How to Elope in Redwood National Park in 2025

If you’re looking for an underrated, crowd-free place to elope, look no further than Redwood National Park (and I’m not just saying that because I’m local to the area and may be the slightest bit biased). When I tell you this national park gets half the praise it deserves, I’m not kidding. Redwood National Park so much more than just tall trees; it’s black sand beaches, fern-lined forest trails, huge wildlife, turquoise rivers, and more.

Today, I’ll be walking you through exactly how to elope in the Redwoods. Whether you need location recommendations, permit instructions, or weather information, I’ve got you covered. This guide is packed to the brim with everything you could possibly need to know about how to elope in the park, so if you’re ready, let’s *hypothetically* hop in the car and explore this national park together!

12 Best Places to Elope in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park has a list of pre-approved ceremony sites. This doesn’t mean you have to get married at one of these spots, but it’s highly encouraged and comes with a lower permit fee (we’ll touch more on this later). The only places you are not allowed to have a ceremony at include Fern Canyon, the James Irvine Trail, Stout Grove, or the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail. However, you are allowed to take portraits here!

Here are all the pre-approved ceremony locations with their max capacity numbers and a corresponding map:

Templeman Grove – 20 participants
Organ Donor’s Grove – 20 participants
River Trail – 8 participants
Crescent Beach Day Use – 20 participants (available Oct 25th – May 1)
Crescent Beach Overlook – 20 participants (available Oct 25th – May 1)
High Bluff Overlook – 20 participants
Merriman Grove – 8 participants
Zig Zag #2 – 10 participants
Schmidt Grove – 20 participants
Prairie Creek Amphitheater – 20 participants (available Oct 25th – May 1)
Lost Man Creek Gate – 20 participants
Berry Glen – 6 participants

Templeman Grove

Templeman Grove is one of my favorite Redwoods elopement locations on this list. It’s quiet, has ample room for guests, and is located next to the Smith River (2 locations for the price of 1!). Tourists don’t know about this spot which makes it ideal for crowd-free ceremonies!

Max capacity: 20
Specific park location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: No.
Closest town: Crescent City (15 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.
Pro tip: This location is close to a road so you may hear some occasional traffic noise.

Want to see a real elopement at Templeman Grove? Check out Kristina and Jake’s dreamy winter elopement in the Redwoods.

Organ Donor’s Grove

Another one of my favorite ceremony spots in Redwood National Park is Organ Donor’s Grove. This is a hidden gem, folks. It’s located just a few minutes from town. There are a ton of ferns and lots of room for guests. This is one of those spots you could visit mid-day and be the only one there; that’s how hidden it is.

Max capacity: 20
Specific park location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: No.
Closest town: Crescent City (7 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.
Pro tip: This location is close to a road so you may hear some occasional traffic noise.

River Trail

The River Trail is a fan-favorite for elopements in Redwood National Park. It’s connected to Stout Grove which is one of the most popular places in the entire park. The trail follows the Smith River and is just breathtaking. This is one of the more popular spots on this list, so I recommend a sunrise or sunset ceremony for more privacy.

Max capacity: 8
Specific park location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: Not required but this is technically a 1-mile roundtrip trail. You can choose to walk it or park and have a ceremony at the beginning of the trail.
Closest town: Crescent City (7 minutes).
Crowd level: Fairly busy, plan for sunrise or sunset.
Pro tip: Be sure to stick around and explore Stout Grove after the ceremony; it’s a popular trail for a reason!

Crescent Beach

Crescent Beach is one of the most peaceful beaches in Redwood National Park. This is one of my favorites in the area because it’s close to town, large enough to find a secluded spot, and is dog-friendly. On a clear day, the sunsets here are incredible.

Max capacity: 20 (only available October 25th – May 1st)
Specific park location: Redwood National Park
Hiking required: No.
Closest town: Crescent City (7 minutes).
Crowd level: Fairly busy, plan for sunrise or sunset.
Pro tip: This beach is dog-friendly!

Crescent Beach Overlook

Crescent Beach, Crescent City, CA - California Beaches

Crescent Beach Overlook is the perfect place for couples wanting expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Granted, this spot can be a bit crowded depending on the time, but if you visit during sunrise or sunset, you may just have this entire overlook to yourself. Plus, there is an incredible beach trail right next door that has some epic tide pooling.

Max capacity: 20 (only available October 25th – May 1st)
Specific park location: Redwood National Park
Hiking required: No, just a short walk from the parking lot.
Closest town: Crescent City (10 minutes).
Crowd level: Fairly busy, plan for sunrise or sunset.

High Bluff Overlook

Rounding out the list of beaches on this list is High Bluff Overlook. This is my favorite overlook in the park. It’s breathtaking. There’s even a little forest area with picnic tables. The only thing to note is that this isn’t the best portrait spot if you’re scared of heights, as the drop-offs are pretty steep.

Max capacity: 20
Specific park location: Redwood National Park
Hiking required: No, just a short walk from the parking lot.
Closest town: Klamath (11 minutes).
Crowd level: Fairly busy, plan for sunrise or sunset.
Pro tip: Skip this location if heights aren’t your thing.

Merriman Grove

Merriman Grove is one of the more lush ceremony spots on this list. It’s located at the end of Ah-Pah Trail. The redwood trees along this trail aren’t the largest you’ll find in the park, but if you’re looking for something a little secluded with lots of ferns, Merriman Grove is the spot for you.

Max capacity: 8
Specific park location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: Yes, 0.4 miles roundtrip.
Closest town: Klamath (9 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.

Zig Zag #2

Zig Zag #2 is one of those trails that will make you feel like you’re in Jurassic Park. It runs right along Prairie Creek and is packed with vibrant ferns and magical mossy trees. This is one of the few locations on this list that requires a bit of hiking to reach, but it’s worth every step.

Max capacity: 10
Specific park location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: Yes, 3.5 miles roundtrip though you don’t need to hike the entire loop to get a good ceremony spot.
Closest town: Klamath (13 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.

Schmidt Grove

If there was only one place in the Redwoods I could photograph ceremonies at, it would be at Schmidt Grove. It’s dog-friendly, has more than enough room for guests, and has multiple road pull-offs along the way for pictures. There’s even a trail at the end of the grove with the dreamiest spots for portraits.

Max capacity: 20
Specific park location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: No.
Closest town: Klamath (18 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.
Pro tip: The road to get here is a windy dirt road. It’s doable in a sedan. The road closes seasonally but you can always walk past the gate for your ceremony.

Praire Creek Amphitheater

Prairie Creek Amphitheater is the location for couples looking for something a bit more formal or a location with seats for friends and family. The path to the amphitheater is stunning and the ceremony space itself offers couples a ton of privacy. Be sure to snag this one in advance if you have your heart set on this location!

Max capacity: 20 (only available October 25th – May 1st)
Specific park location: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Hiking required: No.
Closest town: Klamath (20 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.

Lost Man Creek

Lost Man Creek is a popular biking trail that runs along a nearby creek. While it doesn’t have a ton of thick redwood trees along the trail (there are some by the picnic area), there are many different spaces and lookouts for ceremonies along the shaded trail. This is one of the lesser known trails in the area and one of my personal favorites.

Max capacity: 20
Specific park location: Redwood National Park
Hiking required: No, but I recommend walking up the trail a bit to find a good ceremony spot.
Closest town: Klamath (20 minutes).
Crowd level: Private, don’t expect people.

Berry Glen

Berry Glen is a small trail that’s connected to the famous Lady Bird Johnson Grove. It’s littered with old-growth trees, fern meadows, and tons of ceremony sites for smaller groups. Because it connects to one of the more popular trails in the park, this specific location can be a little busier than others.

Max capacity: 6
Specific park location: Redwood National Park
Hiking required: No, but I recommend walking up the trail a bit to find a good ceremony spot.
Closest town: Klamath (20 minutes).
Crowd level: Fairly popular, expect a few people.

Bonus: Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is technically its own park separate from the main Redwood National Park system, but I wanted to throw a quick mention about it in here because it’s absolutely gorgeous! This park is a lot closer to cities like Sacramento and San Francisco, so it’s a popular choice for elopements with guests that are flying in and don’t want to travel too far.

If you want to learn more about Humboldt Redwoods State Park, I have a super in-depth guide all about how to get married in park that you can check out here. The guide is filled with specific locations, permit information, and everything else you need to know about the area.

Pro tip: This park is usually less busy than Redwood National Park!

Best Time of Year to Elope in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park has a pretty even climate year-round since it’s located on the coast. However, the best time of year to elope in the Redwoods is during the spring or fall season.

Summer (June-August)

Redwood National Park in the summer comes with traffic, limited parking, increased lodging prices, and lots of mosquitos (especially in July). Popular places like Fern Canyon require you to purchase a reservation for entry and trail parking can fill up quick. If you’re set on a summer date, elope on a weekday during sunrise or sunset and you won’t find many crowds.

Pros: Warmer weather, dry hiking trails, sunny/less chance of rain
Cons: High cost of rental cars, lodging, and plane tickets, crowds, reservation systems for specific trails

Fall (September-November)

Fall is an incredible time to elope in Redwood National Park. While you won’t find fall colors in the park since redwoods are evergreens, you will find nice weather, no crowds, empty beaches, and great deals on lodging. This is one of my personal favorite times to visit the park.

Pros: Cooler weather, minimal crowds, overcast for lighting, few fall colors
Cons: Potential muddy trails, potential rain

Winter (December-March)

Winter in Redwood National Park is severely underrated. This is the park’s off-season, meaning there are hardly any visitors. While you more than likely will experience some rain, most of it falls onto the trees, protecting you from getting soaking wet. Expect locations to yourselves, overcast weather, and lots of wildlife this time of year.

Pros: No crowds, overcast for lighting, cheaper lodging, rental cars, and plane tickets
Cons: Muddy trails, rain, potential road closures due to flooding or weather

Spring (April-May)

Spring is the most magical time of year to elope in Redwood National Park. The weather can be a bit unpredictable, but spring rain means the greenery in the park is lush and at its peak. You won’t find any crowds, but you will find tons of wildlife! This is my most recommended season for couples.

Pros: Minimal crowds, overcast for lighting, cheaper lodging, rental cars, and plane tickets, wildlife sightings, greenery is at its peak
Cons: Muddy trails, potential rain

How to Get a Permit to Elope in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park, also known as Redwood National and State Parks, is made up of 4 different parks:

Redwood National Park (official national park)
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (California state park)
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park (California state park)
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (California state park)

While these parks border each other, the national park has a separate permit system than the state parks.

To get one in the official park (Redwood National Park), here’s what you need to do:

Choose your ceremony location from the pre-approved ceremony sites below, or choose a different location you’ve found.
Decide what time you want to have your ceremony at (ceremonies are only scheduled for 1-3 hours).
Fill out the special use permit application.
Fill out the threatened and endangered species addendum.
Email both of these forms to the permit coordinator at REDW_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov.
Once the forms have been received, you will get an email with a link where you will be able to pay for the permit online. The permit fee is $100 unless you want to elope outside of a pre-approved ceremony site, in which case, the permit would cost $200 and would go out for a 2 week review with the staff for approval of your location.
You will receive your completed permit via email. Print this out and bring it with you on your elopement day.

To get a permit in any of the state parks (Jedediah, Del Norte, or Prairie Creek), here’s what you need to do:

Choose your ceremony location from the pre-approved ceremony sites below, or choose a different location you’ve found.
Fill out the special event permit application.
Fill out the special event permit supplement.
Fill out the certificate of insurance document. This is only required if you have vendors present at your elopement (photographer, videographer, etc.). Sometimes, your vendor will fill this out (I do for all my couples) but sometimes they won’t.
Email all of these forms to NCRD.Permits@parks.ca.gov.
Send in a check or money order for $200 made payable to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation via mail to: North Coast Redwoods District
Attn: Permit Coordinator
P.O. Box 2006
Eureka, CA 95502
Once the forms have been received and your permit has been paid for, you will receive your completed permit via email. Print this out and bring it with you on your elopement day.

You can see all the forms and steps you need to take for each park on the official park website here.

Note: Permits are not be issued during major holiday weekends due to crowding.

How to Get a Marriage License to Elope in Redwood National Park

You can get a marriage license in any county in California. It’s valid for 90 days. If you’re coming from out of state, certain counties may allow you to apply for a marriage license online or via mail. However, I usually recommend picking up your license in-person the day before your elopement.

Del Norte County is where most couples get their marriage license for their Redwoods elopement. Here’s what you need to do:

Walk-in or make an appointment at the County Clerk’s Office in Crescent City (981 H St, Crescent City, CA 95531). They issue marriage licenses from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. You must show up together.
Once you’re there, you’ll fill out a marriage license application.
Be sure to bring your ID. You’ll then pay the $61 license fee.
You’re all set!

California requires an officiant and one witness for your ceremony.

Can You Bring Your Dog?

Yes! Redwood National Park is actually quite dog-friendly compared to other national parks. While dogs aren’t allowed on most of the trails, there are a handful of places you can bring them.

Trails and Roads: Myrtle Creek Trail, Craig’s Creek Trail, Cal Barrel Road, Howland Hill Road, Alder Camp Road, and Walker Road.
Parking Areas: Fern Canyon, Lady Bird Johnson, Tall Trees Trail, and Stout Grove parking lots only. Elk Meadow Day Use Area parking lot.
Scenic View Points: Klamath River Overlook, Redwood Creek Overlook.
Developed Campgrounds: Elk Prairie Campground, Gold Bluffs Beach, Mill Creek Campground, and Jedediah Smith Campground.
Beaches: Freshwater Beach, Wilson Creek Beach, Gold Bluffs Beach and Crescent Beach.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Redwood National Park?

On average, most couples spend anywhere from $5,000-$15,000 on their Redwood National Park elopement. Here is a cost breakdown of what you can expect to pay for a Redwoods elopement. These numbers were pulled from a 4-day, 3-night trip in the middle of peak season (August 16th-19th).

$520 plane tickets – This was the cost of two roundtrip tickets from Chicago to San Francisco. The cost depends on where you’ll be flying from and where you’ll be flying into. Since most airports around the park are smaller, plane tickets may be a bit pricier than usual.
$350 rental car – A standard sedan from Hertz at the airport.
$600 lodging – There aren’t many places to stay in the park, which makes lodging a bit more expensive than other places. This was the price for a cabin right outside the park.
$100-$200 permit – This depends on whether or not you select a pre-approved ceremony site.
$70-$100 California marriage license – This depends on the county you get your license from.
$7,000 elopement photographer – This depends on your photographer’s experience. I specialize in elopements in the Redwoods and help my couples with locations, permits, marriage licenses, timelines, vendors, and so much more.
$600 hair and makeup – Due to the remoteness of the park, many vendors will charge a travel fee. I would budget a little more for this vendor.
$300 florist – For a bouquet and boutonniere.
$0-$500 Officiant – $0 if I or a family member officiate your ceremony, though you can also hire one if it’s within budget.

Total = $9,540 – $10,170

Redwood National Park Elopement Activities

If you’re planning your elopement in the Redwoods, you’re in for a treat. These are some of my top recommendations of things to do while you’re in the area.

Explore the Trees of Mystery and walk the Redwood canopy or take the gondola through the forest
Explore Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor in Brookings
Enjoy an elevated dining experience at the Black Trumpet Bistro
Tour a historic lighthouse in Crescent City
Plan a breakfast picnic on the coast
Stay after dark and have a bonfire on the beach with s’mores
Share a first dance near the Smith River
Walk downtown Brookings or Crescent City and explore the shops
Drive the famous Howland Hills Road through the park
Kayak on the Chetco River
Grab a beer and bite to eat at one of the many breweries
Hire a private chef to cook you a 3 course celebration meal

Redwood National Park Vendors

Check out some of my Redwood National Park elopement vendors below or contact me for a full recommendation sheet after booking!

Officiants

Paul Marsh (Weddings in the Wild)
Officiant Jimmie

Hair and Makeup

Florist

Photographer

If you’re looking for a photographer who knows Redwood National Park like the back of their hand, you’re in luck! I’m Brianna, a photographer who is local to and specializes in the Redwood National Park area. I help couples all around the world plan once-in-a-lifetime elopement days by providing hidden gem, off-the-beaten-path elopement locations, assistance with permit applications and marriage licenses, vendor recommendation sheets, personalized timelines, and more. Take a peek at my elopement packages here.

Driving Distances to Redwood National Park

Most people don’t realize how remote Redwood National Park truly is. Don’t expect to find any fine dining, Targets, or other big-name stores here. This is the park for couples who are looking to unplug and unwind during their trip. That being said, there are a few major and minor airports you can fly into to reach the park. Here is a list of driving distances from the closest airports to the main park (the main park being Redwood National Park).

California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport – 30 minutes (offers flights from large cities on the West Coast, though more expensive and usually no nonstop options)
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport – 3.5 hours (most recommended to fly into for convenience without sacrificing price)
Redding Municipal Airport – 4.5 hours (offers direct flights from select places on the West Coast like Seattle and San Francisco)
Sacramento International Airport – 6 hours (cheaper and more flight options)
San Francisco International Airport – 6 hours (cheaper and more flight options)
Portland International Airport – 7 hours (cheaper and more flight options)

Where to Stay for Your Redwoods Elopement

These are some of the most popular towns to stay in if you’ll be eloping in the Redwoods.

Brookings

Brookings is a great place to stay if you’re eloping in the Jedediah Smith area. This is a small coastal town in Oregon near the border of California. It has a few grocery stores, thrift stores, and dining options. Brookings is a popular place to stay if you’re looking to explore the Oregon coast while you’re in the area. It’s home to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a gorgeous stretch of coastline with tons of trails, overlooks, and rocky beaches.

Crescent City

Crescent City is the main place couples stay if they’re eloping in Redwood National Park. It’s close to all the state parks (Jedediah, Del Norte, and Prairie Creek). It’s a bit larger than Brookings and offers couples more things to do. They have a super unique lighthouse, fun aquarium, and lots of beaches to explore. It’s minutes away from some of the most popular trails in the area.

Trinidad

If you’re looking for a quiet beach town, I can’t recommend Trinidad enough. This is a great place to stay if you’ll be eloping near the southern area of Redwood National Park. This area is spectacular for its beaches. There are lots of different state parks to check out while you’re there.

Redwood National Park Elopement Packages

I’m Brianna, a Northern California elopement photographer local to Redwood National Park who helps plan and photograph elopements in Northern California. I’m passionate about helping my couples plan the best day ever in beautiful places like the redwoods. Check out my starting prices below or take a peek through my pricing here and see how I can help plan and photograph your one-of-a-kind Redwoods elopement!

Redwood National Park Elopement Package Pricing

4 hours – 1.5 days of elopement coverage anywhere in the Redwoods
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, marriage 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
Complimentary album design
24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
Travel fees to anywhere in California, Oregon, or Washington are already included
Starting at $6,500

Jaw-Dropping Redwoods Elopement Photos

Check out some elopement photos taken in Redwood National Park below to get inspiration of what your day could look like.

Want more elopement inspiration? Check out my Olympic National Park Elopement Guide, Oregon Elopement Guide, and Washington Elopement Guide.

Pin for Later

Save these to your Pinterest for inspiration (and to come back to this helpful guide) whenever you need it!

Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!

An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.

I LIKE FREE THINGS

You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…

That moment when you turn to the person you’re with and ask, “Are you seeing this?” I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, “I can’t believe this place exists,” I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.

These places have always felt like home to me. And if you’re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then we’ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.

If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go ahead…

SAY YES TO THE ADVENTURE

(I promise you won’t regret it.)

P.S. I’m Brianna. My mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.