The Best Secret Places to Scatter Ashes in National Parks (and Beyond)
Scattering ashes in nature is one of the most meaningful ways to say goodbye — an act of release that ties memory to the landscapes your loved one cherished. But the most sacred places aren’t always marked on the map. They are meadows at sunrise, quiet river bends, or coves where dolphins surface.
At BONAVENTURE, we specialize in helping families find those hidden places, securing permits, and ensuring each ceremony is carried out with reverence and care. Here are some of the best secret places to scatter ashes across America’s National Parks and beyond.
🌸 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is often crowded near Paradise, but the Spray Park wildflower meadows remain hushed and wide open.
Secret spot: Spray Park meadows, ablaze with lupine in summer.
Best method: Casting ashes into mountain breezes.
Pro tip: Sunrise provides solitude and glowing alpine light.
🌲 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Olympic National Forest
In Olympic, most know the Hoh Rain Forest, but the Quinault Rain Forest offers quieter trails.
Secret spot: Maple Glade Trail near Lake Quinault.
Best method: Walking-stick scattering among ferns.
Pro tip: Choose a misty morning when fog drapes the trees.
🐻 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Yellowstone National Park
Beyond Old Faithful, Yellowstone holds hidden valleys where rivers slow.
Secret spot: Lamar Valley river bends at dawn.
Best method: Gentle casting along riverbanks.
Pro tip: Avoid thermal zones; choose quiet water edges.
🏔️ Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Grand Teton National Park
The Tetons rise like cathedrals, and while Jenny Lake is busy, String Lake’s hidden coves remain hushed.
Secret spot: String Lake shoreline, tucked away from the main trail.
Best method: Water scattering by hand.
Pro tip: Mid-morning brings calm reflections of the peaks.
🧡 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Zion National Park
Crowds line the Virgin River, but Zion’s Kolob Canyons glow quietly at dusk.
Secret spot: Timber Creek Overlook in Kolob Canyons.
Best method: Casting into canyon winds.
Pro tip: Sunset paints cliffs gold and rose.
🌾 Best Place to Scatter Ashes at Devil’s Tower
At Devil’s Tower, ceremonies near the Tower are restricted, but Belle Fourche River meadows provide solitude.
Secret spot: Prairie overlooks by the Belle Fourche River.
Best method: Casting into open winds.
Pro tip: Spring wildflowers transform the meadows.
❄️ Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Glacier National Park
Glacier’s secret beauty lies not on Going-to-the-Sun Road but in the Many Glacier Valley.
Secret spot: Shoreline of Swiftcurrent Lake.
Best method: Water casting into alpine lakes.
Pro tip: Early mornings reflect the peaks like glass.
🍂 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain’s Wild Basin is a quieter corner.
Secret spot: Calypso Cascades waterfall area.
Best method: Walking-stick scattering among aspen groves.
Pro tip: Fall colors turn the valley golden.
🌅 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Badlands National Park
In the Badlands, the Sage Creek Wilderness overlook sees few visitors.
Secret spot: Sage Creek Basin rim at sunset.
Best method: Casting into prairie winds.
Pro tip: Evening light turns ridges into fire.
🌊 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Hawaii
Hawaii’s ocean is sacred, but the quiet coves of Oahu’s North Shore and Big Island bays allow reverence.
Secret spot: Waimea Bay’s secluded north end.
Best method: Ocean scattering beyond the reef.
Pro tip: Morning tides bring calm waters.
🐬 Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Pensacola
Dolphins at Sunset often join families in Pensacola’s Santa Rosa Sound.
Secret spot: Barrier island shallows of Santa Rosa Sound.
Best method: Boat scattering into the Gulf or Sound.
Pro tip: Choose golden hour when dolphins surface.
✨ Best Place to Scatter Ashes in Puget Sound Bioluminescence
Puget Sound glows in secret when the water is stirred on summer nights.
Secret spot: Bainbridge Island’s hidden inlets.
Best method: Casting ashes at night.
Pro tip: New moon nights make the glow brightest.
FAQ: Scattering Ashes in National Parks
Do you need a permit to scatter ashes in National Parks?
Yes, most National Parks require a Special Use Permit. Bonaventure helps secure these for you.
Can you scatter ashes in Yellowstone?
Yes, but scattering near thermal features is prohibited. See Yellowstone package →
Can you scatter ashes in Hawaii?
Yes, scattering at sea is common in Hawaii, but it must occur away from shorelines and reefs. See Hawaii package →
What is the best scattering method in National Parks?
Casting in meadows and ridges.
Walking-stick scattering in forests.
Water scattering at lakes or streams.
Aerial scattering for wide landscapes.
Is it legal to bury ashes in National Parks?
No — burial disrupts ecosystems. Scattering is permitted with proper guidelines.
