How To Elope in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places on earth which means it’s the perfect spot for an elopement or adventure wedding! With romantic meadows under towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and stunning mountains, Yosemite offers nothing but breathtaking backdrops for your elopement.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to elope in Yosemite. The best time of year, locations, Yosemite elopement packages, where to stay, FAQs, and more. We grew up exploring Yosemite and we’ve consolidated all our knowledge on the topic onto this one page!
So if you love nature and want to get married in Yosemite National Park, this one’s for you!
Where to Elope in Yosemite National Park
Taft Point
With a stunning view of Yosemite Valley including El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, it’s not hard to see why Taft Point is one of the best places for elopements in Yosemite. The unique formation of the cliffs here allows for jaw-dropping elopement photos and a view as you get married that you’ll never forget. With great beauty comes popularity, so in order to avoid crowds make sure you work with an experienced Yosemite Elopement Photographer!
- 2-mile round-trip hike
- 10 Person Maximum
- Available: Late May through Late October
Glacier Point
Truly unforgettable, Glacier Point provides a breathtaking view of Half Dome and the surrounding valley, making it a wonderful backdrop for your elopement. For 11-50 people you have the Glacier Point Amphitheater which is one of the only places in the park with seating for your guests. With 10 or fewer people you can elope at any of the amazing spots in this area. The lighting in the morning as the sun rises behind Half Dome makes for a magical view!
- Short walk
- Amphitheater: 50 Person Maximum
- Other locations: 10 Person Maximum
- Available: Tuesday after Memorial Day through September 30th (no weddings allowed in July or August, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take photos here during your elopement!)
Tunnel View
If you google Yosemite National Park: This is what you’ll see. The steep granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome and the majestic Bridalveil Falls all tower over the lush forest below, it’s a view unlike anywhere else in the world. Tunnel View is also one of the most popular places in the park, but don’t worry, we’ve got a few fool-proof tricks up our sleeves to almost entirely avoid the crowds.
- Little to no hike
- 10 Person Maximum (best suited for few or no guests)
- Accessible year-round
Cathedral Beach
Situated on the crystal-clear Merced River, Cathedral Beach spot offers a fantastic view of El Capitan while you stand on a sandy river beach. We always recommend eloping on a weekday as there will be fewer people in the park. There will be other people enjoying the beach, but it’s normally not too hard to find a spot for your elopement on a weekday. This is a great spot for weddings with a higher guest count with its easy accessibility, great views, and lush surrounding forest.
- No hike
- 50 Person Maximum
- Accessible year-round
Keep in mind these locations are just for your ceremony, Yosemite is a national park that spans over 1,169 miles and we have dozens of spots all throughout the park for you to explore and take beautiful photos throughout your elopement!
If you’ll be having 10 people or less then you can elope anywhere in the entire park except open meadows and riverbanks! (This includes you, your officiant, and your photographers.) If you have more than 10 people at your elopement, you can choose from 12 different designated ceremony locations.
All 12 Yosemite designated ceremony locations:
Glacier Point Amphitheater – 50 people maximum, Wheelchair accessible
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area – 50 people maximum
Cascades Picnic Area – 30 people maximum
Lower Yosemite Falls Paved Trail – 50 people maximum, Wheelchair accessible
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area – 20 people maximum, Wheelchair accessible
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area – 50 people maximum, Wheelchair accessible
Bridalveil Falls – 50 people maximum, Wheelchair accessible
Chilnualna Falls Trailhead Parking Lot – 50 people maximum, maximum of 10 cars allowed
Tenaya Lake Beach – 50 people maximum
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Area – 25 people maximum
Tuolumne Grove – 30 people maximum
Merced Grove – 30 people maximum
Read more about these locations here!
Choosing Your Yosemite Elopement Photographer
The only two things from your elopement that will last forever are your love and your photos. Investing in a quality Yosemite elopement photographer is one of the most important things you can do for your elopement. Here are the main things to keep in mind when looking for your photographer:
- Find a photographer that specializes in elopements and intimate weddings.
- Someone that can help you plan, choose locations, create timelines, research permits, etc. To make your elopement as stress-free as possible.
- Choose a photographer who you connect with. This person will be one of the few there on your special day so you want someone who understands the importance of such an intimate form of getting married.
- Someone who is invested in accurately documenting the spirit of your day and will make sure to take photos that capture your unique personalities.
What’s better than one photographer that meets all of these criteria?
Two photographers that do!
We’re Sammie and Micah Chaffin, a married elopement photography team, and we’ve been photographing elopements around the world for years. We eloped ourselves and we’re passionate about creating meaningful experiences while capturing artistic photos that document your connection.
How to Legally Get Married in Yosemite National Park
Good news: You normally only need 2 legal documents for your Yosemite Elopement: a Yosemite wedding permit, and a California marriage license. Here’s a straightforward look at both:
Yosemite NP Wedding Permit
- The official name of the permit is a Special Use Permit, the cost is $150.
- To get your permit you will download and mail in the application along with a check, then receive your permit in the mail, sign your permit, and mail it back again for final approval. That’s a lot of mailing, so make sure you take care of this as soon as possible in case of delays.
- You can apply for your permit up to a year in advance and no less than 21 days prior.
- The permit requires your location choice and date + allows you to put an alternate for both.
- For full information and to obtain your permit visit the official NPS website.
Yosemite NP Marriage license
- You can get your marriage license at any County Clerk’s office in California. You do not need to obtain your license in the county where you will be eloping! The closest County Clerk to Yosemite is the Mariposa County Clerk’s office where a marriage license costs $60.
- You’ll both need to be there in person and bring valid picture identification such as a driver’s license or passport. Unlike some other states, there is no waiting period so your marriage license is valid right away.
- You’ll need two witnesses and your officiant to sign the license on your elopement day, then your officiant needs to return it to the County Recorder’s office within 10 days.
Pro Tips:
- Your elopement photographers or random hikers can act as your witnesses if you’re choosing to not have any guests. (We would be honored!)
- If you’re traveling to Yosemite from somewhere else, you always have the option to sign your marriage license in your home city/state then have a symbolic ceremony at your elopement in order to make the process less complicated and have one less thing to worry about on your elopement day. The day you sign your legal paperwork does not have to be the day you choose to celebrate as your wedding!
Where to Stay for Your Yosemite Elopement
Where you stay for your elopement is a huge part of your experience, no matter what your preference is, we encourage you to invest in accommodations that you’ll love!
Airbnbs
Vacation rentals normally offer some of the best aesthetics and maximum privacy.
Lovers Nest Treehouse Loft
Boho cabin designed with a couple in mind. Charming loft bedroom, great natural light, and lots of places to cozy up together.
Modern A-frame
A-frame cabin with massive windows and a warm, modern design. Lots of space, natural light, places to cozy up, and even a small secondary cabin on the property.
Mariposa Grove Creekside Retreat
Modern home built in 2024 located just 2 miles from Yosemite’s South Entrance. Beautiful exterior and interior design complete with a private balcony.
Apex Yosemite West Modern Duplex
One of the units in a stylish and modern duplex with lots of natural light, minimal and bright decor, easy parking, and a big private deck.
Modern Sophistication Bathed in Natural Light
Great combination of nature and modern design. This luxurious home is designed to make you feel like you’re immersed in nature, all while enjoying the comforts of a modern home.
Wander Yosemite Falls
An astounding luxury estate with 5 bedrooms between two houses, all covered in floor-to-ceiling windows and incredible views. Designed by architect Conrad Asturi and pulling inspiration from the nature around it, every inch of this Airbnb is gorgeous. If you want a luxury experience for your Yosemite elopement, it doesn’t get better than this.
Moonstone Retreat
A gorgeous 3-bedroom, 3-bath modern home with wood details and elegant design. Every bedroom has its own private balcony and the home is complete with large windows and a robust outdoor cooking area.
Hotels
The Ahwahnee Hotel
With private suites and a dining room that looks straight out of a castle, this is the most luxurious hotel within the park. It was built almost a hundred years ago, clearly pulling its design inspiration from the forest and mountains around it. If you want a historic, higher-end place to stay in the center of the park, The Ahwahnee is a great choice.
Yosemite Valley Lodge
A mid-tier hotel in Yosemite Valley with basic amenities and rooms that offer you nice views of the park. The best part about Yosemite Valley Lodge is that you’re situated in the center of Yosemite Village so you’re just a couple minutes walk from places like The Mountain Room Restaurant, Yosemite Valley’s General Store, and even Starbucks! Keep in mind the rooms here have no A/C so we recommend only staying here if you’re eloping October-April.
Tenaya at Yosemite
Just a couple miles outside the park’s south entrance, this full-service resort offers modern accommodations that have an updated sense of design. There are lots of activities and amenities like massages and bike rentals offered at the resort. In addition to rooms, there are also individual private cottages available to rent.
Rush Creek Lodge & Spa
Built on a historic property from the California gold rush, this is the best hotel if you’re looking for more modern accommodations and you don’t mind driving at least 30 minutes to get into the park. Rush Creek Lodge also has an extensive spa with massages, steam rooms, and more.
Campgrounds
For more outdoorsy couples looking to immerse themselves in nature, you can even camp for your elopement! Yosemite has 13 amazing campgrounds to choose from and most campgrounds have RV spots as well as tent sites. Note that some campgrounds are not open year-round. Some campgrounds allow you to make reservations but some are first come first served.
Other Unique Options
Curry Village
Looking for a rugged experience but with just a little more structure than camping? Curry Village is a series of canvas tents and wood cabins that place you right in the middle of Yosemite’s nature, while still being a short walk away from restaurants and the general store.
Autocamp
A world-class experience for nature lovers who want a more refined experience. Autocamp has 80 custom Airstreams equipped with spa-inspired bathrooms, kitchenettes, and even private fire pits. The 35-acre property also has a 4,000 sqft common space with a pool, a small marketplace, and aesthetically pleasing places to lounge indoors and outdoors.
VRBO
Offering action rentals just like Airbnb, VRBO is a helpful option if you’re looking to have an elopement reception at your place since you can filter your search based on whether the property allows events or not.
Pro Tips:
- If your accommodation is outside the park you’ll most likely have to drive an hour or so to get to Yosemite Valley so make sure to plan accordingly. (Wedding day road trips are the best!)
- For the best getting-ready photos, stay somewhere with lots of big windows and more neutral-toned decor.
How to get to Yosemite National Park: Access Points and Airports
There are 5 entrances into Yosemite National Park, but the most common are the South Entrance and the Big Oak Flat Entrance to the east.
List of Yosemite National Park Entrances
South Entrance
Big Oak Flat Entrance
Tioga Pass Entrance
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Arch Rock Entrance
The best airports to fly into for your Yosemite elopement are San Francisco International Airport, San Jose Mineta International Airport, and Sacramento International Airport. Each of the airports will lead you into the park through the Big Oak Flat Entrance on Highway 120.
The nearest airport to Yosemite is the Fresno International Airport which is a 2.5-hour drive from Yosemite Valley. This is a smaller airport so flights and rental cars will likely be more expensive and not likely worth the shorter drive time to Yosemite. To get to Yosemite from Fresno, take the 41 North to the South Entrance.
Pro-Tip: If you route Google Maps to “Yosemite National Park” it will take you to the entrances, which are located about a 45-minute drive from all the elopement locations in the park. Be sure to route to your specific destination within the park to get an accurate driving time.
Yosemite Elopement Activity Suggestions
This is your elopement so it’s time to do what YOU love! A huge part of your elopement experience is the activities that you choose to do together! Below is a short list of activity suggestions, but the possibilities are endless.
- Hike to a mountain viewpoint
- Have a picnic in the valley
- Stargazing
- Write out your vows together
- Rock climb
- Cook breakfast together
- Walk through the forest
- Read poetry in a meadow
- Hike to a waterfall
- Ride bikes
- Hammock together
- Roast smores on a campfire
6 Expert Tips from your Yosemite National Park Elopement Photographers
1. There is only one road that loops around Yosemite Valley and much of it is one-way only, which can be a bit disorienting and lead to increased traffic. (Make sure you don’t miss your stop, as you may need to drive the loop again to get back to it!).
2. In order to keep Yosemite beautiful and keep yourself safe, it’s important that you follow all Leave No Trace principles, and that you read the Yosemite Safety page on the NPS website. Especially important is the Bears and Food storage page.
3. Glacier Point & Taft Point are a 1-hour drive from Yosemite Valley, where you’ll find the meadows and waterfalls, so plan your timeline accordingly.
4. Make sure to look up the weather ahead of time and plan your wedding attire accordingly. If you’re having guests, make sure that they do the same.
5. For most Yosemite elopements, typical wedding footwear like heels may not be the best. Ensure that you and your guests wear proper footwear for your elopement location such as sneakers or hiking boots. If you’d like to wear more formal shoes for part of the day, you can always change shoes halfway through the day!
6. Phone service in Yosemite is spotty and sometimes non-existent, so don’t plan on utilizing it. Communicate your plans and timeline to everyone who needs to know ahead of time, and download the entire area of Yosemite National Park on Google Maps “offline maps”.
Booking Your Elopement Photographers
Great job! The next step you should take to start planning your elopement is to reach out to your elopement photographers:
That’s Us!
We’re Sammie and Micah, a married team of photographers who specialize in photographing elopements and adventure weddings, and years ago we eloped in a National Park! We understand how important it is to have photos that are both beautiful and tell the full story of your elopement. We know your photos are your memories and we take that responsibility seriously.
We help all of our couples with planning, choosing a location, creating timelines, researching permits, and much more in order to make your elopement as stress-free as possible.
We’ve fallen in love with creating intentional elopement experiences while capturing artistic images of real moments. We focus on helping couples make their dream elopement a reality, all while being present in the moment and connected to each other – and we’d love to help you!
Yosemite National Park Elopement Packages
- 90+ page “Ultimate Elopement Guide” with tips for every step of the process
- Personalized Yosemite location & activity recommendations
- Assistance with Yosemite Wedding permit and marriage license
- Custom Yosemite elopement day-of timeline
- Photo coverage from 8 hours to 2 days
- High-res photos in a private online gallery with unlimited downloads
- No added travel fees
- Free Custom Elopement Album Design
January 23, 2025
published on
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
We're a husband and wife traveling photography team who believes
MARRIAGE IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST ADVENTURES.
we want you to share experiences that make you feel…
Especially on your wedding day.
as vibrant as the sky at sunset.
as free as the breath moving through you.
as unstoppable as the crashing waves.
as complete as your interlocked fingers.