Government Cove, Oregon: Elopement Location Spotlight
The Columbia River Gorge is an Oregon gem, with stunning views from both the Oregon and Washington side, and makes an absolutely perfect place for an elopement. While there are numerous spots along the gorge that will bring you spectacular views, many of them require quite a bit of hiking. Government Cove, however, is extremely accessible, easy to get to, not overly crowded and offers some incredible backdrops, including the Cascades, the Gorge and immense moss-covered cliffs.
Things to Know About Elopements at Government Cove, Oregon
Proximity to Portland
One reason Government Cove is a great spot to elope or have a small outdoor photoshoot is its close proximity to Portland. It’s just under an hour east of Portland and is located in the small town of Cascade Locks. Hood River, a popular place along the Columbia River Gorge, is only about 20 minutes from Government Cove. So if you’re looking for a beautiful location that’s near a cute town or the city of Portland, you should definitely consider this location for your Columbia River Gorge elopement.
Land of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
It’s important to note that Government Cove is land owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon. This land is an undeveloped peninsula with no facilities (restrooms, water, trash cans, etc.). When driving to Government Cove, there’s a metal gate at the entry. Please be respectful of this land and its owners. The gate should not be tampered with and you should only access this location if the gate is open. Be mindful that there are times when the gate will be closed. Make sure to take any trash you bring with you and abide to Leave No Trace principles.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are currently in the midst of a water crisis and according to the Deschutes Land Trust, it’s estimated that around 60% of Warm Springs members lack access to clean water. While there is no fee to park or be on this land, consider making a donation to the Chúush Fund for water for Warm Springs.
Hiking + Accessibility
While Government Cove doesn’t require expensive hiking gear or hours to get to the viewpoints, this location isn’t ADA accessible. There are no trails or signage and most of what you’ll be walking on will be foot paths. With that said, Government Cove is relatively small, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost. To reach the top of the peninsula, where you’ll be able to see expansive views of the Columbia River Gorge, it’s only a 15-minute walk up.
Time of Year
Government Cove is accessible year round. With that said, if you’re familiar with the PNW, winters are often quite gray and overcast, and it’s likely you’ll get spritzed on if you choose to elope in the Columbia River Gorge in the winter months. Spring, summer and fall are much better for warmer and drier weather, but with that, you can also expect this location to have more people around. Still, Government Cove is a relatively quiet spot for Columbia River Gorge elopements.
If you’re not afraid to get a little wet and bundle up a bit, you’ll still get the same incredible views should you decide to elope or have a photoshoot in winter. These images were taken in late-February. As you can see, umbrellas always come in handy in Oregon! Even though it was winter, it certainly wasn’t freezing by any means, as winters in the Pacific Northwest are pretty mild. So bundle up and grab an umbrella if you want to — Government Cove is beautiful all year round.
Columbia River Gorge Elopement Vendors
If you’re looking for vendors for your elopement, wedding or event near or in the Columbia River Gorge, Portland, Oregon, or the greater PNW and beyond, I’m a Portland wedding florist and you can view my floral design services here. The photos you see in this post were taken by Ali Rae, a photographer who’s also based in Portland and loves to travel. You can see the full list of other talented people involved in this shoot below.
Photography: Ali Rae
Gown: The Wandering Dresses
Models: Amber + Monty