Small, intimate weddings with a select group of family and friends have become increasingly popular recently, as have elopements in wild places like national parks.
In fact, while weddings at national parks have been taken place for years, if not decades, including in such iconic places as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rainier and Zion Canyon.
If you’re planning on getting married in a national park, whether it’s a wedding in a rustic lodge or a national park elopement, you’ll find a ton of inspiration below.
Although there are some amazing locations for weddings in national parks on the East Coast, it’s probably no surprise that most of the best national parks for weddings are in the West. This is, after all, where you’ll find America’s most epic landscapes, from vast canyons and pristine deserts to mighty volcanoes and towering forests.
Contents
- Say ‘I Do’ at One of These Spectacular National Parks
- Best California National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
- Best Pacific Northwest National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
- Best Arizona National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
- Best Utah National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
- Best Hawaii National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
- National Parks Wedding Vendors
Say ‘I Do’ at One of These Spectacular National Parks
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Are you ready to swap out your dress shoes for hiking boots and add a backpack to your wedding day wardrobe? Read on to find the perfect location for the national park wedding or elopement of your dreams!
At the end of this post, you’ll also find a shortlist of recommended adventure wedding vendors, including photographers and an elopement florist.
Note: While you can find things like individual national park wedding permit costs, accommodations in and around the parks, the best wedding season and top national park elopement locations below, it’s quite possible you’ll need more information.
Rules, regulations and fees are different for every single park and some might require additional permits (depending on group size, caterer, photography, etc.) along with an entrance fee and possibly a state marriage license. When you’ve found the best national park for your wedding, please follow the link I’ve provided for the park, where you’ll find detailed guidance and how to apply for your national park wedding permit.
Best California National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
Joshua Tree National Park
A super-popular destination among photographers, rock climbers, hikers and other outdoorsy people, Joshua Tree National Park is easily one of the best national parks for elopements in Southern California. It’s an exceptionally photogenic park, home to large numbers of Joshua trees, as well as stacks of massive boulders.
Although there are no lodges, the park does have some of the best camping opportunities in the entire national park system. Alternatively, you can find some phenomenal Airbnbs and glamping locations around Joshua Tree National Park, too.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Joshua Tree National Park: Spring and fall
Campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park:
- Black Rock Campground
- Cottonwood Campground
- Indian Cove Campground
- Jumbo Rocks Campground
- Ryan Campground
Accommodation near Joshua Tree National Park:
Top Joshua Tree National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Hidden Valley Picnic Area
- Rattlesnake Picnic Area
- Porcupine Wash
- Turkey Flats
- Cap Rock
- Split Rock
Joshua Tree National Park wedding permit fee: $120
More information: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm
Lassen Volcanic National Park
A volcanic wonderland in northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the most underrated parks in the country. Here, you can get married on the shores of beautiful lakes and in pristine mountain meadows.
The Upper Kings Creek Meadow, for example, is an amazing national park wedding location, backed by Lassen Peak itself. You can set up camp at a few campgrounds along the Lassen Volcanic Highway, which offers easy access to many of the park’s greatest attractions. As beautiful as this park is during the day—we recommend visiting in summer—it’s equally spectacular at night, when thousands of stars shimmer above.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Lassen Volcanic National Park: Summer and fall
Campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic National Park:
Lodges in Lassen Volcanic National Park:
- Drakesbad Guest Ranch (Warner Valley, gravel access road)
Accommodation near Lassen Volcanic National Park:
Top Lassen Volcanic National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Manzanita Lake
- Summit Lake
- Upper Kings Creek Meadow
- Lake Helen
Lassen Volcanic National Park wedding permit fee: $75
More information: https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/permits.htm
Redwood National Park
At the Redwood National and State Parks complex, you can say your vows in a grove of giant redwood trees. Alternatively, the complex, which consists of a national park and three California state parks, also encompasses native prairie home to elk and black bears, as well as a stretch of spectacular coastline.
Spend the days before and/or after your Redwood National Park wedding exploring beautiful spots like Fern Canyon, Gold Bluffs Beach, Elk Prairie and Lady Bird Johnson Grove. For a totally unforgettable adventure wedding, consider going whitewater rafting on the Smith River, too.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Redwood National Park: Spring, summer and fall
Campgrounds in Redwood National Park:
Accommodation near Redwood National Park:
Top Redwood National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Schmidt Grove
- Templeman Grove
- Berry Glen Trail
- River Trail
- Crescent Beach Day Use Area
- Crescent Beach Overlook
- Gold Bluffs Beach
Redwood National Park wedding permit fee: $100-400
More information: https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/supweddings.htm
Best Pacific Northwest National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
Crater Lake National Park
The only “true” national park in Oregon is a place of supreme beauty. The centerpiece and namesake of this national park is Crater Lake, a stunningly blue caldera lake formed after the explosive eruption of Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago.
The scenic Rim Drive encircles the entire lake, lined with overlooks, viewpoints, trailheads and some of America’s most picturesque national park wedding locations.
Say ‘I do’ at the top of Garfield Peak or Watchman Peak, both of which require a relatively short hike, or get hitched at accessible spots like Discovery Point or in front of the iconic Crater Lake Lodge.
Best season for outdoor weddings in Crater Lake National Park: Summer
Campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park:
Lodges in Crater Lake National Park:
Accommodation near Crater Lake National Park:
Top Crater Lake National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Garfield Peak
- Discovery Point
- Watchman Overlook
- Watchman Peak
Crater Lake National Park wedding permit fee: $50
More information: https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/wedding-ceremonies-permit-information.htm
Mount Rainier National Park
One of the most popular Pacific Northwest national parks for elopements, Mount Rainier National Park in central Washington offers gorgeous summer wildflowers and fall foliage, epic hiking, great wildlife watching and amazing camping.
You’ll find numerous beautiful wedding locations throughout the park, from busy places like Paradise and Sunrise to pretty Tipsoo Lake—my favorite spot in the entire park!—and forests like the Grove of the Patriarchs and Ohanapecosh.
Inside the park, you can stay at three seasonal campgrounds or get comfy cozy at the famous Paradise Inn. Additionally, the gateway communities around the park have several excellent accommodation options, too.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Mount Rainier National Park: Summer and fall
Campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park:
Lodges in Mount Rainier National Park:
Accommodation near Mount Rainier National Park:
Top Mount Rainier National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Tipsoo Lake
- Reflection Lakes
- Skyline Trail
- Grove of the Patriarchs
- Burroughs Mountains
Mount Rainier National Park wedding permit fee: $60
More information: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm
North Cascades National Park
One of the wildest, remotest and least-visited national parks in the contiguous United States, North Cascades National Park is the ultimate place for an adventure-filled national park elopement. Part of a greater National Park Service complex northeast of Seattle, which also includes adjacent Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, it offers world-class hiking, camping and boating.
Few wedding locations in national parks, if any, are as mesmerizing as Diablo Lake. The North Cascades are phenomenal for mountain elopements.
Hike to scenic trails like Maple Pass or Cascade Pass, which is one of my favorite day hikes in the national parks, and get married amid a landscape of alpine peaks and wildflower-covered meadows. Additionally, the Ross Lake Resort is one of the greatest glamping locations in the national park system.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in North Cascades National Park: Summer and early-fall
Campgrounds in North Cascades National Park:
Lodges in North Cascades National Park:
Accommodation near North Cascades National Park:
Top North Cascades National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Diablo Lake Overlook
- Cascade Pass
- Maple Pass
North Cascades National Park wedding permit fee: $50
More information: https://www.nps.gov/noca/getinvolved/special-use-permits.htm
Olympic National Park
Often considered as “three parks in one”, Olympic National Park has something for everyone. Whether you want to have a wedding by the sea on the wild Olympic coast, get married in an alpine meadow or elope in a verdant rain forest, Olympic has a selection of epic wedding venues for you.
Located just a couple of hours west of Seattle, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of America’s most diverse national parks. Centered on mighty Mount Olympus, it is dotted with beautiful campgrounds, numerous wonderful and easy hiking trails, and has no fewer than five rustic lodges or resorts.
Our favorites are the Lake Crescent Lodge and the Lake Quinault Lodge in adjacent Olympic National Forest.
Thanks to its diverse landscapes, weddings at Olympic National Park are possible all year round (some areas may be closed in winter, though).
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Olympic National Park: All year round, depending on your location
Campgrounds in Olympic National Park:
- Kalaloch Campground
- Mora Campground
- South Beach Campground
- Sol Duc Hot Springs Campground
- Hoh Campground
- Fairholme Campground
- Heart O’ the Hills Campground
Lodges in Olympic National Park:
- Kalaloch Lodge
- Lake Crescent Lodge
- Log Cabin Resort
- Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
- Lake Quinault Lodge (in adjacent Olympic National Forest)
Accommodation near Olympic National Park:
Top Olympic National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Lake Quinault
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Ruby Beach
- Rialto Beach
- Lake Crescent
- Hurricane Ridge
- Sol Duc Falls
Olympic National Park wedding permit fee: $50
More information: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm
Best Arizona National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
Grand Canyon National Park
When it comes to spectacular national park wedding locations, it’s hard to beat the Grand Canyon. There are Grand Canyon wedding locations at both the South and North Rims, but most of them are on the South Rim.
Lined with viewpoints and scenic overlooks, you’ll have plenty of venue options to choose from. All are perfect for small, intimate outdoor national park weddings.
Note, however, that almost no traditional wedding features are allowed at public outdoor wedding spots in Grand Canyon National Park. This includes chairs, balloons, signs and even wedding flowers. If you’d like to have a more elaborate wedding at the Grand Canyon, you can still book a wedding or reception space at one of the South Rim’s many lodges. Those don’t require a special use permit and allow most of those things.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Grand Canyon National Park: Spring, summer and fall
Campgrounds in Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim):
Lodges in Grand Canyon National Park:
- Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins
- El Tovar Hotel
- Kachina Lodge
- Thunderbird Lodge
- Maswik Lodge
- Yavapai Lodge
Accommodation near Grand Canyon National Park:
Top Grand Canyon National Park elopement or wedding locations (South Rim):
- Pima Point
- Grandeur Point
- Shoshone Point
- Moran Point
- Lipan Point
Grand Canyon National Park wedding permit fee: $240
More information: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/sup.htm
Saguaro National Park
Planning national parks wedding in the desert? Few places are more iconic than Saguaro National Park, which was created to protect a single plant species—the saguaro cactus. At this desert wonderland, you can hike through amazing saguaro forests, see Native American rock art and go for scenic drives.
Consisting of two separate districts on each side of Tucson in southern Arizona, Saguaro National Park is also a super-accessible national park for weddings. You can easily get to either part in an hour or less.
There are no accommodations or frontcountry campsites inside the park, but you’ll find tons of choices around it. This is a gorgeous location for a sunset wedding.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Saguaro National Park: Fall, winter and spring
Campgrounds near Saguaro National Park:
Accommodation near Saguaro National Park:
Top Saguaro National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Valley View (Tucson Mountain District)
- Signal Hill (Tucson Mountain District)
- Mica View Picnic Area (Rincon Mountain District)
- Javelina Picnic Area (Rincon Mountain District)
Saguaro National Park wedding permit fee: $100
More information: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/sup.htm
Best Utah National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
Arches National Park
Situated in southeastern Utah, Arches National Park is easily one of the most scenic national parks for weddings. It is famous for its spectacular rock formations, desert scenery, massive sandstone walls and, of course, its countless natural rock arches. In fact, this park is home to over 2,000 catalogued arches, including some of the largest in the world.
Many of the greatest natural landmarks in Arches National Park serve as the perfect national park elopement venue. Small weddings are allowed at such famous spots as Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Pine Tree Arch, The Windows Section and Park Avenue.
All of these areas are absolute highlights of this almost-impossibly photogenic park and are especially beautiful at sunset.
You can either camp inside the park or find a world-class glamping location in the greater Moab area.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Arches National Park: Spring and fall
Campground in Arches National Park:
Accommodation near Arches National Park:
Top Arches National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Delicate Arch
- Landscape Arch
- Pine Tree Arch
- Park Avenue
- The Windows Section (including North and South Window, Turret Arch and Double Arch)
- La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
- Panorama Point
- Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater
Arches National Park wedding permit fee: $185
More information: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/weddings.htm
Bryce Canyon National Park
Filled with hundreds of orange hoodoos, the Bryce Amphitheater is one of the most otherworldly sights in America’s national parks. There are several viewpoints along the rim, but wedding ceremonies at Bryce Canyon National Park are limited to two designated areas: overlooking the Main Amphitheater and the Silent City at Sunset Point.
This is a particularly stunning location for sunset weddings, but it’s good to know that there are a number of restrictions in place. For example, there’s a maximum of 30 guests, while balloons, chairs, decorations and other props aren’t allowed.
On the plus side, though, the park waives its entrance fee for the bride and groom, making this a great national park for elopements.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Bryce Canyon National Park: Spring and fall
Campgrounds in Bryce Canyon National Park:
Lodges in Bryce Canyon National Park:
Accommodation near Bryce Canyon National Park:
Top Bryce Canyon National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Main Amphitheater Overlook
- Sunset Point
Bryce Canyon National Park wedding permit fee: $100
More information: https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/married.htm
Zion National Park
One of the most popular national parks in the USA, Zion National Park boasts jaw-dropping scenery and world-renowned hiking trails like Observation Point and Angels Landing. Accessible from Las Vegas, Flagstaff and Salt Lake City, it’s one of the best national parks for weddings and elopements.
As the park’s website says, “Zion is a marriage of light and stone, desert and water, ancient and contemporary. It inspires awe and requires contemplation.” Zion Canyon is the park’s beating heart, a spectacular river gorge flanked by sheer rock walls and hanging gardens.
There are a lodge and two great campgrounds near the park’s south entrance, while the gateway town of Springdale has all kinds of other facilities and services.
Best seasons for outdoor weddings in Zion National Park: Spring, summer and fall
Campgrounds in Zion National Park:
Lodges in Zion National Park:
Accommodation near Zion National Park:
Top Zion National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Temple of Sinawava
- Zion Lodge Lawn
- Nature Center North Lawn
- South Campground Amphitheater
Zion National Park wedding permit fee: $100
More information: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/weddings-in-zion-national-park.htm
Best Hawaii National Parks for Elopements and Adventure Weddings
Haleakala National Park
Dreaming of a tropical elopement or wedding in a national park? You really can’t go wrong with Maui’s Haleakala National Park. Comprised of two entirely different areas—the barren Summit Area and lush Kipahulu Area—it offers a variety of experiences and national park wedding locations.
Note that wedding ceremonies at Haleakala aren’t allowed in the Wilderness Area, which includes some popular trails. You can get married in Haleakala National Park at a number of scenic crater overlooks or spots on the remote east coast of Maui, though! Sunrises at the summit are incredibly popular and require special reservations, but sunsets are equally beautiful.
The park has two primitive first-come, first-served campgrounds, ideal for a low-key van life-style honeymoon, but there are numerous (luxury) resorts elsewhere in Maui, too.
Best season(s) for outdoor weddings in Haleakala National Park: All year round
Campgrounds in Haleakala National Park:
Accommodation near Haleakala National Park:
Top Haleakala National Park elopement or wedding locations:
- Pu’u’ula’ula / Red Hill (Summit)
- Kalahaku Overlook (Summit)
- Leleiwi Overlook (Summit)
- Kūloa Point (Kipahulu)
- Kūloa Coastal Trail (Kipahulu)
Haleakala National Park wedding permit fee: $150
More information: https://www.nps.gov/hale/learn/management/special-use-permits.htm
National Parks Wedding Vendors
National Park Elopement & Wedding Photographers:
Adventure Instead
Between the Pine
National Park Elopement & Wedding Florist:
Caroline Reusen Floral Design
Ask The Dutch Guy
Monday 1st of March 2021
What an awesome and unique places for weddings! It's really an adventure.
Bram
Monday 1st of March 2021
It could truly be the adventure of a lifetime!