More and more couples are opting to ditch the traditional, often over-the-top weddings in favor of something more intimate, more personal, and more reflective of who they are together. As someone always happy to ditch the traditional way of doing things myself, I couldn’t be more excited that more couples are doing the same. And in my humble opinion? We have some absolutely gorgeous US national parks to elope in. And I’m so stoked to share the best national parks to elope in with you!

If you’re already nodding along, thinking, “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re looking for,” you’re in the right place. From the dramatic desert cliffs of Zion to the lush, glacier-carved valleys of Kenai Fjords, I’m sharing a curated list of the top 12 US national parks to elope in! As an elopement photographer that regularly photographs elopements in these parks, I’m armed with advice and suggestions to make your elopement as special and uniquely you as possible. Feeling the excitement? Click here to see how you can bring me on board as your elopement photographer.

1. Zion National Park

Zion National Park is a stunning natural wonder, defined by towering red cliffs, winding canyons, and serene rivers. Located in the Southwestern corner of Utah, Zion is Utah’s most visited national park by far. With vibrant colors and inspiring views, it’s an absolutely idyllic setting to exchange vows.

Great if you love:

• Towering red rock cliffs
• Striking canyons
• Dramatic desert landscapes

Best time of year to elope in Zion:

• Spring, fall, or winter are the best seasons to elope in Zion National Park. You’ll get the best temperatures these seasons and the least amount of crowds!

Where to stay in Zion:

• Under Canvas Zion

Things to do in Zion:

• Hike to Observation Point or Canyon Overlook
• Rent Can-Ams and rip around on sand dune at nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Take a helicopter ride to a remote mesa

Already love the idea of eloping in Zion National Park? Check out this blog post about an epic two day adventure elopement starting in Zion and ending at Lake Powell!

2. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is another crowd favorite here, featuring jaw dropping landscapes of towering granite cliffs, ancient sequoias, and cascading waterfalls. With its breathtaking vistas and serene meadows, this famous national park located in central California it’s a picturesque haven for exchanging vows.

Great if you love:

• Super green forests and meadows
• Dramatic grey granite cliffs
• Towering waterfalls
• Moody sunrises and sunsets

Best time of year to elope in Yosemite:

• Spring or fall is the best seasons to elope in Yosemite National Park! Winter sees seasonal road closures and summer is insanely busy.

Where to stay in Yosemite:

• The Ahwahnee

Things to do in Yosemite:

• Go rock climbing with a guide
• Watch the sun rise from Glacier Point with views of Half Dome
• Go stand up paddle boarding down the Merced River through Yosemite Valley

Pro Tip: Yosemite is a highly sought after elopement location, so I recommend applying for your special use permit several months in advance! This is something your elopement photographer can help you apply for.

3. Arches National Park

Next, Arches National Park is a gorgeous desert landscape known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches and red rock formations. Located in eastern Utah and featuring vibrant red rocks and diverse landscapes, Arches is a stunning place for an intimate wedding or elopement.

Great if you love:

• Striking red rocks
• Gigantic arch formations
• Admiring Mother Nature’s works of art

Best time of year to elope in Arches:

• Spring, fall, or winter are the best seasons to elope in Arches National Park. Summer is insanely busy and hot in the summer!

Where to stay near Arches:

• Ulum Moab

Things to do in Arches:

• Off-roading in a Jeep or OHV
• Canyoneering through the red rocks around Moab
• Rock climbing on one of the many sandstone towers
• Ride a hot air balloon at sunrise

4. Joshua Tree National Park

I may or may not be biased (because I met my partner in Joshua Tree), but Joshua Tree National Park is one of the coolest US national parks to elope in. Just two hours away from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree in Southern California is a quirky little desert town with a quirky and cute national park to match. Known for its beautiful desert landscapes, unique Joshua Trees and rugged rock formations, this national park is perfect for those that love the desert and are maybe a bit unconventional.

Great if you love:

• The desert
• Wide open landscapes
• Rocks!
• Eclectic thrift shops
• The cutest trees in the world (Joshua Trees!)

Best time of year to elope in Joshua Tree:

• Spring, fall, or winter are the best seasons to elope in Joshua Tree National Park.

Where to stay in Joshua Tree:

• Joshua Tree House

Things to do in Joshua Tree:

• Get a martini and burger at The Copper Room
• Rock climbing on world class granite
• Stargazing over a campfire
• Thrift shopping in nearby towns of Twentynine Palms or Yucca Valley

Curious about eloping in Joshua Tree National Park? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park!

5. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is an incredible national park that honestly does not get enough hype for how cool it is. There are such widely diverse landscapes within a short drive from each other. Located in central California, you can easily see sand dunes, salt flats, slot canyons, and mountains all within the same day. With so much variety packed into a (relatively) small space, it’s an unforgettable place to tie the knot.

Great if you love:

• Wide open desert landscapes
• Sand dunes
• Salt flats

Best time of year to elope in Death Valley:

• Late fall, winter, and early summer are the best seasons to elope in Death Valley National Park. Although my *favorite* time for a Death Valley elopement is the beginning of December, because you’ll have the park nearly to yourself!

Where to stay in Death Valley:

• The Inn at Death Valley

Things to do in Death Valley:

• Hike through Mosaic Canyons
• Walk along the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
• Visit Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America)
• Watch the sunset from Zabriskie Point

6. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is absolutely breathtaking, and is definitely for you if you love the mountains. With towering peaks, serene lakes, lush valleys, and an insane amount of wildlife, Grand Teton is a nature lover’s paradise and one of the best national parks to elope in. Nearby Jackson, Wyoming is also a fun western town for those that love the creature comforts that only cities can bring.

Great if you love:

• Striking, jagged mountains
• Epic sunrises and alpenglow
• Alpine lakes
• Wildlife (like bears, eagles, and bison)

Best time of year to elope in Grand Teton:

• Late spring, summer, early fall are the best seasons to elope in Grand Teton National Park. Many restaurants and roads in the park close in the late fall and stay closed until about mid May.

Where to stay in Grand Teton:

• The Bentwood Inn

What to do in Grand Teton:

• Hike Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude
• Paddleboard on String Lake
• Swing dance to live music at Silver Dollar Bar in Jackson, WY

Getting stoked on eloping in Grand Teton National Park? Check out this Complete Grand Teton National Park Elopement Guide!

7. Grand Canyon National Park

Known to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is a magnificent landscape carved over millennia, showcasing colorful cliffs and deep, winding gorges. With its sheer size and striking geology, the Grand Canyon is a timeless natural wonder. An elopement here would be absolutely iconic, right?

Great if you love:

• Incomprehensible views
• Epic sunsets
• Hiking!

Best time of year to elope in Grand Canyon:

• Spring or fall are the best seasons to elope in Grand Canyon National Park.

Where to stay in Grand Canyon:

• Under Canvas Grand Canyon

Things to do in Grand Canyon:

• Hike Kaibab Trail into the canyon—just remember that however far you hike down, you’ll eventually have to hike back up!
• Take a helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the canyon

8. Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park in California is home to a stunning forest landscape known for its ancient, towering sequoia trees. With its lush forests and serene meadows, it’s a sanctuary of natural beauty (and in my humble opinion, a great place to start your life together).

Great if you love:

• To get away from the crowds
• The forest!

Best time of year to elope in Sequoia:

• Spring or summer are the best seasons to elope in Sequoia National Park.

Where to stay in Sequoia:

• Paradise Ranch Inn

Things to do in Sequoia:

• Visit General Sherman—the largest tree in the world!
• Visit Buttress Tree—a fallen sequoia tree showcasing its twisted roots
• Grab pizza at Stony Creek Lodge

9. Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park in California is a rugged wilderness known for its deep canyons, dramatic cliffs, and towering sequoia trees.

Great if you love:

• Striking granite rock walls (similar to Yosemite, but without all the people!)
• Raging rivers!
• Privacy from crowds

Best time of year to elope in Kings Canyon:

• Late spring and summer are the best seasons to elope in Kings Canyon National Park. Roads close in the fall and the canyon isn’t accessible again until late spring.

Where to stay in Kings Canyon:

• This cute cabin in Dunlap

Things to do in Kings Canyon:

• Drive through the canyon (only open seasonally)
• Hike Mist Falls Trail
• Have a picnic at Zumwalt Meadows
• Rock climb or watch the sunset at Buck Rock

10. Saguaro National Park

Next up, we have Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona. Here you’ll find a unique desert landscape famous for its towering saguaro cacti. With its rich biodiversity and serene beauty, it’s a remarkable place to experience the magic of the Southwest.

Great if you love:

• Gigantic cacti!
• Cotton candy sunsets
• Desert mountains

Best time of year to elope in Saguaro:

• Spring, fall or winter are the best seasons to elope in Saguaro National Park. The summer months can get extremely hot!

Where to stay in Saguaro:

• The Joshua Tree House Tucson

Things to do in Saguaro:

• Watch the sunset from Valley View Trail
• Grab some great food in the nearby culinary city of Tucson, AZ (my personal favorite are the nachos from Seis Kitchen!)

11. Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a coastal gem located in Maine, known for its rugged cliffs, lush forests, and rocky beaches. With its scenic trails and diverse wildlife, it’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Great if you love:

• Greenery and forests
• Jagged cliffs dropping dramatically into the ocean
• Brisk sea spray
• Foggy sunrises

Best time of year to elope in Acadia:

• Spring, summer and fall are the best season to elope in Acadia National Park. The fall foliage is pretty incredible once the leaves start changing in the fall!

Where to stay in Acadia:

• This A frame cabin in the woods

Things to do in Acadia:

• Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain (the first part of the United States that sees the sunrise every morning)
• Visit Schoodic Point
• Ocean kayaking from Mount Desert Island
• Grab a lobster roll or lobster mac and cheese from The Travelin Lobster in nearby Bar Harbor, ME

Thinking Acadia National Park is just your vibe? Check out this gorgeous Otter Point elopement I had the pleasure of photographing!

12. Kenai Fjords National Park

Last but not least, Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska is a pristine wilderness known for its dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and abundant wildlife. With its rugged coastline and rich biodiversity, it’s a stunning haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike. If you’re looking for something truly unique, this is definitely a top US national park to elope in!

Great if you love:

• Glaciers and icebergs
• Wildlife (like bears, moose, and bald eagles)
• Jaw dropping glacial carved landscapes

Best time of year to elope in Kenai Fjords:

• Summer is the best season to elope in Kenai Fjords National Park because you’ll have long days of sunlight and the most accessibility.

Where to stay in Kenai Fjords:

• Shearwater Cove

Things to do in Kenai Fjords:

• Spot humpback whales and orcas on a cruise
• Kayak through icebergs
• Take a helicopter tour for a birds eye view of the land and ocean

Ready to Plan Your National Park Elopement?

Whether your heart is set on the towering red cliffs of Zion, the glacier-shaped beauty of Kenai Fjords, or any of the other remarkable US national parks to elope in mentioned in this guide, your elopement is going to be incredible. As an expert in elopement photography and videography, I would be honored to capture every moment of your adventure and help make the planning process seamless. From intimate ceremonies to breathtaking adventures, I offer photography and videography packages (complete with planning support) to ensure your day is exactly how you envision it.

Have questions or are you ready to start planning your national park wedding? Contact me here.