How to Elope in a National Park

Learn how to elope in a national park with insight on obtaining permits, my favorite parks, the cost, and more in this ultimate guide.

How to Elope in a National Park

There are a lot of logistics that go into eloping in a national park, but before we dive in deeper to all the details, let’s quick summarize the main things you need to keep in mind!

• Decide on the perfect location! You may have something in mind already, or you may need to spend some time researching different national parks to find which one fits with the vibe you want for your day.
• Obtain the correct permits. Permits are incredibly important for a national park elopement, and not something you can skip out on! So you will need to research and make sure you have what you need. (This is something I as a photographer could help you with!)
• Find a ceremony location. Scout out the perfect ceremony location within the park, and usually, the park will have a pre-approved list of locations to choose from where elopement ceremonies can take place.
• Hire a photographer. You’ll want to capture every minute of this once-in-a-lifetime day, and a photographer is how to do that! Pick one that vibes with you or you can go ahead and inquire with me here!
• Figure out all the logistics. Like I said, there’s a lot of logistics, so you’ll have to organize travel, accommodations, attire, etc.

National Park Wedding vs. Elopement

What does it mean to have a wedding at an national park vs. an elopement? Typically an elopement would be just you and your partner, or a small guest count of 10 or under. Any more guests than that and it’s more of a micro wedding or commonly sized wedding. The reason this matters is because the more guests you have at your wedding, the more difficult it can be logistically to plan out. Typiically, you would need seating for your guests for a wedding, and you’d need a large enough parking lot for everyone to use. This can get very complicated in a national park! And may affect which location you can choose for your day.

There are even some parks out there that are showing favor to elopements over weddings, by not requiring a permit if you have under 10 guests. The more guests can just add more congestion to the park, so an elopement is a lot more ideal! But if you want to include guests in this important occasion, consider a reception with family and friends at a later date! This is a fun way to have your intimate elopement with your partner, but still get to celebrate with your favorite people.

National Park Permits for an Elopement

Permits are typically a must to elope in a national park. They play a part in protecting the wildlife and natural beauty of the park, on top of managing the impact ceremonies can have on the environment. So when you obtain a permit, you are helping contribute to keeping the parks preserved so that future generations can enjoy themm as well! Although it may be tempting to try and avoid the permit to save money, it could end up costing you more in fines in the long run. So don’t skip this essential step!

When you go to obtain your permit through the National Park Sevice, you will have to fill out details on a location, the date, number of guests, etc. Some national parks have certain restrictions on the number of attendees, or on the use of certain areas, so this is something you will need to find out.

Permits are key to making sure you are being respectful to the beauty of the parks and the wildlife that lives there, so they can continue to be enjoyed in the future!

Cost of a National Park Elopement

The permit fees for a national park elopement will vary in each national park, and all depends on the popularity of the park, it’s size and the environmental concerns. For example, Glacier National Park’s permit cost for a wedding is $125, while Yosemite’s is over $250. Besides the permit costs, there can be other costs to consider, such as travel, accommodations, attire, and if you plan on adding in any florals or other details to the day.

But, it’s very easy to keep your elopement expenses low, because when you are getting married in a national park, less is more! And no matter what, you’ll never be spending anywhere close to what a traditional wedding venue costs!

National Park Elopement + Guests

Although it may be hard to keep a lower guest count, and there are parks that can accommodate larger groups, I do always recommend eloping in a national park with less than 10 guests. Groups larger than that can make an impact on the environment, and make it difficult to adhere to Leave No Trace. Some locations can accommodate more people, but these ampitheaters and paved parking areas can often be overly crowded and have a lot more regulations.

An alternative if you do prefer to have more of your friends and family involved, is to opt for a ceremony outside of fthe park at a designated wedding venue, or find a Airbnb or VRBO nearby! Both of these options allow you to bring in more guests and enjoy your time with them, and then you can escape for some portraits in the park! There are some gorgeous lodges or glamping accommodations near many of the national parks that make an ideal spot for a ceremony/reception, as well as conveniently staying right on the property.

No matter if you want a private and intimate elopement in the park with little to no guests, or celebrate with all your favorite people outside of the park, you can create the perfect day for you and your partner.

When to Elope in a National Park

This all depends on the national park location that you choose, and what you want your day to look like! When you’re choosing the national park for your elopement, you have to think of the type of landscape you would like and this will affect the time of year you can choose! For example, desert national parks like Joshua Tree, can be easily accessible all year long, while mountainous national parks such as Glacier, will have a shorter time of year to work around. Certain parks also thrive more during a specific season, such as Yosemite in the spring with it’s heavy flowing wattetrfall. It’s important to do your research and learn what would be ideal for you and your partner (and I’m here to help with that as well!)

Something I will recommend is if you want to avoid the crowds and have a more intimate elopement, opt for a season other than summer. The summertime is when the parks become extremely busy, and you may struggle to have a private spot without an audience. Depending on the park you’re choosing and the weather there, you could either choose a late spring or early fall elopement instead to be just outside of the summer months, but enjoy a much less crowded park. Or, if summer is your only option, plan a sunrise elopement to acheive that sense of privacy!

Choosing an Elopement Location

One of the hardest parts is choosing the location for your elopement, as the options for gorgeous national parks are endless! It all depends on the overall vibe you are looking for for your day, if you want to return to somewhere you’ve already been, or try somewhere completely new. Here are a few of my top favorites to consider!

Mount Ranier National Park

Mount Rainier is an iconic location in Washington, and once you see it, you definitely understand why! Towering around 14,000 feet, it pretty much dominates the skyline in the best way. If you’ve dreamt of a mountain backdrop that feels remote and untouched, this is one of the best national parks for a just-the-two-of-you kind of day. I usually recommend keeping it small here so you can hike out to some truly jaw-dropping spots without worrying about logistics.

Yosemite National Park

What makes a Yosemite elopement so special is how effortlessly beautiful it all is. You get to say your vows as you take in dramatic views that you can’t find anywhere else! The crashing waterfalls and massive cliffs truly make the most magical backdrop. There are some amazing ceremony spots to pick from, like Glacier Point with its insane views or the quiet, wide-open El Capitan meadow. And when it comes to photos, the entire park is fair game, and ideal for exploring with your person!

Grand Tetons National Park

Just outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming sits the absolutely breathtaking Grand Tetons with it’s jagged peaks and open valleys that create the most romantic setting for an elopement. This is one of my most favorite parks, as the views couldn’t be more peaceful and insanely beautiful. There are many different locations within the park that you can choose from for an elopement, whether it’s the lesser-known Glacier View Turnout or the quiet hilltop ceremony site at The Wedding Tree. Plus, if you’re a wildlife lover, there’s a good chance you’ll run into the likes of grizzly bears, moose, or bison!

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is hands-down one of the most incredible places to elope in Washington. THis spot really has it all, with rocky beaches, mossy rainforests, and wide-open meadows with the gorgeous mountain views. You can enjoy locations like the Hoh Rainforest for something truly magical and lush, Ruby Beach for a moodier, coastal feel, or the romantic, crystal-clear Lake Crescent. With millions of acres to explore, you really have endless options for a ceremony surrounded by nature.

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is like nature’s best-kept secret when it comes to elopements, as it’s much more remote than other parks. You get to experience quiet trails leading to crystal-clear lakes, and you’ll likely have most locations to yourself. It’s perfect if you want a ceremony that’s beautiful, and totally off the beaten path, with no crowds, but the potential of a few mountain goats. If you’re after an authentic, untouched vibe, North Cascades is an ideal choice.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is basically a dream come true for couples who love the outdoors and are up for a little adventure. Tucked away in Montana, the views here are unrivalled with the snow-capped peaks and the crystal-clear lakes. It couldn’t be a more breathtaking backdrop for an elopement! Plus the chances are high of running into wildlife, which adds a little extra fun to your day. Every bit of this place is ridiculously scenic, from the views along Going-to-the-Sun Road and the romantic setting of Lake McDonald. This couldn’t be a more magical place for an elopement!

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is definitely one of the more unique national parks, with it’s desert landscape and the iconic and beautiful Joshua trees. It’s a super accessible park, so if you’re looking to include guests in your day, this is a perfect choice. There are also some pretty incredible AirBnB’s in the area, which could even make for a unique wedding venue, as well as a convenient place to stay. The photos here in this rugged location are truly stunning!

Denali National Park

Eloping in Denali National Park means saying your vows surrounded by some of Alaska’s most breathtaking wilderness. Savage River and Riley Creek Amphitheater provide stunning mountain views and easy access within the first few miles of the park road, making them perfect for intimate ceremonies. But, if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, you can even fly out to remote glacier runways or other secluded spots in the park! This is definitely where to choose if you’re seeking out an adventure in the most gorgeous place!

Death Valley National Park

Don’t let the name fool you, as Death Valley is full of beauty that is sure to take your breath away. You can’t beat a landscape filled with rolling sand dunes, salt flats, and canyons with the most incredible colors. Zabriskie Point is a one-of-a-kind place to hold an elopement; the landscape doesn’t even look real! You can even reserve a private area of the park for your ceremony, so it’s just you, your partner, and the beautiful desert views.

Arches National Park

If you’re picturing sandstone arches and dramatic desert scenery for your elopement, Arches National Park delivers. With over 2,000 natural stone arches and countless viewpoints, it’s one of the most iconic spots in Utah. Sunrise and sunset are ideal times for a ceremony, with golden light flooding the red rock. The colors of the background truly make you and your partner stand out in this stunning scenery!

Vendors for a National Park Elopement

Thankfully, for a national park elopement the vendors are pretty minimal! But here are a couple you will want to consider finding for your day.

• A Photographer: This is definitely a must, because they’re not just capturing the photos, but they are capturing the story of your day that you can share for years to come. You want someone who will effortlessly catch all the sweet, intimate moments in a way that resonates with you, and result in stunning photos.
• An Officiant: An officiant is needed whether you’re planning a more traditional ceremony, or something more customized. This could even be someone special to you who has been ordained!
• A Videographer: This is optional of course, but how special would it be to be able to relive your elopement through film, capturing the beauty of the surroundings and all of the emotions.
• A Florist: Adding a stunning bouquet can make all the difference and really complements the natural beauty of the park, so this is definitely another vendor to consider!

National Park Elopement Photographer

Hi, I’m Hannah, a National Park Elopement Photographer that is always ready for my next adventure! National parks hold the most beauty in our country, making them the ideal choice for a magical elopement. If you’re ready for a joyful experience where you leave your elopement with more butterflies & memories that prioritize celebrating the heck out of you, I am your girl! Reach out and let’s plan your National Park elopement!