15 Jaw-Dropping National Park Wedding Venues in the U.S.

You want to get married in a national park, but how? From choosing the best national park wedding venue to securing your permits and figuring out the cost, planning your national park wedding may feel a bit overwhelming, which is why I’ve put together the ultimate national park wedding guide.

As an elopement photographer who specializes in national park weddings, I created this guide specifically for you, the lover of outdoors who is looking to plan their very own national park wedding or elopement. This guide is packed to the brim with all the information you’ll ever need. Whether you need help narrowing down your location or are curious about how to get a special use permit for your ceremony, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s begin!

Can You Get Married in a National Park?

Yes! In fact, you can get married in any national park in the United States. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not free to get married in a national park. You will need to obtain a special use permit which usually costs $50-$300 depending on the park. Don’t worry, we’ll cover this in more detail later! The important thing here is that it’s perfectly legal to get married in a national park.

How to Get Married in a National Park: The Checklist

Here is a step-by-step list of what to do if you’re planning a national park wedding. I’ll cover each of these sections in greater detail, but for now, here’s a quick overview…

1. Choose your national park wedding venue
2. Pick the best season for your wedding
3. Apply for a special use permit
4. Hire your vendors
5. Book your travel
6. Get your marriage license
7. Get married

15 Best National Park Wedding Venues in the U.S.

The first step of planning a national park wedding is choosing the actual national park. Whether you’re looking for mountain peaks and waterfalls or evergreen forests and desert landscapes, this is a list of the 15 best national park wedding venues in the United States.

Olympic National Park

First on the list is Olympic National Park which is located in Washington State. Olympic is the most geographically diverse national park in the United States. Alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, temperate forests, large waterfalls, and rocky beaches are just a few of the many different landscapes you’ll find in the park. Olympic is also snow-free and open year-round. I may be biased since this is my favorite national park, but trust me when I say this one should be at the top of your list.

How to Get to Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is located 3 hours from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Olympic National Park

Olympic is open and snow-free in certain locations year-round, so you really can’t go wrong choosing any time of year here! However, I do recommend the months of June and October if you’re hoping for pleasant weather, snow-free trails, and minimal crowds.

Best Wedding Venues in Olympic National Park

Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is one of the most popular national park wedding venue in Olympic. It’s the best mountain spot in the park. Hurricane Ridge is a drive-up location which means there’s no hiking required. The sunrises and sunsets here are incredible. There are tons of trails, picnic tables, and wildlife. This area specifically is popular for weddings and elopements with guests.

Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest is not only the quietest location in the continental U.S., but it’s also the dreamiest and other-worldy. Imagine exchanging vows under moss-covered trees with no sound but the nearby birds. The Hoh Rainforest is the most visited location in the park though, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is the picturesque Pacific Northwest beach with fog, rock formations, and driftwood. This is also one of the select few locations in the park that’s dog-friendly! It’s close to the town of Forks as well, you know, the famous town in Twilight? Definitely a must-stop if you’re a fan!

Permit Information

If you have less than 5 people (including your photographer, officiant, etc.), a permit is not needed. If you have more than 5 people, the permit is $50-$100 depending on the amount of guests you have. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

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North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is hands-down one of the most beautiful and underrated national parks to get married in. In fact, it’s actually one of the least-visited national parks in the United States. With a nickname of “The Alps of America,” it’s hard to wonder why. North Cascades is known for its sweeping mountain views, alpine lakes, and numerous hiking trails. If you love the mountains, you can’t go wrong choosing North Cascades as your national park wedding venue.

How to Get to North Cascades National Park

North Cascades is located 3 hours north of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in North Cascades National Park

Due to it’s high elevation, North Cascades National Park is only accessible July through October (it can be accessed in the winter but is very dangerous). The best time to get married here is during August, which is peak wildflower season in the mountains. In August, the weather is warm and all hiking trails are snow-free. However, if you’re hoping for less crowds, opt for the fall season in early October and also take advantage of the cooler weather and changing trees.

Best Wedding Venues in North Cascades National Park

Artist Point

If you’re looking for a location that requires minimal hiking, will take your breath away, and has some epic sunsets, look no further than Artist Point. This one-of-a-kind venue is perfect for national park weddings. Artist Point is a drive-up location with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. This is one of the most popular wedding spots though, so don’t be alarmed if you see other couples enjoying the beauty of Artist Point too.

Washington Pass Overlook

Washington Pass Overlook is another great option if you’re looking for something family-friendly. This trail is ADA accessible and provides sweeping views of the mountains and valley ahead. This location tends to get a bit busy due to its accessibility, but if you time it just right, you may have this entire lookout to yourself.

Bagley Lakes

Bagley Lakes is another one of my favorite hidden gems. A short walk will take you to the base of an alpine lake lined with wildflowers and snowbanks. The actual base of the lake is not large and not meant for weddings with over 5 people, but there are some overlooks of the lake that are great for ceremonies with guests. This is one of my personal favorites for elopements.

Permit Information

The special use permit is $50. Information on how to obtain the permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Wedding Inspiration

• Best North Cascades National Park Elopement Guide
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Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is located along the coast of Northern California and is one of my personal favorite national park wedding venues, though I’m a bit biased since the park is located in my backyard. While most people think of the giant redwood trees, Redwood National Park is also home to some incredible black sand beaches and coastal overlooks. It also happens to be one of the most dog-friendly national parks on this list which is always a plus.

How to Get to Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is a bit more isolated than the other national parks on this list. I recommend flying into the San Francisco International Airport or Sacramento International Airport and making the 6 hour drive to the park. If you prefer something closer, fly into the Medford or Redding Airport. These airports are about 3 hours away from the park, but more expensive to fly into.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is located along the coast, meaning temperatures are fairly consistent year-round. I personally adore this area in the fall and spring. If you’re hoping for no crowds, winter is the way to go. While the park does experience a good amount of rain in the winter, you’d be surprised at how well-covered you are by the trees.

Best Wedding Venues in Redwood National Park

Organ Donor’s Grove

Organ Donor’s Grove is a mini hidden gem in the park. It’s located right off the main road and is extremely secluded. This grove doesn’t have very many large coast redwoods, but it’s still a wedding venue I highly recommend, simply due to the lack of visitors this spot experiences.

Crescent Beach

Crescent Beach is a dog-friendly beach with sweeping views. There are a few different hiking trails in this area that I adore. The beach is just over 3 miles long, so finding a secluded ceremony site is super easy.

Schmidt Grove

Schmidt Grove is one of my favorite national park wedding venue for ceremonies and portraits. It’s located at the end of a long windy road, but the trek is well worth the effort. There are dozens of road pull-offs, and even a beautiful fern-lined hiking trail towards the end. If I had to get married in the redwoods, it would be at this spot.

Permit Information

The permit is $100. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Redwood National Park Elopement Guide
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Mount Rainier National Park

To round out our list of national parks in Washington, we have Mount Rainier National Park. This is Washington’s most famous national park. This is a great national park wedding location for couples who love hiking, as there are some incredible trails in the area. However, if you’re not into hiking, no need to worry. Mount Rainier is home to a ton of accessible, no-hiking-required locations as well. Mount Rainier is especially famous for their wildflower meadows that bloom in August.

How to Get to Mount Rainier National Park

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the closest airport to the park. It’s just an hour and a half away. You can also fly into the Portland International Airport and make the 3 hour trek from there.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Mount Rainier National Park

Due to the popularity of Mount Rainier, I recommend steering clear of the summer months. The park during the summer season is incredibly busy. Parking is a nightmare unless you’re there during sunrise. Instead, opt for the fall season where you can still have pleasant weather and epic views without the crowds. If you’re dying to see the wildflowers though, visit in August.

Note: Starting the summer of 2024, Mt. Rainier is implementing a timed entry system for certain locations. Check out their official webpage for more information.

Best Wedding Venues in Mount Rainier National Park

Tolmie Peak

Tolmie Peak is a 5.6 mile trail popular for its ending view of Mount Rainier. The trail is steep and known for being busy, but when you’re passing all the alpine lakes and wildflower meadows along the way, you’ll realize why it’s so popular.

Grove of the Patriarchs

Grove of the Patriarchs is a great trail for those bringing friends and family who aren’t big hikers. The trail is easy to access and has a suspension bridge that crosses the river. The trail goes through an old-growth forest and is my top recommendation for weddings with small kids or older folks.

Silver Forest Trail

Silver Forest Trail is famous for not only its views of Mount Rainier, but for its stunning wildflower meadows that line the trail. The entire trail is 2 miles long, though you don’t need to hike very far to get jaw-dropping views. This is one the best national park wedding locations for couples who still want those epic mountain views without the hiking.

Permit Information

The permit is $175. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Best Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Guide

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park has recently boomed in popularity for weddings and is now one of the most popular national park wedding venues on this list. This is a particularly popular area for couples into taking road trips, as many get married in the Tetons and then honeymoon near Yellowstone. If you love mountains, wildlife, and luxurious lodging, you’ll love Grand Teton.

How to Get to Grand Teton National Park

The most popular way to reach is the park is by flying into the Salt Lake City International Airport and making the 4.5 hour drive from there. Jackson Hole also has an airport if you prefer to fly directly into the park. The Idaho Falls Airport is another nearby option, but neither of those airports have as many flights as Salt Lake.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton really shines in the spring and fall season, specifically at the end of May and in mid-October. If possible, avoid this park in the summer. It’s super busy, prices are very high, and there’s a ton of traffic. In the winter, most of the park is unaccessible due to snow.

Best Wedding Venues in Grand Teton National Park

Schwabacher’s Landing

Schwabacher’s Landing is Grand Teton’s most popular national park wedding venue. This famous location has one of the most scenic views in all of the park. During sunrise is when Schwabacher’s really shines. The area is frequented by moose, but there isn’t much parking available, so try to avoid visiting this area around mid-day.

Mormon Row

Mormon Row is a great location for weddings or elopements with guests. There’s a ton of open space for a ceremony, and of course, you can’t beat the backdrop of the Tetons in the distance. Like Schwabacher’s, this location is popular, so plan you ceremony around sunrise or sunset.

Mountain View Turnout

Mountain View Turnout is an incredible location if you’re hoping to be right up against the mountains. There’s lots of room and areas for a ceremony. This is the location I recommend to most of my couples. The only downside is the traffic noise, as you’re right next to one of the main roads in the park.

Permit Information

The permit is $200. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Ultimate Grand Teton National Park Elopement Guide

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park, located in Alaska, is hands-down one of the most underrated national park wedding venues in the United States (and also one of the least-visited)! Kenai Fjords is Alaska’s most accessible national park. It’s open year-round and boasts steep fjords, glaciers, temperate rainforests, and tons of coastline. If you’re looking for stunning scenery, tons of wildlife, and an epic adventure, Kenai Fjords is the national park wedding venue for you.

How to Get to Kenai Fjords National Park

You can reach the park by flying into Anchorage and then making the 2.5 hour drive down to Seward.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Kenai Fjords National Park

Summer, specifically June-August is an incredible time to visit Kenai Fjords. Not only are all the main attractions open, but the days are long and temperatures are warm. In the winter, most of the park is inaccessible and dangerous.

Best Wedding Venues in Kenai Fjords National Park

Exit Glacier

Get up close and personal with a glacier on your wedding day. The Exit Glacier View loop is a 1-mile trail that takes you through the forest and along the glacial creek. This is a great elopement location or wedding venue for celebrations with a small guest count.

Resurrection River

If you’re looking for an accessible location with minimal crowds and stunning views, Resurrection River is a great choice. There are also numerous hiking trails near the area that will give you a great view of the nearby glaciers and mountains.

Harding Icefield Trail

If you love hiking, you’ll love the Harding Icefield Trail. This is a difficult 9.2 mile hike with the best views in Kenai Fjords. You’ll pass by forests, rivers, mountains, glaciers, and wildlife all to reach the Harding Icefield, one of the largest icefields in the United States.

Permit Information

The permit is $100. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

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Denali National Park

Denali National Park is the third largest national park in the United States, right after Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Gates of the Arctic National Park, both of which are also located in Alaska (and highly underrated). Denali is famous for its rugged, mountainous terrain and wildlife. The mountain can be seen up to 200 miles away, though it’s fairly cloudy year-round. I don’t recommend this park to everyone, but if you love taking risks and don’t mind going-with-the-flow, Denali is a great choice.

How to Get to Denali National Park

You’ll want to fly into Anchorage and drive 4 hours north to reach the park.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Denali National Park

Similar to Kenai Fjords, Denali is best visited during the warm summer months when the days are long and the adventures are grand. However, Denali is quite popular in Alaska, so if you’re hoping for a wedding or elopement without the crowds, consider the fall season.

Best Wedding Venues in Denali National Park

Horseshoe Lake

Horseshoe Lake is a popular drive-up lake with jaw-dropping views. There is a 2 mile trail around the lake if you want to explore more of the area, as well as a gorgeous overlook of the lake.

A Glacier

Did you know you can get married on a glacier? Alaska is famous for their helicopter tours, where you and your partner can exchange vows on a private glacier. Unfortunately, most helicopters have a max capacity of 6 people, so this would be perfect for a small elopement.

Mount Healy

If you’re looking for an adventure, consider hiking up to Mount Healy. It’s a steep 6.9 mile hike with epic views at the end. This trail is especially gorgeous in the fall and offers a variety of different landscapes.

Permit Information

The permit is $200. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Alaska Elopement Guide
• How to Plan a Helicopter Wedding (Alaska is famous for their helicopter tours)

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located along the coast of Maine and is one of the most peaceful national parks I’ve ever visited. The park is well known for its rocky beaches, lighthouses, and coastal overlooks. While it is one of the more popular national parks out there, but there are still little pockets of seclusion I find every time I visit.

How to Get to Acadia National Park

One of the closest airports to the park is the Bangor Airport. However, most people fly into the Portland Airport which is about 2.5 hours away from the park.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Acadia National Park

The East Coast is known for their fall foliage, and the parks fall season is no exception. However, this stunning foliage comes with higher amounts of tourism, so I recommend planning your wedding on a weekday during this time. If you’re up for it, winter is another amazing time to visit the park, especially if you’re trying to avoid the crowds.

Best Wedding Venues in Acadia National Park

Otter Cliff

Otter Cliff is one of the most beautiful national park elopement locations, especially during sunrise. The area is popular, but it’s also large, meaning finding a secluded area to exchange vows at is possible.

Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is the most popular location in the park. It’s famous for its sweeping sunrises and sunsets, and while you can’t have your ceremony during these two times of day, don’t let that deter you from this location. In the fall, this is one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

Schoodic Point

Schoodic Point is an underrated location right along the coast. This is one of the best places to watch the waves crash on the shore, though like Otter Cliff, tends to be fairly busy around sunrise. There’s lots of room around this area though!

Permit Information

A permit is not required if you have less than 10 people at your ceremony. If you have more than 10, the permit is $75. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Acadia National Park Official Site

Joshua Tree National Park

If you love warm weather and clean, minimalistic landscapes, look no further than Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree is one of my personal favorite national parks to explore, especially during the winter. It has unique rock formations, one-of-a-kind-trees, and some of the best night skies around. This is a particularly incredible place for astrophotography.

How to Get to Joshua Tree National Park

The closest airport to the park is the Palm Springs Airport, just 50 minutes away from the park. However, most people fly into the Los Angeles International Airport, as they have more affordable and frequent flight options.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Joshua Tree National Park

Because Joshua Tree is so hot in the summer, winter is the best (and most safe) time to visit the park. It’s not too busy, the weather is nice, and prices are low. Fall is another good time to visit, but it tends to get pretty busy. If you can, I recommend planning your elopement here in November.

Best Wedding Venues in Joshua Tree National Park

Hidden Valley Picnic Area

Hidden Valley Picnic Area is one of my personal favorite venues in the park. It hold up to 35 people, and the picnic site itself is huge. There are tons of beautiful areas for a ceremony and pictures.

Indian Cove Amphitheater

Indian Cover Amphitheater is the perfect national park wedding venue for larger weddings. It holds 100 people and comes with seating for guests. The landscape around the amphitheater is beautiful, as it’s backed by Joshua Tree’s famous rock formations.

Cap Rock

Cap Rock is the most popular national park wedding venue in Joshua Tree. It’s a super unique rock formation surrounded by groves of beautiful Joshua Trees. This is a popular site for pictures, so you may have seen a photo or two taken in the area.

Permit Information

The permit is $120. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Joshua Tree Wedding Guide

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park, also known as “mini Yellowstone,” is one of the least-visited national parks in the United States which is insane considering how similar it is to one of the busiest ones out there. Lassen is located in Northern California and is known for its variety of different volcanoes, wildflower meadows, and lakes. This is also an amazing spot for star-gazing as well. If I had to choose a national park wedding venue on this list that was the most underrated, Lassen would for sure be #1.

How to Get to Lassen Volcanic National Park

Fly into the Sacramento International Airport and make the 2.5 hour journey from there. If you have the option, you can also fly into the Redding Airport, which is a short 45 minute drive from the park.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen should be visited during the fall season when crowds are minimal and colors are vibrant. Summer is also a great time to visit, though it gets quite hot throughout the park. Due to heavy snowfall, most of Lassen is not accessible in the winter. October and the beginning of November is a wonderful time to visit the park.

Best Wedding Venues in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Peak

Hike 2.5 miles (5 miles roundtrip) up to Lassen’s tallest peak. At the top, you’ll see sweeping views of the valley floor, a lake, and a ton of trees. Talk about feeling like you’re on top of the world! I have to warn you though, this hike is not for the faint of heart.

Bumpass Hell

Bumpass Hell is why Lassen gets its “mini Yellowstone” nickname. Bumpass Hell is known for its bubbling mud pots, sulfur vents and boiling pools. This 2.7 mile hike is easy to do and perfect for national park weddings with minimal guests, as the walking platform is not largest.

Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake is a beautiful drive-up lake backed by pine trees and Lassen Peak. There is a 1.9 mile loop that goes around the lake with different viewpoints. This lake is especially beautiful in the fall when Lassen Peak has been dusted with snow. This is the most photographed lake in Lassen.

Permit Information

The permit is $75. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Best Lassen Volcanic National Park Elopement Guide

Yosemite National Park

I knew you were waiting for this one, weren’t you? Everyone knows you can’t talk about national park wedding venues and not bring up Yosemite. Located in Northern California, Yosemite is one of the most-visited national parks in the U.S. Its sheer size and grandness alone will make you take a double take. With a variety of hiking trails, waterfalls, and picnic areas, Yosemite is the perfect place for a wedding of any size.

How to Get to Yosemite National Park

Fly into the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport and make the 2.5 hour drive up to the park.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is extremely crowded, so I highly recommend steering clear from the busy summer months unless you want to sit in traffic and be shoulder to shoulder with other visitors and couples getting married. The fall and winter season is magical in Yosemite, and while many of the trails close in the winter, the lack of people and magic of snowfall make this one of the most peaceful places to visit.

Best Wedding Venues in Yosemite National Park

Glacier Point Amphitheater

Glacier Point Amphitheater is a great location if you have guests. This area accommodates up to 50 people and has one of the best views in the entire park. Weddings are not scheduled here in July or August due to its popularity. Be sure to snag this one quick. It’s a very popular national park wedding venue!

El Capitan Meadow

El Capitan Meadow is an accessible location famous for El Capitan, a soaring rock famous amongst rock-climbers. There are a variety of different places for a ceremony in the meadow. It’s a favorite for small weddings.

Tunnel View

Tunnel View is known for its iconic view of Yosemite Valley. It’s the most photographed spot in the park, so try having your wedding here during sunrise if possible. However, this area of the park is pretty busy no matter what time of day you’re here, so try coming in the off-season if possible.

Permit Information

The permit is $150. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Comprehensive Yosemite Wedding and Elopement Guide

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park has completely blown up in the last few years thanks to social media. Located in Montana, Glacier is popular for its turquoise water, jagged peaks, glaciers, and wildlife. While Glacier is more strict than others when it comes to wedding locations, it’s still one of the most breathtaking locations out there for weddings if you’re willing to be flexible with your dates and timing.

How to Get to Glacier National Park

The Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell is the closest airport to the park at just 45 minutes away from the entrance gate.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Glacier National Park

Glacier is best visited during the fall, specifically in late September or early October. In the summer months, ceremony locations have heavy restrictions, and in the winter, the park is inaccessible, as its main road closes for the season.

Best Wedding Venues in Grand Teton National Park

Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald is the largest and most popular lake in the park. It’s famous for its colored rocks and sweeping views. It’s popular in the summer for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Logan’s Pass

Unfortunately, wedding ceremonies are not permitted at Logan’s Pass, but pictures are, which is why I wanted to include it on this list. Logan’s Pass, while it is the most visited location in the park, has a stunning view of the nearby mountain range and is especially beautiful during sunrise.

Bowman Lake

Bowman Lake is located on the side of the park not many people visit, making this one of the more secluded national park wedding venues in the park. The backdrop is stunning and the landscape is very peaceful.

Permit Information

The permit is $125. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Glacier National Park Elopement Guide

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado and is one of the most visited national parks in the country. It has an incredible range of environments, from jagged mountains to alpine lakes. The reason it’s not higher on the list is because of its popularity. The national park books out extremely fast for weddings, so planning in advance is a must. It’s also very busy, but you can probably see why, I mean look how gorgeous it is!

How to Get to Rocky Mountain National Park

Fly into the Denver International Airport and make the 1.5 hour drive to the park from there.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Rocky Mountain National Park

If you’re hoping for an unforgettable experience, you can’t beat the fall season in Rocky Mountain. The park is covered in color, the weather is nice, and there aren’t as many people there as the busy summer months. However, this park stays fairly busy year-round, so be sure to plan your ceremony times accordingly.

Best Wedding Venues in Rocky Mountain National Park

3M Curve

3M Curve is the most popular national park wedding venue in Rocky Mountain National Park, but for a good reason. It has the best mountain views of Longs Peak and is fairly secluded from other locations in the park. This is the place for an epic overlook!

Sprague Lake

Sprague Lake is open year-round and is one of the most popular alpine lakes in the park. There’s an adorable dock for pictures, and the path to reach the lake is ADA accessible.

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is another accessible alpine lake in Rocky Mountain. This lake is extremely popular, so having it to yourself is very rare. However, the views make up for the crowds.

Permit Information

The permit is $300. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Rocky Mountain National Park’s Official Site

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is not only the hottest national park in the country, but it’s also the lowest point in North America. Surprisingly, this national park isn’t too popular, but has some of the most unique scenery you wont find anywhere else. If you’re looking to have a national park wedding in a place that looks out of this world, Death Valley just might be the place for you.

How to Get to Death Valley National Park

Fly into the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and make the 2 hour drive west to reach the park.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Death Valley National Park

Due to the heat exhaustion risk you can face in Death Valley, winter weddings are recommended in the park. Whatever you do, don’t visit in the summer. Temperatures regularly surpass 100 degrees, and many people get heat exhaustion in the park each year because they come underprepared. Visit December-February when the temperature is much cooler.

Best Wedding Venues in Death Valley National Park

Artist Palette

Artist Palette is one of the most beautiful places in United States for a national park wedding. Artist Palette is a series of hills with bright, vibrant colors. These colors are from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

If you love simple yet stunning landscapes, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is the wedding venue for you. The sand dunes are huge, so finding a secluded spot is almost guaranteed.

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is one of the most unique landscapes you’ll come across. It’s hard to explain without looking at pictures (think of mountains with ridges, almost like a pleated skirt), but just know that this location is sure to blow your socks off.

Permit Information

The permit is $300. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Epic Death Valley Elopement Guide

Crater Lake National Park

Last, but certainly not least, we have Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. The park is only open a few months out of the year due to heavy snowfall (its one of the snowiest places in the United States), but don’t let that stop you from planning a trip. Not many people get married here, so it’s a very unique and one-of-a-kind national park wedding venue.

How to Get to Crater Lake National Park

You’ll want to fly into the Medford Airport and drive the hour and 15 minutes to the park.

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Crater Lake National Park

The first two weeks of October is the best time to get married at Crater Lake. This is right before the big snowfall hits and closes the park down. August and September are good months to visit as well, though the park tends to be a bit more crowded during this time of year.

Best Wedding Venues in Crater Lake National Park

Discovery Point

Discovery Point is one of the more popular trails in the park. It’s an easy 2 mile out and back walk that provides sweeping views of the lake. This trail is open year-round and perfect for walking, snowshoeing, or even cross-country skiing.

Watchman Peak

If you’re looking for one of the best views in the park, hike up to Watchman Peak. This 1.7 mile roundtrip hike is the perfect distance for couples who want something grand without hiking a super far distance. The view from the top is spectacular.

Plaikni Falls

If you’re looking to experience a variety of different locations for your national park wedding, consider checking out Plaikni Falls in the park. A 1-mile stroll through the forest will take you to a serene waterfall, perfect for portraits. This location is especially beautiful at the beginning of summer, as the snow has melted, making the falls the strongest they’ll be all year.

Permit Information

The permit is $100. Information on how to obtain a permit can be found through the park’s website here.

More Elopement Inspiration

• Best Crater Lake National Park Elopement Guide

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in a National Park?

Technically, it costs $50-$300 to get married in a national park. This cost is from a special use permit. However, most couples end up spending anywhere from $5,000-$20,000 for a national park wedding.

To give you an idea of what you can expect to spend, here is cost breakdown of a national park wedding. Keep in mind that each national park has different rules, costs, and fees. This is purely to be used as an estimate for a 4-day, 3-night trip.

• $650 plane tickets – This depends on the national park. However, this seems to be the average cost of plane tickets from the east coast to the west coast.
• $400 rental car – This is the price of an SUV from Hertz.
• $1,000 Airbnb – This is a nicer Airbnb, not quite luxurious, but also not the cheapest option.
• $8,000 elopement photographer – For full day elopement coverage.
• $500 florals – Includes a bouquet and boutonnière.
• $500 hair and makeup
• $400 officiant – For a personalized ceremony.
• $200 activity – A private styled picnic for two.
• $80 entrance pass – Some locations in national parks require an entrance pass. Buy a 7-day pass for $30 or a year long pass for $80.
• $100 marriage license
• $150 special use permit – This is a good mid-point.

Total cost = $11,980

Do I Need a Permit for My National Park Wedding?

Yes. In order to have a national park wedding you will need what’s called a “special use permit.” Throughout this article, I broke down how to get a special use permit from 15 different national parks. Permit costs range from $50-$300 depending on the park.

To apply for a permit, visit the National Park Service website, type in your national park, and from there, search for the term “permit.” You’ll then click on the term “special use permit” where you should be able to see specific information about the cost and process of getting married in the national park.

It’s also important to apply for a permit as soon as you can. Some national parks put a limit on how many weddings can occur in the park each year. A good rule of thumb is to apply 3 months before your elopement day. It’s worth noting that most national parks do not issue permits during holiday weekends.

How Many People Can I Invite to My National Park Wedding?

This depends on the park, but most national parks have a limit of 50 people. I recommend bringing no more than 20 guests, as your ceremony location options begin to get limited by bringing more.

For example, Mount Rainier National Park has certain ceremony sites that only allow up to 6 people, while Joshua Tree National Park has ceremony sites that allow up to 100. Always be sure to do your research before sending out those RSVPs.

Can I Bring My Dog?

Unfortunately, national parks are pretty strict when it comes to bringing your furry friend along. While some national parks have dog-friendly beaches and picnic sites, almost all national parks prohibit pets to be on trails, so it’s best to keep your furry friend at home.

Pro tip: If bringing your pet is important to you, consider getting married in a national forest or even a state park. National forests are much more dog-friendly and generally border the national parks.

National Park Wedding and Elopement Packages

I’m Brianna, a Northern California based elopement photographer who specializes in national park weddings and elopements. I offer all-inclusive elopement packages to help couples ease the stress of planning. I offer complimentary officiant services, personalized location recommendations, permit assistance, and so much more. Take a peek at what my elopement packages include below.

• 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage in any national park
• 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 the world are already included
• Starting at $6,500 for CA, OR, WA or $8,500 for anywhere in the U.S.

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