Kalispell Photographer- Ginny Allen Photography

A Guide to Help Adventurous Couples choose their Ceremony Site.

Glacier Park is probably one of the more complicated national parks to navigate, and houses 32 approved ceremony locations. With significant commutes between corridors, and less than ideal signage for the majority of ceremony locations, it can be very difficult to navigate by yourself. Some of these locations are 3+ from one another. I recommend booking a local GNP photographer before you do your planning and location choosing.. Local photographers will be able to help review all the locations you love, assist with submitting your permit and selecting of location/time, and the commute times between locations so that you can get the most out of whatever package size you choose for your photos. If you’re dreaming of an intimate, breathtaking wedding day surrounded by towering peaks, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, eloping in Glacier National Park might be the perfect fit for you. As a Montana-based wedding and elopement photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing some incredible “just us” moments in this awe-inspiring park. If you’re considering saying “I do” here, here’s a list of all the approved ceremony permit locations and examples of what they look like:

To legally elope in Glacier National Park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service.

Cost: Typically $125
Timeline: Apply at least 30 business days in advance, but no sooner than 1 year from your preferred date.
Where to Apply: Visit the Glacier NPS website to download the application and review current guidelines.

Please use the Parks Ceremony Site Website to Review Seasonal Closures and Construction Changes in addition to the Information Below:

1. Northfork Corridor- Hosts 2 Ceremony Permit Sites

Comically known as the worst backroad in all of the park, but worth it for the required huckleberry bear claw pitstop on the way by polebridge mercantile.

Bowman Lake: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Late May-October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed
Kintla Lake: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Late May-October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed

2. Apgar/Lake McDonald + West Side of Going to the Sun Road: Hosts 12 Ceremony Permit Sites

Apgar is one of the few areas of the park that is open Year round. If you are a winter bride, you’ll be choosing from any of the Apgar locations as far as the Lake McDonald Lodge. Anything past that, wont open until late May once snow removal has completed.

Apgar Amphitheater: Maximum Group Size of 250/ Open Year Round/No Decor/ No additional Seating
Apgar Picnic Area Area Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Year Round/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed
Fish Creek Ampitheater: Maximum Group Size of 200/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No additional Seating
Fish Creek Picnic Area Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 30/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs Allowed
Ryan Beach: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Year Round/No Decor/ 4 Chairs Allowed
7-Mile Pullout (Sandy Point): Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Year Round/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed
10-Mile Pullout (Jackson Bay): Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Year Round/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed
Lake McDonald Lodge Beach: Maximum Group Size of 30/ Open Year Round/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed
Sprague Picnic Area Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Late May-October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs allowed
Avalanche Amphitheater: Maximum Group Size of 100/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No additional Seating
Avalanche Picnic Area Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No additional Seating
Big Bend: Maximum Group Size of 10/ Open Late July- September/No Decor/ No additional Seating ( Must use Gravel Parking Area- Not the Meadow)

3. St.Mary’s and East Side of Going to the Sun Road: Hosts 7 Ceremony Permit Sites

Sun Point: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs Allowed
Rising Sun Amphitheater: Maximum Group Size of 100/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No additional Seating
Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs Allowed
St.Mary Amphitheater: Maximum Group Size of 75/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
1913 Ranger Station: Maximum Group Size of30/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs Allowed
Red Eagle Trailhead: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
CutBank Field: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating

4. Two Medicine Area: Hosts 4 Ceremony Permit Sites

Running Eagle Falls: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
Two Medicine Picnic Area Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 20/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
Two Medicine Amphitheater: Maximum Group Size of 75/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
Pray Lake Shoreline: Maximum Group Size of 30 / Open Late May- October/No Decor/ 4 Chairs Allowed

5. Many Glacier Valley: Hosts 4 Ceremony Permit Sites

Many Glacier Hotel Grass: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
Many Glacier SW Beach: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
Many Glacier Amphitheater: Maximum Group Size of 100/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating
Lake Josephine Beach: Maximum Group Size of 15/ Open Late May- October/No Decor/ No Additional Seating - One Mile Easy Hike to Location

Location Photos are a combination of my own collection of these locations over the years, and photos borrowed from the GNP Flicker Account, taken by various park rangers over the years.

Ready to Elope in Glacier National Park?

If this sounds like your dream, I’d love to be part of it. From location scouting and timeline help to capturing every joyful, emotional moment,I specialize in documenting adventurous love stories just like yours.

Let’s start planning your Glacier elopement today. Contact Me Here to get scheduled!