February 18, 2020

Best Places to Elope in Wisconsin

WHERE TO ELOPE IN WISCONSIN

Did you know that you don’t have to travel somewhere exotic or take a trip to the courthouse to elope?! I know elopements aren’t exactly a big thing in the Midwest, especially in Wisconsin, but this is your sign to just do it. You won’t regret it – and I’m here to help you with telling you some of the best places to elope in Wisconsin!

THE BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN WISCONSIN IN 2025 & 2026

  1. Madeline Island
  2. Interstate State Park
  3. Bayfield
  4. Cave Point County Park
  5. Lake Pepin
  6. Pattison State Park
  7. Devil’s Lake State Park
  8. Willow River State Park

Just a quick little note before we dive on into some of these epic Wisconsin elopement locations – it’s really important to keep the “Leave No Trace” principle in mind. Take care of the environment, and leave it in better condition than when you found it, and respect the Earth!

DRUMROLL PLEASE…. HERE ARE THE BEST WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS!

THE BEST PLACES IN WISCONSIN FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT

MADELINE ISLAND

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between June and September
  • Perfect for Couples Who: want an intimate, quiet, and romantic location while having the opportunity to still get outdoors and adventure as much as you’d like! A bonus? There’s limited cell service on the island, so it’s also perfect if you want to getaway from all the outside noise.

I’ve traveled to Madeline Island a few times now, and it’s just an absolutely stunning location. I think it may be my most favorite spot in Wisconsin! Madeline Island is the largest island in Lake Superior. It has miles of sandy white beaches and lots of beautiful bluffs. If you love the outdoors, you can explore by hiking, biking, canoeing, or kayaking! Madeline Island is truly a little slice of paradise in Wisconsin. It’s quiet and so beautiful.

INTERSTATE STATE PARK

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and October
  • Where to Stay: If you’re looking for a super relaxed and quiet place to stay, consider staying at this adorable farm in Taylor’s Falls!
  • Perfect for Couples Who: don’t want to venture to far away from the Twin Cities area but still want some dramatic and epic views for their elopement.

Interstate State Park is right on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It’s only about an hour away from Minneapolis, and offers breathtaking views from the bluffs! The Ice Age/Pothole trail (On the WI side!) offers privacy, beautiful trees, the St.Croix River, and towering bluffs to give you amazing scenery everywhere you look. This spot is perfect if you don’t want to travel very far away from the Cities, but want to feel like you’re miles and miles away from the hustle and bustle.

KETTLE MORAINE STATE FOREST

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and October!
  • Perfect for Couples Who: are looking for something on the other side of Wisconsin but still want that grounded vibe in a forest with the option to adventure as much or as little as they’d like!

Kettle Moraine State Forest is located in southeastern Wisconsin, about 45-50 minutes from Milwaukee! It was created more than 10,000 years ago when two glacial sheets collided. The forest is filled with kettle lakes, wetlands, a hidden spring, valleys, high hills, and moraines! You can read more about Kettle Moraine State Forest here!

BAYFIELD

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and October!
  • Where to Stay: Check out this motel that is locally owned by two of the cutest people ever – the Seagull Bay Motel!
  • Perfect for Couples Who: want to be near some amenities but still want the views and vibe that Madeline Island has to offer, and food & wine are a big part of their day!

If one town was a mirrored image of any town in Hallmark movies, Bayfield would be it! It’s right on Lake Superior, and is actually the town you go through if you want to get to Madeline Island! There’s adorable shops, an amazing cafe (Wonderstate Coffee), a ferry to Madeline Island (Mad Ferry), a gorgeous apple farm (Blue Vista Farm), and sooo much more!

DOOR COUNTY

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and October
  • Where to Stay: This Airbnb is PERFECT for unwinding after your big day in this area
  • Perfect for Couples Who: want to be on the east side of Wisconsin and are looking for- sandy beaches, epic great lake views, going on an adventure outside but also want to come back and have a delicious meal and check out one of the local breweries, wineries, or distilleries. (Small town charm meets outdoor adventure? Hell yeah!)

Cave Point is on the peninsula of Lake Michigan and holy wow, is this park just jaw dropping from all angles!! Cave Point County Park is located in Door County, on the Eastern side of the state. The water is a tropical blue and crystal-clear, making you feel like you’re looking into the ocean in the summertime. This spot is truly beautiful for an elopement or even an adventurous couples session! The foliage in the fall makes for epic scenery for your elopement.

Bayfield WI Elopement

LAKE PEPIN

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and October
  • Perfect for Couples Who:

Lake Pepin is an extremely small, quaint but beautiful town located in Western Wisconsin that is also that birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder who wrote the popular The Little House on the Prairie series!

There are a couple of super venues located in Lake Pepin, and it’s not a far drive for those who are located in the Twin Cities area!

PATTISON STATE PARK

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and September!
  • Where to Stay: Pier B Resort is located in Duluth along Lake Superior, and offers a romantic setting for couples!

Did you know that Pattison State Park has the highest waterfalls in the whole state of Wisconsin?! This Wisconsin State Park isn’t super popular, so if you’re looking for a beautiful location to tie the knot with your soulmate with an intimate setting – Pattison State Park is a great option!

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope Here: Between May and September

Located in Baraboo Wisconsin, Devil’s Lake State Park is undoubtedly Wisconsin’s most popular state park!! I mean, why wouldn’t you elope here when there’s 500-foot bluffs and a 360 degree view of this gorgeous lake!!

This state park is located along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (and yes, glaciers used to exist here!) and is just absolutely BEAUTIFUL! You cannot go wrong with eloping here, if you and your partner are obsessed with the outdoors.

Willow River State Park

  • The Best Time of the Year to Elope here: May through October

Are you looking for a gorgeous spot outdoors that’s close to the Twin Cities area but feels like hours away? You might want to check out Willow River State Park!! This park has beautiful views of Willow Falls and the Willow River gorge, and you can paddleboard, fish, or swim in Little Falls lake. If you’re looking for a campground to stay at, this state park has that too!

ARE YOU STILL LOOKING FOR A LOCATION THAT SPEAKS TO YOU FOR YOUR WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT?!

Part of the elopement experience with me includes personalized location recommendations based on your vision, your wants, and your needs!! So if after going through this list you didn’t find a location that speaks to you and your partner, click the button below so I can help you on this journey and find a location that DOES speak to you!!

LOOKING FOR MORE GUIDANCE ON PLANNING YOUR WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT?!

I wrote an entire guide with all the information you need about planning your dream elopement here in Wisconsin. As a local Wisconsin elopement photographer that’s photographed a handful of elopements here, I’ve learned all the things you need to know about planning your elopement.

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your elopement photographer

HEYY HEYY!! I'm Sam, your elopement photographer and experience creator based out of Minnesota!! You can also find me on a flight somewhere, swimming in the ocean pretending I'm a siren, screaming my heart out at concerts, or reading some smutty enemiesy to lovers romance books!! 

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