JOSHUA TREE
ELOPEMENT&
WEDDING GUIDE
ELOPEMENT&
WEDDING GUIDE
JOSHUA TREE
ELOPEMENTS:
How to get married in Joshua Tree National Park
YESSSS. If you’re looking to elope in Joshua Tree, you’ve come to the right place. I love working with couples to help plan their adventurous desert elopement or wedding. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most stunning deserts in the U.S., so you’ve definitely picked the right spot! If you love the look of a southwestern, desert bohemian wedding, why not save thousands of dollars on a wedding venue and get married in one of the prettiest deserts in America! The park is only (about) two hours from a few major airports in Southern California, and is a super accessible place for those looking to have their adventurous elopement in the desert. This elopement guide is filled with all the information you will need on how to plan the perfect elopement in Joshua Tree National Park.
Keep reading to learn about how to plan an elopement in Joshua Tree National Park!
WHERE TO ELOPE
IN JOSHUA TREE:
aka. Joshua Tree ‘Wedding Venues’
Joshua Tree National Park is known for its desert landscapes, ‘one of a kind’ cacti, and it’s beautifully placed rock formations.
Joshua Tree is the perfect location for those looking for a desert, southwestern bohemian wedding filled with a lot of adventure and beautiful golden sunlight.
There are so many awesome spots to elope at in Joshua Tree, I always recommend to my couples to explore them all on your wedding day!
According to the Joshua Tree NPS rules, there are a handful of spots you can have your wedding at (if you have under 25 guests), if you have more than 25 guests there is really only one spot that the park permits weddings at. Here are what I like to call the ‘Joshua Tree Wedding Venues’ for your elopement or intimate wedding:
Weddings of 25 or less
Hidden Valley Picnic Area (not permitted in March–May)
Quail Springs Picnic Area (not permitted in March–May)
Cap Rock
Live Oak
Split Rock
Rattlesnake Picnic Area
Weddings of 26 to 100
Indian Cove Amphitheater
(no parking in the area, guests need to be shuttled into the amphitheater)
JOSHUA TREE
ELOPEMENT
& WEDDING PERMITS
To get married in Joshua Tree, the park requires a ‘Special Park Use Permit’, the cost for the wedding application is $120 and may require additional fees depending on the size of your wedding. It is important to obtain proper permits early on in the planning process to make sure you are completely covered for your wedding day.
Related: Looking to plan a Desert Wedding? Check out this guide on everything you need to know about getting married in the desert.
Best Joshua Tree Hikes for your Elopement
Hidden Valley Nature Trail: This one-mile loop brings you around Joshua Trees different rock and boulder formations that you can explore and climb around on. This hike shows you the typical Joshua Tree views and is easy enough for anyone to do.
Split Rock Loop: A two mile trail with beautiful wild flowers, dramatic sunsets, and even jack rabbits sightings. On this trail you’ll see some great boulder formations along with the famous Joshua Trees.
The Maze Loop: If you’re looking for a more intense hiking option, the Maze Loop should be your GO TO. This 5 mile trail has moderate steepness and will take you all the different views of Joshua Tree.
Ryan Mountain Hike: This 3 mile trail is a great chance to see Joshua Tree from a ‘bird’s eye view’. This is a great day-hike and cool spot to stop and enjoy the views at the top, before hiking back down.
ELOPEMENT ADVICE:
Wear comfortable shoes that fit your style on your elopement day. Whether you prefer converse, hiking boots, or doc martens, you want to make sure you can adventure around in shoes that are comfortable and feel authentic to you.
WHO AM I?
hey, i’m amanda.
I’m an adventurous travel elopement photographer who believes in experiencing all that life has to offer. I truly love connecting with my couples and capturing their relationship authentically and genuinely.
i believe YOUR WEDDING DAY SHOULD BE AS adventurous, as breathtaking, and unique as you want it to be.
Life is made up of moments, and when we are old and wrinkly, I want you to look back on life and remember all of the crazy & amazing memories you had, not the things you owned.
I want to work with couples to design their ‘perfect day’ that they didn’t even think was possible. I am so excited to hear more about you two as a couple and help create the perfect adventure for both of you.
WHERE TO STAY FOR
YOUR JOSHUA TREE
ELOPEMENT
NONE of these are affiliate links, they are just places I’ve researched and some that I have personally stayed at.
Airbnbs near Mt. Rainier National Park
Desert Airstream
This magical airbnb is great two person spot for a desert themed camping road trip. This airstream is equipped with heat/AC, an outdoor shower, refridgerator, microwave, sink, indoor stoolie, and a hot plate for all your basic camping needs.
Joshua Tree Tiny House
This highly-rated Tiny House comes with epic desert views and a hot tub for those chilly desert nights. Come back from exploring Joshua Tree and stay at this cute home that can fit up to 4 guests.
Desert Air Casita
Only 10 minutes away from Joshua Tree National Park and right near downtown Joshua Tree, this studio apartment has everything you could need for staying in the Joshua Tree area. A beautifully designed apartment with enough space for two people staying in the area.
5 Bedroom Joshua Tree Cabin
If you’re bringing your whole family along for your elopement day- this cabin is a great choice for everyone to stay under one roof. This home is not only aesthetically pleasing but also is extremely clean and has great reviews. Includes a pool, game room, dart table, two kitchens, and so much more.
HOW TO GET TO
JOSHUA TREE
NATIONAL PARK
By Plane:
John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA): This airport is a great alternative to LAX to avoid that dreadful LA traffic. SNA is only 122 miles from Joshua Tree and you can find some affordable flights into this airport.
Los Angeles International Aiport (LAX): This is the closest major airport to Joshua Tree National Park, located about 140 miles away. Traffic can be difficult getting in and out of Los Angeles, making this airport not as ideal as others.
San Diego Airport: San Diego’s airport is only 175 miles away from Joshua Tree National Park, which is only about 30 miles more than LAX. This may be a better option when choosing from these two major airports.
By Car:
As public transportation is limited in the Yucca Valley area, renting a car is the best way to get around Joshua Tree National Park. The park has three main entrances, the North, West, and South entrances.
PRO TIP: Navigation systems around Joshua Tree can lead you onto soft sand roads that may get your car stuck- it is best to be prepared with directions and enter the park through Interstate 10 or California Highway 62 (the Twentynine Palms Highway).
Best time to visit Joshua tree national park
Spring is the best time to visit Joshua Tree because the weather is the most ideal. The end of fall from October to November is also a great time to visit as there may have less crowds than peak season in the spring. In the summer months temperatures can get up to 100 degrees with very little access to shade.
Joshua Tree Elopement Packages
Are you 100% set on getting married in Joshua Tree National Park? HECK YES. Now it’s time to start planning! Here are my wedding/elopement photography packages for couples looking for someone to help them plan & photograph their adventurous wedding day!
What’s included in each package:
Offering 4 hour, 8 hour, 12 hour, & 2 day of Photography Packages
Customized Adventure Guide filled with personalized elopement plans from ceremony locations, where to stay, what to do, things to see, vendor recommendations personalized to your interests & needs
90+ Page Elopement Planning Guide with step by step instructions on how to plan an adventure elopement
Unlimited planning discussions & guidance
Assistance with permits and marriage licenses
A huge gallery of fully edited, high resolution photos for you to download with personal printing rights
Option for me to be your ordained officiant and sign off on your marriage license if you want to have a ceremony with just the two of you
No travel fees!
Packages starting at $7200
LOOKING TO ELOPE IN
JOSHUA TREE
NATIONAL PARK?
Looking to start planning your Joshua Tree Elopement? Along with being an elopement photographer, I work with my couples to help plan and create their perfect elopement day. I would love to chat about your elopement plans and your vision for your wedding day! If you’re looking for a photographer who is super laid back, loves to joke around, and is always looking to make best friends- I’m you’re girl.
Joshua Tree Wedding Advice:
Visit the park at sunrise or sunset to get this beautiful golden light that makes the desert look even cooler than before
Hike early morning or later afternoon the summer this will keep you out of the harsh direct sunlight that may lead to overheating and exhaustion
Always bring extra water it can get easy to get turned around in Joshua Tree so you always want to have enough water just in case you end up hiking around more than expected
Bring your own food, there are no restuarants in the park and it takes a while to drive into and out of the park- bring your own food for both convenience and to save money
Prepare for no cell service, water, electricity, street lights, and accommodations in the park this National Park is a litter different than other parks- it is very much a desert with limited resources other than what nature provides.
Have the AllTrails app downloaded before you get to the park along with trail maps either printed out or ‘screenshotted’ on your phone. There is limited service in the park- so it’s best to be prepared beforehand
Always hike with proper gear and equipment very simple but SO important.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
LOOKING TO
DISCUSS YOUR
JOSHUA TREE
ELOPEMENT?
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