Yosemite Elopement Guide: Top Elopement Spots & Permits

TL;DR: Eloping in Yosemite requires a $150 wedding permit from the National Park Service, which covers one of 13+ designated ceremony locations for up to two hours. Permits are not issued on holiday weekends, and Glacier Point ceremonies are not available in July or August. Work with an experienced photographer who knows the permit system and it becomes genuinely straightforward.

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Pull up to Tunnel View for the first time and something in your brain just stops. El Capitan on your left. Half Dome straight ahead. Bridal Veil Falls pouring off the wall to your right. It’s a lot to take in when you’re just passing through. Now imagine standing there in your wedding clothes with the person you love!

I’ve been shooting elopements in Yosemite since 2018. It’s one of the few places I keep coming back to year after year and it still does something to me every time. Yosemite is one of those rare places where even couples who’ve spent months planning go a little quiet when it finally hits them. Like, oh. This is real. This is actually happening.

This guide covers everything you need to pull a Yosemite elopement off. The best locations, the permits, the marriage license, and the stuff nobody bothers to mention in the generic guides. Let’s get into it.

What are the best Yosemite elopement locations?

The best Yosemite elopement locations are Taft Point, Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, Cathedral Beach, Tunnel View, El Capitan Meadow, Yosemite Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Each one offers iconic views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Valley. The right spot depends on the season, your vibe, and whether you want to hike to get there.

Here’s the thing about Yosemite elopements. Everyone shows up knowing the Instagram spots. But the park has corners that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve. I know where they are because I’ve been scouting this park for years and I’m not shy about using them. Quiet meadows below El Capitan, cliffside overlooks where you won’t see another soul, spots I’ve found on early morning walks before a shoot that I now build entire days around. Here’s my honest breakdown of every major wedding location in Yosemite.

Here’s my honest breakdown of every major wedding location in Yosemite:

Taft Point

Taft Point sits on a 3,500-foot cliff with El Capitan and the whole valley laid out in front of you. I shot a close friend’s elopement up here and watched the last light of the day hit El Capitan: pink, then gold, then gone. It’s a 2.2-mile round-trip hike, takes about an hour each way, and the ceremony is capped at 10 people. Best for sunset, spring through fall. Stay 10 to 15 feet back from the edge and enjoy the wooded hike on the way up!

Glacier Point

Glacier Point is the move if you want Half Dome front and center. Drive-up access, paved paths for accessibility, and the amphitheater can hold up to 50 guests. Best for sunrise. Road opens late May and typically closes in November when snow hits. If you want to arrive before the crowds, headlamps and a 4am alarm are part of the deal here.

If you want to arrive before the crowds, headlamps and a 4am alarm are part of the deal here. Want to earn it? In early spring before the road opens, you can hike the 9.6 miles up from the valley under the stars and have the whole point to yourselves at sunrise. I’ve met couples at this trailhead at 3:30am who came in wondering if we’d all get along and left feeling like we’d been friends for years!

El Capitan Meadow

El Capitan Meadow is where couples go to slow down. Granite walls on all sides, climbers above you, and a wide open grassy meadow that gives you room to breathe and some of the best views of iconic El Capitan anywhere in the park.

Most of my couples picnic here, watch climbers work their way up the wall with binoculars, and just sit with it for a while before we move on. I’ve spent probably 50 afternoons in this meadow over the years. It never gets old and it’s still the spot I recommend when couples tell me they want to slow down and actually feel the day.

Cathedral Beach

Cathedral Beach has some of the best unobstructed views of El Capitan in the park and enough space to accommodate up to 50 guests, making it one of the more flexible ceremony locations in Yosemite.

Timing matters here. Spring can bring high water that cuts into the beach, while fall opens up full access and gives you that warm afternoon light across the granite. Fall is my personal favorite version of this spot. The water drops, the beach opens up, and you can get out far enough that the whole wall fills your frame. Bring binoculars. Watching climbers on the wall after your ceremony is one of those Yosemite moments that sticks with you.

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in Yosemite, standing at roughly 2,425 feet total, and it earns every bit of that reputation in spring. When it’s running hard, the sound alone is unreal.

It’s also one of the most accessible spots in the park, right off the valley floor near Yosemite Valley Lodge, which makes it a great option if you’re bringing guests or just want something close to home base. One thing to know: by late summer the falls can slow to a trickle or disappear entirely, so if the waterfall is the whole point, plan accordingly and aim for spring through early summer.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is the first thing most people see driving into Yosemite and it honestly never loses the wow factor. There’s a wooded area just below the falls that feels tucked away and intimate despite being close to the road. Fair warning: you will get misted. Embrace it! I usually time this one for midday or early afternoon when the sun hits the falls directly and the light does something really special. Early summer is peak water volume and peak magic. The trail to Bridalveil Fall was reopened in 2023 after a major renovation that significantly improved accessibility for all visitors, including families and guests with mobility considerations.

Tunnel View

Tunnel View is the first thing most couples see driving into Yosemite and it earns the reputation. El Capitan on your left, Half Dome straight ahead, Bridal Veil Falls to your right. I’ve set up shoots here probably 40 times and it still stops me. For a ceremony location in Yosemite, it’s not the right call. By 9am it’s packed and you’re sharing your moment with tour buses. I use it for first looks and quick portrait sessions timed around 6am when the light is soft and the parking lot is mostly empty. Get in, get the shot, move somewhere quieter for your ceremony. That’s the play.

Sentinel Dome

Sentinel Dome is Glacier Point-level views with fewer people. Full 360-degree panoramic, a half-mile hike from the same parking lot as Taft Point, and the summit feels quiet even on busy weekends. I’ve shot ceremonies up here on Saturday mornings in July with nobody else around. It’s my first recommendation when couples want that high-elevation look without the Taft Point scene and I’m honestly surprised more photographers don’t push it harder.

Swinging Bridge Picnic Area

Swinging Bridge is one of those spots that rewards people who actually do their research. In spring when Yosemite Falls is going full send, this area absolutely glows. I like timing it before midday when the sun starts pouring into the valley and everything lights up at once.

It holds up to 20 guests, the vibe is relaxed and open, and it doesn’t carry that packed tourist energy that some of the more obvious spots do. Parking is tight so get there early if you’re bringing a group.

Do you need a permit to elope in Yosemite?

You need a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service (NPS) to hold any wedding ceremony inside Yosemite National Park, even for just the two of you and a photographer. The application fee is $150, and you can apply up to one year but no less than 21 days before your date.

Here’s what you need to submit with your application:

• Completed special use permit application
• Paper check for $150 made out to “Yosemite National Park”
• Your preferred date and backup date
• Your chosen location and guest count
• A brief description of your ceremony plans

The NPS can deny your requested location or date if it conflicts with park operations. I’ve seen this happen and it’s not fun to navigate the day before a permit deadline. Have a backup location ready before you submit, not after you get the denial.

One more thing: the permit covers your ceremony, not your photographer. Your photographer needs their own commercial filming permit or a valid business permit for Yosemite. Ask about this when you’re booking. It’s the kind of thing that creates real problems on the day if it’s not sorted out ahead of time.

When is the best time to elope in Yosemite?

The best time to elope in Yosemite is late September through mid‑October for fall color, stable weather, and smaller crowds. Weekdays, early mornings, and the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) give you the most solitude and the best light.

Every season has a real argument for it. Here’s the honest breakdown:

• Spring (April to June) is my personal favorite time to shoot here. Waterfalls running hard, valley is green, light is soft and golden. The tradeoff is that some high-elevation roads including Glacier Point Road are still closed in April and early May, and rain is possible. If Yosemite Falls or Bridal Veil Falls are on your must-have list, this is your season.
• Summer (July to September) means peak crowds. The park has been running vehicle reservation systems during high-demand periods since 2020, so check current entry requirements well in advance. Everything is open and accessible. But some falls have dried up and you’re sharing your moment with a lot of other people. I’ve shot summer weekends in Yosemite Valley where the parking lots were full by 7am. Weekdays only in peak season, and arrive before the gates open. The difference between a Tuesday and a Saturday in July is not subtle.
• Fall (September to November) is genuinely underrated. Crowds thin out, light gets warmer and more directional, valley takes on golden tones. Glacier Point Road typically closes in November so if that’s your spot, aim for September or October. For couples who want the views without the summer circus, fall is the answer. October in Yosemite is genuinely one of my favorite months to shoot anywhere. The light is warmer, the valley is quieter, and the park feels like it exhales after summer. If your dates are flexible, this is the window I’d target every time.
• Winter (December to March) is for the adventurous. Most high-elevation areas are inaccessible but the valley floor under snow is stunning, and you’ll have it nearly to yourselves.

How do you get a California marriage license for Yosemite?

You obtain your marriage license from Mariposa County, the county where Yosemite Valley is located. Both parties must appear together in person at the Mariposa County Clerk’s Office, present valid government‑issued ID, and pay the fee ($88 for a public license or $90 for a confidential license as of 2025). There is no residency requirement, and the license is valid for 90 days anywhere in California.

• The Mariposa County Clerk’s office issues marriage licenses and requires both partners to appear in person. As of 2026, the fee is around $92. California marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issue and are good anywhere in the state, so you have some flexibility on timing.
• If you’re coming from out of state, you can get your license in California before the ceremony. I’ve watched couples create completely avoidable stress by waiting until two days out on this. Sort it before you leave home if you can. I send over a full planning checklist after booking that covers exactly when to handle each piece of this.
• You’ll also need an officiant who is legally authorized to perform marriages in California. This can be a friend ordained online through platforms like Universal Life Church, a local officiant you hire, or in some cases a county official. I send over a vendor list after booking that has amazing officiant options to choose from and some will even drop off the license for you.

What time of day is best for a Yosemite elopement?

Sunrise at Glacier Point or Taft Point is the best time of day for a Yosemite elopement. The granite walls that make the valley so dramatic also block early light from reaching the valley floor. Up on the rim, the sun hits directly. Golden, warm, already raking across Half Dome before most tourists have had coffee.

Most guides skip over this. The valley floor doesn’t get real sunrise light the way higher elevation spots do. The sun has to clear the walls first, Here’s how I think about it by location:

• Glacier Point and Taft Point: Sunrise is the money shot. Arrive well before first light. Headlamps required, not optional. The reward is those two spots almost entirely to yourselves.
• Valley floor locations (El Capitan Meadow, Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach): Late afternoon into sunset. The light pours over the rim in the last hour before dark and the valley goes completely warm. The NPS also recommends before 10am for ceremonies to minimize crowd interference, so early morning works here too even if it’s not the true sunrise experience.
• Tunnel View: Sunrise only. It’s a tourist magnet by 9am, full stop.

The 10am to 2pm window at popular spots is when the park is at its most chaotic. Build your day around avoiding it and you’ll have a completely different experience.

Things should you know for your Yosemite elopement

Permits and locations, most guides have that covered. Here’s the stuff that actually catches couples off guard when they’re standing in the park:

• No permits on federal holidays or holiday weekends. Plan your date accordingly.
• No arches, no chairs, no decorations. Nothing installed or placed. The landscape is the decor. Honestly, that’s the whole point of doing this here.
• No amplified music. Acoustic instruments are fine if they stay under 60 decibels at 50 feet. Always confirm with NPS if you want live music.
• Baby’s Breath is banned. It’s an invasive species. NPS prohibits it in the park. Tell your florist before they build your bouquet, not after.
• No formal receptions in picnic areas. Keep post-ceremony food casual.
• Cell service is nearly nonexistent. Download offline maps the night before at the hotel. Both road maps and trail maps. Takes 30 seconds and saves you 20 minutes of standing in the parking lot staring at a spinning loading wheel on your wedding morning.
• Park entrance fees still apply to everyone. Your permit doesn’t cover entry. Every car in your group pays the $35 vehicle fee. Grab an America the Beautiful annual pass if you’re hitting multiple parks on the trip.
• Paper check only. No credit card, no PayPal, no Venmo. Personal check or money order goes in the envelope with your application.
• Pets are allowed only in developed areas. Bringing your dog? They can’t be on the trail to Taft Point.

Travel tips for a Yosemite elopement

A well-built Yosemite elopement day usually looks something like this: early start, ceremony at your permitted location, portrait adventure through the park, late lunch or early dinner, watching the light die over the valley from somewhere quiet. You don’t need to rush any of it. That’s the whole point.

• Getting there: Yosemite is about four hours from San Francisco and two and a half hours from Fresno. If you’re flying in, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport puts you closest. Plan to arrive the day before your permit date. Don’t try to fly in and drive straight to a sunrise ceremony.
• Where to stay: The Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Valley Lodge are the only in-park hotels open year-round. Both are solid and put you close to everything. Just outside the west entrance, Rush Creek Lodge and Spa is a great option with a spa if you want to treat yourselves. For more flexibility and space, Yosemite West vacation rentals are about 20 minutes from the valley and often run significantly cheaper.
• Food: The park has limited dining options and none of them are set up for a wedding-day meal without a reservation. Pack your own food and eat somewhere with a view. That’s the better call anyway. That said, Curry Village is my go-to stop before or after an elopement. The pizza is genuinely good and it’s been part of my Yosemite routine for years.

Vendors you’ll need:

• A licensed officiant (required; ordained friend is fine if credentials are valid in California)
• A witness (at least one, can be your photographer)
• A florist if you want florals (just tell them about the Baby’s Breath ban)
• Hair and makeup if you want it done in the park. Book someone willing to do an early call time

Your Yosemite elopement starts now!

I’ve been coming to Yosemite since I was a kid. Curry Village camping trips, fishing the Merced, riding bikes around the valley. I know this park the way you know your hometown, and seven years of elopements here has just added more layers to that.

What I actually do is part photographer, part trail guide, part logistics coordinator, and full-on hype man for your day. I’ve had couples show up nervous, people who’d never done a photoshoot in their lives, and watched them forget I was even there an hour in. I’ve had people tell me they couldn’t decide which photos to print because every single one was a keeper. I’ve had couples show their galleries to friends and family who asked if the images were photoshopped because they didn’t look real.

That’s Yosemite doing its thing. And it’s me knowing exactly how to put you in the middle of it. Let’s go do this!

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