Yosemite National Park: Elopement Location Guide

Yosemite National Park has some of the most epic views, like Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, and has captured the hearts of countless Americans, climbers, nature enthusiasts, and gained world wide attention for its peaceful beauty.

It is also a gorgeous place to elope with your loved one! Here are some ideas from Roaming Desert Film Co. on where to elope or take your formal photos at, plus some tips and tricks on how to elope in Yosemite National Park.

How to Legally Elope in Yosemite National Park

If you would like to marry in the gorgeous and awe inspiring Yosemite National Park you need to attain two things:

A Special Use permit from the park (which you can submit up to a year in advance - the earlier the better!) This permit requires a $150 fee.

Get a California Marriage License: The Mariposa County Clerk’s office is the closest to the park if you are traveling from out of town. Both partners need to arrive with valid ID’s and the marriage license can be used immediately. It needs to be properly completed within 90 days before expiration.

You also need a witness and an authorized officiant. If you are having your friend or family member be your officiant, just check out the Universal Life Church, where this can be accomplished easily.

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Choose your locations based on how many guests are attending:

Under 11 attendees: You can elope in any location in the park that’s accessible, except for protected riverbanks, meadows and site in Yosemite NP.

Over 11 attendees: You need to pick a spot off of Yosemite’s pre approved locations list: HERE.

Glacier Point

The Glacier Point Amphitheater is a great area for a ceremony if you are hoping to host more guests when you say your “I Do’s.” It can hold up to 50 people attending your ceremony with a reservation here.

Wanting a smaller ceremony? Any other spot at Glacier Point can have up to 10 total people for your ceremony.

The road up to Glacier Point is closed seasonally and can be accessed around the start of June to late September.

This site also has parking and restrooms.

Taft Point is another epic location for a 10 guests and under elopement, or for additional formal portraits, but it does require a hike of about 2.5 miles.

Sentinel Beach

This picnic location is located on the Merced River and can be accessed year round in Yosemite National Park. In the summer you can swim in the waters as long as you enter and exit upon the sandy beaches as to not disrupt the riverbank. I love this location because it has some nice options of tree lines as well as a view of El Capitan.

*Cathedral Beach is a similar view that is also close by.

Cook’s Meadow

Cooks’ Meadow is a mile long loop that has stunning sights of Yosemite Falls and the Half Dome as well as Sentinel Rock and Glacier Point. This path can be accessed all year long and is a great and accessible area in the heart of Yosemite National Park.

Need a photo and video team for your Yosemite National Park elopement?

Hi there! We’re Tana and Cory Metcalf @ Roaming Desert Film Co. - a husband and wife photo/video team, located in Utah! We love exploring all that the world has to offer and taking our doggos and cameras along for the journey, as well!