Thinking about planning a rock climbing wedding or elopement? First off – yes, this is absolutely a thing and it’s the perfect experience for couples who want to include one of their favorite activities into their wedding day. Whether you’re seasoned climbers or are looking for a unique way to incorporate some adventure into your day, planning a rock climbing elopement can be a fun way to celebrate! In this blog post, I’m sharing my top tips for how to plan a rock climbing elopement from locations to consider, what to pack, and more!
Choose Your Rock Climbing Wedding Location
Choosing where to elope is one of the first decisions you’ll likely make when planning your rock climbing wedding! There are some seriously incredible rock climbing locations all around the U.S., but here are my top five picks. These climbing locations not only have some amazing climbs, but also some stunning backdrops that are perfect for your ceremony.
5 of the Best Rock Climbing Elopement Locations in the U.S.
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Smith Rock State Park is not just one of the best places to elope in Oregon, but it’s also one of the best places to go rock climbing! In fact, this park is known to be the birthplace of sport climbing in the U.S.! Located in central Oregon, the park has over 2,000 climbing routes ranging from fourth grade to 5.14! This means there is a climb for everyone!
I had the pleasure of capturing Shannon and Ryan’s engagement shoot at this location (which you can check out here). These two are avid rock climbers and they love this area so much that they even chose this location again for their two-year wedding anniversary session!
Best For: Sport Climbing
Climbing Grade: 4th class – 5.14
Best Time to Visit: While climbing is possible year-round, I recommend visiting during the spring or fall months as the summer months can get very hot!
Joshua Tree National Park, California
If you’re looking for a desert landscape with an otherworldly vibe, Joshua Tree is the place for you. This national park is famous for its unique rock formations and challenging climbing routes, making it an ideal spot for a rock climbing elopement. Plus, the sunsets here are always stunning!
Best For: Traditional-style Crack, Slab, and Steep Face climbing
Climbing Grade: 4th class – 5.14
Best Time to Visit: Fall to springtime is the most ideal climbing season in Joshua Tree. Summers can get dangerously hot, but the rest of the year is beautiful!
Yosemite National Park, California
Home to El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite is one of the most famous rock climbing destinations in the world! Many of the climbs here range more in the intermediate to advanced grades, but even if you aren’t an experienced climber, the granite walls and valley views provide some of the best backdrops for your ceremony.
Best For: Big Wall Climbing
Climbing Grade: 5.0 – 5.15+
Best Time to Visit: Similar to the first two locations, the summer months in Yosemite can get hot (not to mention crowded). I recommend climbing during the spring and fall months for the most ideal climbing and elopement experience.
Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Located just outside Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon offers dramatic red rock formations and world-class climbing. If vibrant red sandstone cliffs set against blue skies sounds like your ideal elopement setting, then this is the location for you! Whether you’re looking for technical climbing or easy routes, Red Rock Canyon has something for everyone. Plus, it’s just a short drive from the city, making it an adventurous and convenient destination.
Best For: Sport and Traditional Climbing
Climbing Grade: 5.0 – 5.15+
Best Time to Visit: Fall to spring are some of the best months for a rock climbing wedding at Red Rock Canyon. Summers can get extremely hot, but the winters here are generally mild making for ideal climbing conditions.
Washington State
With multiple mountains, national, and state parks, there are seriously so many places to go rock climbing in Washington State! Two of my favorite areas are Index and Leavenworth. Fun fact – according to climbing.com, Leavenworth has the highest density of rock climbing in the entire state! Both Index and Leavenworth are nestled in the heart of the North Cascades range and offer a wide range of crags and climbs for all levels. Plus, they are surrounded by some of the most beautiful alpine lakes, forests, and mountain peaks you can imagine so you truly can’t go wrong with planning your rock climbing elopement in this location.
Best For: Bouldering and Traditional Climbing
Climbing Grade: 3rd class – 5.13+
Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall are some of the best months to plan a rock climbing elopement in Washington State. Spring can be rainy, but the summer season in the PNW is absolutely incredible!
Hire Your Rock Climbing Elopement Photographer
When it comes to planning your rock climbing wedding or elopement, you’ll need a photographer who has experience rock climbing environment and knows how to photograph in this setting. Not every photographer is experienced with climbing, so this is something you’ll want to look for when planning your day. I personally have experience with both rock climbing and rappelling, so I can safely (and beautifully) capture your adventure from the best angles.
Decide When You Want to Hold Your Rock Climbing Wedding or Elopement
Choosing when to hold your rock climbing elopement is crucial to having a safe and enjoyable experience. Not only do you need to account for climbing conditions, but you’ll also want to consider the best time of year for your location as well as the time of day for optimal lighting and weather.
While the best time of year will be location dependent, the ideal time of day for a climbing elopement is either early in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer and the crowds are smaller. Sunset can create a magical atmosphere, plus you’ll be able to climb without having the sun shine directly in your eyes. However, when planning a sunset rock climbing elopement, keep in mind that rock climbing can be physically demanding. If you are planning your rock climbing later in the day, be sure to incorporate some rest time beforehand so you feel energized and can enjoy the experience.
Book Your Transportation and Accommodations
Once you have the details of your day planned out, you’ll want to book your travel and accommodations. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
If your rock climbing wedding is taking place in a more remote location, make sure your vehicle is capable of handling dirt roads or rocky terrain. Some locations may require parking and then hiking in, so make sure to account for this time when creating your elopement timeline.
When choosing a place to stay, consider looking for an Airbnb that is close to your climbing location. This will help reduce the amount of drive time on your day, which can be especially nice after a long day filled with adventure. For Shannon and Ryan’s session at Smith Rock State Park, we worked with an amazing Airbnb that is owned by a rock climbing family. Not only was the cabin beautiful, but it also made for the perfect place to get ready for the big day. If you are planning a rock climbing elopement in Smith Rock, check out their beautiful space here.
Apply for Your Marriage License & Permits if Necessary
One of the most important steps in making your rock climbing wedding official is to apply for your marriage license. Each state has different requirements, so once you have decided on a location, be sure to research the local rules and regulations. Some states have a waiting period so if you are traveling from out of state be sure to apply online or allow for a few extra days to complete the process.
Many national and state parks also require permits for weddings and elopements. Depending on where you hold your ceremony and how many guests you plan to invite, you may need to apply for a special use permit and pay a fee. Be sure to also check if any climbing permits are needed in order to avoid running into issues on your wedding.
Shop for Your Rock Climbing Wedding Attire
Choosing what to wear for your rock climbing wedding may look a little different than a traditional wedding or adventure elopement. Traditional suits, jumpsuits or pant suits, and wedding dresses with slits are all great options for rock climbing wedding attire as they allow for more movement and flexibility.
Here are a couple tips to keep in mind when shopping for your wedding outfit.
- Choose something that is comfortable and allows for easy movement
- Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics so you don’t feel weighed down
Of course, if you don’t want to wear your wedding attire during your climb – that’s totally fine! You can always change into your dress or suit for your ceremony afterward.
Plan Your Timeline, Logistics, and Other Activities
When planning a rock climbing wedding or elopement, it’s important to consider not only the logistics of the ceremony itself but also the climbing routes and activities you want to do before and after. If your climb is your main activity, I recommend adding other activities that don’t require as much energy or effort. This way, you can feel energized for the task ahead and still enjoy all the other moments throughout your day. Some activities to consider are a picnic or small celebration afterward. Simply sharing a bottle of champagne on the rocks or taking in the views from below can be so memorable.
When it comes to planning a rock climbing elopement, my biggest tip is to choose a route that is slightly easier than your normal climb. While it can be tempting to go all out remember that this is your wedding day and you likely have other moments and experiences to consider. Putting all your effort into a climb can leave you feeling exhausted and unable to fully enjoy the other parts of your day.
You’ll also want to add in some buffer time to your elopement timeline. You never know how much time a climb is going to take so having some extra time will allow you to enjoy the experience and not feel rushed.
Pack Your Gear & Enjoy Your Rock Climbing Wedding
At this point, all that’s left to do is pack the essentials and enjoy your special day. In addition to your climbing gear, make sure you bring any wedding-specific items like wedding attire, rings, vow books, and any other special momentos.
And, most importantly, remember to enjoy the experience! Not only are you getting married, but you’re also incorporating one of your favorite shared activities and I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than that!
Ready to book your own rock climbing wedding or elopement? Click on the link below to inquire!