The 8 Best National Parks for Weddings

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting married in the great outdoors—with mountains behind you, wildflowers at your feet, and the quiet hum of nature in the background—a national park elopement or adventure wedding might be exactly what you’re looking for. This blog includes the Best National Parks for Weddings.

Whether you’re planning a sunrise hike to your ceremony spot or a slow, romantic morning at your treehouse Airbnb, here are the 8 best national parks for your wedding in 2025, filled with iconic views and unforgettable moments.

The Best National Parks for Weddings

1. Mt. Rainier National Park

• Location: Washington
• Landscapes: Mountains, wildflowers, alpine lakes, meadows, waterfalls, fire lookouts, old growth forests
• Getting there: Fly into Seattle (SEA) and drive 1.5 hours, or Portland (PDX) and drive 3 hours
• Best season: July through October

What makes it special: Mt. Rainier is covered in wildflowers during summer—like, everywhere. The views are insane, but still totally accessible. You can stay at a cozy historic lodge or rent a nearby Airbnb. It’s remote in feel but still close to Seattle, which makes planning a little easier.

2. Glacier National Park

• Location: Montana
• Landscapes: Alpine lakes, mountain peaks, waterfalls, wildflowers, Going-to-the-Sun Road, meadows, and overlooks you don’t have to hike for
• Getting there: Fly into Glacier Park International (FCA) or Missoula (MSO), then drive into the park
• Best season: Late June through early September

Why it’s unique: Glacier has this rugged, untouched beauty that feels cinematic. The Going-to-the-Sun Road gives you access to epic views without a major hike, and the alpine lakes are next-level. It’s perfect for couples wanting big scenery with low effort.

3. Yosemite National Park

• Location: California
• Landscapes: Massive granite cliffs, waterfalls, alpine meadows, lakes, forests, and world-famous overlooks
• Getting there: Fly into Fresno (FAT), San Francisco (SFO), or Sacramento (SMF), then drive 1–4 hours depending on the entrance
• Best season: Late spring through early fall (May to October)

What makes Yosemite special: This park is iconic for a reason. You’ve got epic backdrops like Glacier Point and Tunnel View without long hikes. There’s a magic to Yosemite that feels quiet and holy—perfect for a heartfelt elopement.

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Location: Tennessee & North Carolina
• Landscapes: Mountains, fields, foggy forests, waterfalls, wildlife, Cades Cove, Foothills Parkway overlooks
• Getting there: Fly into Knoxville (TYS), Asheville (AVL), or Atlanta (ATL) depending on your ceremony spot
• Best season: April–June for wildflowers, or late September–November for peak fall color

Why it’s special: The Smokies feel like stepping into a vintage film. Cades Cove has dreamy fields and horses. The misty mountain views are unbeatable at sunrise. It’s accessible, low-key, and so romantic.

5. Olympic National Park

• Location: Washington
• Landscapes: Rainforests, beaches, alpine lakes, tide pools, waterfalls, and rugged mountains
• Getting there: Fly into Seattle (SEA), drive and take the ferry to the Olympic Peninsula
• Best season: May–September for dry weather

What makes Olympic amazing: Where else can you have ocean cliffs, mossy forests, and snowy peaks all in one day? Olympic is wild and beautiful, with locations like Ruby Beach and Hoh Rainforest that feel out of a dream.

6. Joshua Tree National Park

• Location: California
• Landscapes: Desert views, rocky formations, Joshua trees, canyons, and starry night skies
• Getting there: Fly into Palm Springs (PSP) or LAX, then drive 1–2.5 hours
• Best season: March–May or October–November

Why it’s unique: There’s nothing quite like Joshua Tree. The light here is golden all day, and the terrain feels like another planet. If you want editorial desert vibes with a boho twist, this one’s for you.

7. Grand Teton National Park

• Location: Wyoming
• Landscapes: Jagged peaks, wide open fields, rivers, lakes, wildlife, seasonal wildflowers
• Getting there: Fly into Jackson Hole (JAC)—easy access right to the park
• Best season: Late May–September

What makes it special: The Tetons are big. Think open skies, mountain reflections in alpine lakes, and elk wandering through the fields. Schwabacher Landing and Mormon Row offer the best elopement backdrops without needing a hike.

8. Redwood National Park

• Location: Northern California
• Landscapes: Towering redwood trees, misty forests, light rays, and coastal views
• Getting there: Fly into Medford (MFR), Eureka (ACV), or San Francisco (SFO) for a road trip up
• Best season: Year-round, though summer is driest

Why it’s magical: You feel tiny in the redwoods in the best way. These trees are thousands of years old, and the light that filters through in the morning? Unreal. It’s a quiet, mystical kind of beauty that makes for truly timeless elopement photos.

How to Plan a National Park Wedding

1. Pick your park
   Start with your dream backdrop. Mountains? Desert? Forest? We’ll narrow it down based on season, accessibility, and the kind of experience you want.
2. Book your National Park Wedding Photographer
   That’s me. I’ll help guide you through the entire process and capture every moment on film and digital. Click here to inquire.
3. Get Inspired
   I’ll send over my elopement questionnaire so I can get to know you, your vibe, and your vision. Then I’ll send back a custom elopement guide with ceremony location options, portraits spots, timeline ideas, and vendor recs.
4. Apply for your Permits
   Don’t worry—I walk you through this step completely.
5. Finalize your travel plans
   Flights, lodging, rental car—I’ll help you choose places close to your location for less stress.
6. Take care of your marriage license
   You can legally get married in the park or just do the paperwork at home and treat the day as your symbolic wedding.
7. Get married
   The fun part. It’ll be honest, laidback, and true to you as a couple.

Film National Park Wedding Photos & Super 8

There’s something about vintage film in a national park that just works. These landscapes haven’t changed in centuries—and film photography makes your memories feel just as timeless.

I offer:

• 35mm film photos (just like our parents’ wedding day)
• Super 8 wedding videos for a slow, emotional, nostalgic retelling of your day

Whether it’s the sound of the wind in the trees, the movement of your dress, or the flicker of light over a lake—film captures it in a way that feels alive.

National Park Wedding Photographer Packages

Choose between 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours of coverage

All elopement and national park wedding packages include:

• Full planning support: locations, timeline, travel & permits
• Polaroids + 35mm Film Photos + Super 8 Film options
• Custom elopement timeline built for your day
• Vendor recommendations
• High-res digital photos + web size files
• Online gallery with print store
• Full printing rights
• Optional Luxury Heirloom Album
• All travel included

Starting at $6500

Click here to contact me and start planning your national park wedding adventure.

Looking for more wedding and elopement inspiration? 

Check out more inspo below!

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