How to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park
As an elopement photographer based in Southern California, I have to say that Joshua Tree National Park is one of my FAVORITE locations for elopements. I’m in love with the desert landscape, dreamy sunsets, and the opportunity for adventure you always find here. If you’re drawn to this place so much that you’re considering getting married here, then I already know you’re my kinda people! This guide covers everything you need to know about planning your Joshua Tree elopement, from permits and fees, when and where to have your ceremony, and more!
How to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park
First, a basic overview of the planning process. These steps don’t necessarily have to be done in this exact order as you may need to finalize some details before booking others depending on your specific situation and plans, but hopefully this gives you a good idea of what planning an elopement in Joshua Tree looks like!
Pick a date.
Book your Joshua Tree elopement photographer.
Book your accommodation.
Pick out your ceremony spot and apply for any needed permits.
Book other vendors and pick out your outfits and accessories.
Plan your day of activities and build a timeline.
Finalize any last details and pack for your trip.
Pick up your marriage license and check into your accommodation.
Have the best day ever!
Helpful Info For Planning Your Joshua Tree Elopement
Permits and Fees for Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park
Special Use Permit: First things first, in order to get married in Joshua Tree National Park you will need to apply for a special use permit. The application is $120.00 and can be found HERE. According to the national park website, if you hire a photographer, they are required to obtain a separate Special Use Permit.
Entrance Fees: Upon arriving to Joshua Tree National Park, you will be required to pay the park entrance fee. It’s $30 per vehicle so keep in mind that any guests arriving in separate vehicles will also have to pay (I always encourage carpooling when possible). The fee is valid for 7 days so definitely save your receipt if you plan on making multiple visits.
Marriage License: Since Joshua Tree National Park is in California, you will need a California marriage license to get married here. You can get your license in any county in the state, even if it’s not the same one you’re getting married in. Costs vary by county but it’s about $90 on average. If you live in California, I recommend just getting your marriage license at your local county clerk’s office beforehand (you can purchase it up to 90 days in advance). If you are from out of state, the closest county clerk’s offices are in San Bernardino County. There are multiple locations, but keep in mind that some are only open on limited days of the week or require an appointment. You can find more info about that HERE.
Officiant or No Officiant?
If you want to actually get married IN Joshua Tree National Park you will need an officiant. They will be the one to perform your ceremony and complete the marriage license paperwork to make things official. If you’re having guests, I recommend having one of your friends or family members officiate to keep things personal and intimate! Getting ordained is a very easy process - this article has more helpful information about that.
If you’d rather hire a professional officiant to help you create a meaningful ceremony and take care of all the paperwork for you, I recommend Joshua Tree Wedding Officiant, Rev. Richard Cadieux. You will also need at least one witness for your ceremony. This can be a guest, or your photographer if it will just be the two of you.
If I’m your photographer, I can actually be your officiant too! This will look a little differently, obviously, since I’m taking photos, but since I’m ordained I can legally sign your paperwork - and we can find a park guest to sign as a witness. I’ve done this before and it makes things super easy if you want a “just us” day but still want to make it your legal marriage date.
Another option you can consider, especially if you are traveling from a different state or country, is to have a legal ceremony at your local courthouse before you come to Joshua Tree for your elopement. This makes things a little more simple because you don’t have to worry about finding an officiant or doing any paperwork on the day of. You can relax, enjoy your day, have your dream desert ceremony, and celebrate with the person who matters most to you! Just because you don’t sign your marriage license on the same day you say your vows, doesn’t mean it will be any less special!
When to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park
Time of Year: When deciding which date to choose for your Joshua Tree elopement you’ll want to consider things like the weather, crowds, and your ideal ceremony location in the park. Joshua Tree is a desert so summers here can be very HOT - this is especially important to keep in mind if you plan on having any guests at your wedding. The times of the year with the nicest weather will be Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) so naturally, these will also be the busiest times of the year in the park. For this reason, I highly recommend choosing a Monday through Thursday or Sunday date for your elopement. Fridays and Saturdays will be very crowded with weekend visitors and campers, making it harder to find an intimate spot for your ceremony (and parking, of course). Also, some ceremony spots aren’t available during peak times of the year. I talk more about where to have your elopement ceremony in the section below.
Time of Day: I always suggest scheduling your elopement ceremony around sunrise or sunset. This not only avoids the hottest parts of the day, but this is when you will get those dreamy golden hour photos that are a MUST for any Joshua Tree elopement! Your photographer should be able to help you plan the perfect timeline for your day based on your ceremony location, time of year, and the landscape.
Where to Have Your Joshua Tree Elopement
There are several designated spots within Joshua Tree National Park that you can choose for your ceremony spot. Each one is just as beautiful as the next so I encourage you to explore as many as you can before making your decision. If you’re not able to visit the park before your elopement or you’re not sure which spot is the perfect one for your day, ask a park ranger or your photographer for help!
If you book with me, know that I will share a complete location guide with you that includes example photos from each location and my personal recommendations based on years of experience in the park..
Approved ceremony sites in the park:
Hidden Valley Picnic Area; No more than 35 people total and up to 8 vehicles.
Turkey Flats; No more than 35 people total and up to 8 vehicles.
Cap Rock; No more than 25 people total and up to 8 vehicles.
Rattlesnake Picnic Area; No more than 20 people and 8 vehicles.
Quail Springs Picnic Area; No more than 15 people and 8 vehicles.
Split Rock; No more than 15 people and 5 vehicles.
Porcupine Wash; No more than 12 people and 4 vehicles.
Queen Valley Mine Intersection; No more than 10 people and 5 vehicles.
Lost Horse Parking Lot; No more than 10 people and 5 vehicles.
Live Oak Picnic Area; No more than 5 people and 3 vehicles.
Indian Cove Amphitheater; No more than 100 people total and only 1 vehicle. You must shuttle your guest in and out of this location.
My personal favorites are Hidden Valley and Cap Rock. To learn more about what you can and cannot have at your elopement in the park, check out the official national park website.
Other Joshua Tree Ceremony Locations
Airbnb or VRBO
Having your ceremony at your Airbnb is another possible option for your elopement, depending on your group size. You’ll want to check with your Airbnb host first to see if they will allow it though - explain your plans, group size, etc. I’ve heard that VRBO is a little more flexible when it comes to this so consider all options if you run into any speed bumps. Benefits of having your ceremony at your Airbnb or VRBO is less travel time after getting ready, a more private experience, and the opportunity to incorporate some fun architectural designs along with the natural landscape, among other things.
Venue
Another alternative option, especially if you are having more than a handful of people join you, is to have your ceremony at a venue that is specifically designed for hosting special occasions like weddings and ceremonies! Venues will likely be able to provide chairs and have designated ceremony spaces as well as options for a reception. Depending on what your celebration looks like, it could definitely be worth investing in a venue!
Here are some of the best elopement venues in Joshua Tree:
Even if you choose to have your ceremony at your Airbnb or a venue, I highly recommend heading into the park for sunset photos or even a sunrise session the following day!
Where to Stay for Your Joshua Tree Elopement
While there are plenty of camping options available in Joshua Tree National Park and hotels a little further out into the nearby towns, my personal recommendation for where to stay is in an Airbnb! Joshua Tree has some of the most stylish and aesthetic Airbnbs I’ve ever seen and I really believe you gotta stay in one to get the full experience! They are perfect for getting photos before your elopement day and for hosting dinner or a small reception afterwards. (Just make sure the listing is “event friendly” or you’ve asked your host permission first).
If you want a truly unique place to stay for your elopement, check out the Kellogg Doolittle House! This famous estate is one of the most exclusive homes in the world and it’s newly listed on Airbnb Luxe. With no straight lines or rectangular spaces, the house is an architectural MASTERPIECE literally built into the landscape. Literally a dream place that would make your elopement an even more incredible, once in a lifetime experience!! Check out the photos on the Airbnb listing.
Below I’ve listed a few more unique Airbnbs in the Joshua Tree area. Feel free to look around on the site yourself to find the one that’s perfect for you!
If you book a venue in Joshua Tree for your elopement, you may be required to stay on site or have the option to book lodging on the property separately, so look more into those options if you like the idea of everything for your elopement being in one place!
Plan Your Travel - How to Get To Joshua Tree National Park
The closest airport to Joshua Tree National Park is in Palm Springs but there are several other airport options nearby if you have plans to visit multiple destinations during your trip or you just prefer a major airport (usually more flight options and/or better prices).
Palm Springs International (PS) - 1 to 1.5 hours away
Los Angles International (LAX) - 2.5 to 4 hours away
San Diego International (SAN) - 2.5 to 4 hours away
Since public transportation is limited in Joshua Tree, having a car to get around is definitely a must. If you don’t live close enough to drive your own (i.e. you are flying in) consider renting one through the airport for convenience, or through an app like Turo. The park roads are paved and easily accessible so a normal car is just fine. However, if you rent something cool like a Jeep, those are super fun to include in your photos and really add to the adventurous vibe!
Where to Start with Planning Your Joshua Tree Elopement?
Once you’ve decided eloping in Joshua Tree is what you want to do, my recommendation for your next step is to find a photographer that you would be excited to have capture your day! This is the vendor that you will be working most closely with on the day of so it’s super important to pick someone you vibe with and feel comfortable around. If you have super specific non-negotiable selections when it comes to your date, ceremony location, and/or accomodation, reach out as early as possible to ensure that everything is available. If you’re flexible on most details, work with your photographer to finalize them!
Most of my couples come to me with a general idea of what they want and have maybe done some light research ahead of time, but are open to my guidance and fully trust my expertise. I am available to help throughout the whole planning process!
Joshua Tree Elopement Photography Packages
If you’re looking for a photographer for your Joshua Tree elopement, I would love to hear from you! I’ve fallen in love with this national park on my many visits here and it’s my favorite thing in the world to share it with others. My goal as your photographer is to provide a personal experience and be a resource for you throughout the whole planning process.
Packages start at $5500 and range from 4 hours to multiple days of coverage. Reach out if you have any questions or would like to chat about working together to create your dream Joshua Tree elopement experience!
