Ruby Beach is one of the most dramatic places on the planet to say “I do.” Towering sea stacks rising straight out of the Pacific. Driftwood the size of small buildings scattered across the shore. Waves crashing while fog rolls in off the water. If you’ve been staring at photos of this place and thinking that’s it, that’s where we’re eloping, you’re not wrong.

Here’s what you actually need to know before you show up: a Washington State marriage license with a mandatory 3-day waiting period, a Special Use Permit from Olympic National Park, a solid read on the tide schedule, and a clear understanding that sunset is your moment here, not sunrise. Ruby Beach faces west. The ocean lights up at golden hour in a way that honestly doesn’t seem real until you’re standing in it.

This guide covers everything. Permits, logistics, seasonal differences, where to stay, crowds, and the things most guides skip over entirely.

Why Ruby Beach Is One of the Best Elopement Locations in the Country

It’s not hyperbole. Ruby Beach sits inside Olympic National Park on Washington’s rugged Pacific Coast, about 3.5 to 4.5 hours from Seattle depending on where in the park you’re headed. The parking lot drops you onto a short, 0.2-mile trail down to the shore, and then you’re there. One mile of beach. Sea stacks rising out of the water. Old-growth forest pressing up against the edge of the sand. Tide pools. Driftwood. The sound of actual ocean waves drowning out everything else in the world.

This is the kind of place that makes couples from Kentucky fly across the country and couples from Seattle forget they’ve been meaning to visit for years. It’s that good. If you’re still deciding whether a destination elopement or a destination wedding is the right call for you, this post breaks that down before you commit to anything.

A few reasons it stands out even among the best coastal elopement spots in the US:

• Accessibility. There’s no five-mile hike to get there. The parking lot is right off Highway 101. The beach is a 0.2-mile walk. If that’s not the most accessible dramatic landscape in America, it’s close.
• Year-round availability. Unlike many locations in Olympic National Park, the coast doesn’t snow out in winter. Ruby Beach is accessible in every season, which means your date options are genuinely wide open.
• Dog friendly. Bring them. If you’re planning to elope with your pets and need a full breakdown of how to actually pull that off, this guide has you covered.
• Scale. The beach is a full mile long. You can walk far enough from the parking lot entrance to feel completely alone, even on a summer weekend.
• The visuals work in any light. Overcast? The moody gray sky makes the sea stacks look like something out of a different world. Clear day? The water turns this impossible blue-green and the Destruction Island Lighthouse appears on the horizon. Foggy? Even better.

Sunrise vs. Sunset at Ruby Beach: Which One Is Actually Worth It

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your Ruby Beach elopement, and it’s one that a surprising number of guides get vague about.

Ruby Beach faces west. That means the sun sets over the ocean and rises behind the forest at your back. Sunrise at Ruby Beach still gives you soft, diffused light, often with mist rolling in, and very few people. It’s genuinely beautiful. But sunset is the main event. If there’s even a sliver of clear sky, the sea stacks catch the last light of the day and the water turns colors you’d swear were edited in. It’s not. That’s just what happens here at golden hour.

If your priority is dramatic skies, go sunset. If your priority is having the beach almost entirely to yourselves, consider sunrise, especially in summer. In fall and winter, crowds thin out regardless, so you can often plan a sunset elopement without worrying much about other visitors in your frames.

One thing that applies to both: check the tide schedule before you commit to a time. At low tide, you can walk out close to the sea stacks, access the tide pools, and explore the rock formations that make Ruby Beach so visually distinct. At high tide, the shoreline narrows. You can still hold a ceremony, and it’s still beautiful, but you won’t have access to all of it. Download a tide chart app before you lose cell service, because there is no cell service at Ruby Beach for most carriers. Download offline maps too.

When to Go: Ruby Beach by Season

Summer and fall are the sweet spots for most couples. Here’s an honest breakdown of what each season actually looks like.

Summer (June through August)

This is peak season for a reason. Longer days mean more light and more time on the beach. Temperatures are mild and pleasant. You’re most likely to get clear skies and those sunset colors that make your jaw drop. The tradeoff: Ruby Beach is one of the most visited spots in Olympic National Park, and in summer it shows. Weekends especially can feel busy near the parking lot entrance. Walk half a mile down the beach and the crowds thin fast, but you need to build that into your plan. Weekday summer elopements are significantly calmer.

If you want the best weather, warmest temperatures, and the most reliable light, summer is your season.

Fall (September through November)

Crowd levels drop noticeably after Labor Day. The light gets lower and more golden. Occasional rain adds an atmospheric, moody quality to the photos that honestly looks incredible. This is when you get the full PNW vibe everyone pictures when they imagine this coast. Temperatures stay reasonably mild at sea level. It rains more. That’s not a reason to avoid fall; it’s a reason to plan for it and embrace it.

Winter (December through February)

The quietest season by far. Almost no crowds, dramatic storms, powerful waves, and a certain wild quality that appeals to couples who are genuinely not trying to share their elopement day with a parking lot full of people. The coast doesn’t get snow and stays accessible. The catch: weather is unpredictable and rain is common. You’re not guaranteed a dramatic sunset. But if you get a clear winter day at Ruby Beach, it’s unlike anything else.

Spring (March through May)

Lush, green, misty, and far less crowded than summer. The forest above the beach is incredibly vivid. Light is softer. Good option if you want the feeling of summer without the volume.

The honest recommendation: summer and early fall give you the most reliable conditions. If you’re flying in from out of state specifically for this, aim for June through September and go on a weekday if you can.

The Permit You Need to Elope at Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is inside Olympic National Park, which means you need a Special Use Permit to hold a ceremony there. This is not optional. Here’s how it works:

If you want the full picture of how to plan a destination elopement from start to finish, including choosing a location, building a timeline, and navigating the logistics, this step-by-step guide walks through all of it. But here’s what’s specific to Ruby Beach:

Special Use Permit

The permit is required for any wedding or elopement ceremony at Ruby Beach. The application fee is typically $100. You apply directly through Olympic National Park, and the NPS recommends submitting your application at least 3 to 4 weeks before your date. Give yourself more lead time if you can. As of recent updates, groups of fewer than 5 people (including your photographer) may not require a formal permit for some locations in the park, but this changes and the specifics vary. Contact the Olympic National Park Visitor Center directly to confirm what’s required for your group size and date before assuming anything.

Park Entry Fee

You’ll also need to pay the Olympic National Park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 consecutive days. If you’re planning to explore other parts of the park before or after your elopement (which you absolutely should, because you’re already there), one fee covers multiple visits within that window. Purchase and print your pass in advance.

No cell service reminder: Download the permit confirmation to your phone before you leave. You won’t have service at the beach to pull it up.

Washington State Marriage License: What You Need to Know

This is the part where couples most often run into timing problems, so pay close attention.

Washington State has a mandatory 3-day waiting period. The waiting period begins the day you apply and pay. The license becomes valid on day three and stays valid for 60 days. There is no way to waive this waiting period, including by a court order. If you apply on a Monday, you can legally get married on Thursday. Plan accordingly.

Fees vary by county. As of mid-2025, fees range roughly from $145 to $170+ depending on the county, following a statewide fee increase. Clallam and Jefferson Counties are the most convenient options if you’re already on the Olympic Peninsula.

You need an officiant and two witnesses. Ministers ordained in any state can perform ceremonies in Washington. An ordained photographer who can also officiate covers two of your three needs at once, if that matters to your planning.

You can apply online or in person, but the process must be finalized in person at a county clerk’s office. Don’t leave this to the last minute. Apply before you leave for your trip so the 3-day period runs while you’re traveling.

What to Expect at Ruby Beach: A Real Picture of the Logistics

Getting There

Ruby Beach is on the southwest coast of Olympic National Park, along Highway 101. From Seattle, plan for 3.5 to 4.5 hours of driving. There’s no shortcut. The drive down Highway 101 along the peninsula is genuinely beautiful, but it takes as long as it takes. If you’re coming from the north, you’ll pass through Forks on the way, which is the last town with gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants before you head into the more remote coastal section of the park.

The Parking Lot

Small. It fills up fast in summer, especially on weekends. Arrive early. If you’re planning a sunset elopement, show up well before golden hour to give yourself time to find parking and walk to your spot.

The Walk to the Beach

Short, 0.2-mile trail down to the sand. It’s a descent, which means it’s slightly uphill on the way back. Not strenuous. Accessible for most people. Wear shoes with decent grip, especially if it’s been raining.

At the Beach

Walk. Once you’re past the immediate area near the trail entrance, the beach opens up and the crowds spread out. The further south you walk, the more secluded it gets. Find your spot, check your tide window, and be there before the light you came for.

No Cell Service

Seriously. Download tide charts, offline maps, permit confirmations, and anything else you need before you lose service. Most carriers have no signal on this stretch of coast.

Leave No Trace at Ruby Beach

This matters, and it’s worth saying directly. Ruby Beach is a protected coastline inside a National Park, and it looks the way it does because people have collectively not trashed it. A few things to keep in mind:

• Pack out everything you bring in. Every single thing. Including any floral arrangements, ribbon, confetti, or signage.
• No confetti or flower petal scattering. Even biodegradable items can disrupt wildlife habitats and are not permitted in the park.
• Stay on designated paths to and from the beach. Avoid trampling vegetation on the bluffs.
• Don’t climb on or disturb the sea stacks or rock formations. They’re part of a protected marine sanctuary.
• Watch where you walk in the tide pools. Crushing sea stars and anemones underfoot is a bigger deal than it sounds. Look where you step.
• No fires on the beach without checking current fire regulations. In most cases, beach fires require a permit and are restricted to below the high tide line.

Being a certified Leave No Trace educator myself, this is something I take seriously on every shoot. We leave places exactly as we found them, and we plan shoots in ways that minimize our footprint on sensitive environments. If you want a photographer who will actively help you navigate this rather than just hope for the best, that’s part of what I do.

Where to Stay Near Ruby Beach

You’re going to want to stay close. The drive to Ruby Beach from the nearest towns is not short, and you don’t want to be making it in the dark before a sunrise session.

Kalaloch Lodge

The most iconic option. Kalaloch Lodge sits on the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean, about 8 miles south of Ruby Beach on Highway 101. They have traditional lodge rooms, bluff cabins with ocean views (some with fireplaces and kitchenettes), and forest cabins. Creekside Restaurant is on-site with locally sourced meals and ocean views from the deck. There are no TVs or WiFi in the rooms, by design. It’s genuinely one of the most atmospheric places to stay on this coast, and it’s right inside the park. Book months in advance for summer.

Kalaloch Campground

Right next to Kalaloch Lodge, with 160 sites on the bluffs above the beach. Some sites have direct ocean views. Reservations are required for summer (through Recreation.gov). During the off-season it’s first-come, first-served.

Quileute Oceanside Resort (La Push)

About 50 minutes north of Ruby Beach, right on the beach at La Push. Another directly oceanside option if you want to stay on the water. Closer to Rialto Beach and Second Beach if those are on your list.

Forks

The nearest town with a real range of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. About 45 minutes north of Ruby Beach. Functional base camp with grocery stores and restaurants. Not as atmospheric as staying inside the park, but significantly more lodging options.

VRBOs and Cabin Rentals

There are private vacation rentals in the Kalaloch area and around Forks that give you more space and often a kitchen, which matters when you’re spending multiple days on the peninsula. Search the Kalaloch or Forks area specifically.

What to Wear for a Ruby Beach Elopement

The Washington coast has its own weather. Here’s what actually works.

Layers are non-negotiable. The coast is windy. Even in summer. What starts as a mild afternoon can get cold fast once you’re on the beach and the wind picks up off the water. Think about an outer layer you can take off for photos but actually need for the drive over.

Something that moves. Flowy fabrics look incredible in coastal wind, especially for photos. Structured ballgowns fight the elements. Flowy gowns work with them.

Shoes that make sense. Sand and rocks and wet logs. Heels don’t work here. Barefoot is great. Boots, loafers, or clean-soled sneakers in a color that photographs well. The beach is going to get into whatever you’re wearing, so dress accordingly.

Earth tones and bold colors both work. Ruby Beach doesn’t have a wrong color palette. Cream, sage, rust, deep burgundy, forest green, navy. All of them read beautifully against the sea stacks and gray sand. Hot pink? Also works. This is your day.

Pack a blanket. For the drive, for after the ceremony, for sitting on the beach and watching the rest of the sunset after the photos are done. You will want it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping at Ruby Beach

Do you need a permit to elope at Ruby Beach?

Yes. Ruby Beach is inside Olympic National Park, and any wedding or elopement ceremony requires a Special Use Permit. The standard fee is $100 and applications should be submitted at least 3 to 4 weeks before your date. As of 2024, groups of fewer than 5 people may not require a formal permit for some park locations, but confirm this with Olympic National Park directly before planning around it. Don’t assume.

When is the best time to elope at Ruby Beach?

Summer (June through August) offers the most reliable weather, warmest temperatures, and the best chance at those dramatic sunset colors. Early fall (September through October) is a strong second choice, with fewer crowds and a moodier, more atmospheric vibe. Ruby Beach is accessible year-round, so fall, winter, and spring elopements are all genuinely beautiful options if you’re not chasing guaranteed sunshine.

Is sunrise or sunset better at Ruby Beach?

Sunset. Ruby Beach faces west, so the sun sets directly over the ocean and the sea stacks. Golden hour here is genuinely spectacular when the sky cooperates. Sunrise is still beautiful, especially for the soft light and near-empty beach, but the real visual payoff at Ruby Beach is in the evening.

How far is Ruby Beach from Seattle?

About 3.5 to 4.5 hours by car, depending on your specific starting point and which route you take. Most people fly into SeaTac and rent a car. The drive itself is beautiful, especially once you’re on Highway 101 around the peninsula. Build in time, and don’t plan to make it a same-day trip from the city.

How do I get a Washington State marriage license for a Ruby Beach elopement?

Apply at any county clerk’s office in Washington State. Clallam and Jefferson Counties are the most convenient if you’re already on the Olympic Peninsula. Washington has a mandatory 3-day waiting period from the time you apply and pay, after which the license is valid for 60 days. Plan to apply before your trip so the waiting period runs while you’re traveling to avoid delays. Fees vary by county and were roughly $145 to $170+ as of mid-2025.

Is Ruby Beach accessible for people who can’t hike long distances?

Yes. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is about 0.2 miles down a dirt trail. It’s a gentle descent, not a technical hike. Once you’re on the beach, flat sand in both directions. Ruby Beach is one of the most accessible dramatic coastal landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.

You’re already picturing it. The sea stacks. The light. The two of you on that beach with nothing else to do but actually be there together.

That’s the whole point.

If you want a photographer and planner who handles permits, location guides, timeline logistics, and everything else so that you show up and get to be present for all of it, let’s talk. I’d love to help you make your Ruby Beach elopement happen.

Fill out the inquiry form here and let’s start planning.