Badlands National Park Wedding Guide - Elope in the Badlands
In South Dakota, there’s a place that’s rugged and wild, with layered rock formations, towering spires, plunging canyons, and jaw-dropping scenery that’s home to bison, bighorn sheep, and even some dinosaur fossils! Getting married in Badlands National Park guarantees a wedding day that’s unique, adventurous, and definitely outside the box - so for any couple that wants to elope, consider this underrated spot in the midwest.
This Badlands National Park wedding guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan a once-in-a-lifetime elopement experience, from things to see to getting legally married!
Here’s what you’ll find in this Badlands National Park Elopement Guide:
The Best Time for a Badlands National Park Wedding
Best Places to Elope in Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park Wedding Permit
How to Get Legally Married in the Badlands
Badlands National Park Elopement Packages
The Best Time for a Badlands National Park Wedding
Weather in the Badlands can get intense - so before you lace up your hiking boots, get familiar with the climate so you can set an elopement date!
Winter in the Badlands
In the winter, temperatures are below freezing for most of the day, and there is usually a foot or two of snow covering the park. This is the least popular time to visit, so if you elope in the winter you’re likely to have the whole place to yourself.
Spring in the Badlands
Surprisingly, March is the snowiest season in Badlands National Park! In late spring, temperatures start to warm up, reaching into the 60s most days. Mornings and evenings are still chilly, so be prepared with layers! April through June is the wettest season in the Badlands, with rainstorms throughout the day.
Summer in the Badlands
Summer in Badlands National Park gets really hot - so for most couples, the high temperatures mean this isn’t the best time to elope. But, if you plan your ceremony for sunrise or sunset, you can beat the heat! Summer is the most popular time to visit the Badlands, so you’ll see the most crowds - but, the park is so vast, and it’s not too popular, so overcrowding isn’t usually a problem.
Fall in the Badlands
September and October are the best times for a Badlands National Park wedding. It cools down to more comfortable temperatures, and it’s much less rainy than the spring! The summer crowds have gone home, so you’ll have some privacy along with the great weather.
The Best Places to Get Married in Badlands National Park
The park has everything from hiking trails to roadside overlooks. There are countless gorgeous places to elope, but here are a few of the best places to get married in Badlands National Park!
Badlands Loop Road
The most popular road in the park is the Badlands Loop Road. The 40 mile road travels through the eastern side of Badlands National Park, and along the way you’ll find amazing views and landscapes! Even just driving along the highway is an incredible experience, but you can step out of the car and enjoy the overlooks, sweeping vistas, and gorgeous scenes. Plan ahead and decide which overlook is right for your ceremony, or just drive along the road and hop out when the moment feels right!
The Door Trail
If you’re looking for an elopement location in Badlands National Park that is gorgeous, remote, but easily accessible, the Door trail is the one for you! This hiking trail is less than a mile round trip, but offers a sweeping view of the rocky spires and the colorful walls of the canyon.
The Medicine Root Trail
For something in between - a spot that requires a hike but isn’t too challenging, check out the Medicine Root trail! This loop is 4.5 miles long, taking you through a grassy prairie with rock formations all around. This is a great place to spot wildlife in the meadow, and in the spring, you can see the wildflowers bloom!
Badlands National Park Wedding Permit
For your Badlands National Park elopement, no matter how small, you’ll need to get a wedding permit! This is also called a special use permit, and it ensures that the park rangers know what’s going on, that all rules are being followed, and that the park stays beautiful.
You can find the permit application here, and it needs to be mailed to the park office. It costs $100, which can be paid with a check or credit card. The park doesn’t specify how much time is required to process the permit, but we recommend applying as far in advance as possible (though no more than a year), and sending your application in at least 4 weeks before your ceremony date to ensure there’s plenty of time to get your wedding permit!
How to Get Legally Married When You Elope at Badlands National Park
To get legally married during your Badlands National Park elopement, you’re going to need a marriage license. This can be done at any Register of Deeds office in the state. You can find the application online and fill it out before you go, but you’ll need to head to the office in person to sign it and get your marriage license! Bring both of your photo IDs with you, along with $40 - some offices don’t take credit cards, so check this ahead of time or bring cash to be safe.
There’s no waiting period, and your South Dakota marriage license expires after 90 days. To get married you’ll need an officiant and two witnesses to sign - but good news! As an elopement photo and video team, we know how important privacy is on your day, so we can double as an officiant and one witness if you don’t have any guests. For your second witness signature, you can ask another elopement vendor, or find anyone over 18 on the trail or around the park!
Badlands National Park Elopement Packages
If you’re convinced that the remote, rugged beauty of Badlands National Park is the perfect place for your adventurous wedding, we’re ready to help you plan it! We’re all about making sure your elopement is stress-free, and that it’s all about the two of you.
Our Badlands National Park elopement packages include location scouting to find the best spots for your vows, vendor recommendations and places to stay, a custom timeline of the day, and everything you’ll need to plan an epic, one-of-a-kind day! If you’re ready to tie the knot, contact us!
