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Top National Park Wedding Venues in the US
Getting married at a national park can be an unforgettable wedding experience for both you and your guests (if you choose to have any that is!). With stunning natural backdrops and unique outdoor venues, National Parks offer some of the most picturesque locations for your special day (or two!). Whether you’re looking for a mountaintop ceremony in Maine, a desert overlook in Utah, or a secluded forest setting in Washington – there’s a national park that can provide the perfect backdrop for your elopement or wedding.
So – if you’re looking for a unique wedding venue in the US – and LOVE the great outdoors, this guide is for you!! I’ll go over the top 10 National Parks to elope in (or plan a wedding at!) And give you resources to plan the best National Park Wedding.
Here are some of the top National Parks to get married at in the US!
Best National Parks to Get Married at in the US
- Acadia National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Arches National Park
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Zion National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Redwoods National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Glacier National Park
Acadia National Park
Just imagine this – the mountains meeting the sea. You get to drive along the coastline at all of the surrounding cliffs and views of the never-ending ocean. This National Park has hundreds of miles of hiking, so there are plenty of locations to be around people, or find seclusion.
Whenever I have couples who can’t choose between wanting to be in the mountains or the ocean, then I always recommend Acadia. This National Park has best of both worlds with plenty of hiking, the ocean, beaches and cliffs. So you can adventure, hike, swim and have a picnic on the cliffs all in the same day. It’s no doubt one of the most magical places in New England. For more details on having an Acadia National Park wedding check out my Guide on Eloping in Acadia!
Popular locations to get married in Acadia National Park:
- Otter Point
- Cadillac Mountain
- Ocean Drive
When to Get Married in Acadia National Park:
For the best experience, consider getting married during the summer months, from June to September. The weather is mild, and the park is at its greenest. Keep in mind, though, that this is peak tourist season, so you may encounter larger crowds.
If you prefer a quieter experience, consider getting married in the shoulder seasons of May or October. Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, but be prepared for cold temperatures and potential road closures due to snow and ice.
Permit Info:
To get married in Acadia National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $50 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants. Keep in mind that some areas of the park may be off-limits for weddings due to conservation efforts, so be sure to check with park officials when planning your ceremony.
Acadia Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Acadia:
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest. With its rugged peaks, cascading waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes, it offers a stunning and unique setting for a wedding. You can exchange vows surrounded by some of the mountains of Washington and then enjoy a relaxing evening by the fire at your forest campground! What’s cool about North Cascades is that there are no entrances to the park, so it’s free!
Popular locations to get married in the North Cascades:
- Artist Point
- Diablo Lake Overlook
- Washington Pass Overlook
- Sahale Glacier Camp
When to Get Married in North Cascades National Park:
North Cascades National Park is a beautiful place to get married during the summer months, from June to September. During this time, the weather is mild, and the park is at its greenest. However, keep in mind that this is peak tourist season, so you may encounter larger crowds. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider getting married in the shoulder seasons of May or October. Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, but be prepared for cold temperatures and potential road closures due to snow and ice.
Permit Info:
To get married in North Cascades National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $50 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
How to Choose Your Elopement Location
North Cascades, Washington Venues
Unique Places to Stay near North Cascades:
Arches National Park
Located in eastern Utah, Arches National Park is renowned for its stunning natural..you guessed it..arches. That along with towering rock formations, and stark desert landscapes; it’s out of this world! The park’s fiery sunsets and then starry night skies also create a romantic and magical atmosphere that is sure to make any wedding day unforgettable. It can get quite hot out there in the desert though, so pick a time of year/day when it’s cooler!
Popular locations to get married in Arches National Park:
- Delicate Arch
- Double Arch
- Windows Section
When to Get Married in Arches National Park:
The best time to get married in Arches National Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but expect larger crowds and higher temperatures. Winter can be a beautiful time to visit, but keep in mind that some areas of the park may be inaccessible due to road closures.
Permit Info:
To get married in Arches National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $185 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Arches National Park Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Best Elopement Locations in the US
Unique Places to Stay near Arches National Park:
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska is one of the most unique locations for a wedding in the US. With stunning glaciers, icefields, and then fjords providing a dramatic and breathtaking backdrop. The park’s remote location and rugged terrain make it an ideal location for adventurous couples looking to exchange vows in a truly wild and natural setting. Plus it’s the perfect place to hang around for an epic honeymoon, in every season!
Popular locations to get married in Kenai Fjords National Park:
- Exit Glacier
- Bear Glacier
- Aialik Glacier
When to Get Married in Kenai Fjords National Park:
If you’re looking to tie the knot in Kenai Fjords National Park, the summer months from June to August are your best bet. The weather is mild, and the park is at its greenest during this time. But be aware, this is peak tourist season, so you may have some company. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, consider getting hitched during the shoulder seasons of May or September. Winter can also be a magical time to visit, but be ready for chilly temperatures and possible road closures due to snow and ice.
Permit Info:
To get married in Kenai Fjords National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $50 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Kenai Fjords National Park Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Kenai Fjords:
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is a breathtaking desert landscape located in southeastern Utah. The park is known for its towering rock formations, deep canyons, and winding rivers. Getting married here is easy and so fun! There are plenty of outdoor activities around to make for an epic adventure elopement. Utah itself has so many incredible National Parks to explore. I recommend to get married in one park and then embark on an EPIC road trip through them all! You could do it in a few days or a whole week!
Popular locations to get married in Canyonlands National Park:
- Mesa Arch
- Green River Overlook
- Island in the Sky
When to Get Married in Canyonlands National Park:
The best time to get married in Canyonlands National Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but expect larger crowds and higher temperatures. Winter can be a beautiful time to visit, but keep in mind that some areas of the park may be inaccessible due to road closures.
Permit Info:
To get married in Canyonlands National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $185 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Canyonlands National Park Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Canyonlands:
Zion National Park
Zion National Park in Utah offers an adventurous and stunning setting for a wedding, with towering cliffs, winding canyons, and the flowing Virgin River. The park truly takes your breath away from the minute you drive into it. While it’s not the biggest of the National Parks, it has plenty of epic places to say I do. Whether you’re looking for a mountaintop ceremony or a romantic riverside setting, Zion offers a range of outdoor venues that are sure to make your special day an unforgettable experience.
Popular locations to get married in Zion:
- Angels Landing
- Emerald Pools
- Observation Point
- Canyon Overlook Trail
When to Get Married in Zion National Park:
The best time to get married in Zion National Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the park is less crowded. Summer is also a popular time to visit, but expect larger crowds and higher temperatures. Winter can be a beautiful time to visit, but keep in mind that some areas of the park may be inaccessible due to road closures.
Permit Info:
To get married in Zion National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $100 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 21 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants. Keep in mind that some areas of the park may be off-limits for weddings due to conservation efforts, so be sure to check with park officials when planning your ceremony.
Zion National Park Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Zion:
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park in Washington State offers another stunning PNW setting for a wedding. With everything from rugged coastline to glacier-capped peaks. You can exchange vows on a beach, in a forest, or with a majestic mountain range as their backdrop! Plus if you love that moody vibe that the PNW gives – you’re more than likely to find it here.
Popular locations to get married in Olympic National Park:
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent
- Marymere Falls
When to Get Married in Olympic National Park:
For those looking to get married in Olympic National Park, the best time is really during the summer months, from June to September. While this is peak tourist season and the park may be crowded, the weather is mild and the park is at its greenest. Spring and Fall can also be STUNNING, and more quiet as its not peak season. Keep in mind that winter can also be beautiful, but be prepared for cold temperatures and potential road closures due to snow and ice.
Permit Info:
To get married in Olympic National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $150 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 30 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Olympic National Park Elopement Resources:
Olympic Peninsula Wedding Venues
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Olympic National Park:
Redwoods National Park
Redwoods National Park in California is a serene and enchanting location for a wedding, offering towering old-growth redwood trees and scenic coastal views. Couples can exchange vows in a majestic cathedral of trees, surrounded by some of the tallest living organisms in the world. INSANE! The park also offers a range of outdoor venues, from meadows to beaches, making it a versatile and unforgettable location for any wedding.
Popular locations to get married in Redwoods National Park:
- Fern Canyon
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Tall Trees Grove
When to Get Married in Redwoods National Park:
Redwoods National Park is a beautiful place to get married any time of year, but the best time to visit is in the summer when temperatures are mild and the park is at its greenest. However, keep in mind that summer is also peak tourist season, so you may encounter larger crowds. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider getting married in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall. Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, as the park is blanketed in snow – yep, even in California!
Permit Info:
To get married in Redwoods National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $100 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants. Keep in mind that some areas of the park may be off-limits for weddings due to conservation efforts, so be sure to check with park officials when planning your ceremony.
Redwoods National Park Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Redwoods NP:
Yosemite National Park
One of the most popular spots to elope at in California: Yosemite National Park. It’s no wonder though. This NP offers a truly unique and breathtaking setting for a wedding, with towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees. You can get married against the backdrop of some of the most iconic natural scenery in the United States! The park’s diverse range of outdoor venues, including meadows, forests, and mountaintops, you name it! Plus the wildlife and nature trails are soo extraordinary, you’ll never want to leave! Having a Yosemite National Park Wedding could be a dream come true – whether you’ve been there before or not!
Popular locations to get married in Yosemite National Park:
- Glacier Point
- Taft Point
- Yosemite Valley Chapel
When to Get Married in Yosemite National Park:
The best time to get married in Yosemite National Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. However, keep in mind that weather conditions can be unpredictable, so be prepared for potential rain or snow! Summer is also a really popular time to visit, which means you can expect larger crowds and higher temperatures. Winter is less popular because of the common road closures and avalanche warnings so always check online before heading to the park!
Permit Info:
To get married in Yosemite National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $150 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 21 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Yosemite National Park Elopement Resources:
NPS – Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Yosemite:
Glacier National Park
Located in Northern Montana, this National Park flows into the Rockies of Canada. Glacier National Park is absolutely stunning. It’s best known for the Going to the Sun Road and the beautiful hikes to the alpine lakes. For elopements, there are specific locations within the park where you can have ceremonies. However, there are plenty of fun activities for you two to enjoy and adventure together outside of your “ceremony”! If a Glacier Nation Park Wedding sounds dreamy to you – reach out and lets start planning!
Popular locations to get married in Glacier National Park:
- Lake McDonald
- Logan Pass
- Two Medicine Lake
When to Get Married in Glacier National Park:
Glacier National Park is, like most park, gorgeous during the summer months (June to September). During this time, the park is generally free of snow, and the weather is mild. However, keep in mind that this is peak tourist season, so the park may be crowded. Winter can get really intense this far North so consider Fall or Spring for a more private elopement experience with less tourists.
Permit Info:
To get married in Glacier National Park, you’ll need to obtain a special use permit from the park. The permit costs $100 and is required for any wedding ceremony conducted within the park boundaries. You’ll need to submit your application at least 14 days in advance of your wedding date, and be prepared to provide a detailed itinerary and list of participants.
Glacier National Park Elopement Resources:
Two-Day Montana Wedding Experience
NPS Details for Getting Married in the Park
Unique Places to Stay near Glacier National Park:
What You Need to Get Married at a US National Park
So you’re sold on the idea of a National Park wedding or elopement – HECK YES!! Before getting too carried away in the planning (especially when it comes to picking your exact date) there are a few logistics to go over!
National Park Wedding Planning
Permits
Most all National Parks require some form of permit for photoshoots and/or weddings. Possibly two permits may even be needed. Be sure to research the specific park’s guidelines and obtain any necessary permits well in advance of your wedding date. It can take a long time to process your application and the NPS has been getting swamped in recent years! Choosing a lesser popular month/day can help boost your chances of getting the permit you need!
Reservations:
National parks are popular: which is so awesome. We love to see people getting out in the great outdoors to enjoy nature. However, some parks have gotten really popular in recent years. Therefore, the National Parks Service has started a new reservation system for guests entering the park to avoid overcrowding. Right now it’s only the most popular parks, not all of them. So be sure and research the parks you’re interested in getting married at/visiting!
Finding locations:
It will be important to either go visit the park yourself, or find a vendor who is familiar with the National Park. A National Park Elopement Photographer can be key here since they specialize in elopements of these kinds. You’ll want to try and focus on time of day, and locations that are less popular.
Crowds:
National parks can be crowded, especially during peak season – and definitely at the most popular parks. Keep this in mind when planning your wedding and consider choosing a less popular time of year or day of the week to avoid crowds. If you’re not sure Whens the Best Time to Elope – don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for tips if they are local or familiar with the area!
Weather:
Weather will always be a huge factor of outdoor weddings. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature each and every day. Have a backup plan in case of rain or extreme weather conditions, and hire vendors who are the pros and can help guide you through any changes with a positive attitude!
National Parks Elopement Photographer
Not sure where to get started with planning? Check out all of my elopement resources starting with The BEST Elopement Ideas: Plan the Perfect Elopement!
More Elopement Resources to Check out:
How to Choose the Best Elopement Location for YOU
Guide for When to Elope – The Best Season to Get Married in
How Much does it Cost to Elope in 2024?
Ultimate Guide to an Airbnb Elopement
Hiking Adventure Elopement Guide
7 Tips for a Relaxing Wedding Day
Small Wedding but Big Reception Inspiration
