How to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park
Everything you need to know about eloping in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park + Southern California | Summit and Sur Photography
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most quintessential elopement locations in Southern California…and for good reason! Between the epic golden sunsets, world-renowned rock climbing, and the plethora of unique Joshua Trees on display, it’s easy to see why so many people flock from across the world to get married at this stunning park. So, whether you are just starting to plan your Joshua Tree elopement or you are just looking for some more details, read on for more info!
Where is Joshua Tree National Park?
Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California, just outside the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and the Inland Empire. The park is surrounded by lots of little towns such as 29 Palms, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, Landers and Morongo Valley.
Tip: while there are some great local options for vendors (florists, caterers, etc.), one big perk is that if you run out of options for your budget or time frame and can’t find anyone local, there are usually many vendors willing to drive to Joshua Tree for elopements and weddings!
How do we get there?
If you are looking to elope in Joshua Tree National Park but aren’t local to Southern California, you may be considering a flight to get here. Luckily, there are plenty of options for airports within a reasonable distance:
San Diego International Airport (SAN): this airport is about a three hour drive from Joshua Tree, which is on the longer side of things. That said, because it is a major airport, you will have many options for connections and routes.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): similar to SAN, Los Angeles International Airport is about three hours away with tons of airline and connection options. It can be kind of a hectic airport to fly into/out of but definitely worth it if you are looking for flexibility and lower prices.
Ontario International Airport (ONT): Ontario Airport, located in San Bernardino County, is one of the closer options with only about a two hour drive to Joshua Tree. That being said, fares can get expensive to fly into this airport and there aren’t quite as many options as LAX or SAN.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): with just under an hour drive to Joshua Tree, Palm Springs airport is definitely the most convenient. That being said, it definitely has less options for connections and higher fares depending on where you are coming from.
With the exception of Palm Springs Airport, you will likely need to rent a car for your trip to Joshua Tree. That said, having a rental car for your trip will makes things easy and give you tons of options for activities and fun day trips while visiting.
What is the best time of year to elope in Joshua Tree National Park?
While you can get married in Joshua Tree pretty much all year round without too much concern, there are a few things to consider:
Summers can get very, very, very hot in Southern California, especially in Joshua Tree.. If you don’t tolerate heat well or aren’t used to desert summers, I suggest choosing a date in fall or winter when the weather is significantly cooler.
Joshua Tree National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park which, in simpler terms, means that the stars here are absolutely out of this world! If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the milky way or just a night filled with stars, you may want to consider picking a day that aligns with a new moon phase to maximize your chances!
One other things to consider for time of year are the crowds at the park. While the winter and spring are great for the weather, the trade off is that these are typically the busiest times of the year for visitor traffic. While this can’t be avoided completely, I usually recommend picking a weekday for your elopement to help mitigate this issue a bit.
Where should we stay for our elopement?
One of the best things about eloping in Joshua Tree National Park is that there is no shortage of awesome vacation rentals, hotels, and campsites in the area. Whether you want a luxe Airbnb with a killer backyard or a more rustic camping experience, there are plenty of options to choose from all with various amenities. Some cool options to consider are:
Vacation Rentals + Hotels:
Planet Juniper: A Desert Retreat
Mountain Views and Untouched Desert at the Sunset House
Wonder Walls an Architectural Home Overlooking Joshua Tree
Campgrounds:
Do I need a permit to get married in Joshua Tree National Park?
As of January 2023, the only permit you will need on your elopement day in Joshua Tree National Park is the one for your ceremony. In previous years, your photographer would also need a permit, meaning you would need two for the day. However, after this change, you are only responsible for the one $120 permit to reserve your ceremony location and date.
You can find the link to the wedding permit application here. Once your application is submitted via email and approved, you will be sent a link and code to submit payment. And then that’s it—-you are all set!
*Note: Joshua Tree National Park is VERY strict about their permits and you/your photographer could be liable for a fine of up to $500 if caught having a ceremony in the park without one. Aside from the fear of being fined, applying and paying for permits is just another way of following Leave No Trace principles when engaging in elopements in public, outdoor spaces.
Where can I have my ceremony in the park?
While Joshua Tree National Park is a bit limited on locations you can use within the park to get married, the options available are absolutely stunning! The following are available as options for your elopement or intimate wedding:
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.
Are there any restrictions on what I can bring to my elopement or intimate wedding ceremony in the park?
Joshua Tree National Park actually has a wide variety of things you can bring for your ceremony but does have a handful of things that are not permitted. These include:
Drones
Dried flowers
Non-battery powered candles
Bubbles
Any live animals, including doves, butterflies, etc
Confetti
Rice
Birdseed
Balloons
Smoke Bombs
One thing to notice is that arches and rugs are NOT on this list! While many national and state parks don’t allow any types of arches or rugs for ceremonies, Joshua Tree does allow them which is a great option for couples looking to make their day feel even more unique and special.
What can we do on our elopement day in Joshua Tree?
While the answer to this question is dependent on time of year and your own personalities and interests, there are tons of options for things to do on your big day in Joshua Tree. A few that come to mind:
Start your day with a dip in the pool (or outdoor tub!): if you are eloping during the summer, I HIGHLY recommend booking a vacation rental or hotel with a pool or outdoor tub! Not only is it a great way to cool off, it’s the perfect way to start your elopement day!
Go for a hike: Joshua Tree National Park has some of the most incredible landscape views in Southern California, with plenty of hiking trails to enjoy and take it all in. Even if you don’t love hiking, there are lots of short trails that you can traverse that don’t feel like a full blown hike.
Enjoy a meal from a private chef: if you are staying at a vacation rental and looking for a different option when it comes to a meal, hiring a private chef might be the option for you! There are some excellent options for chefs who will prepare and serve your gourmet meal, all from the comfort of your rental. Whether this is just for the two of you or you want to include your guests, this option is unique and one you won’t forget.
Do a horseback guided tour: for those who love the equestrian life or just want to try something new, a guided horseback trip might be something fun for you! Not only do you get to do something completely different together, you get to explore the incredible landscape without any hiking whatsoever!
Grab breakfast and coffee in town: maybe you are doing a sunrise first look or you just want to start your day with a great meal, there are some great local options for a delicious, filling breakfast and hot cup of coffee (or tea) while enjoying the sights of town.
Stargaze together: Joshua Tree National Park is an International Dark Sky Park and one of the most incredible places to stargaze. Whether this is how you want to end your night or even start the festivities the night before your big day, you won’t regret spending time admiring the night sky here.
Try rock climbing: with over 8,000 climbing routes in the park, Joshua Tree is one of the most popular places for climbers not only in Southern California, but the world. If you are a seasoned climber, you may want to bring your own gear and get right to it; but if you are trying it for the first time or are just a casual climber, there are companies that offer climbing tours that might suit your needs.
Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden: this incredible spot in the park is a must see, especially if you love cacti! This short walk will have you surrounded by cholla cacti and is a great activity for your elopement day.
Take a guided ATV tour: for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies, booking at ATV tour of the desert is a great option for a cool activity on your elopement day. You could do this just the two of you or with your entire group of guests—-it’s fun for everyone!
End your day with a soak in the hot tub: last but not least, mirroring the option on the list is a nice soak in the hot tub at your vacation rental or hotel. Romantic and relaxing, this is a perfect bookend to an elopement day (and even better if you get to watch the night sky together in the hot tub!).
Ready to start planning your Joshua Tree elopement? Reach out today to get started!