If you want to avoid the crowds of tour buses and hoards of people where you’re eloping, you have to be willing to put some miles on your hiking boots. In the park, the Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit allows couples with 12 people or fewer to leave the popular designated wedding sites and head into the wild!

Here is my curated list of the best easy hiking elopement locations, categorized by how much effort and time you want to put in to get the view.

01. Easy Location Hikes (Under 2 Miles Round-Trip)

For couples who want a backcountry feel without a massive time commitment or sweating through their wedding attire (or you can pack-in your wedding clothes!).

String Lake Shoreline

Effort: 1.0 mile round-trip (flat).

Time: 2-3 hours

Vibes: While the main bridge is busy, walking just 15 minutes down the String Lake Loop reveals private beach pockets. You get crystal-clear water and a massive view of Mount Moran.

Pro Tip: This is one of the few spots where the water is shallow enough to wade for photos without being dangerously cold in mid-summer.

Grand View Point

Effort: 1.8 miles round-trip (Moderate incline at the end).

Time: 1-4 hours

Vibes: Located in the northern part of the park near Jackson Lake Lodge, this trail is often overlooked by tourists. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the entire range and the valley below.

02. Moderate Location Hikes (3 to 5 Miles Round-Trip)

For couples who want to spend more  of their day in the mountains with a true alpine lake aesthetic.

Taggart Lake

Effort: 3.5 miles round-trip (Moderate hills).

Time: 1-2 hours

Vibes: This is the gold standard for hiking elopements. The mountains rise directly out of the water. It looks and feels incredible.

Pro Tip: Time your ceremony for 2 hours before sunset. The Grand will block the sun early, giving you that soft, cinematic mountain glow while the valley is still lit.

Leigh Lake Shoreline

Effort:  3.7 miles round-trip (Flat).

Time: 1-2 hours

Vibes: You’ll hike past String Lake into a much larger, quieter wilderness. Leigh Lake is massive and silent. It’s the perfect spot for a private picnic after your vows.

Phelps Lake Overlook

Effort: 2.5 miles round-trip (Steady climb).

Time: 1-2 hours

Vibes: Starting from the Death Canyon trailhead, this hike leads to a dramatic rocky ledge overlooking the sapphire-blue Phelps Lake. It has a “high-alpine” feel without the 10-mile trek.

If you’re looking for even longer and more strenuous hiking options, reach out and I’ll share those, too! They just aren’t as common for eloping couples to choose.

Important! The 12-Person Rule for Hiking Locations

To elope on these trails, your group must be 12 people  or fewer This count includes:

•  Couple (2)
•  Photographer (1)
•  Officiant (1 -I can also officiate!)
•  Guests/Witnesses (Need 2 in Wyoming)/Videographer (Up to 8)

If your group is 13 or larger, you are legally required to use the Large Site-Specific Ceremony locations like Schwabacher Landing or Glacier View.

04. Practical Tips for Hiking Elopements

The Pack-In Method: Most brides hike in athletic wear or comfy clothes and pack-in their dress, then change once we reach the ceremony location. I can carry a pop-up changing tent so you can feel fresh for your I Do’s. 

Footwear: Wear real hiking boots for the trek. You can pack your pretty shoes, but in the Tetons, wearing Danner or Merrell boots looks much more iconic anyway (plus, your feet will thank you).

Bear Safety: All of these trails are in active grizzly territory. I always carry bear spray (and I recommend every person rents and carries their own, too), and we will follow all NPS Bear Safety Protocols.

Ready to hit the trail?

The best views in the Tetons are earned, not given. As your photographer and trail guide, I’ll help you pick the trail that fits your fitness level and vision for your elopement day.

Lace up your hiking boots, and let’s get you married!

Xx Jess