Lake Crescent and Ruby Beach Elopement, Washington Elopement locations, Eloping in the PNW
Lake Crescent and Ruby Beach Elopement in One Day?
WE CAN! And if we’re doing both, I do have a pretty specific opinion about the order..
I’d start at Ruby Beach around sunrise, take our time exploring the coastline, stop in Forks for lunch and a much-needed break, then finish the day at Lake Crescent.
I know that might sound backward if you’ve read my Ruby Beach elopement guide, because I usually prefer photographing that beach closer to sunset. But when we’re combining these two locations, I’d make an exception.
Ruby Beach gives us those enormous sea stacks, driftwood everywhere and the possibility of some incredible misty morning weather. Lake Crescent gives us mountain views, beautiful forest scenery and a sunset that I personally think is worth saving for the end of the day.
We get the beach, the mossy trees, the mountains and the lake without spending the entire day driving around Olympic National Park trying to see absolutely everything.
That’s my kind of elopement day.
Why I’d Start at Ruby Beach Around Sunrise
Ruby Beach is incredible for those huge, pulled-back landscape photographs where you look tiny against the sea stacks and the ocean. And while I love a colorful sunset there, I think sunrise makes a lot of sense when we have Lake Crescent planned for later.
First, we don’t actually need pink skies to make Ruby Beach look amazing.
We might get some beautiful morning color, but we could just as easily arrive to find the coast covered in mist. Honestly, I’m happy with either. That moody, foggy atmosphere can make the sea stacks look enormous, and we still get all the driftwood and rugged beach scenery that makes this place so good.
Starting early also gives us a better chance of finding parking before the busiest part of the day. Ruby Beach is popular, and there will probably still be other people around, but sunrise generally gives us a quieter starting point than arriving in the middle of a summer afternoon.
The one thing that gets to overrule my sunrise plan is the tide. If the water isn’t cooperating, we’re not going to force it just because I had a cute timeline in mind.
We need to check the tide forecast for your actual wedding date and make sure the areas we want to explore are safe. If sunrise and a favorable tide don’t line up, we’ll adjust the schedule or rethink which parts of the beach we visit.
Full Ruby Beach elopement thoughts over here
What Our Morning at Ruby Beach Could Look Like
I’d want us to arrive with enough time to enjoy the morning rather than racing down the trail because the sun is about to come up.
We can start with a few photographs as the sky gets lighter, wander among the driftwood and find some of those enormous landscape compositions. Depending on the tide, we may be able to explore farther along the shoreline, but I wouldn’t make reaching a specific sea stack the whole point of the morning.
If you’re exchanging vows at Ruby Beach, we can plan your ceremony around the tide and the light. Or we can save your vows for Lake Crescent later and simply enjoy the coast together.
I also wouldn’t try to photograph every single inch of the beach before we leave. We’ve got another beautiful location waiting for us, and I’d rather leave Ruby Beach feeling like we actually enjoyed it than spend the entire morning chasing one more photograph.
Stop in Forks for Lunch and an Actual Break
After our morning at Ruby Beach, we’ll head north toward Forks. It’s a convenient stop on the way to Lake Crescent, and I’d plan on spending more than 20 minutes there.
We’re getting lunch.
We’re getting coffee.
AND we’re sitting down for a bit.
I know it’s tempting to keep moving when there are so many beautiful places nearby, but we’ve already been up before sunrise and spent the morning exploring a beach. I don’t want you arriving at Lake Crescent feeling like you’ve been running around for ten hours.
Forks is about a 35-minute drive from Ruby Beach under normal conditions. From there, it’s roughly another 45 minutes to the Lake Crescent Lodge area, depending on traffic and road conditions.
We can grab something casual, find a diner or take a proper break at a coffee shop. Maybe we get a few photographs while we’re out, but I’m not trying to turn lunch into another elaborate photography location.
This is also a good opportunity to change clothes, freshen up or take a little time away from the camera before the second half of the day.
Why I’d Save Lake Crescent for Sunset
This is where I get a little opinionated. I personally think Lake Crescent is prettier at sunset when we’re planning photographs with the mountain peaks behind you.
I love the way the evening light can work with the landscape around the lake. Depending on the exact spot we choose, we can position ourselves to take advantage of the light on the surrounding mountains while still getting those beautiful water views.
Of course, the sun’s position changes throughout the year, and the mountains can affect when a particular section of shoreline falls into shadow. We’d plan around your actual date rather than assuming every lakeside viewpoint gets the same sunset.
But when we’re deciding between the beach and the lake for our evening location, Lake Crescent gets my vote.
It’s also a completely different atmosphere from Ruby Beach. We started the morning with ocean waves, massive driftwood and a rugged coastline. Now we get this beautiful mountain lake surrounded by forest.
And because we aren’t trying to race to another location afterward, we can actually slow down and enjoy it.
You Can Get Beautiful Mossy Forest Photos at Lake Crescent, Too
One of the reasons I love this particular combination is that we don’t have to squeeze the Hoh Rain Forest into your wedding day just because you want photographs surrounded by mossy trees.
Lake Crescent has beautiful forest scenery of its own. The area around Lake Crescent Lodge gives us access to the shoreline and nearby forest trails, including Moments in Time.
We can wander among the trees, find some beautiful moss-covered backgrounds and get that lush Pacific Northwest atmosphere without adding another major drive to the itinerary.
And honestly, after starting the day at sunrise, I think you’ll appreciate not having to fit an entire third destination into the afternoon.
Moments in Time Trail
The Moments in Time Trail is a short nature trail near Lake Crescent Lodge. It offers forest scenery close to the lake, making it a useful option when you want both landscapes without spending hours hiking.
The trailhead is among the Lake Crescent locations currently listed as open by the National Park Service, although it’s always worth checking conditions before your visit.
I’d plan a little time here before we head toward the water. We can get those mossy forest photographs, enjoy the quieter atmosphere and then move to the lake as the evening light starts getting pretty.
Also the lake has great pull of picnic spots! Seriously we could grab to-go lunch and make it a whole cute table spread with the views.
A Sample Lake Crescent and Ruby Beach Elopement Timeline
This is the general flow I’d use for a summer elopement. Sunrise and sunset times vary a lot throughout the year, so we’d adjust the actual hours around your wedding date, the tide forecast and how much daylight we have.
| Time | What we’re doing |
|---|---|
| 5:00 a.m. | Finish getting ready and head toward Ruby Beach |
| 5:30 a.m. | Arrive, walk down to the beach and start exploring |
| 6:00 a.m. | Sunrise portraits among the sea stacks and driftwood |
| 7:00 a.m. | Beach ceremony or more time exploring, depending on the tide |
| 8:30 a.m. | Finish at Ruby Beach and head back toward Forks |
| 9:15 a.m. | Breakfast, coffee and a proper break |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch in Forks and some downtime |
| 1:30 p.m. | Head toward Lake Crescent |
| 2:30 p.m. | Arrive at the lake, relax and explore the forest |
| 4:30 p.m. | Lakeside portraits and your ceremony, if you’re saving your vows for the lake |
| Evening | Sunset portraits with the mountains, followed by dinner |
And yes, that’s a long day. Which is exactly why I want us to build in actual breaks instead of filling every spare hour with another destination.
We don’t need to photograph nonstop from sunrise to sunset. If you’re staying at Lake Crescent Lodge, we can take a longer afternoon break, freshen up and head back outside when the light is getting good.
The timeline should give us room to enjoy the day, not make you feel like you’re working through an itinerary.
Should You Have Your Ceremony at Ruby Beach or Lake Crescent?
I’d make this decision based on which landscape you want surrounding you when you exchange vows.
Ruby Beach gives you the sound of the ocean, dramatic sea stacks and the possibility of a beautifully misty morning. It’s a wonderful setting when you want your ceremony to feel like part of a coastal adventure.
Lake Crescent gives you the mountains, water and a quieter forest atmosphere. If you’re staying at the lodge, you also have the convenience of being close to your accommodations at the end of the day.
Personally, I love the idea of doing your first look and morning adventure at Ruby Beach, then saving your vows for Lake Crescent. We can explore the forest beforehand, have your ceremony near the lake at an appropriate location and finish with those mountain views as the sun gets lower.
But if your heart is set on saying your vows with the Pacific Ocean behind you, we can absolutely make Ruby Beach the ceremony location instead.
Olympic National Park’s current wedding guidance (Trust me this can change so don’t come for me if it changes I try update!!) says groups of five or fewer do not need to apply for a wedding permit, while larger groups must apply. Everyone counts toward that number, including the couple, photographer, officiant and guests. All ceremonies must follow park rules and avoid disrupting other visitors.
Where I’d Stay for a Lake Crescent and Ruby Beach Elopement
I’d stay near Ruby Beach the night before and at Lake Crescent the night after. It makes so much more sense than finishing a beautiful sunset at the lake and then driving all the way back to Forks because that’s where you left your bags.
The Night Before: Forks
Forks is a practical home base for our early morning beach adventure. You can find cabins, vacation rentals and hotels, and you’re close enough to Ruby Beach that we won’t need an unnecessarily long drive before sunrise.
I’d plan to arrive the day before, get settled and have everything ready for an early start.
Your Wedding Night: Lake Crescent Lodge
Staying at Lake Crescent Lodge would be such a lovely way to finish this particular day.
Imagine spending the evening taking photographs beside the lake, watching the light change on the mountains and then realizing you’re already home for the night.
We can finish our portraits, head back to the lodge and enjoy dinner without another long drive.
You could also choose a nearby cabin or another accommodation in the Lake Crescent area if you’d prefer a little more privacy.
Just remember that the lodge has seasonal operations and availability can be limited, so confirm the schedule for your wedding date before booking.
When Is the Best Time of Year for a Lake Crescent and Ruby Beach Elopement?
Summer is generally the easiest season for a sunrise-to-sunset day because we have more daylight to work with. That said, it also means a very early start and a potentially late finish.
Late spring and early fall can be beautiful too, particularly when you love moody coastal weather and cooler temperatures. With shorter daylight hours, we’d need to be more intentional about our timing and possibly shorten the afternoon break.
Winter is where I’d be more cautious about committing to this exact itinerary. The days are short, coastal storms can affect beach access and the weather may not give us enough flexibility to comfortably explore both locations.
No matter the season, I’d check the tides at Ruby Beach and current park road and trail conditions before we finalize the schedule. The National Park Service warns that rising tides, powerful waves and moving driftwood can create dangerous conditions along the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Ruby Beach and Lake Crescent in one day?
Yes. They’re approximately 62 miles apart, with a typical drive of around 1 hour and 20 minutes without stops. I’d allow additional time for traffic, construction and our break in Forks.
Also, if a tree falls on the road (it happens) we just need to be excited for plan a + plan b
Is sunrise or sunset better at Ruby Beach?
For a Ruby Beach-only elopement, I personally prefer planning closer to sunset. But when we’re combining Ruby Beach and Lake Crescent, I’d start at the beach around sunrise and save the evening for the lake.
The tide forecast still determines whether our planned beach timing is safe.
Can we get rainforest-style photos without visiting the Hoh Rain Forest?
Yes, and that’s one of my favorite things about this itinerary. The forest around Lake Crescent gives us beautiful mossy trees and lush scenery without adding another major destination to an already full day.
Is this too much for one elopement day?
It depends on how you feel about an early start and a full day of exploring.
I’d absolutely build in breaks, and I wouldn’t add more major locations. If the idea of being out from sunrise to sunset sounds exhausting, we can shorten the day or split the locations across two days! Multi day elopements means more joy over more days holla!
Should we stay in Forks or at Lake Crescent?
For this specific route, I’d choose Forks the night before and Lake Crescent the night after. That keeps us close to Ruby Beach for sunrise and puts us right where we want to be at the end of the day.
But if the idea of switching up your lodging sounds exhausting do what feels right for you.
Let’s Plan Your Olympic National Park Elopement
If you want both Ruby Beach and Lake Crescent, this is how I’d love to do it.
We start the day with the Pacific Ocean, massive sea stacks and whatever beautiful, moody weather the coast decides to give us. We stop in Forks, eat something good and take a real break. Then we head to Lake Crescent for mossy trees, mountain views and an evening by the water.
And if you’re staying at the lodge, we don’t even have to get back in the car when we’re finished.
I’m Jamie, the photographer behind Jamie Tobin Photography. I love creating elopement days that give you room to explore without making you feel like you need to see the entire national park before dinner.
If you’re dreaming about an Olympic National Park elopement with a little bit of everything, I’d love to hear what you’re imagining.
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