Banff has become world-renowned as one of the most beautiful locations in Canada and is a hotspot for couples from all over the world looking to elope. With turquoise glacial lakes and rugged mountain peaks, it’s easy to see why — it’s an unparalleled backdrop for an adventurous elopement! There are several lesser-known — but equally beautiful — locations that are more private and would make for an incredible place for anyone looking to have a Banff elopement. Banff Alberta is world-renowned as one of the most beautiful locations in Canada. Here are six secret places to elope near Banff National Park!
Related: 10 Tips to Make Your Banff Elopement Go Smoothly
6 Secret Places To Elope Near Banff National Park
Lake & Mountain Elopement Locations Within 4 Hours of Banff National Park
1. Jasper National Park, Alberta
Jasper National Park is one of the best places to elope in Alberta, offering a seriously beautiful backdrop for an elopement! The park serves up crystal-clear lakes, soaring mountains, and tons of wildlife — making it the perfect place to exchange vows.
The park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve, which means it has minimal light pollution and offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world. Imagine exchanging vows under a canopy of stars!
The park is home to Maligne Lake, which is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. You can take a boat tour to Spirit Island, a small island located in the middle of the lake, and explore the surroundings where some awesome photographs can be shot! There’s also the Athabasca Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers in the Canadian Rockies.
To sum it up, a Jasper elopement has something for every couple looking for a truly memorable ceremony. Jasper is a 3.5-hour drive from Calgary airport and 2 hours from the town of Banff, forming a journey out of the elopement adventure!
2. Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise is a picture-perfect destination if you’re looking for a romantic elopement only 2 hours from Calgary airport, and 45 minutes from Banff. With amazing turquoise waters, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks, a Lake Louise elopement is magical!
If you’re planning to elope in Lake Louise, there’s a variety of accommodation and dining options, as well as elopement packages for every taste and budget! Several hiking trails start from Lake Louise, including the popular Plain of Six Glaciers Trail and the more challenging Lake Agnes Tea House Trail.
A place like Lake Louise –- with fun outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and canoeing — is a perfect place to plan your elopement experience!
3. Glacier National Park, British Columbia
Glacier National Park is a gorgeous destination if you’re looking for a truly unforgettable elopement! Only 3.5 hours from Calgary airport and 2 hours from Banff, it’s pretty convenient to get to.
With deep valleys and stunning glaciers, a Glacier National Park elopement comes with amazing backdrops: mountains covered in wildflowers, deep rockpools, and waterfalls with copper-sanded basins.
Glacier National Park is home to more than 700 miles of hiking trails, making it a hiker’s paradise with walks to incredible vistas! The park has more than 130 named lakes, including the iconic Lake McDonald and Saint Mary Lake. It’s also home to tons of waterfalls, including Virginia Falls, which drops more than 50 feet into a beautiful turquoise pool.
Otherworldly Elopement Locations
4. Drumheller, Alberta
Drumheller is a unique and unexpected destination if you’re looking for an elopement that’s out of the ordinary! Known as the “Dinosaur Capital of the World,” Drumheller is home to some of the most impressive dinosaur fossils in the world.
The badlands landscape is seriously otherworldly; painted with sandy hues, layered textures, and curious-looking hoodoos. It’s an adventure all on its own, and is an incredible backdrop for an elopement! Imagine exchanging vows in the shadow of towering hoodoos, on the banks of the meandering Red Deer River, or (if you can find it) The Little Church. This is a cute black and white church in the middle of the badlands desert that is contrastingly picturesque set against its brown and arid backdrop. The Little Church requires a $50 donation for your ceremony, and only holds six people at a time, making it a perfect spot for a small, intimate wedding.
With cosy bed and breakfasts, unique boutique hotels, and charming guesthouses, Drumheller offers a range of accommodations and elopement packages — and at only 1.5 hours from Calgary airport, it’s easy to get to!
Mountain, River & Forest Elopement Locations
5. Golden, British Columbia
Golden is a hidden gem in the heart of British Columbia that offers an amazing backdrop for an intimate and unforgettable elopement — just three hours from Calgary airport and 1.5 hours from Banff.
Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and glacial-fed rivers, Golden has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Canada, making it one of the most best places to elope in Banff! Whether you want to say your vows on a mountaintop or in a tranquil forest, Golden has you covered.
Have you ever considered a helicopter elopement? It’s as romantic as it sounds, with some dramatic photographs to add the cherry on top! There are a few places that do helicopter elopements near Banff, and Golden is one of them!
Golden also offers other adventurous activities such as white water rafting, if you want to keep the adrenaline running high after your vows have been exchanged. The best thing about a Golden BC elopement is that it’s a lesser known location, so you’ll have tons of privacy!
6. Revelstoke, British Columbia
Known as “The Gateway to the Rockies”, Revelstoke is found in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains and is a super charming destination if you’re looking for an elopement that’s off the beaten path! It’s a bit of a journey, but well worth the 4.5-hour drive from Calgary airport, or the 3.5-hour drive from Banff.
A Revelstoke elopement will make you feel so present in the moment and connected to everything around you. My favourite part about Revelstoke? The hot springs — Revelstoke Hot Springs and Halcyon Hot Springs — are perfect for some post-elopement relaxation! The Revelstoke Mountain Resort also has the longest vertical descent of any ski resort in North America, with over 1,700 metres of vertical drop.
Not only does it have mind-blowing cliffs, but moss-covered forests and waterfalls too! Revelstoke honestly has so many gorgeous photoshoot locations to choose from –- it’s as magical as it sounds.
Let’s Go!
There are so many incredible places to elope in Banff — so much so that it can be downright overwhelming! Hopefully, this guide can help illustrate the different elements that each region has to offer, something unique and relevant to your love story.
I’d love to help plan your adventure elopement, and I’m always happy to be a witness! If you’re looking for a Banff elopement photographer, send me a message and let’s create your dream day!
DANIELLE AISLING IS A CANADIAN PHOTOGRAPHER + EDUCATOR SPECIALIZING IN INTIMATE WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS. BASED IN OTTAWA, DANIELLE IS ALWAYS READY TO HIT THE ROAD AND MEET YOU WHERE YOUR LOVE TAKES YOU. INCLUDING: MONT-TREMBLANT, PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, VANCOUVER, TOFINO, TORONTO, TULUM, CABO, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE MEXICO, ITALY, ICELAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND, AND WORLDWIDE.
[…] But the process of planning an elopement presents countless challenges. To help you make sure your big day goes smoothly, here are some insider tips for eloping in Banff National Park. […]