pearl Street Bagels when we are in town, they are so good! Victor has some very nice cabins that you can stay in, and this side of the Tetons is often more affordable than in Jackson. 

If you’re looking to elope in the Grand Tetons, I also specialize in this location and have a blog all about how to elope there, check that out here!

And there you have it - The Best and Most Scenic Places to Elope in Idaho from a Local! Which place would you pick for your Idaho elopement? Aren’t they all stunning? You really can’t go wrong. Idaho offers unbeatable scenery for your elopement!

Idaho Elopement Photographer

Hey there, it’s Karlie, your Idaho elopement photographer! If you need help picking a location (or just can’t narrow it down, I don’t blame you) schedule a free consultation call here and I’ll be happy to help walk you through picking the best spot for your vision! I’ve been to all of these places so I’ll personally be able to help you pick what’s best for your Idaho elopement.

Idaho Elopement Packages

As your local Idaho elopement expert, I provide you with so many resources to help you along in the planning journey for your Idaho elopement! Here’s what comes with all of my Idaho elopement packages:

↠ Booking Gift

↠ 72 Hour Turn-Around Time for 30+ Sneak Peek Images

​↠ Day of Elopement Gift

↠ Beautifully Edited Final Images

↠ Access to High Quality Print Products

↠ Free Video Consultation

↠ Timeline Creation

↠ Leave No Trace Guide

↠ 30+ Page Idaho Location Guide

↠ 90+ Page Elopement Planning Guide

↠ Vendor Recommendations

↠ Unlimited Planning Assistance

↠ 8 Week Turnaround Time for Full Elopement Gallery

↠ Travel & Accommodations are Covered for Photographer

Ready to come and elope in Idaho? Contact me for your Idaho elopement here! I cannot wait to meet you and talk all about your elopement!! Let's do this!