How to Elope in Yosemite National Park
Everything You Need to Know about eloping in Yosemite
Yosemite National Park | Northern California | Summit and Sur Photography
Ah, a Yosemite elopement. There’s nothing quite like it…
The towering granite walls of El Capitan and Half Dome, the incredible meadows dotting the entirety of the valley floor, the spectacular vantage points throughout the upper reaches of Glacier and Taft Points, and who could forget the stunning waterfalls that create an otherworldly effect in the spring and summer? Not into dealing with the crowds and the “usual” spots in Yosemite? No problem! During the summer and fall, take a drive on Tioga Pass to hike up a myriad of lakes, spend time leisurely walking Tuolumne Meadows, or maybe enjoy a picnic at the sparkling Tenaya Lake. And don’t forget: Yosemite hosts three major groves of Sequoia Trees throughout the park, meaning you’ll get to enjoy the towering giants without having to leave the park.
Yosemite National Park is one of the most desired parks in the country to say “I do”—-and for good reason. If the above wasn’t convincing enough, a few google searches of “Yosemite Elopements” should do the trick. In all seriousness, this is one of the most magnificent places on the planet to elope and if you have found yourself here looking for resources, well, congrats! Congrats on taking the first steps to planning your elopement (it’s a big deal!) and congrats on considering one of the most beautiful places ever to commit yourself to your partner for all eternity. So grab a coffee or tea (or something stronger), and enjoy this little guide on how to elope in Yosemite National Park!
First things first: Where is Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite National Park is located in Central California, tucked into the Sierra Nevada mountains. The closest major city is Fresno, California, where many couples choose to fly into from out of state (more on that in a bit). Other nearby-ish cities include San Francisco and Sacramento to the west entrances and Reno to the east entrance that links up with Highway 395. There are five entrances into the park with all of them being open year round except Tioga pass (Highway 120), which closes in the winter.
Fun fact: the second time I ever visited Yosemite was a year after we moved to California and the day after the first winter storm of the season. We were told that Highway 395 was a great scenic route to take if we had an extra hour or so. We decided to take this route up, enjoying every second of it. Then we got to the pass for Highway 120 and saw that it was closed. We had no idea what to do, as we were already a solid four hours from home and turning around didn’t seem like the right move. So we continued to the next pass, only to find that it was also closed, as well as the one after that. They had all closed the day before because of the snow from the winter storm. After some serious navigating and 7 hour drive that turned into 12 hours, we ended up driving all the way up and across the Carson Pass and then back down south to the west entrance of the park. It was a day that, while stunningly gorgeous, taught me a quick lesson: always check the weather before heading towards these passes and, in the winter, it is safe to assume they are probably closed!
Let’s talk time of year: What season is best for a Yosemite elopement?
This is probably the number one question I get when it comes to Yosemite elopements and intimate weddings (and also why it’s the longest part of this post—-so buckle up for lots of important info)! Everyone wants to know what time of year they should visit Yosemite for their elopement or intimate wedding. So I will let you in on a little secret: there really isn’t a straightforward answer to that question. Why? Because while each season has incredible things that it offers, there are always a couple things to consider that may be a dealbreaker for you and your partner. You might be asking yourself, “Like what?”. Well, here are some things to think about for each season:
Winter:
Arguably the quietest time of year in terms of crowds, a winter elopement in Yosemite can be absolutely magical, especially if you love snow! Even in a dry year, the Sierra Nevada mountains get quite a bit of snow in the winter and Yosemite is no exception. The valley alone gets about 29 inches of snow annually according to the National Park Service, with the higher elevations typically getting a minimum of 36 inches annually. With the exception of holidays and the month of February for the natural sensation that is the “firefall” of Horsetail Fall (you can read more about that here), the winter is a slow time in Yosemite and typically pretty easy to find accommodations in the park. If you are looking to escape crowds during your elopement, this is the time! This is also a great time of year for couples who maybe want to enjoy snowshoeing, downhill skiing, or cross country skiing on their elopement day, as there are plenty of opportunities for that with the valley and the Badger Pass Ski Area.
Of course, there’s at least partially a reason for Yosemite being so quiet during the winter months: two major road closures which cuts off access to a large chunk of the park. Both Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road close during the winter months meaning that if you were hoping to experience places like Taft Point or Tuolumne Meadows, you would very much be out of luck this time of year. Another thing to consider is your tolerance to the cold weather. If you don’t really enjoy being outside in freezing temperatures, it might be best to pick a warmer time of year, as winter can be quite brutal.
Recommended for: couples who love a winter adventure and lots of snow
Spring:
While spring starts to see more visitors to the park, it also starts to come alive again in a completely different way! Waterfalls that were frozen during the winter are now thawing out and starting to flow—-quite the sight to be seen, especially if you wanted to say your vows under the famous Yosemite Falls. The temperatures also start to become a little less frigid during this time, making it perfect for lots of outdoor fun on your elopement day.
Even though the park starts to see changes during the spring, Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road are typically still closed at this point in the year. And while you may see some early blooms, wildflower season doesn’t begin until the summer months.
Recommended for: couples looking to enjoy the amazing waterfalls of Yosemite Valley
Summer:
Tioga Pass and Glacier Point road finally open and the summer months allow you access to pretty much every part of the park your heart desires. If you are looking for endless adventure opportunities on your elopement day, summer is probably your jam! From kayaking down the Merced River to making the epic trek to Cloud’s Rest to soaking in the sunset at Glacier Point, summer gives you all the options on your elopement day. The meadows are green, the wildflowers are in bloom, the rivers and lakes are inviting you to come in for a swim; some would say this is the perfect time of year to elope in Yosemite…
With all that amazing-ness comes a few drawbacks that are absolutely worth mentioning. First, let’s talk about the crowds. The park sees more people in one summer month than some parks see in an entire year. And while this was tempered the last couple years due to the reservation system implemented during the COVID-19 crisis, the park has decided that starting in 2023, they will no longer be requiring reservations to enter the park during the summer months. Another thing to note about eloping in Yosemite in the summer is the weather. The summer months can bring intense heat to Yosemite Valley, with temperatures soaring into the 90’s and record highs in the 100’s. And of course, in California, with high temperatures comes the risk of forest fires. While forest fires can occur almost any time of year (yep, even in the winter, especially if it’s a drier year), summer and fall tend to be the months with the highest fire risks. And while a nearby forest fire may not cause you to have to cancel your Yosemite elopement, it could make the day less enjoyable if the air is too hazy to see anything or if the smoke is so thick it is causing unhealthy air quality for outdoor activities.
Recommended for: couples who want to take advantage of water activities like swimming and kayaking
Fall:
Much like spring is a slightly more mild version of winter, fall is the slightly more mild version of summer in many ways. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road are typically still open until mid-late November (you can see historical closure/opening dates here), the temperatures start to drop to a bit, and the leaves begin to change, making for a colorful, incredible Yosemite. This is also a great time to elope in Yosemite if you are big into rock climbing (spring has some good climbing too, in its defense)—-how cool would it be to belay each other up the side of El Capitan or Washington Column?! While the weather can be a bit variable in terms of precipitation, I have seen some of the most amazing lighting and cloud formations in the valley during this time of year. The weather lends itself to pretty much any amount of hiking you want and the meadows start to turn a gorgeous golden color. While the waterfalls are mostly dried up by this time of year, you might get lucky and see a glimpse of Bridalveil Fall trickling down from the vantage point of Tunnel View.
The biggest thing to content with in the fall is the potential for forest fires and the still lingering crowds (because honestly, who could blame them?). During the fall, the winds start to pick up, putting the risk of fire very, very high. This is made worse if it’s been an especially dry year, with lots of dead vegetation just waiting to be set alight by a strike of lightning. It can feel like a big risk to take, eloping during a month with such high fire potential, and it can be. One way to mitigate this possibility is to ensure that you and your photographer have some solid back up plans in place, just in case.
Recommended for: couples who are looking to see the changing of the leaves and great hiking weather
Where to Stay?
Yosemite is one of the best places to find lodging because there are truly SO many options. Whether you want to live in luxury for a few days at The Ahwahnee Hotel, get your summer camp vibes on at Camp Curry, literally camp at one of the many campgrounds throughout the park, or stay in an Airbnb in Yosemite West, you really can’t go wrong. Your personality (and budget) will likely dictate where you end up but if you are having guests, it’s worth considering how you want to spend time with them. Do you want everyone staying together under one roof? Or do you want everyone to have their own space and make a plan to meet up for your ceremony and other important parts of the day? Your lodging choice can definitely play a role in how that all plays out so definitely look at all your options.
If you are wanting to stay in one of Yosemite Valley’s lodging options, check out the official website for reservations. They manage the following properties:
Wawona Hotel
Curry Village
Housekeeping Camp (not available in the winter)
The Ahwahnee
Yosemite Valley Lodge
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge (located on Tioga Pass)
White Wolf Lodge (located on Tioga Pass)
For those wanting a true camping experience for their elopement, you will want to plan with plenty of time, as campground reservations open on a rolling basis throughout the year and sell out within minutes. To learn more and book a campsite, click here.
Of course, there are also plenty of other options on for hotels and vacation rentals on sites like Airbnb* + VRBO. Some of the areas I recommend looking are:
Yosemite West
Fish Camp
Bass Lake
Oakhurst
Mariposa
Buck Meadows
El Portal
Midpines
*Note: If you are looking at rentals on Airbnb, be aware that the company does not allow events. While your elopement or intimate wedding may not be a huge party, it is always best to reach out to the host before booking and explain what you have in mind to make sure you aren’t breaking any rules!
How to Get There
Whether you are a local to California, doing a cross-country roadtrip, or flying in from another country, there are lots of ways to get to Yosemite for your elopement! As mentioned earlier, there are multiple entrances for Yosemite National Park, five to be exact. The following are entrances you can use to access Yosemite National Park:
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Big Oak Flat Entrance
Arch Rock Entrance
South Entrance
Tioga Pass Entrance
If you are flying, the entrance you use will depend on which area of the park you are staying and/or the airport you fly into. The four main airports most commonly used are:
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Reno Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Do we need a permit?
In order to take photos and have a ceremony on public land, most places require a permit and Yosemite is no exception. While Yosemite doesn’t require a separate permit for photography, they do require a permit for all wedding ceremonies taking place in the park, big or small. The permit process is pretty straight forward, requiring an application that is sent to the special use office, with most permits costing $150.
It is really important to obtain these permits, as the last thing you want to do on your wedding day is deal with rangers who are threatening to kick you out for not having the right paperwork. On an even more important note, making sure you have the proper permits in order is a great way of being a good steward of the land, helping to ensure we have access to these amazing natural landscapes for years to come. Permits help the land managers keep track of how many people are utilizing these public lands for business purposes so that they can also decide when lands need extra care and don’t become overrun.
And don’t forget, all of my elopement packages come with help in pulling permits so while this is a very important step in planning your elopement, it isn't one you will need to tackle alone!
Where can we get married in Yosemite?
While Yosemite does have rules about where you can get married in the park, the good thing is that they are, depending on your group size, really flexible.
Yosemite Valley Locations:
Cascade Picnic Area
Lower Yosemite Fall Paved Trail
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
Bridalveil Fall
Wawona Locations:
Glacier Point Amphitheater
Chilnualna Falls Trailhead Parking Lot
Tuolumne Meadows Locations
Tenaya Lake Beach
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Area
Big Oak Flat Area
Tuolumne Grove
Merced Grove
Here’s where it gets a bit flexible: if you are planning on having less than 11 people at your ceremony, you are not actually limited to these locations, with the exception of riparian and open meadow locations. For example, if it is just you and your partner, a small portion of Glacier Point could be an option for your ceremony or somewhere on Tioga Pass like Olmstead Point.
After discussing locations with your partner (and maybe your photographer if they have insight, hint hint!), the next step is to submit your permit application to the Yosemite special use permit office. At that point, they will determine whether or not your location is available for your date; if it isn’t, they will look to the section in your application which asks for secondary dates or locations.
For more information on each location, check out this link by the National Park Service.
Sample TimelInes
While there are a multitude of things you can do on the day (or days) of your Yosemite elopement or intimate wedding, here are a couple examples of what that could look like:
Ten Hour Sample:
3:45 am: Getting ready together
4:45 am: Leave for welcome center for Mariposa Grove
5:45 am: Arrive at welcome center, start hike
6:45 am: Arrive at Mariposa Grove, hike loop
8:00 am: Take bus back to parking at welcome center
8:15 am: Drive back to Yosemite Valley
9:15 am: Arrive at Ahwahnee Hotel for brunch
9:45 am: Break
6:30 pm: Meet at Taft Point Trailhead to start hike
6:35 pm: Hike to Taft Point
7:35 pm: Arrive at Taft Point
7:45 pm: Ceremony
8:00 pm: Photos around Taft Point
8:35 pm: The end!
Six Hour Sample:
5:45 am: Arrive at Lake Tenaya
5:55 am: First look/photos
6:30 am: Ceremony
7:00 am: Family photos
7:30 am: Hike around lake/breakfast picnic
8:45 am: Break
5:45 pm: Meet with group for early dinner/toasts/cake
7:30 pm: Drive to Tunnel View for sunset
7:45 pm: Arrive at Tunnel View for sunset photos
8:30 pm: The end!
Things to do in Yosemite on your elopement day
Yosemite has so much to offer as far as activities for your elopement day, the harder part will be deciding what you can fit in one day (but hey, who says you have to? Go the multi-day elopement route if you want to squeeze in all the fun possible). Here are some examples to consider:
Explore one of Yosemite’s many waterfalls
Take a hike to see one of the three giant Sequoia groves
Enjoy brunch together at the stunning Ahwahnee Dining Room
Go for a drive along Tioga Pass and explore the lesser known parts of the park
Take a dip in the Merced River during the summer months to cool off
Ride bikes along the paved paths in Yosemite Valley
Grab pizza in Curry Village and relax in the wooden rocking chairs
Snuggle up with a drink near the fireplace in the Ahwahnee Great Lounge
How can we legally get married in Yosemite?
In order to make your marriage legal, you will want to get a marriage license in California no more than 90 days before your ceremony. California does allow you to get your license and use it the same day, which makes things pretty easy to plan as long as you get an appointment at one of the county clerk offices ahead of time. You can find all the information you need by visiting this website!
There is one other portion to this equation: your officiant! California does require you to have someone officiating your marriage, with all the qualifications for your officiant listed in the link above (minister, judge, priest, etc.). Aside from your officiant, you also need to have at least one witness present, unless you purchase a confidential marriage license, which doesn’t require any witnesses.
Tip: Did you know that as your elopement/intimate wedding photographer, I offer complimentary basic officiant services in all my packages? This is super helpful for couples looking to keep things really simple and intimate, with you and your partner conducting your own ceremony, with me there to do the legal portion and make it all official!
Vendor: Yosemite Makeup + Hair
Vendor: Cakewalk Heirloom Baking Company
Yosemite Vendors
Because Yosemite National Park is located in a somewhat remote area, finding local vendors isn’t always the easiest thing. But, fear not, part of hiring me as your elopement photographer involves helping you find the perfect vendor recommendations for your elopement or intimate wedding. So whether you are looking for florals, hair and make up, videography, or someone to cater your brunch overlooking Half Dome, I have plenty of vendor recommendations to help make your day perfect!
There you have it…
All the information you need to start planning your Yosemite elopement! So what should your next step be? If you haven’t booked your Yosemite elopement photographer yet, reach out today to get started on making this the coolest, most amazing day of your life!
Notes for 2023:
After a year of being closed to the public for construction, Glacier Point Road will reopen in summer 2023. While the road will be open, there will be ongoing construction, causing delays in travel to destinations up to Glacier Point. If you are considering including Glacier Point, Taft Point, or any other location along this road for your elopement day, it’s important to work with your photographer to ensure that possible delays are worked into your timeline.