How to Plan Your National Park Elopement

There are lots of stunning national parks in the US where you can get married, but it’s not as easy as lacing up your hiking boots and putting on a wedding dress! Eloping in a national park usually means acquiring permits, and many national parks have unique rules and regulations about where you can have a ceremony. This guide will help you plan your national park elopement, and tell you everything you need to know for a perfect, adventurous day!

Should You Plan a National Park Elopement?

First, it’s super important that you know what to expect with a national park elopement, so that you can figure out if it really is right for you! 

Getting married in a national park is perfect for couples who want to tie the knot outdoors, and to be surrounded by incredible scenery. But, you will be in a public park, which means that you aren’t typically “renting” the space, and it will remain open to other people. You also usually can’t set up arches, tables and chairs, or decorations in national parks (though some parks do have areas where this is allowed), so a national park elopement isn’t ideal if you want a more elaborate setup.

For couples who want to get married outdoors, and to have nature as their backdrop, a national park elopement is perfect! National parks are also amazing because they tend to have a lot of really easily accessible natural beauty, so whether you want to hike on your elopement day or you want a spot you can drive right up to, you’ll find the perfect location for you.

Which National Parks Can You Elope In?

When choosing a national park to elope in, there are a few things to consider – because some parks have stricter rules than others. Typically, the more popular parks, like Joshua Tree and Rocky Mountain, will have more restrictions when it comes to where you  can have a ceremony.

Before you choose a national park, it can be helpful to decide how many people you want to invite, if any. In some locations, there are restrictions on how many people can be there. In most places, the limit is somewhere between 5-10 people. But, if you do want to invite more guests, don’t worry! Many national parks have bigger spaces dedicated to bigger ceremonies.

So, in general, you can elope in just about any national park, but some may have stricter requirements or limits on where in the park you can have a ceremony.

National Park Elopement Permits

For your national park elopement, there’s a good chance you’ll need to get a special use permit. This depends on the park, of course, and the process is easier in some parks than others. Some parks may not even require a permit for small elopement ceremonies, but you can check NPS.gov to find out what the requirements are for each park.

For example, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has a very competitive permit process – because it’s such a popular place for elopements, permits need to be applied for a year in advance, and can be tough to get.

For parks that aren’t as popular for elopements, it’s usually easier to get a permit, but you will still need to apply in advance to give the park time to process your application. At least a month is the minimum, but it’s better to apply as early as possible! Most national parks start accepting applications up to a year in advance.

To apply for a permit, you’ll need to know what date you want for your ceremony, and for some parks, you may also need to choose from a list of pre-approved locations. Again, each park is different – in some, you can tie the knot anywhere, while others will give you a list of options to choose from.

One important thing to be aware of is that some national parks require a separate permit for your photographer. In most cases the photographer is also covered under your special use permit, but not always – so make sure you check and that your photographer knows the requirements!

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

Most couples choose to plan a national park elopement for the scenery, but another big benefit of tying the knot outdoors is that you save a lot of money on a venue! Eloping in a national park isn’t free, since there usually is an application permit, but it is usually much more economical than a big wedding. 

Application fees for national park wedding permits usually range from $50 – $300, and you will have to also pay the entrance fee, which is usually $25 – $35 per car, but there aren’t really any other costs! Of course, you will also have the general expenses of eloping, like attire, rings, travel to the location, lodging, and marriage licenses, but when it comes to venue costs, a national park is much less expensive.

This means that you get to prioritize adventures and experiences on your elopement day, and spend money on things that matter to you!

Leave No Trace During Your National Park Elopement

When you elope in a national park, it’s really important to follow the rules of Leave No Trace. This protects nature and keeps these places beautiful, but it also ensures that parks keep allowing couples to get married there. There are seven principles of Leave No Trace, and following these helps us protect the environment – because a lot of the time, damage is done because people simply aren’t aware of their impact. Some parks may have specific regulations too – for example, some desert locations have cryptobiotic soil that shouldn’t be stepped on, and some parks  ban certain flowers from being brought in.

Here are the 7 principles of Leave No Trace to keep in mind for your national park elopement:

  • Plan ahead and prepare.
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
  • Dispose of waste properly.
  • Leave what you find.
  • Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
  • Respect wildlife.
  • Be considerate of other visitors.

The Best National Parks to Elope In

When choosing an elopement location, one of the biggest factors is the type of scenery you want to see. There are lots of national parks to choose from, each one bringing something a little different. Here are just a few  of  the best national parks to elope in!

BEST MOUNTAINOUS NATIONAL PARKS

  • Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
  • Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
  • North Cascades National Park, Washington
  • Yosemite National Park, California
  • Glacier National Park, Montana
  • Denali National Park, Alaska
  • Mt Rainier National Park, Washington

BEST DESERT NATIONAL PARKS

  • Joshua Tree National Park, California
  • Arches National Park, Utah
  • Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
  • Death Valley National Park, California
  • Zion National Park, Utah
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

BEST FOREST NATIONAL PARKS

  • Redwood National Park, California
  • Sequoia National Park, California

BEST COASTAL NATIONAL PARKS

  • Olympic National Park, Washington
  • Acadia National Park, Maine
  • Kenai Fjords National Park

Ready for Your National Park Elopement?

If you’re sold and you want to tie the knot in a beautiful national park, I’m here to help! As an elopement photographer, I’m also your guide to crafting your perfect day – so I’ll recommend the best national parks to elope in based on what you’re looking for, help you get all the right permits, and be your planning assistant and adventure buddy.


If you’re ready for a truly one of a kind day, contact me!