Joshua Tree Elopement Guide - Get Married in Joshua Tree National Park

Where the Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert, and the Little San Bernardino Mountains meet, there's a place where lizards scamper across sand dunes, peculiar trees are scattered between the desert grasses, and stars shine against the night sky like nothing you've ever seen - Joshua Tree National Park. The park's unique features, remote location, and gorgeous landscapes make a Joshua Tree elopement the perfect way to say your vows!

Here’s what you’ll find in this Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Guide:

• Joshua Tree Wedding Permits

• Hiring A Joshua Tree Elopement Photographer

• The Best Time For A Joshua Tree Elopement

• Joshua Tree Elopement Locations

• How To Get Legally Married At Joshua Tree National Park

• Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Packages

Wedding & Elopement Permits

Like a lot of other national parks, Joshua Tree requires a Special Use Permit when you tie the knot. The application costs $120 and you can apply up to one year in advance, so we recommend applying as soon as you decide on your date and location to make sure you secure your permit. There's a separate permit for photography and videography, but we'll take care of that!

When you go to Joshua Tree, there's also an entrance fee of $30 per car. If you plan on visiting other National Parks, we recommend getting an America the Beautiful pass for $80, which gives you access to 2,000 other federal recreation areas in the U.S.

Hiring a Joshua Tree Elopement Photographer

The best part of eloping is leaving the stress of planning a big ceremony behind, and focusing on the love that you and your partner share. When you hire a photographer and videographer to document your wedding day, holding the camera when you say your vows is only part of our job. We're also there from the start to make sure that everything runs smoothly so you won't have to worry about a thing! You hire us to capture every moment on the day you say your vows, but our job is to be your ultimate elopement guides - from location scouting to fixing your tie, we'll be with you every step of the way.

The Best Time to Elope in Joshua Tree 

The desert climate of Joshua Tree means it's very hot and dry most of the year, and the temperature changes from day to night can drastically change during certain seasons. It's important to be prepared for whatever the desert throws at you.

Summers in Joshua Tree is pretty hot, so we don't typically recommend eloping there between mid-May and mid-October. It's a dry heat that regularly reaches well into triple digits during the day from June to August, which will have you feeling like you're literally melting. May and September are a little bit cooler with highs still sitting at about 85-90 degrees, so unless you're used to the heat, it's still pretty toasty.

Winter is the best time for a Joshua Tree elopement! The high temperatures stay around 60 degrees throughout the winter, but nights can reach the low 30s so be sure to bring some warm layers if you plan on tying the knot in the winter. 

In early spring and late fall, temperatures start to warm up, but don't get too hot - so those are also good times to elope in Joshua Tree, but they can be more crowded! The busiest time to visit Joshua Tree is in the spring, but if you visit mid-week or plan your elopement at sunrise or sunset you can usually avoid the heaviest crowds.

Joshua Tree Elopement Locations

To preserve some of the more fragile areas of the park, Joshua Tree National Park weddings are limited to the 11 different ceremony locations below.

• Indian Cove Amphitheater - No more than 100 people total and only 1 vehicle. You must shuttle your guest in and out of this location.

• 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.

Under a Joshua Tree, by a rock sculpted by strong winds and sand, or even at an old gold mine, we'll help you find the perfect place for your Joshua Tree elopement!

How to Get Legally Married

To make your marriage official when you elope in Joshua Tree, you'll have to get your marriage license. You can get your license from any clerk's office in California, but the nearest county clerk's office to Joshua Tree is about an hour and a half away in San Bernardino. After you apply for your license online, you'll need to schedule an appointment with the county clerk's office in San Bernardino by calling their office. When you go together to your appointment, you'll have to bring both of your IDs and $89 for the application fee - there's no waiting period so, once you get your license, you can have your ceremony any time from the moment you get it until up to 90 days after! 

You'll need to choose someone to officiate your wedding and find a witness - one of us can be your witness if you don't have anyone in mind! As for your officiant, you can hire one or have someone close to you get ordained with the Universal Life Church. Once your elopement is over, you'll have to return your license in person or by mail to the county you got your license from, then it's official - yay!

Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Packages

The adventure you choose to have on the day of your elopement should be a reflection of the two of you and your love - that's why our Joshua Tree elopement packages are carefully designed for you and your partner! Whether it's hiking through a valley of wildflowers or having a picnic under the stars, we'll take care of everything so you can have your perfect wedding day. If you're ready to start planning your Joshua Tree elopement, send us a message, and we'll help you make your wildest dreams come true!

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Photography: Chuck + Shiloh | Photo + Film

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