When it comes to eloping in Alaska there are so many beautiful locations to choose from. Between the snowcapped mountains, mossy waterfalls and oceanside views there is no shortage of picturesque scenery. Which makes it the perfect place for couples just like you! In this post, I’ll be sharing just a few of my favorite Alaska elopement locations.

Listed in no particular order are a few of my favorite places for elopements in Alaska.

1. Hatchers Pass
2. Eklutna Lake
3. Beluga Point
4. Palmer manmade beach
5. Exit Glacier
6. Denali National Park
7. Millers Landing
8. Virgin creek falls
9. Knik Glacier
10. Portage Lake

Best Alaska elopement locations

Hatchers Pass

Hatchers Pass is one of the most popular places in Alaska. This mountainous landscape welcomes everyone of its visitors with open arms. Whether you are looking to participate in your favorite recreational hobby or enjoy a scenic drive you can do both in Hatchers Pass. My favorite locations within the state park are; Summit Lake and Independence Mine.

Feeling inspired by the rugged yet beautiful landscape of Hatcher Pass? Check out Kelly and Joseph’s fall elopement in Hatchers Pass.

 

Eklutna Lake

Eklutna Lake is just an hour drive north of Anchorage and hosts some pretty picture perfect views. The lake is crystal blue due to glacier run off and is surrounded by mountains. During the summer months its the perfect place to go for a quick hike or even rent kayaks.

Can’t get enough of this lakeside oasis? Check out Caleb and Jennifer’s intimate and intentional Eklutna Lake elopement.

Beluga Point

Beluga Point is one of those places that truly doesn’t feel real. This cool spot is located on the Turnagain arm and has some of the best views of the mountains. When exploring this coastal oasis it is important to keep in mind the tides as Alaska experiences 4 changes to its tides per day.

Wanna see more of this oceanside location? Check out Mariah and Gary’s hiking elopement in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

Palmer man made beach

The man made beach hosts some great views of the Chugach mountains and is a common hangout spot. During the summer many take their Alaska toys out there and embark on an adventure. Its a fun spot to camp, bike, hike and catch some beautiful alpenglow.

 

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier is one of the only glaciers in Alaska that you can get to on foot. The easiest route for viewing and enjoying this location is via the Glacier view loop. This one mile loop will take you right up to the glacier and provide you with stunning views of the mountains in Seward.

 

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is another popular location in Alaska and with good reason! Its known for its wildlife viewing opportunities and for some of the best unspoiled locations in the Alaska wilderness. Inside the park their are trails that you can explore at your own pace but if you want a full tour of the park you can also explore by bus!

Ready to jump in your car and elope in Denali National Park? Then check out Rachel and Ben’s adventurous elopement in Denali National Park.

Resurrection Bay

Th Resurrection Bay is a fjord on the Kenai Peninsula and offers some pretty spectacular views. One of my favorite ways to truly experience this epic Seward location is by boat as they can stop in little coves along the way. Giving you a more full oceanside experience and allowing you to make the most of your time by the sea.

Wanna elope out on the Resurrection Bay? Then check out this Moody Sailboat elopement in Seward, Alaska.

 

Virgin creek falls

Virgin Creek falls is just a short drive south of Anchorage and located in the heart of Girdwood. This moss covered waterfall is only accessible by foot and will only take you 10-15 minutes to get to. During the summer this location gets pretty busy so you may make some new friends during your hike!

 

Knik Glacier

Knik Glacier is a 25 mile long glacier that feeds into the Knik river so the easiest way to truly see and experience all of it’s beauty is by air. It is surrounded by the Chugach mountains and is constantly changing every single day. Therefore it’s best to ask your pilot for their recommendations on scenic spots when you elope on the glacier.

 

Portage Lake

Portage lake is another glacier fed lake which means it also has icy blue water just like Eklutna. There are several parking lots at this location, but one of my favorites is off of a tucked away drive. This lot offers panoramic mountain views and sometimes has a field filled with purple colored flowers known as lupines.

Need to see more of this crystal blue lake? Check out Jessica and Daniels wedding day after session in Girdwood, Alaska.

Some considerations to keep in mind when choosing an Alaska elopement location

Time of year

Alaska experiences all four seasons and generally speaking summer is the most popular time to elope. This is because during this time, most if not all locations are accessible. As the seasons change locations also change with them. Below I’ll do a general seasonal breakdown so you can see what time of year is best for you.

Summer

• June to August
• Temperatures range from 65-80 degrees depending on location
• Many places are covered in a blanket of green and in some places wild flowers

Fall

• September to October (although most of the fall foliage is present mid to late September)
• Temperatures range from 45-55 degrees
• Fall foliage is covering the landscape

Winter

• November to March
• Temperatures range from 5-30 degrees
• Snow is present in most places

Spring

• April to May
• Temperatures range from 30-45 degrees
• Some locations may be experiencing breakup at this time due to snow melt (they may be a little muddy)

Tides

I know I briefly mentioned the Alaska tides above but I want to talk about those a little more. As they are very important to consider as they can pose a safety concern without awareness. The tides in Alaska change 4 times per day meaning that we experience 2 high tides and 2 low tides.

Which means certain locations may be inaccessible due to water depending on the cycle of the tide. Another important safety consideration to keep in regards to the tides is the mudflats. The mudflats can act as quick sand if you get stuck in them so its best to avoid them if you are not familiar with them.

Sunset times

Daylight vary’s quite a bit depending on the time of year in Alaska. During the summer Anchorage gets a total of 22 hours of daylight and during the winter we see as little as 5.5 hours. Light is one of the biggest pieces that determines the look of a photo. Therefore its always at the forefront of my mind.

Thats why I always recommend trying to plan your ceremony 3-4 hours before sunset. Although this may not always be feasible as sometimes the sun does not set until midnight. In that case in may be best to opt for a location that provides some sort of shade or even style lighting.

Crowds

Since Alaska is most commonly explored during the summer some places may be busier than others. So if you have your heart set on a certain place or experience while eloping in Alaska its best to book those in advance.

Now its time to choose your very Alaska elopement location!

I know I just shared a bunch of different Alaska elopement locations with you, but I promise that these are just few. There are plenty more that I keep close to the chest for the couples that work with me. So if you’re looking to elope in Alaska and want help finding a special place for your day I would be truly honored to work with you!