How to Elope in Grand Teton National Park in 2024

Grand Teton National Park is located on the border of Wyoming and Idaho and is known for being one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Over 3 million people visit the park each year in awe of its dramatic peaks, crystal clear lakes, and other natural landscapes. Luckily enough, I lived two hours away from this park for four years and have had the opportunity to explore the park numerous times. You’ll be amazed at the hiking trails, wildlife, and ecosystems the park has to offer, as well as all the hidden gem locations I have up my sleeve.

To help you plan your elopement, I created this guide filled with everything you possibly need to know about how to elope in Grand Teton National Park, including new permit rules, locations, weather, elopement packages and more.

Grand Teton Elopement Checklist

• Book your travel to Grand Teton
• Choose your elopement location
• Choose your season to elope
• Obtain your permits
• Get your marriage license
• Book your lodging
• Book your activities
• Grand Teton elopement packages

How to Get to Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park, while fairly remote, is close to a few different airports. Below are the closest airports, as well as some additional information about each one.

• Jackson Hole Airport: 5 minutes. This airport is located just 5 minutes away from the park. You can fly directly into Jackson Hole from most international airports on the West Coast, though it tends to be a bit pricer, as the airport sees just a few flights a day.
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport: 2 hours. Located just two hours away from the park, Idaho Falls is a great airport option. Similarly to Jackson Hole, the flights into Idaho Falls tend to be a bit pricer due to the small airport size. They have been expanding though, so more flights should be offered soon.
• Salt Lake International Airport: 4.5 hours. Salt Lake is the largest and most popular airport on this list. Salt Lake has the cheapest and most flight options available.

Best Places to Elope in Grand Teton National Park

Before we get into the best places to elope in Grand Teton, it’s important to note that Grand Teton National Park does NOT allow weddings or elopements to take place at any location outside of the six designated ceremony sites listed below. This applies to elopements with more than 12 people in attendance (this includes your photographer, officiants, etc.). However, you are free to take portraits around other areas of the park.

If you have less than 12 people, you can elope almost anywhere in the park aside from off-limit areas that we’ll touch on in just a second.

Note: The max capacity number for each location includes the couple, guests, officiant, photographer, and any other vendors present.

Schwabacher’s Landing

Max capacity: 25

Schwabacher’s Landing is the most popular elopement location in Grand Teton National Park. It’s also one of the most visited places in the park for tourists. Schwabacher’s Landing is one of the most beautiful places to watch and photograph the sunrise, making this spot popular sunrise to sunset. There are tons of trees and meadows, a hiking trail, and a beautiful river where you can see the mountain range’s reflection in the water. While this location gets a ton of hype, I personally advise against it if you’re hoping for a more intimate, quiet ceremony location.

Mormon Row

Max capacity: 25 at Mormon Row South, 40 at Mormon Row North

Mormon Row is a historic site within the park and another very popular place to elope for couples and for tourists to explore. It’s a beautiful area with wide open views of the mountain range, but it does get quite crowded. If privacy is important to you, consider having your ceremony during sunrise or sunset here for your Grand Teton elopement.

Mountain View Turnout

Max capacity: 25

Mountain View Turnout, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated ceremony sites in the park. It often gets overshadowed by more popular areas, but this turnout is amazing if you’re looking for a bit more privacy. There’s a ton of land and it feels like you’re right up next to the mountains. If you don’t mind walking a bit, it’s super easy to find an area for a completely private ceremony.

Glacier View Turnout

Max capacity: 25

Glacier View Turnout, similar to Mountain View Turnout, is another underrated ceremony location. However, it’s this turnout is a bit more popular for tourists, as it’s one of the larger turnouts at the beginning of the park. This is a great area for portraits and smaller ceremonies. It’s also very close to other popular sites like Mormon Row and Schwabacher’s Landing.

Snake River Overlook

Max capacity: 25

Of all the ceremony sites in the park, Snake River Overlook is the least popular. While the views are breathtaking, and Ansel Adams made this area famous from a stunning photograph, there’s a large granite wall that will be in the background of all your images. It’s a great spot to stop for a quick landscape image, but I would advise against this location if you’re hoping for something a bit closer to the mountain range. It’s a great spot if you don’t mind the wall, but like I said, I would recommend something else for pictures sake.

Colter Bay Swim Beach

Max capacity: 40

If you’re looking for something a bit more quiet away from the busy tourist sites, I highly recommend Colter Bay Swim Beach. Not only do you get stunning views, but it’s much further from the popular stops in the park, making this one of the less-visited locations in the area. This is one of my favorite places to photograph ceremonies, as there are so many incredible hidden gems nearby.

Bonus Locations Right Outside the Park

These two locations are located just outside the park. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle and crowds of the park, along with the park’s permit process, check out these alternative locations. I also know of a few others that require no permit and are perfect for a ceremony!

Table Mountain

Not many people know about Table Mountain! Like I stated above, Table Mountain is not technically located within the park, but the views are out of this world. Take a ski lift (or hike 5.5 miles in) at Grand Targhee Resort to be greeted to one of the most up-close views you’ll have of Grand Teton. This area is very popular, so be sure to plan ahead for a weekday during the off-season!

The Wedding Tree

The Wedding Tree, hence the name, makes the perfect wedding venue for those who want privacy but also a beautiful view of the Tetons. You won’t find many people here, as it’s pretty far from the main road. This isn’t the best location if it’s cloudy, as the clouds can obstruct the mountains, but if it’s sunny, the views are epic. You must reserve the area for your wedding or elopement with a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Two photos by Marc Bowen.

Can I Elope Anywhere in Grand Teton?

No. Unfortunately, if you have more than 12 people, you’re limited to the six ceremony sites listed above. If you have less than 12 people, you can elope anywhere in the park aside from the locations listed below.

• Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony locations (aka the six locations listed above)
• The paved trails within and surrounding the Jenny Lake visitor plaza at South Jenny Lake
• Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
• String Lake and Jenny Lake overlook on the one-way road from May 15 to October 15
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve (LSR)
• Concessioner land assignments (exception for weddings sold/catered by Concessioners in assigned facilities in accordance with their contract)
• Park partner facilities (e.g., Murie Ranch, Teton Science School)
• Within proximity of places where weddings are being managed by a chapel or concessioner (e.g., the Chapel of the Transfiguration)
• Park cemeteries
• If a location is behind a gated road, the permittee may have walking access but not vehicle access.

How Do I Get a Permit to Elope in Grand Teton?

In order to elope in Grand Teton National Park, you’ll need to apply for and purchase a special use permit.

The special use permits are reversed on a first-come first-serve basis, so be sure to apply so you can secure your preferred elopement location as soon as possible, as Grand Teton limits the amount of permits given out each year. Check out the steps below to see how to obtain a permit.

1. Fill out the application.
   • On the application, be sure to note if you are applying for either Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permits (for more than 12 people) or Small Dispersed Ceremony Permit (for less than 12 people).
   • Under the “List of Equipment” section, be sure to enter your photographer/planner’s contact information (i.e., name, email, website, phone number). If you haven’t hired them yet, email this information to grte_visitor_services@nps.gov once they’ve been hired.
2. Email the completed application to grte_visitor_services@nps.gov no less than 30 days prior to the event.
3. Pay the $200 application fee electronically by visiting www.pay.gov. 
4. Once your application has been reviewed and payment confirmed, you will be emailed a preliminary permit within 7-10 days.
5. You will then have seven days to review, sign, and return the draft permit back to the email.
6. The final permit will then be emailed back. You must have a printed copy of the fully executed permit on site during the event.

To get more information and see more helpful tips on filling out the application, check out the permit page here.

When Is the Best Time of Year to Elope in Grand Teton National Park?

Summer (June – August)

Summer is a great time to visit Grand Teton National Park if having good weather on your elopement day is important to you. While the weather is nice and alI hiking trails are accessible, it’s extremely crowded. Summer in Grand Teton comes with tons of traffic (especially in Jackson Hole), crowds, very limited parking, and very high prices. Personally, I recommend having your elopement a bit later in the year if you’re hoping for a more private and stress-free experience.

Fall (September – October)

Fall is hands-down the best time to elope in Grand Teton National Park! There aren’t as many crowds, it isn’t as expensive, and you’ll more than likely encounter some gorgeous fall colors and wildlife. I recommend having your wedding in September, as October can be a bit unpredictable when it comes to the snow. The fall is also a bit chillier, so be sure to bundle up.

Winter (November – April)

If you love the snow, Grand Teton in the winter is the place for you. While you’re extremely limited when it comes to locations (many of them are blocked off by the snow), it’s extremely quiet in the park. However, the winter comes with some elevated prices and a bit more people in the Jackson Hole area, as everyone wants to take advantage of the nearby ski resorts.

Spring (May)

Spring is more of a transitional time in Grand Teton. This is a great time to visit to avoid the crowds, but keep in mind that most things still aren’t open, and a lot of the trails will still have snow on them until late May. The weather is a bit unpredictable in this area, so if you don’t mind some last minute snow, May is a great time to visit.

How to Get a Marriage License in Wyoming

If you want to get a marriage license in Wyoming, you must apply in person.

The most popular place to get a marriage license is in Jackson Hole, which is directly outside of the park. To get a marriage license, you first need to fill out the marriage license questionnaire. Once filled out, you need to make an appointment at the County Clerk’s Office by calling 307-733-4430. They do NOT accept walk-ins.

Be sure to bring the questionnaire, your photo ID, and $30 cash or $31.50 on your card for the application fee.

There is no waiting period in Wyoming, meaning you can pick up your marriage license and get married on the same day. Once you’re married, drop off the license for processing.

To get more information on how to obtain a marriage license in Teton County (Jackson Hole), check out the official site here.

Do I Need an Officiant and Witness for My Grand Teton Elopement?

Yes, you will need an officiant and at least two witnesses in order to elope in Grand Teton National Park.

Pro tip: A friend or family member can officiate your ceremony for FREE by becoming ordained online through the Universal Life Church. The process is completely free and takes less than 5 minutes. If you’re looking for a true intimate elopement experience, I also officiate ceremonies for free!

Best Places to Stay in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is a short drive away from the park and where 90% of people stay when visiting the park. If you want a true outdoor experience, you can always stay inside the park at Jenny Lake Lodge, cabins that sit right outside Jenny Lake. However, if you’re looking for something a little more upscale, check out some of these epic Airbnbs and hotels in Jackson Hole.

• Holly Hause – A luxurious, private villa nestled in the woods equipped with a hot tub and tons of windows. Great for guests!
• Abode at 7 Cabins – 5 different cabins right outside Jackson with stunning views and forestry.
• East Gill Four – A clean, modern, and minimalistic home near town square.
• 118 Private Acres – Get the true rustic experience at this private home within the woods.
• Four Seasons Hotel – A 5-star luxury hotel with the best of the best.
• Hotel Jackson – An upscale hotel near downtown Jackson Hole.

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Activities

One of my favorite aspects about elopements is the freedom that comes with them. Eloping gives you the flexibility to incorporate memorable activities the two of you love doing together. Luckily, Grand Teton and the surrounding area has a plethora of activities to do and things to try. Below are some of my favorites.

• Grab a bite to eat at Big Hole BBQ (they have incredible mac and cheese!)
• Take a picture with the famous antler arch
• Watch the elk at the national elk refuge
• Ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
• Stay up late and go stargazing in the park
• Stop by Persephone Bakery for breakfast
• Go skiing at Grand Targhee Resort
• Have a picnic under the mountain
• Go on a helicopter tour
• Book a wildlife tour or off-roading adventure
• Go horseback riding through the backcountry of the park

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Packages

I’m Brianna, an elopement photographer who helps plan and photograph elopements all over the West Coast. Having lived just two hours from Grand Teton National Park for four years, I know a thing or two about planning epic experiences in the area. You can see all my elopement package options here.

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Pricing

• 6 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Wyoming
• A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
  • Personalized elopement location recommendations
  • Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
  • Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
  • 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
  • Customized elopement timelines
  • Optional complimentary officiant services
• Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
• 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
• Travel fees to anywhere in Wyoming are already included
• Starting at $8,500

Want more elopement inspiration? Check out this Mountain Wedding Venue Guide, Iceland Wedding Guide, and Alaska Wedding Guide!