Are you dreaming of an intimate wedding surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest? Look no further than the town of Bend, a hidden gem in the heart of Oregon. With its stunning landscapes and diverse terrain, Bend and its surrounding areas offer many ceremony location options for couples seeking an unforgettable wedding experience. As a seasoned elopement photographer with over 16 years of experience in and around Bend, I’m excited to share my insider knowledge on some of the best intimate wedding locations that Bend, Oregon, has to offer! 

All About Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon, is a vibrant city known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and lively culture. Nestled amidst snow-capped mountain peaks, rivers, and forests, it offers endless outdoor activities options for couples and wedding guests. Beyond outdoor activities, Bend boasts a thriving culinary scene, vibrant arts community, and eclectic shops and restaurants. With its friendly locals, year-round activities, and proximity to many of Oregon’s natural wonders, Bend is the perfect intimate wedding destination that captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest.

Outdoor Wedding Locations In Bend, Oregon

01. Sparks Lake

Imagine exchanging vows against the backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains reflected in the pristine waters of Sparks Lake. Just 40 minutes west of Bend, Sparks Lake is a great spot to tie the knot on a warm Summer or Fall day. It’s also a great place for swimming, paddleboarding, or picnicking! The lake is easily accessed via a 1.0-mile family-friendly hike along the Ray Atkeson Trail. 

Entry Fee: Yes, annual Northwest Forest Pass ($30) or Day Use Pass ($5)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: June – November 

02. Smith Rock State Park

For adventurous couples seeking a dramatic and unforgettable setting, Smith Rock State Park is just under 40 minutes from Bend and the perfect outdoor spot with unique views. Towering cliffs, rugged terrain, and the meandering Crooked River create a breathtaking backdrop for any elopement or intimate wedding. If you have less than 20 guests, you do not need a permit to elope at Smith Rock State Park. For parties of 20 or more, you can apply for a permit and reserve the Smith Rock Amphitheater by calling the park office six months before your desired ceremony date at 541-548-7501. 

Entry Fee: Yes, annual Oregon State Parks Pass ($30) or Day Use Pass ($5)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Time of Year: June – November 

03. Dillon Falls

Nestled along the Deschutes River and just 20 minutes from Bend, Dillon Falls boasts cascading waterfalls and lush greenery, making it an idyllic spot for an intimate wedding ceremony. Whether you’re exchanging vows beneath the shade of towering pine trees or overlooking the rushing waters, Dillon Falls offers a romantic and tranquil setting for your special day. The falls are best accessed via the Deschutes River Trail. 

Entry Fee: Yes, annual Northwest Forest Pass ($30) or Day Use Pass ($5)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: March – October

04. Lake Billy Chinook

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Central Oregon’s high desert, Lake Billy Chinook is about an hour and a half drive from Bend! The lake is a dreamy, scenic backdrop for waterfront wedding celebrations. With its deep blue waters and towering canyon walls, this hidden gem will take your breath away.

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: April – October 

05. Tumalo Falls

Few locations capture the magic of the Pacific Northwest quite like Tumalo Falls. With its towering waterfall and cliff-side surroundings, this natural wonder provides a captivating backdrop for your wedding ceremony. Whether you’re saying “I do” beneath the mist of the falls or amidst the tranquil beauty of the pine forest on a falls observation platform, Tumalo Falls promises an intimate wedding celebration to remember. The falls are best accessed via the Tumalo Falls Loop and less than half an hour from Bend. 

Entry Fee: Yes, annual Northwest Forest Pass ($30) or Day Use Pass ($5)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: June – October

06. Deschutes River Trail

Wander along the Deschutes River Trail path for a picturesque elopement hike surrounded by the best of Oregon’s natural beauty. With its calming waters and scenic views, the Deschutes River Trail offers a peaceful and intimate setting for couples seeking a relaxing and adventurous elopement. The trailhead is less than a 10-minute drive from Bend!

Entry Fee: Yes, annual Northwest Forest Pass ($30) or Day Use Pass ($5)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: March – October

07. Broken Top

Embrace the rugged beauty of the Cascade Mountains with a wedding ceremony at Broken Top. Surrounded by alpine meadows, towering peaks, and pristine lakes, this majestic stratovolcano in the Three Sisters Wilderness offers an unforgettable backdrop and adventure hike for an intimate wedding or elopement day. Broken Top is about an hour and fifteen-minute drive from Bend, and all hikers must have a Wilderness Permit to use the trail from June 15 – October 15. 

Entry Fee: Yes, annual Northwest Forest Pass ($30) or Day Use Pass ($5)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: June – October

08. Cascade Lakes Highway

Journey along the scenic Cascade Lakes Highway and discover many stunning lakeside ceremony locations nestled amidst towering evergreen forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. The highway, which runs 66 miles, passes 14 major lakes, including Sparks Lake, Elk Lake, Hosmer Lake, and Lava Lake. One of my intimate wedding locations in Bend, Oregon, is just along this highway; Elk Lake Resort!

Entry Fee: Depends on location

Dog Friendly: Depends on location

Best Time of Year: May/June – October/November

09. Metolius River

Escape to Metolius River, just an hour outside of Bend, for a wedding ceremony spot that feels like a fairytale come to life. Surrounded by old-growth forests and crystal-clear waters, Metolius offers a serene and picturesque setting for couples seeking a romantic elopement experience in nature. If you and your partner love fishing, the Meticulous River is full of trout and other fish!

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: Year-Round

10. Sisters

Discover the quaint charm of Sisters, Oregon! Just 15 miles northwest of Bend, Sisters is known for its Western theme and vibrant arts scene. With celebrated events like the Sisters Folk Festival and Sisters Rodeo, this town offers a cultural backdrop for unforgettable weddings. Surrounded by pine trees, lakes, and mountains, Sisters also boasts beautiful wedding venues and easy access to stunning elopement locations in the Cascades, making it the perfect setting for an intimate, outdoor wedding celebration.

11. Crater Lake National Park

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Oregon’s most iconic natural wonders with a wedding ceremony at Crater Lake. Surrounded by towering cliffs and the deepest blue waters you’ve ever seen, Crater Lake is about a 3-hour drive from Bend and well worth the drive. A Special Use Permit is required to elope at Crater Lake National Park, and there are many beautiful locations across the park from which to choose for your elopement or intimate wedding! This is one of my favorite National Park wedding locations near Bend, Oregon!

Entry Fee: Yes, Standard Pass ($15–$30), Annual Pass ($55), or an America the Beautiful Pass ($80)

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: June – September

12. Shevlin Park

Located in Bend, Shevlin Park is one of Oregon’s most beautiful parks. Full of aspen and evergreen trees, it’s the perfect location for a colorful Summer or Fall wedding. With a few different trails for hiking and biking, a picnic area, and lots of open space, this stunning park is a peaceful place to say I Do. For elopements or intimate weddings with guests, couples can book the Aspen Hall for indoor celebrations and the Aspen Meadow Picnic Shelter for an outdoor reception.

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: Year-Round

13. Paulina Lake

Twenty-five miles south of Bend and situated within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Lake offers a beautiful setting for a waterfront wedding ceremony. Surrounded by volcanic peaks and pristine forests, this picturesque lake will leave a lasting impression on you, your partner, and your guests. The lake is best accessed via the Paulina Lakeshore Loop. 

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: April – October 

14. Mt. Bachelor

Elevate your wedding day with a ceremony atop the majestic slopes of Mt. Bachelor, just a 30-minute drive from Bend! With panoramic views of the Cascade Range and some of the best snow in the state, Mt. Bachelor offers a truly unforgettable setting for couples seeking a ski-themed wedding celebration. 

Entry Fee: Yes, Season or Day Lift Passes Required

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: December – April (For ski weddings)

15. Sahalie Falls

Let the sound of rushing water serenade you and your partner as you exchange vows amidst the breathtaking beauty of Sahalie Falls. The falls are best accessed via the Waterfalls Loop Trail, just an hour from Bend. There is also a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform just off the falls’ parking lot. 

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: May – November

16. Crooked River Grasslands

Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Central Oregon with a wedding ceremony at Crooked River Grasslands. Surrounded by sweeping vistas and rolling hills, this vast, unique landscape offers a serene and intimate backdrop for your special day. The Grasslands are just an hour from Bend and cover 155,000 acres of land in Central Oregon!

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: March – November 

17. Painted Hills

Located in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and nestled in Oregon’s high desert, the Painted Hills offer a stunning and unique backdrop for elopements and weddings. About an hour and a half drive from Bend, Painted Hills is perfect for couples seeking an intimate and picturesque vow spot surrounded by vibrant and colorful layers of geological history. A Special Use Permit is required to elope at Painted Hills if your elopement involves more than 20 people. 

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: May – October 

18. The Ochocos Mountains

The Ochocos Mountains offer couples a rustic and serene backdrop for their intimate ceremony. Just an hour from Bend, you and your partner will find yourself surrounded by towering pines, blue lakes, and sweeping vistas. The Ochocos never fail to provide a secluded and romantic mountain setting for exchanging vows!

Entry Fee: None

Dog Friendly: Yes, on leash

Best Time of Year: March – November 

Venue Wedding Locations In Bend, Oregon

01. FivePine Lodge

Nestled in the tranquil town of Sisters, FivePine Lodge offers rustic elegance and breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains. With its cozy cabins, intimate ceremony sites, and upscale amenities, Five Pine Lodge is the perfect choice for couples seeking a romantic and memorable wedding experience in the mountains.

02. Sunriver Resort 

For couples seeking a blend of adventure and luxury, Sunriver presents an ideal elopement or wedding destination. Nestled in the heart of Central Oregon, Sunriver offers many amenities, from an upscale resort to world-class dining, ensuring couples can celebrate their love in style. With opportunities for outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, spa relaxation, and over 10+ ceremony sites on the property, getting married at Sunriver promises adventure and indulgence in a breathtaking setting.

03. Black Butte Ranch

Black Butte Ranch is a beautiful resort in Central Oregon, just 40 minutes from Bend. The ranch offers elevated amenities, guest suites, two pristine ceremony sites, and a brand-new lodge for receptions and indoor ceremonies. It also offers wedding packages and accommodations for celebrations of all sizes and in-house catering. This is one of my favorite ranch wedding locations near Bend, Oregon!

04. Loloma Lodge

Coziness meets historic, rustic charm at Loloma Lodge. Nestled along a scenic riverfront and just an hour and a half drive from Bend, Loloma Lodge offers couples a great wedding package when booking the entire property and lodge for guests. This package includes tables, chairs, full access to the Classic Log Lodge and cabins, kitchens, recreational areas, the entire grounds, ceremony site by the river, garden, lawns and wooded areas, outdoor fire pits, covered stage, carriage house, and more!

05. Rainshadow Organics

Surrounded by organic fields, lush gardens, and panoramic mountain views, Rainshadow Organics offers a sustainable and eco-friendly way to celebrate your big day! Rainshadow Organic is home to a beautiful outdoor venue with a view of one of its gardens, along with in-house catering for your reception. This ceremony location is just a 45-minute drive from Bend. This is one of my favorite sustainable wedding locations near Bend, Oregon!

04. Lake Creek Lodge

Located along the Metolius River and tucked away in the serene forests of Central Oregon, Lake Creek Lodge offers charming cabins and a ceremony and reception site. Couples can say their vows at Osprey Point Pond before celebrating their reception at Roblay’s Garden. Located just 45 minutes from Bend, Lake Creek Lodge is an ideal escape and ceremony location wrapped into one. 

06. Wine Down Ranch

Discover the rustic charm of Wine Down Ranch for a wedding day that’s as unique as your love story. Couples can stay in an authentic bunkhouse or a tiny home and elope on the family-owned and working cattle ranch. Located just an hour from Bend, Wine Down Ranch is an ideal escape for an unplugged outdoor celebration. 

07. Skyliner’s Lodge

Just eight miles west of Bend lies Skyliner’s Lodge, a spacious cabin overlooking Oregon’s stunning mountains. Surrounded by tall pines and nestled by a river, its ceremony site is ideal for intimate weddings with loved ones. After exchanging vows, couples can continue the festivities with a reception under a beautiful evening sky near the ceremony site.

Ready To Plan An Intimate Wedding In Bend, Oregon?!

Hi, I’m Erica, an Oregon elopement photographer! If you and your partner are planning an intimate wedding in Bend, Oregon, I’m here to help document a day you’ll never forget. You can explore my Bend, Oregon elopement packages here, and be sure to reach out to me via my inquiry form! You can also check out my Bend elopement guide for more information on eloping in Oregon!