Best Elopement Venues in Minnesota | Best Places to Elope in MN

The Best Places to Elope in Minnesota in 2025 & 2026 // From a Local Minnesota Elopement Photographer

Have you and your partner decided to elope in Minnesota, but now you’re not sure of where to elope?! Minnesota is SO underrated (really just the midwest in general) and there are SO many beautiful locations to choose from! I have put together a whole, comprehensive list of the best places to elope in Minnesota, so you and your partner can decide on the best location for your big day with no stress (and spending hours researching on Google!)

Let’s get to it, shall we?!

(PSSSST: Looking for some more information on how to elope?! Check out this guide I wrote all about how to elope in Minnesota!)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Best Places to Elope on Minnesota North Shore
• Best Places to Elope in Northern Minnesota
• Best Places to Elope around Minneapolis/St.Paul
• Best Places to Elope in Southern Minnesota

The Best Places to Elope on The MN North Shore

Black Beach

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Who would have thought you could find a black beach in the Midwest, right?! Black beach is the result of taconite tailings that were dropped into Lake Superior many years ago. This beach is a popular spot along the north shore! You can find people sunbathing, doing a little swimming (or a cold plunge rather), or getting married here! The nice thing about getting married on this beach? There’s no permits of any kind that are needed, but you also can’t block off any part of the beach for your wedding.

Are you and your partner thinking of eloping at Black Beach, here’s my step-by-step guide on How to Elope on Black Beach in Minnesota!

BLACK BEACH ELOPEMENT GALLERIES

• Stephanie & Reid’s Fall Elopement on Black Beach
• Miranda & Duncan’s Elopement on Black Beach
• Chris & Tyla’s Micro-Wedding on the Beach
• Halloween Elopement Inspiration on BB

Split Rock State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Known for it’s beautiful lighthouse on the cliffs of Lake Superior, Split Rock State Park is another beautiful option for your Minnesota elopement. This park is perfect for the adventurers and for the laid-back and chill couples! You can have a laid back walk along the beach and rocks, while looking at the lighthouse. Maybe even have a little picnic or go for a quick dip! Or you can hike up to Day Hill, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous.

Isle Royale National Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• How to Access: Seaplane or Ferry
• Permits Needed: None

Looking for a remote location with beautiful views? Isle Royale National Park is a remote island on Lake Superior, and is a perfect location to look into! It’s a car-free island full of wilderness and adventure. You can only access the island by seaplane or ferry, and is very weather dependent. Check out the National Park’s First Timers guide on Isle Royale! And a fun fact: Isle Royale is the least visited National Park!

Tettegouche State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, contact Paula at Tettegouche State Park for permit info

Tettegouche State Park is arguably one of the most popular state parks along Lake Superior, and rightfully so! This state park has beaches, sea caves ,sea stacks, overlooks, waterfalls, cliffs and so much more. But keep in mind, that this park is poppin’ during the peak season and especially on weekends! (Check out Cassie and Peter’s Tettegouche State Park elopement!)

Temperance River State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, contact Paula at Temperance River State Park for info

This might be one of my absolute favorite state parks up on the North Shore!! Temperance River State Park is located between Schroeder and Tofte, just right off HWY 61. You can spend a few moments skipping rocks down on the beach, hiking your way up to Carlton Peak, or explore the gorge with all it’s stunning waterfalls.

• Check Out Kayla & Bennett’s Elopement at Temperance River State Park!

Artist’s Point in Grand Marais

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Does eloping up near an artsy harbor village along Lake Superior sound like your vibe?! Artist’s Point is an easy 0.8 mile walk from downtown Grand Marais that offers beautiful views of Lake Superior. And you can go for a bite at Hungry Hippie Tacos afterward!

Lutsen Mountains

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Lutsen Mountains is known for its skiing in the wintertime, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adventure around the hiking trails during the fall and summer! The lutsen mountains has charming lodging, restaurants, an alpine slide, hiking trails, and gorgeous views (especially during fall colors) (Take a peek at Kayla and Bennett’s Adventure Elopement in the Lutsen Mountains here!)

Bluefin Bay

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None, just need to book with Bluefin

Bluefin Bay is my absolute favorite resort up on the north shore, and it’s for good reason! This resort not only offers a gorgeous space (Tofte Cove) for elopements and micro-weddings, but the amenities they offer are truly unbeatable in the area.

Gunflint Lodge

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Are you wanting another remote location that you can drive to with your car? Gunflint Lodge is nestled up in the forest right on Gunflint Lake, and is beautifully peaceful for your elopement experience. You’ll even have a chance to see some amazing wildlife life like moose, wolves, blackbears, and lynxes! They’re even pet friendly 😉

Gooseberry Falls

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Gooseberry Falls is one of the other most popular state parks up on the North Shore, mostly known for it’s insanely beautiful waterfall that has an upper, middle, and lower spot. There’s also plenty of overlooks, a little beach depending on the water levels! If you’re thinking of eloping here, keep in mind it’s one of the most visited parks up on the North Shore, so you’ll want to plan accordingly!

Brighton Beach

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, you can view permit information here

This beach is barely outside of Duluth, and perfect for a rocky shoreline along Lady Superior. Elope on along the beautiful lake, and find a perfect spot for a picnic or grillout!

Park Point

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, you can view permit information here

Park Point is absolutely GORGEOUS if you’re looking for a large beach along Lake Superior! But be warned, this beach gets BUSY during nice warm days so be fully prepared for that!

Palisade Head

• Best Time of Year to Visit: June through October
• Permits Needed: None
• NOTE: There are NO ceremonies allowed here, only portraits!

Are the cliffs of Lake Superior calling your name? Palisade Head is another gorgeous spot to think of for your elopement day! While you can no longer have a ceremony at Palisade Head, you can still have your portraits taken up here, or even just a little picnic at sunrise or sunset! If you and your partner are rock climbers, you can also rock climb if you’re feeling up to it! (Check out Miranda and Duncan’s Palisade Head elopement here!)

Want to know more information about how to elope on the MN North Shore?! Check out this guide I wrote with all the information you need here!

The Best Places to Elope in Northern Minnesota

Kawishiwi Falls

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Kawisihiwi Falls is an absolutely stunning waterfall, nestled a bit more inland if you’re wanting a little trip away from the North Shore. Kawishiwi Falls is located just a few minutes outside of Ely, and simple hike to get too. This waterfall is absolutely BEAUTIFUL to see when the fall colors are at peak!

Bear Head Lake State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None

Wanna talk about underrated hidden gems?! Bear Head Lake State Park is only 20 minutes from Ely and offers some gorgeous trails that would be perfect for your elopement. This location is perfect for the adventurous couples who want to make sure water is a big feature in their day!

Voyageurs National Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, you can learn more about permits here

Are you looking for an underrated hidden gem in Northern Minnesota? Voyageurs National Park is one of the most underrated best places to elope in Minnesota, which totally blows my mind! This park is perfect for you if you’re wanting to incorporate privacy, hiking, fishing, camping, boating, and stargazing into your elopement.

Check out this beautiful Rainy Beachhaus, located just 10 minutes from the national park!

Itasca State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: June through October
• Permits Needed: None, but always double check the park office

Have you ever wondered where the Mississippi River started? Well wonder no more, because the Mississippi Headwaters is located right in Itasca State Park! This park offers old-growth white and red pines, 49 miles of hiking trails, rentals for paddle boards and canoes, and an old fire tower you can climb for fantastic views.

Nature Link Resort

• Best Time of Year to Elope: May through October
• Permits Needed: None

Nature Link is perfect if you’re looking for a cozy spot to disconnect with all the amenities you need. This resort offers stunning cabins to stay in, and it’s located right on Clark Lake with 1,400 feet of shoreline. Amenities include: a sauna, bonfire pits with s’mores, kayaks, bikes, hammocks, and so much more!

The Best Places to Elope around Minneapolis and St. Paul

Interstate State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: May through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, you will need to contact the park if on the MN side. WI side requires no permit as of April 2025. (Only your photographer needs a permit for the WI side)

Are you looking for some epic cliffs that are near the Twin Cities, with minimal hiking and walking?! You should most definitely check out Interstate State Park! There’s both a Minnesota and Wisconsin side, and both sides have absolutely beautiful views. It’s a part of the National Ice Age Scenic Trail, and you can see the incredible potholes left by glaciers, years ago.

EXPERT TIP: Also plan to elope here during a weekday and in the morning hours! This is another popular location, and can have crowds during prime times.

• Check out Gretchen and Dan’s Interstate State Park elopement here!

Como Zoo Conservatory

• Best Time of Year to Elope: Any time of the year
• Permits Needed: Yes, you will need to book accordingly to the conservatory. Learn more here!

Are you wanting to bring the tropical climate to you for your Minnesota elopement?! Then you’ll want to check out Como Zoo Conservatory! The conservatory at Como Zoo is decorated with beautiful (and colorful) florals, along with stunning greenery and tropical plants. This is an excellent option if you’re wanting to elope in the winter time too!

Willow River State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: May through October
• Permits Needed: No, but your photographer will need a permit.

This state park is technically in Wisconsin, but just by a few minutes – and it’s only about 30-40 minutes away from the Twin Cities! It’s perfect if you’re wanting to escape the city’s hustle, but not wanting to drive too far outside of the city. Willow River State Park has beautiful views of Willow Falls and the Willow River gorge — but be aware, this state park is extremely popular and is usually very busy on weekends!

Lyndale Park Gardens

• Best Time of Year to Elope: May through October
• Permits Needed: Yes, you can read more about it here!

Looking for a location with some beautiful gardens that’s right in the Twin Cities Area?! Lyndale Park Gardens has lots of beauty to offer!

Check out Abby & Chris’s elopement in Lyndale Park here!

The Best Places to Elope in Southern Minnesota

Blue Mounds State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: May through October
• Permits Needed: Nope, not that I’m aware of, but always double check with the park office!

Blue Mounds State Park is near the town of Luverne, Minnesota and is actually known it’s beautfiul Sioux Quarterzite cliff that stands 100 feet above the plains. It’s also known for protecting a herd of bison!

Great River Bluffs State Park

• Best Time of Year to Elope: May through October
• Permits Needed: None that I’m aware of, but always double check with the park office!

Are you and your partner looking for another hidden gem that offers stunning views amongst the bluffs of the Mississippi? Check out Great River Bluffs State Park! This would be a perfect choice for some epic fall colors too.

Find The Spot that Matches Your Kind of Magic

Whether your perfect elopement day includes hiking to a cliffside ceremony or cozying up in a lakeside cabin with your pup, Minnesota’s got a little something for every kind of love story. Here’s how to start dreaming big:

🪵 For the cozy cabin lovers 🪵
If a quiet wood-burning fireplace, lakeside views, and a slow morning with coffee and handwritten vows sounds like your perfect day, the North Shore or Ely is calling your name.

🥾 For the adventurous-at-heart 🥾
You’re the couple who packs hiking boots next to the vow books and doesn’t flinch at a little mist or mud. You’ll love places like Tettegouche State Park & Isle Royale National Park, where the scenery is wild & rugged!

💛 For the soft & soulful romantics 💛
You want a place that feels peaceful, intimate, and deeply connected to nature. Think Temperance River at sunrise or the secret trails near Gooseberry Falls.

🌿 For the earthy-boujee dreamers 🌿
You’re all about luxury in the most grounded way. You want the feels of a destination getaway without the plane ride. Nature Link, Bluefin Bay or a cabin elopement in Grand Marais is totally your vibe.

Minnesota Elopement Photographer

Choosing your Minnesota elopement photographer is SO important to your elopement experience. Not only should you fall in love with the photographer’s work and art, but you should also completely vibe with them! After all, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time together!

As a Minnesota elopement photographer, it’s extremely important to me to get to know my couples on a deep level. This ensures that I can provide you with an elopement experience that’s completely personalized and tailored to you who both are, individually and as a couple! Take a peek at my elopement experience to see what it’s like to work with me!

Related Blog Posts

Airbnbs For Your Elopement in Minnesota

3 Reasons to Elope in Minnesota

Chris & Tyla’s Intentional North Shore MN Elopement

Small MN Wedding Venues for Your Intimate Wedding

I’m a certified Leave No Trace Aware photographer and a proud supporter of the Public Land Creatives! Not to mention, I’m proud to support organizations such as: The Superior Hiking Trail, Gregory’s Gift of Hope, The Trevor Project, National Parks of Lake Superior, and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Where we put our money matters.