How to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park Elopements & Weddings
Dazzling Joshua Tree, California. What can I say about this beautiful national park that hasn’t already been said? I could tell you about the whimsical trees and how their arms twist and turn as they reach the sky. I could tell you about the flora and fauna which have evolved over millennia to thrive in this harsh climate. I could rave about how the landscape arrests your gaze as soon as you enter the park.
But I’d rather tell you how to have your own perfect elopement in Joshua Tree.
One of the reasons Joshua Tree is so special to me is that I all but grew up there. I've visited the park nearly every year of my life since childhood - with both family and friends. Taking people to the park for their first time is a joy that I get to experience time and time again. I’ve literally lost count of the amount of times I’ve been there. So it wasn't hard to decide to elope there. Getting married in that gorgeous high desert had a lasting impact on me. Now, I want to help others have this same awe-inspiring experience. I want to help you and your fiancé have the best day of your lives, in the best park in the States!
Joshua Tree Wedding Permits
The very first thing you’ll need to do is obtain a special-use permit, which secures your date and location for your wedding in the park. Whether you’re having a wedding or taking engagement photos, it’s very important you receive this permit. The process is simple: Fill out the form and pay a non-refundable processing fee of $120. How’s that for a wedding venue price?
Make sure to read the permit restrictions, as there are a few to be aware of. These include not blocking access for other park visitors and leave no trace polities. Jump down to the Leave No Trace section for more details.
In addition to the permit, you’ll need to pay the park-entry fee of $35. If you’re always in and out of national parks like myself, I highly recommend purchasing the “America the Beautiful” Passes for $80. There are a few benefits: It’s easy (you can purchase this as you enter the park), it’s affordable (pays for itself in just 4 visits), and it helps support national parks (it’s nice to give back).
Where to Get Married in Joshua Tree
Inside the Park
There are a few designated areas within the park where you can hold a ceremony, and you’ll need to choose when you fill out the permit. Each location has a limit for the number of people and cars, so make sure to pay special attention to these details when choosing a location. These locations include:
Indian Cove Amphitheater — 100 people, 1 car
Hidden Valley Picnic Area — 35 people, 8 cars
Turkey Flats — 35 people, 8 cars
Cap Rock — 25 people, 8 cars
Rattlesnake Picnic Area — 20 people, 8 cars
Quail Springs Picnic Area — 15 people, 8 cars
Split Rock — 15 people, 5 cars
Porcupine Wash — 12 people, 4 cars
Queen Valley Mine — 10 people, 5 cars
Lost Horse Parking Lot — 10 people, 5 cars
Live Oak Picnic Area — 5 people, 3 cars
Choosing a location when you’ve never been to the park can be challenging. Check out Google Maps to see photos of each location, or ask your photographer to help you decide. Side note: if having Joshua Trees at the ceremony site is important to you—let your photographer know! Not every spot in the park has Joshua Trees.
Outside of the Park/At a Venue
There’s some great spots in the park for ceremonies, but with the limited capacity, it’s good to have some options. Having your ceremony at a nearby venue is a great way to be close enough to Joshua Tree National Park for photos, but in a location that might be more accessible for your guests. There are some truly amazing venues in the area. Check out a few of our favorite nearby spots:
AutoCamp - 10 minutes from West Entrance
Tumbleweed Sanctuary - 15 minutes from West Entrance
Rimrock Ranch - 30 minutes from West Entrance
29 Palms Inn - 25 minutes from West Entrance, 7 minutes from Twentynine Palms Fee Entrance
Hicksville Palace - 20 minutes from West Entrance
Mojave Moon Ranch - 10 minutes from West Entrance
Morada - 20 minutes from West Entrance
Want to see more venues options? Check out the Best Joshua Tree Wedding Venues!
Disclaimer: I do not recommend Airbnbs for wedding ceremony venues. Rules and regulations are always changing, and unfortunately they have become strict for the Joshua Tree area. If you have your heart set on an Airbnb wedding, contact the host and start a discussion with them.
Wedding Location Options Outside of the Park
Joshua Tree is well known for it’s giant boulders and Joshua Trees, but you can similar views in other parts of California! So if you’re digging the vibe, but want something off the beaten path, check out these other options:
Death Valley National Park: Yes, there are actually Joshua Trees here.
Alabama Hills: Tons of boulders and epic views of California’s tallest mountain.
Mojave Desert Preserve: Very similar to the park, with even more Joshua Trees.
Trona Pinnacles: No Joshua Trees here, but you’ll find crazy cool rock formations.
None of these fit your vibe? Reach out and we can discuss locations further!
Weather and Crowds in Joshua Tree National Park
Picking a date for eloping outside in the desert depends heavily on weather and temperature. The park is beautiful in all seasons, but consider the options and choose what works best for your needs.
Winter: There are still crowds, but the daytime temps are much easier to bear. Don’t stay out too late, as freezing temps are common in the winter months. You can even get the rare snowstorm.
Summer: It gets HOT in the summer. It’s the desert, after all. Temperatures in July and August can easily reach 100 degrees. You will sweat, and your makeup could run (mine did). So it might be good to have an MUA on hand, or have some makeup with you. But the heat means fewer people, longer days, and stunning views of the Milky Way. Sunset and sunrise are the best time for ceremonies since you can avoid extreme heat.
Spring and Fall: The best temperatures overall. However, good weather attracts more people. Nevertheless, sunrise and sunset are still great times to avoid the crowds.
Having a wedding outside means you need to be prepared for the elements. Wind and dramatic temperature changes aren’t heard of, so come prepared. It’s always wise to bring extra water to stay hydrated and an extra layer to protect yourself from cold temps or too much sun exposure. As well as be prepared for seeing other people in the more popular months. But don't fret - this park is vast, and you can get away from people if you really try. Bring up any concerns about crowds and temperature with your photographer!
~tldr: The best time to elope in Joshua Tree is weekdays October-April~
Where to Stay in Joshua Tree National Park
When it comes to staying in and around the park, there are a few fun decisions to choose between.
Camping: You’ll want to plan ahead to camp inside the park. During weekends and holidays in the peak months of October through May, campsites will likely be full. You can reserve campsites at the recreation.gov site, and there are first-come-first-serve options. During the summer months, most campsites are reservation free. There’s also options to camp outside the park. Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest and save money. Just know that it’s a little tougher to get wedding-ready in a tent or a van.
Hotels: There are lots of interesting hotels in the area, no matter your budget. If you want to stay close to the park, aim for Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, or Yucca Valley. If you’re down to drive, Palm Springs is nearby and a fun place to stay. Just don’t forget that it’s an hour long drive to the park’s north entrance.
Airbnb: I could list my favorite Airbnbs near Joshua Tree NP, but it would be too many. There are hundreds of options near the park, all more beautiful than the last. Compounds are common in the area, which is perfect for a group of people. You can even get married at some of the larger Airbnbs! And most have a hot tub. You can’t go wrong with a soak the night before your wedding. Check out some of our favorites:
Getting to Joshua Tree
Cars: Joshua Tree is a vast park with a lot to see. Most Airbnbs and hotels are easily 30 minutes from the park entrance, and it would take you an hour and a half to drive straight through the park without stopping. And let’s be honest, you’ll probably make a few stops as your traverse the park. Luckily, most major attractions in the park are on paved roads, but for the more adventurous couples, a high clearance or four-wheel drive car gives you access to some other parts of the park. Consider renting a car, if you need to.
Planes: If you aren’t local to the Southwest, you’ll need to fly. Check out your options and the distance to the park entrance.
Palm Springs International - 1 hour
Ontario International - 1.5 hours
Los Angeles International Airport - 2.5 hours
Find Vendors for Your Joshua Tree National Park Wedding
The look and feel of your wedding are totally up to you. Florals are a great way to add some extra color and a special feeling to your wedding. So are arches, rugs, and other decors—just as long as you remove it when the ceremony is over. Leave nothing behind. Don’t forget—cleaning up after yourself ensures the next visitors get to appreciate the beauty of this amazing park.
And if you're concerned about finding vendors, a photographer can make recommendations.
Dress to Impress Even Though You're in a National Park
It’s your wedding—you still want to dress nice! Nothing makes the day feel more special at the onset than getting dressed in your beautiful clothes. But don’t forget—Joshua Tree can be rough and rocky, depending on the location of course. You’ll want to keep the possibilities in mind while you prepare for your big day.
Dresses: Long dresses will absolutely drag on the ground, get dirty and snag. But personally, I think this is part of the fun! A dirty dress means you’ve eloped in the wild, and had an adventurous day of love and exploration. Besides, when will you ever wear it again?
Suits: The desert is a great place to get creative with your colors. Not down with the transitional black suit? Try maroon, forest green, or deep blue. Or wear a vest with a vibrant tie. The options are endless.
Accessories and Shoes: Hats, flower crowns, nice boots—this is your time to shine and dress in your own style! And speaking of shoes, leave the stilettos at home. Opt for shoes you can walk well in that have decent tread. Once you’re in the park, you’ll want to walk all over the boulders!
Be Prepared: Having an elopement outdoors is a wonderful experience, but it comes with a bit of uncertainty. Be prepared for dramatic temperatures and weather changes. Bring a jacket or blanket, water, and electrolytes.
Leave No Trace in Joshua Tree National Park
Whenever we talk about outdoor elopements, we have to talk about Leave No Trace (LNT). This set of principles about how best to preserve and protect the outdoors is something that’s required to keep our park the way that it is.
In that vein, there’s a list of items you can and can’t bring into the park for your elopement.
Allowed: Free-standing arches, small tables, a guest book, coolers with water, live flowers, battery-powered candles, runner rugs, cake, and champagne.
Not allowed: Drones, dried flowers, burning candles, bubbles, any live animals (including doves, butterflies, pets, etc.), confetti, rice, birdseed, balloons, and smoke bombs.
These rules aren’t meant to be a bummer. They are common-sense directives that help keep Joshua Tree happy and healthy. We are all visitors in this ecosystem, so it’s prudent to reduce our impact.
Joshua Tree National Park Wedding & Elopement Examples
Book Your Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Photographer
If you want a photographer who loves Joshua Tree National Park to capture your special day, book Love & Latitudes Outdoor Wedding and Elopement Photography today!
Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Packages
+ 4-8+ hours of coverage
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images oe purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Optional officiant services.
Meet Your Joshua Tree Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California-born adventurer with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 15 years and counting. In my free time you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. The deserts of California call to us, and you’ll find us in places like Joshua Tree and Death Valley often.
How did i get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my own wedding and they showed me there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way. Not to mention, we got married in Joshua Tree!
Check Out Your Joshua Tree Vendors
HMUA: Makeup by Julie Hirji | Desert Honey Artistry | Florals: Pinyon Pine Floral | Hat/Veil/Cape: Rebecca Anne Designs | Headpiece: Bella Via Designs
