Never heard of Rising Picnic Area Shoreline? Well, let me be the one to introduce you to this peaceful, lakefront ceremony site with rugged mountain views tucked away from the main roads in East Glacier, right on St. Mary Lake.
And since you seem to be researching where to get married in Glacier National Park, chances are that you’re in the trenches of information. Guest count limits, accessibility, crowd levels, and scenery…it’s a lot!
So let me help you out! Below, I’m sharing everything you need to know about planning a Rising Sun elopement, from permits and seasons to how it stacks up against other Glacier wedding locations. By the end, you’ll know for sure whether you’ve found the one or need to keep looking (and how I can help)!
Is Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline Right for Your Ceremony?
Rising Sun is a small, intimate ceremony location, which is exactly why I love it.
This spot is ideal if you:
- want an on-the-water ceremony with jaw-dropping mountain views
- value privacy over being in a “popular” location
- are planning an elopement or micro-wedding (up to 20 guests)
- love sunset ceremonies and softer, glowy light
- want something easily accessible without sacrificing scenery (only 3-4 min walk)
It feels like one of those tucked-away hidden gems that you wish you had known about earlier. There’s no room for an elaborate set-up or a grand lodge nearby, but it is quiet and offers gorgeous views of the mountains. A dream for eloping in Glacier!
Looking for something similar on the west side of the park? Fish Creek Picnic Area Shoreline offers an on-the-water ceremony location with some mountain views, too! Though it can be busier in general, so keep that in mind.
A Sample Rising Sun Elopement Itinerary (Based on a Real Wedding Day)
One of my favorite things about planning a Rising Sun elopement is that it pairs beautifully with a full drive across Glacier National Park. It turns your day into an entire experience. You’re sightseeing, adventuring, and getting incredible photos without ever feeling like you’re posing all day, you know?
Abigail and Raymond’s elopement in Glacier is the perfect example. Here’s what their day looked like (feel free to swipe ideas to incorporate in your own elopement planning):
Morning: Getting Ready on the West Side
Abigail and Raymond stayed at a cozy Airbnb in Columbia Falls, MT, which is about 20 minutes driving from the West Entrance. They had a chill, slow morning, which was the perfect way to start their GNP adventure elopement! We took some getting-ready photos and detail shots before heading out.
Their plans: Driving along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR), stopping at scenic spots along the way to their ceremony site.
From the West Entrance, the Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline is about 2.5 hours driving along the GTSR. You can do it in about an hour along Hwy 2, but it’s less scenic, so I recommend taking the long way (it’s your wedding day after all).
First Stop: Lake McDonald Photos
As soon as you pass through the West Entrance, you’ll enter Apgar, where Lake McDonald is the star of the show. Maybe one of the most photographed places in the park due to its accessibility and beauty.
It wasn’t too busy that day, so we took some portraits along the shoreline with the trees starting to turn yellow and on the docks with big mountain views. Then we were off!
Second Stop: West Side Tunnel Photos
Driving west to east on the GTSR toward Logan Pass, at mile marker 23 is the West Side Tunnel. The tunnel was carved out of the mountainside in 1926 and features multiple lookout points framed by the old stone masonry! From the parking, it’s an easy walk to the overlook.
Third Stop: Big Bend Photos
Along the GTSR, this is where people usually lose their minds (in the best way). Big Bend has these massive valley views that make you feel tiny in perspective, with jagged mountains framing every photo. In my opinion, this is a must-stop along the west side!
Ceremony: Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline
As we arrived at their ceremony, the Glacier weather was doing what it does. Clouds moved in fast, but this is why I tell couples to never worry about the weather (just be prepared for it). Because as they said their vows along Saint Mary Lake with dramatic mountain views, sun rays peeked through the cover and made for some seriously stunning imagery!
Final Stop: Wild Goose Island Pull Out
We ended the day at one of my favorite sunset spots in Glacier. That tiny island in the middle of Saint Mary Lake with the mountains behind it? That's Wild Goose Island, and up at the lookout at golden hour, it's hard to beat! The photos speak for themselves on this one.
Alternative Routes for your Rising Sun Elopement
Start at the East Entrance and head west: If you're staying in St. Mary or want sunrise photos, start east! Hit Wild Goose Island early when the light is soft, ceremony at Rising Sun mid-morning, then drive west, stopping at Logan Pass for those alpine views.
Stay east all day: Stay on the east side entirely, with Two Medicine in the morning, Rising Sun for sunset, and stops at Saint Mary Falls and Sun Point in between. Less driving, more time to chill at each spot!
Here’s the Ultimate Guide to Drive Times and Navigating Glacier National Park to help me plan your own day!
Best Time of Year to Get Married at Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline
Rising Sun is open early May through late October, depending on conditions. My honest recommendation? Any month it’s open! But here are a few tips to help you narrow it down:
- June–September for reliable access
- Late afternoon or evening ceremonies for the best light
- Shoulder season, if you want fewer people and moody skies
Keep in mind: Wildlife and weather closures do happen on the east side along the GTSR. Always have a flexible Plan B. My couples and I make one for every elopement in Glacier, as getting married in the wilderness can always throw in a surprise or two!
More Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline Wedding Details (NPS Info)
- Max participants: 20
- Dates available: Early May – Late October
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
- Pets: Not permitted at this location
- Rules:
- No tables or décor
- Up to 4 chairs on durable surfaces
- Snacks allowed
- Ceremony must stay below the high-water line when applicable
*Permits and park passes are required for all ceremonies in Glacier National Park.
Rising Sun vs Other Glacier National Park Wedding Locations
Answering, “Where is the best place to get married in Glacier National Park?”
There's no single "best" place to get married in Glacier because it totally depends on your vision, your interests, your guest count, etc. But let me break down the different areas of the park so you can find YOUR perfect spot:
Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor
This is the park's main scenic drive, that iconic road that makes it to the top of every travel guide and blog post you’ll read. It connects the west and east sides, passing by waterfalls, Logan Pass, Lake McDonald, and about a million pullouts where you'll want to stop and gawk at the views!
- Vibe: Iconic, dramatic, busy
- Best for: Portraits, sightseeing, adventurous elopement days
- Reality check: There’s potential you might also see 3-4 other wedding couples at any location along the GTSR & portions close down during the winter months!
Rising Sun works beautifully in combination with GTSR! Book your ceremony on the east side, start at the west, and take portraits along the drive. Keep reading for an itinerary for eloping along the Going-to-the-Sun Road!
Many Glacier
If you want those alpine meadow vibes with glacial lakes and historic lodges, Many Glacier has ‘em all. It's a bit more remote (about 20 miles from the GTSR), but the payoff is quite worth it for the right couple. The Many Glacier Hotel has its own set of accessible ceremony locations, and only one requires an easy one-mile walk (Josephine Lake)! It does close in the winter months, so peak season permits only.
- Vibe: Alpine, bold, jaw-dropping
- Best for: Diverse landscapes, dramatic backdrops, hiking enthusiasts (plenty of hikes around)
- Reality check: Longer drive, fewer intimate ceremony options
There are also outdoor activities galore here! Boat cruises, hiking, horseback riding, and plenty of wildlife spotting for nature lovers.
Two Medicine
This is Many Glacier's quieter, more accessible sibling on the east side. You've got a gorgeous lake, waterfalls like Running Eagle Falls, and way fewer people. It's perfect if you want that backcountry feel (without actually going into the backcountry). Plus, the drive here is often a bit less congested in peak season, as it isn’t on the GTSR.
- Vibe: Peaceful, underrated, less tourist traffic
- Best for: Couples wanting solitude
- Reality check: Fewer ceremony locations and portrait variety in one day, as scenic spots are a bit more spread out
If you want multiple backdrops for your elopement experience and photos, Rising Sun gives you similar solitude and easy travel to iconic spots via the GTSR.
Apgar/West Glacier
The west side hub! Home to the West Entrance, it’s full of visitor centers, large campgrounds, the iconic Lake McDonald, and is super close to lodging near Glacier National Park. Two big perks to this area: it’s super accessible if you’re bringing guests, and it’s open year-round (when portions of the park close due to snowfall).
- Vibe: Lively, convenient, family-friendly
- Best for: Lodging, lake access, amenities
- Reality check: Less privacy for ceremonies, this area gets busy!
I love starting at Apgar and heading out via the GTSR, driving from west to east and checking off stunning spots along the way to Rising Sun!
North Fork/Polebridge
Want to really get away from it all? North Fork might be for you. We're talking dirt roads, true wilderness, and by far the least amount of crowds in peak season. It's remote, it's rugged, and it's absolutely magical if you're the adventurous type who doesn't mind a bumpy ride for the ultimate seclusion.
- Vibe: Off-grid, adventurous
- Best for: Backcountry lovers
- Reality check: Long drives, rough roads, limited accessibility, and only 3 ceremony locations
Not ideal for guest-friendly elopements or couples who want to explore other parts of the parks during their photos.
The Cut Bank Access
Never heard of it? You’re not the only one. That’s because there’s almost nothing there, except for the rustic Cut Bank campground, one trailhead, and some beautifully secluded mountain views. You’ll find it on the east side, between St. Mary and Two Medicine, about 5 miles down a dirt road off of Hwy 89.
- Vibe: Off-the-beaten-path, low-key, no-frills, immersed in nature
- Best for: No crowds, afternoons & evenings, fields with mountain views
- Reality check: There’s nothing there, not even a flushing toilet or visitor center.
I’d say this spot is also best for “just the two of you” elopement and camping enthusiasts who love to go where everyone else overlooks!
St. Mary/East Side
This is Rising Sun's neighborhood! The east entrance area gives you easy access to the beautiful Saint Mary Lake and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and it’s often less crowded than the west side but still has solid amenities nearby. Because the sunsets over the mountains here, sunsets are epic!
- Vibe: Dramatic, quieter, wide-open
- Best for: Sunsets, intimate ceremonies, fewer crowds
- Reality check: Accommodation is more limited (and more outdated) on this side of the park
This region does have a couple of ceremony locations open year-round, too!
The great news for you?
Your ceremony permit doesn't lock you into one area for photos! Pick your ceremony spot based on the vibe you want for your vows, then explore wherever your heart takes you (and how long our elopement photography packages allow).
That's exactly what Abigail and Raymond did—a ceremony on the east side, but photos all along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Best of both worlds!
Glacier National Park Elopement Planning FAQs
Where in Glacier National Park can you get married?
There are 29 official ceremony locations throughout the park, from lakeshores to forests to meadows. Each has different guest limits and vibes. Rising Sun is one of the more intimate options on the east side. You can see all locations on the NPS Glacier National Park wedding location page.
Do I need a permit to get married in Glacier National Park?
Yes! Every ceremony in the park requires a Special Use Permit ($125). Apply at least 20 days in advance, but honestly? The sooner the better. The permit reserves your specific location and time slot, as well as vehicle reservations during peak season!
Is it better to stay inside or outside Glacier National Park?
Most couples stay outside the park for more flexibility and amenities (especially when planning a west-to-east day). But there are some great options in the park, too! I share all of my favorite places to stay in Glacier National Park and nearby here.
How far in advance should I plan my elopement?
For peak season (July-August), start planning 6-12 months out. Shoulder seasons, you can get away with 3-6 months. But in reality, the sooner you book your photographer (hint, hint), the sooner we can nail down all the details and make all necessary reservations!
When to get married in Glacier National Park?
Weather-wise: July and August are the warmest and most predictable.
For fewer crowds and epic light: September and early October.
For wildflowers: Late June through July.
For the adventurous: May and late October bring moody weather and drama!
For snow lovers: I prefer the fluffy snow of December and January (though accessible locations are limited—and Rising Sun is not accessible—read all about eloping in Glacier in winter here!)
How long does it take to drive through Glacier National Park?
Driving GTTSR straight through takes about 2 hours, but no one actually does it without stopping (and you shouldn’t). Plan for 3-4 hours to take it all in! Plus, in peak season, traffic can build up, especially around big viewpoints or areas with frequent wildlife sightings.
My best tip? Hire a Glacier National Park elopement photographer ASAP!
Not because I’m biased (okay, maybe a little), but because Glacier logistics can add up quickly. And hiring someone who knows Glacier like the back of their hand truly makes EVERYTHING easier. Things like:
- Which backup spots to pivot to when wildlife closes your first choice
- Where to find parking at Logan Pass in July (it's an art form)
- How to time your ceremony for the best light at Rising Sun
- Secret pullouts that aren't on any map
- How to read Glacier's moody weather patterns
- Which permits you actually need (and which you don't)
I help my booked couples with all of it! And while I have plenty of blogs to help you navigate it yourself, there’s nothing like a one-on-one chat to be able to personalize recommendations and make your planning completely stress-free!
So whether you want to have a west-to-east Glacier elopement extravaganza ending at Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline like Abigail and Raymond or you think a different spot in the park is better for you—I’m here and ready with 20+ years of local knowledge to help you plan. Then I’ll meet you in Glacier with my camera in hand, ready to have the BEST day and capture it all!
Vendors Who Made This Day Possible
Photography: Jennifer Vernarsky Photography
2nd Photographer: Lindsey Jane Photography
Officiant: Lichen and Pines Letterpress
Cake: Mountain Mama's Cupcakery
Florals: Rose Mountain Floral
HMUA: Jocelyn at Salon Haven
Vendor Collective: Elope Montana
