Wanting to Elope around Austin but don’t want to travel too far from the city? Check out our list of the best places to elope or renew your vows near Austin, Texas. If you are wondering what kind of cool places there are to adventure in Austin check out our list of favorite locations within an hour or 2 to elope. You’re sure to find something perfect for your special day, plus it helps that we are all ordained adventure photographers and can marry you anywhere!  We are local to these areas so we know all of the hidden gem local secret spots, and how to grab yourself a permit!

Visit our locations list of favorite places to elope in Texas on the website by clicking here

MCKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK

Located just over 20 minutes from downtown Austin, Mckinney falls state park is the closest state park to the city. With easy access to the river from multiple locations this place offers lots of different terrains for your elopement day! Enjoy a picnic or cupcakes by the waterfall, say your vows amongst the trees, and jump into the water with your wedding attire on to wrap up your perfect day! McKinney Falls is a freaking blast for a Texas Adventure Elopement!

PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK

Located just over an hour from downtown Austin Pedernales falls state park offer some cool rock scrambling opportunities. Home to the Pedernales river these rocks flow and bend and the river that runs through them carves them out year after year. When the water is low walk along the rocks and check out all the cracks and tiny caves in the rocks. When the water is high, gaze upon the beautiful waterfalls as you say your vows. We’ve had couples even kayak during their wedding day and it was freaking stellar! The sunset was slowly going down over the water which painted a beautiful true Texas sky with reflections on the water. We stayed out there until the moon came out and got some amazing night shots with them in the kayak.

CHAPEL DULCENIA

This small venue in Austin is perfect for your intimate wedding at any season of the year.  With an incredible view of the city of Austin itself, this open air venue is avalible every day and offers time slots for both free and paid weddings. They even have a reception room for rent if you would prefer an intimate ceremony or vow renewal but still want to celebrate with a bigger crowd. The only thing to note is that it is outside and Texas can get pretty hot, so prepare accordingly. 

INKS LAKE STATE PARK

Located 1.5 hours northwest of Austin, Inks Lake state park is located on the colorado river near Buchanan Lake. With some cool rock formations, and with some cool rock formations and a fantastic spot to swim this is a great elopement location for couples who might was to end their day with a splash! Time to party on a lake!

ENCHANTED ROCK

Boasting one of the best views in Hill Country, Enchanted Rock is one of our favorite places to elope within the Austin area. Only an hour and 45 minutes from the city, and only 30 minutes north of Fredricksberg, Enchanted rock is a fantastic place to have your wedding! Hike to the top of the granite dome and take in the sweeping view of the area. Have a picnic and watch the sunset together then hike back down and drive into town and sip on some local wine. It makes for the perfect day if you’re looking for a beautiful cliffside hike and then going into a small german town to eat the best sausages with locally made wine! Yes, yes… They have fantastic beer, too!

WIMBERLEY

Jacobs Well, Blue Hole, Old Baldy are just a few of the incredible places to elope near Wimberly, Texas. Just a 2 hour drive from Austin there is so much to do in this quaint little town. Are you looking for a legit adventure in south Texas for your elopement? Perfect! you have options to go jump in the river, go on a zipline adventure, horseback riding, swim in a deep water hole, etc. If you want something more relaxing, visit a winery, stroll through a museum, hire a private chef, or spend some time relaxing at your glampsite. You can do a little bit of everything here! We had a couple do their elopement at Jacobs Well and they were able to bring 10 of their closest friends and family. It made for an easy hike right off the parking lot.

HILL COUNTRY NATURAL AREA

Located 2 hours southwest of Austin Texas, the Hill Country Natural Area is a beautiful place for your adventure elopement. Head to this spot in the fall for incredible views of the sweeping Texas hills with tons of trees turning bright orange, red and yellow. Spend a cozy morning making brunch together in your airbnb before heading out for your ceremony in the woods. Hill Country is a wide span of many different scenic views that can accommodate up to 20 or less people. There are places where you can spend your vow exchange within a forest of trees, be upon a cliffside, or right on down by the river. I mean, how freaking cool is it to get married along a river?

BASDROP STATE PARK

Imagine renting a vintage airstream (so instagram popular, right?!), docking it in the beautiful forest of Basdrop park and glamping for the weekend with your partner right here in Texas. Wake up late in the morning, make coffee and breakfast together then snuggle in bed. Spend your afternoon hiking around the forest with your boo before saying vows at sunset cliff side above the river! Yep. Sounds pretty perfect to us too. 

 

COLORADO BEND STATE PARK

Gorman Falls, Texas elopements

Gorman Falls is an impressive, 70-foot-high waterfall deep in the state of Texas. It’s about 10 miles above Lake Buchanan, on the western bank of the Colorado River on Gorman Creek.

You’ll see dramatic travertine for­ma­tions and lush vegetation. Trav­er­tine is a rock formed by the evaporation of river and spring waters and is a perfect place for a waterfall elopement in Texas.

MOUNT BONNELL

Located close to downtown Austin this location offers a short walk up a flight of stairs and a sweeping view of the Colorado river. Because this is an easy hike with a great view, its often crowded at sunset so we suggest doing your elopement for a sunrise on a weekday!

LUCKY ARROW RETREAT & THE CACTUS MOON LODGE

Small intimate weddings + Elopements in Austin

If you don’t want to elope in a state park, and prefer a fancier set up surrounded by your favorite people, check out two of your favorite retreats in the Austin area. Technically located in Drippings Springs both Lucky Arrow Retreat, and the Cactus Moon Lodge have incredible views. With cozy accommodations and an overall incredible space to spend a weekend with the people you love most, these are our favorite places for small intimate weddings. They both host events often and can help you plan something to make your day amazing. 

BONUS: LOST MAPLES STATE PARK

If you don’t mind driving about 3 hours west of Austin you can elope in the beautiful Lost Maples State Park, with lots of gorgeous spots for a ceremony including a riverside view, or a hill top top 360 view you are sure to find something incredible.