Mount Rainier National Park // Mount Rainier Proposal Session // Proposal Ideas in the Pacific Northwest

Ready to ask the love of your life to marry you? Looking for a dreamy and beautiful spot to pop the question to your partner? Mount Rainier National Park has everything you need to nail the perfect proposal. Check out this blog post to learn more about HOW, WHEN and WHY to propose at this stunning mountain range!

WHY You Should Propose at Mount Rainier

Situated a couple hour drive south of Seattle, Mount Rainier is not only a perfect place to visit, but one of my favorite places to capture a proposal. There are tons of locations to choose from with a variety of scenery, as well as a wide range of hike lengths to get to each spot. If you are an avid hiker, or more of a beginning, there are locations for YOU!

Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center

The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center is located in the Paradise region of Mount Rainier, which is on the Southern most section of Rainier near Ashford, Washington. When you arrive at the visitor center, there are a variety of hikes you can start such as the Skyline Trail, Alta Vista Trail and the Golden Gate Trail. Sophia + Ben’s proposal featured in this blog post was captured along the Skyline Trail, just past Myrtle Falls, approximately 1 mile down the trail! It was a perfect spot for all of us to meet before anyone got too hot and sweaty on their adventure!

Sunrise Visitor Center

On the opposite side of the mountain, we have the Sunrise Visitor Center which includes a few more challenges steep hikes that lead to STUNNING views of the mountain peak. There are nearby campgrounds, and spots along the drive to stop such as Tipsoo Lake, Columnar Lava, and Naches Peak Loop Trail.

WHEN to Propose at Mount Rainier

Due to the extreme weather patterns year-round at Mount Rainier, it is only open for visitors roughly between mid-June to early October. There is typically still some snow coverage in the month of June, but once mid-July hits the wildflowers start to blossom! They stick around until mid to late August, and then the fall colors begin to bloom to September. If you are a fan of rainy dreary conditions, I recommend proposing in September or October. If you’d prefer more sunny weather with wildflowers present, I recommend late July/early October.

HOW To Propose at Mount Rainier National Park

It is not hard to find a stunning location to pop the question at Mount Rainier, but the HOW takes a few important, but easy steps!

1. Pick a location
   • As mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of beautiful locations around Mount Rainier National Park. Be aware of you and your partner’s personal hiking abilities, and then have fun finding the right spot!
2. Contact a photographer
   • Proposals are such a special chapter in a relationship and deserved to be photographed by someone who is an expert at capturing these tender moments in time. You can contact me here to inquire about your plans to pop the question!
3. Apply for a permit (if needed)
   • Depending on how many people you plan to have present for your proposal, you may need to apply for a photography permit. If its just you and your partner, it is not necessary. But if you plan to have a gathering of 10+ friends and family members present, I highly encourage applying for a permit. It helps the rangers know when there are going to be larger groups of people occupying a specific area of the mountain, so they can be prepared to monitor and advise dependent on the hike conditions.
4. Plan and be prepared!
   • Think ahead before you contact a photographer and apply for your permit. Do you want to frame it as a “couples session” so the partner is aware that photos are being taken, or do you want it to be a total surprise where the photographer is hiding or not actively engaging with you while the moment is happening. Its important to think about these things so those who are helping you prepare this event can help you the best!

Ready to propose at Mount Rainier National Park?

Are you feeling more confident and ready now to pop the question at the majestic and amazing Mount Rainier? Fill out my inquiry form here to get you started on your planning process!