Smith Rock Elopement

Smith Rock is home to some of the best rock climbing in the country and the views are just out of this world! Smith Rock State Park is located in Terrebonne only 30 min north of Bend. The State Park is easy to access all year round which makes it ideal when planning an elopement in Smith Rock.

For this elopement, we decided to start about 2hrs before sunset on a beautiful fall day. The light reflecting on the beautiful yellow shade rock of the park made it very magical for a sunset elopement. From the parking lot, it’s very easy to access some of the best views of the park before heading down near the river crossing the State Park. The landscape in Smith Rock is like nowhere else, the unique shape of the rock in the middle of this high desert will make the perfect backdrop for your elopement ceremony.

A few tips, if you plan on eloping in Smith Rock, avoiding the hot summer days will be preferable to enjoy your elopement day as it gets extremely hot in the summer. I’ve added the details below that you can directly find on the Smith Rock state park website.

About Smith Rock State Park

• The park is open year-round, but summer heat can reach 100°. Stay safe.
• Day-use visitor hours are from dawn to dusk.
• Dogs are allowed, on a leash.
• A $5 day use permit or a current state park camp receipt available from the self service pay stations is needed for each vehicle.
• A yearly permit is $30, two-year permits are $50, and both are available at the Welcome Center and online

What to know when planning an elopement in Smith Rock State Park

• A permit is only required if you have 50+ people or have special needs, such as exclusive use of any one area.
• Those getting married and the people in your party need to purchase and display valid parking permits, don’t use drones, smoke or have any open flame. Generator use and amplified sound are also not permitted.
• The park is open dawn until dusk.
• Bring water—16 oz per person per hour of exertion. The water fountain at the bridge is the last water station in the park. You may consider a hydration pack for easy access. The rocks can really heat up in the summer months and the combination of heat and dehydration can be dangerous.
• Stay on marked trails. The trails are clearly marked to prevent erosion and to not mislead the next hiker. They also provide a reference on your trail map to get back so that the rangers don’t need to come to find you.