The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Yosemite National Park
Eloping in Yosemite National Park is an AMAZING idea. One of California’s most famous national parks. It’s easy to see why when you visit. With views of Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and others, in addition to groves of giant Sequoias, Yosemite is the perfect place to elope in California.
If you’re thinking about eloping in Yosemite but don’t know where to start this ultimate guide to eloping in Yosemite is for you. After living and working in Yosemite for over a year I have all the insider information. I leave no detail untouched by including information on Yosemite elopement locations, permit information, timeline examples, and more!
Basics of eloping in Yosemite
How to get to the park:
I would highly recommend renting a car for your trip. It will give you the freedom to move as you please and not be limited by the schedules of others. Once you are in the park, there is a shuttle in Wawona during the summer and a shuttle in the valley year-round. As of 2022, there is no shuttle bus in Tuolumne.
Where to stay in the park:
If you would like hotels within the park there are 3 options. The Ahwahnee is a National Historic Landmark hotel. This hotel is located in Yosemite Valley and is surrounded by gorgeous views. It is also known for having good food. The Ahwahnee will be temporarily closed from January 2, 2023 – March 2, 2023, for renovations. The Yosemite Valley Lodge is very close to everything including a 10-minute walk to Lower Yosemite Falls. It’s a nice hotel with everything you could possibly need for a stay in the park. If you want something with a cute Victorian vibe the Wawona Hotel is the hotel for you. Founded in 1856 this charming hotel is situated near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
If glamping is more your speed Yosemite has both Curry Villiage & Housekeeping Camp. Both of these lodging areas are glorified tents and or cabins with the ability to feel like camping without the stress of actually setting up the tents.
If you like camping, then Yosemite has many campgrounds that sell out super fast. I’d recommend booking your campsite at least 6 months before your elopement. You can learn how to reserve your spot and see the camping calendar for all the campsites here.
In addition to the lodging in the park, there are some great AirBnb’s and other hotels around in the area to check out. Here are a few of my favorites:
Eloping in Yosemite: When to elope
To get the best experience on your wedding day I wouldn’t recommend getting married on the weekend. Even if you do a sunrise ceremony you’d still have to contend with people in your pictures and traffic. I’d recommend getting married at sunrise on a weekday in either spring or fall to avoid the crowds.
Best seasons to elope in Yosemite National Park:
Fall
Fall is definitely one of the best times to get married in Yosemite. September and October specifically. The weather is super nice, the trees are colorful and since most kids are in school there are fewer crowds to deal with which also means less traffic. You can’t ever go wrong with a fall wedding in Yosemite.
Winter
Winter is great for ultimate privacy within a winter wonderland of snow. A lot of iconic places are closed due to snow such as Tuolumne, Half Dome, Glacier & Taft Point. However, if you want to still have those views you can snowshoe, ski, or hike up to these points. Yosemite also has a ski area called Badger Pass where you can go Skiing or Snowboarding.
Spring
Spring is another one of the best times to get married in Yosemite. In spring the snow is melting which makes the waterfalls roar. The weather is also starting to warm up after winter but not too hot to make it uncomfortable. And, there aren’t too many people because it’s not summer yet. The best time to get married in Yosemite in spring is between April and May.
Summer
Summer is the most popular time to visit Yosemite because everything is open and school is out for the summer. I would not recommend getting married in the valley during the summer. One, there are a lot of tourists and traffic. Two, the waterfalls dry up around July or August so you won’t get those epic views. Three, it is hot in the valley during the summer.
In order to get the best experience during the summer, I recommend getting married in Tuolumne Meadows. It is a part of the park north of the valley and a lot higher in elevation making it cooler than the valley. Not many people visit Tuolumne so you will deal with fewer people. You can still get the epic views of half dome and other iconic valley views in addition to alpine lakes and mountain peaks you can’t get down in the valley. Ultimately, it’s a better option than the valley during the summer.
Eloping in Yosemite: Where to Elope
Yosemite Valley
Cascades Picnic Area
Max Capacity: 30 people
Season Availability: Open Year-Round
Parking is limited to 8 cars so carpooling is recommended. There are bathrooms and picnic tables so it’s great for a low-key ceremony.
Lower Yosemite Falls
Max Capacity: 50 people
Season Availability: Open Year-Round. Falls flow from November to July. Falls dry up in July/August. Peak Flow is April/May.
You are not allowed to have your ceremony at the base of the falls but there is a designated spot with a great view of the falls. Yosemite Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the park which means it is also one of the most popular hikes. Make sure to plan for that accordingly. I recommend having a sunrise wedding to avoid the crowds. No parking available so you can either walk from the Lodge or take the Valley shuttle to Stop #6.
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
Max Capacity: 50 People
Season Availability: Open the Tuesday after Memorial Day to October 31st
This beach is a pretty little beach tucked away with great views of El Capitan. There is water to play in, pit toilets, and picnic tables to use as needed. It is easy to get to via the shuttle bus (Stop #10) or driving via the El Capitan loop.
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
Max Capacity: 20 People
Season Availability: Open Year-Round
Ceremonies aren’t allowed on the bridge itself. This is a great location for accessibility and great views of the valley. There’s limited parking so carpooling is recommended. There are also year-round facilities.
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
Max Capacity: 100 People
Season Availability: open the Tuesday after Memorial Day to October 31st
This location allows the largest number of guests. It is a beautiful beach with facilities and a great view of the valley.
Glacier Point Amphitheater
Max Capacity: 50 People
Season Availability: The Tuesday after Memorial Day to September 30th. Weddings are not scheduled in July or August.
Important: The road up to Taft Point will be closed in 2022. The only way to reach it is via the Four Mile Trail, a long and strenuous 9.6-mile hike.
Taft Point
Max Capacity: 11 People
Season Availability: The Tuesday after Memorial Day to September 30th
Important: The road up to Taft Point will be closed in 2022. The only way to reach it is via the Four Mile Trail, a long and strenuous 9.6-mile hike.
El Capitan Meadow
Tunnel View
Max Capacity: 10 People
Season Availability: Open Year-Round
Yosemite Chapel
Max Capacity: As of 2022 there are only allowed 50 guests.
Season Availability: Open Year-Round
To learn more about getting married in the Yosemite Chapel click HERE
Wawona
Chilnualna Falls Trailhead
Max Capacity: 50 People
Season Availability: Open Year-Round
Tuolumne Meadows
Tenaya Lake Beach
Max Capacity: 50 People
Season Availability: open the Tuesday after Memorial Day to September 30th
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Max Capacity: 25 People
Season Availability: open the Tuesday after Memorial Day to September 30th
Big Oak Flats
Tuolumne Grove
Max Capacity: 30 People
Season Availability: Open year-round, though the hike is difficult in the winter with snow
Merced Grove
Max Capacity: 30
Season Availability: Open year-round, though the hike is difficult in the winter with snow
Eloping in Yosemite: How to get a permit
Now that you’ve chosen your ceremony location, it’s time to work on the logistical stuff. Yosemite requires a wedding permit to get married in the park. You can download the application here. The cost of a wedding permit is $150, you can apply for it up to a year before your intended wedding date, and must be sent at least 21 days before your wedding date.
Once you’ve filled out the application, you can send a check and the application to:
Attn: Catherine Carlisle-McMullen
Special Park Uses/ Film and Weddings
Yosemite National Park, National Park Service
P.O. Box 700
El Portal, CA 95318
If your event requires monitoring (usually weddings with 30-50 guests), you may need to pay an additional $50 an hour for monitoring.
Once your permit is approved, you will receive a copy that you will then need to sign and mail back. Once this is complete, the park will send you an official permit you will need to take with you into the park.
Yosemite Elopement Restrictions:
Restrictions are no fun but they are there to help protect the environment and keep it looking gorgeous. None of these restrictions should keep you from having the wedding of your dreams.
- No permits are granted for holiday weekends or holidays.
- No pets are allowed.
- No amplified music.
- You cannot turn away other visitors or in any way block off your location to attempt privacy.
- You must avoid stepping on any plant life.
- You cannot get married under a sequoia.
- You cannot “release” anything – butterflies, seeds, rice, or confetti-like things.
- No balloons, signs, or decor.
- No seating is allowed, with the exception of those with special needs.
- No drones.
- No formal receptions within the park.
Eloping in Yosemite: Choosing the right photographer
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