If you love the idea of holding your elopement in a national park surrounded by open space, fresh air, and nature, this one’s for you. The U.S. is home to many national parks, each with its own unforgettable character. As a queer elopement photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing the marriage of many couples at these various locations. And they never fail to bring magical jaw-dropping moments. In this article, I’ll show you how to elope in a national park, provide my expert tips and tricks, and showcase some incredible elopement venues to check out within these areas.

Why Elope in a National Park?

A national park elopement is not just about escaping the hustle and bustle of traditional wedding venues; it’s about embracing natural beauty and the freedom to celebrate your love in the most authentic way possible. Here are some reasons to say “I do” in some of the most beautiful places on earth:

1. Unforgettable Scenery

National parks have some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes on this planet. Whether you dream of exchanging your vows with your partner against the backdrop of towering mountains, calm lakes, lush forests, or dramatic canyons, there’s a park that suits your vision.

2. Intimate and Private

Depending on where and when you hold your ceremony, national parks can offer very intimate experiences, allowing you to focus solely on each other without the distractions of a large guest list. Since national parks are public spaces, you likely won’t get total privacy. However, it’s still the perfect chance to create a deeply personal and meaningful experience.

3. Adventure and Romance

National parks offer endless adventure opportunities—whatever “adventure” means for you. Whether you want to take on a six-hour hike or spend the night stargazing, sharing these experiences together as a couple is unforgettable.

4. Convenient Planning

While eloping in a national park requires permits and other logistics, it is still a convenient option compared to a wedding venue with hundreds of guests. With the proper guidance, you can have a relatively straightforward process that’ll get you well on your way to saying “I do” to the love of your life. As a photographer with lots of experience shooting elopements in national parks, I can offer a helping hand, from location selection to logistics management.

How To Elope in A National Park

So, you’ve gone through the initial stages of planning an elopement, and you and your partner have decided that getting married at a national park speaks to you. Firstly, congratulations! You just took a big step. So, how do you actually elope in a national park? Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown:

1. Pick Your Photographer

Choosing your photographer as your first step ensures you have someone to capture the essence and beauty of your special day. But that’s not all. We can also guide you through the essential stages of planning a national park elopement. 

When you book your elopement package with me, you don’t just get access to stunning photos. I’ll also help you through the permit process, help you scout out specific locations within the park for your ceremony and other elopement activities, and offer my insights on logistics, like accommodations, timing, and packing.

2. Obtain Permits

The permit process can feel a little daunting, especially if you’ve never done this before. Permits and permissions are necessary to ensure a smooth ceremony that abides by national park regulations and requirements. Each national park may differ in what they do and do not allow.

To get your permits, contact the park’s office. Let them know about your intentions to elope in the national park so they can provide essential information about the permit process, available ceremony locations, and any restrictions or scheduling conflicts. The types of permits can vary, but typically, you’ll need to get:

• Special Use Permit: This authorizes you to have a wedding or elopement on-site.
• Photography Permit: This gives your photographer permission to photograph or film within the park. 

Again, I have loads of experience in the world of obtaining permits. I can handle the photography permit on my end and help you get a special use permit. Keep in mind that it’s best to do this step well in advance—it can often take time to find the right person to contact, and it can take anywhere from two weeks to over a month to get approved. 

3. Choose the Best Elopement Locations

Now we get to go on a little adventure together! We’ll scope out the best places in the park to hold your ceremony and other elopement activities throughout the day. During this step, it’s essential to consider any area-specific restrictions the park sets.

Finding the best elopement locations within the national park also depends on your vision for the day. Consider what you want to see and experience. If you wish to elope on the top of a mountain, we can do research into the best hikes. If you want a quiet spot by a creek, we can find that too. We’ll also scout out various locations for photography shoots throughout the day.

Many national parks also have elopement venues if you’d like an intimate indoor space. These are usually lodges and cabins and can also double as your accommodations in some cases. One of the best things about these venues is that they offer the convenience of having easy access to the park grounds. Here are some examples:

• Lake Crescent Lodge (Olympic National Park)
• Summit Mountain Lodge (Glacier National Park)
• Crater Lake Lodge (Crater Lake National Park)
• Valley Overlook (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
• Zion Lodge (Zion National Park)

4. Plan Your Activities

Your elopement day can involve different activities, whether you want to go for an early morning stroll, have breakfast together at your cabin, or stargaze at night. The possibilities are endless! Check out my example itinerary in my ultimate elopement guide to give you some ideas for planning your day.

Eloping in A National Park: Things to Consider

To ensure your day is everything you could ever dream of, here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to eloping in a national park:

1. Elopements are generally small, usually 30 people or less. If you want to invite guests, ensure this fits the park’s guidelines. Many couples prefer to keep it small and intimate with just them, a few witnesses, an officiant and a photographer.
2. Always remember the principles of Leave No Trace. National parks are spaces we want to conserve and respect, so following best practices, like disposing of waste properly and being mindful of wildlife, are crucial. 
3. If you bring any ceremony decorations to the site on your day, ensure these abide by park guidelines and have minimal environmental impact. Additionally, some parks don’t allow specific decorations, like chairs. We can discuss alternatives together if accessibility is an issue—elopements are for everyone!
4. When establishing your budget, keep in mind that many national parks have an entrance fee. Permits may also come with a cost.
5. When planning your national park elopement, leave lots of time for photos (like 8 to 12 hours, if possible). 
6. Also, when building your itinerary, leave lots of time for breaks. It’s your day, and there’s no need to rush from place to place!
7. There may be better times in the year for eloping in national parks than others. Consider peak tourist seasons. I recommend eloping on a weekday or closer to shoulder season if you prefer a quieter setting.
8. As mentioned above, many national parks have venues and lodging. You can also book an Airbnb or other rental property nearby—but just be mindful of the distance from your elopement location!

What to Bring When You Elope in A National Park

Your packing list depends on the time of year and activities you plan for your special day. Generally, make sure you have:

• Identification
• Necessary permits
• Outdoor gear
• Snacks and water
• Safety essentials
• Trash bags

For a more complete packing list, check out my guide to eloping.

Ready for Your Dream National Park Elopement?

Trust me on this one: There really is nothing like getting married in a beautiful national park. If you’re ready to embark on this journey and want someone to help capture your love, reach out to me! I can’t wait to meet you and help make your day everything you’ve ever dreamed of.