How to Elope in a National Park

Information and location recommendations for National Park elopements and micro weddings

National Parks are incredible places to elope. Along with stunning scenery, there are plenty of stewarded trails and access points, which makes it friendlier for folks than BLM and some National Forest land. To elope in a national park, you’ll need to consider seasonal changes/closures, permits and designated ceremony sites, your guest count, and what to do with your guests afterward. Let’s dive in!

Seasonal Changes

Every National Park is heavily influenced by seasonal weather patterns, which means parts of the park may be prone to closure. For example, in Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road closes in the late fall to early summer due to snow and ice making it too dangerous to access. Sometimes trails or designated areas will be closed for restoration purposes. Every national park website will have updates on what parts are closed and open for the season!

Another thing to keep in mind is each park’s busy seasons, shoulder seasons, and off-seasons. If you’re looking for maximum privacy, shoulder or off seasons are best. If you’re looking for all trails open and the best weather, then busy season may be when you choose your date.

If you are considering a northern park (Glacier National Park, for example), be aware of early or late snowstorms, frigid winds, and mud. If you are considering a southern park (Big Bend National Park, for example), be aware of heat stroke and dehydration. And always be on the lookout for wildlife like bears, snakes, deer, ticks, etc. These are their lands more than ours!

Permits

You WILL need a ceremony permit to elope in a national park, no ifs, ands, or buts. Typically, they run from $100-300, so it’s still far more affordable than a full venue, but this permit is what will keep you from getting literally evicted from the park by rangers. Some parks have designated reception areas that you may need a permit for as well.

I should also mention: national parks are PUBLIC. Applying for and receiving a permit does not guarantee you privacy at your ceremony site. Most folks are pretty respectful, especially when they see you in your wedding attire, but if you’re eloping during busy season, you may have folks around you or behind you.

Designated Ceremony Sites

Almost all national parks have designated ceremony sites. These are maintained ceremony sites specifically designed to accommodate you and your guests so that you don’t go off trail. If you are seen doing vows (yes, even on trail) on a non-designated ceremony site, you are fully liable to be evicted from the park. If you don’t love the views at the designated sites, just know that we can do everything but your vows elsewhere in the park!

Maximum Guest Counts

There’s some variation depending on site size and parking allowance, but 30 total folks at your elopement (including the two of you and any vendors, like me) is a good rule of thumb. Some sites allow 50, some only 10. Remember, this includes EVERY person who will be there during your ceremony. Do your due diligence and if you can’t find the answers on the national park website, call the hotline!

reception ideas

There are usually group picnic sites nearby or within the park, and those are a great option for a post-ceremony lunch or celebration. Remember, they are usually not fully reservable, so you may have some public friends. If you are looking for more privacy or a larger space for events, you may be better off with an AirBnB, local restaurant, or micro wedding venue.

Leave No Trace

Part of the allure of a national park elopement is being fully surrounded by nature. This means it is your duty to abide by Leave No Trace. Absolutely NO chairs, aisle runners, arches, or flower petals are allowed for national park ceremonies. If you’re worried about an elderly family member, a single camping chair set on a more established ceremony site may be okay, but double check with rangers. Bouquets are allowed so long as you are careful to keep them intact. If you’re having a picnic to celebrate after, make sure you pack up ALL crumbs, containers, and wrappers, and make sure not to spill any drinks.

Which park should you elope in?

This massively depends on your personal tastes, if you have a wedding date set, and how far you’d like to travel. Below is a general list of landscapes and best visiting times for a third of the available U.S. national parks. If you have a specific vision for your elopement, we can find a park together and narrow down the best time to elope from seasonal weather and crowds!

Desert and/or canyon national parks

Saguaro - Arizona. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

Big Bend - Texas. Best visited in February through April and October through December.

Joshua Tree - California. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

Grand Canyon - Arizona. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

Great Sand Dunes - Colorado. Best visited in April through June and September through November.

Badlands - South Dakota. Best visited in April through June and September through November.

Bryce Canyon - Utah. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

Capitol Reef - Utah. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

Canyonlands - Utah. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

Zion - Utah. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

forest and/or mountain national parks

Denali - Alaska. Best visited between May and September.

Redwoods - California. Best visited between April and October.

Sequoia - California. Best visited between April and October.

Rocky Mountain - Colorado. Best visited between May and October.

Acadia - Maine. Best visited between May and October.

Glacier - Montana. Best visited between May and October.

Great Smoky - Tennessee. Best visited in March through May and October through December.

North Cascades - Washington. Best visited between May and October.

Mount Rainier - Washington. Best visited between May and October.

Olympic - Washington. Best visited between May and October.

Grand Teton - Wyoming/Idaho. Best visited between May and October.