How To Elope In Redwood National & State Parks
Home to the largest, and some of the oldest trees on Earth, Redwood National Park offers a surreal wedding experience for those looking to elope here. The ethereal forests are matched by dramatic coastlines and an abundance of wildlife. The area itself is super remote with the closest large city a 6-hour drive away — making it great for couples looking to escape the hustle of life.
Feel super connected with nature as your love and you dedicate your lives to one another in this super special park. Welcome your inner child, and it’s hard not to feel like a Disney princess (or prince) in this enchanted setting. If you’re considering eloping in Redwood National Park, I’ve got you covered. Learn about the best locations, the practicalities, with a few inside tips for inspiration. Let’s go!
How To Get To Redwood National Park
By Plane:
The best option is flying into the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR). The airport is located about 3.5 hours from the park, but it is the closest large airport without sacrificing too much on price. The closest airport, California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV), is 30 minutes away, but it is superrrr small and only gets a few flights from other large cities on the West Coast, making the prices pretty high most of the time. Alternatively, you can fly into Sacramento International Airport (SMF) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Both airports are larger with more flight options, but the journey takes around 6 hours.
By Car:
No matter which airport you choose to fly into, the best way to get around Redwood National Park is by renting a car. Four parks make up Redwood National Park (also known as Redwood National and State Parks): Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. They are in close proximity to each other, but make sure you have clarity on which park you’d like to visit, and when.
Pro Tip: Download offline Google Maps directions on your phone so that even when you lose service as you get closer to the park, you can still receive navigation.
The Best Time of Year To Get Married In Redwood National Park
Spring
Spring is one of the best times to visit the Redwood National Park, particularly between April and June. The greenery is so lush and vibrant, wildlife is abundant, and there are no crowds, until Memorial Day, at least. You may still experience a bit of rain during the Spring, but the tradeoff is totally worth it in my opinion, and if it gets foggy, the environment becomes even more surreal (and beautiful!).
Summer
I would personally avoid the Redwoods during the summer months. The crowds are at their absolute peak so lodging prices are much higher, there’s more traffic, and parking becomes limited. Plus, the mosquitos can be especially bad in the summer months as well and a lot of the forest dries out (there are even occasional forest fires), making it less vibrant. I’d never want to limit plans made in the name of romance, but all in all, there are just better times of the year to get married at this location.
Fall
Once the weather starts to cool, and summer crowds settle down, the Redwood National Park becomes an attractive option again. Prices for lodging and activities are way lower compared to peak season, and the beaches in the area are pretty empty, making it super serene! The rainy season begins in October, but usually at night time before November, making the chance of exchanging vows whilst keeping dry pretty high.
Winter
While the winter is rainy, with a 50/50 chance each day, it is an underrated time to visit! This is when the least amount of visitors will be in the park, and it can feel like it is just you and your loved ones in many spots. The trees help tremendously in blocking a lot of the waterfall, so don’t expect to be drenched, and it stays relatively mild. If you're not afraid of a little rain, this time of year can be absolutely magical, especially with the mixture of fog and gentle light.
Best Places To Elope In Redwood National Park
Due to the popularity of loved-up couples wanting to get married amongst the trees in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Redwood National Park has a list of pre-approved ceremony sites to choose from. This list will go through my personal favorites, but you can see all the approved ceremony locations here.
Other Redwoods Elopement Locations
California is home to so many parks that offer views of the infamous redwood trees! Check out my full California redwood guide to see all the potential places to elope among the giant trees. Below are some other popular options to see these glorious trees:
Can I Get Married Anywhere in the Redwoods?
There are a handful of popular locations that are completely off-limits for ceremonies like Fern Canyon, the James Irvine Trail, Stout Grove, and the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail. However, you can still take portraits in these locations afterwards — just no ceremonies!
You can get married in a different location than the ones listed as pre-approved ceremony sites (as long as it’s not one of the above spots). You can submit the location on a permit application, then it will go out for a 2-week review with the staff. Just be sure to reach out specifically to that location’s permit coordinator as rules and ceremony locations can be different for each park.
How To Get A Redwoods Elopement Permit
A “special use permit” is required for all weddings, elopements and vow exchanges held within Redwood National Park. Keep in mind that permits still allow other visitors to access the locations. Your permit will be for day-use only and it won’t be available during major holidays.
Obtaining a permit is super simple. Below are all the steps you need to go through to obtain a permit.
Choose your ceremony location from one of the pre-approved ceremony sites:
Crescent Beach Day Use - 20 participants (Oct 25th – May 1)
Crescent Beach Overlook - 20 participants (Oct 25th – May 1)
High Bluff Overlook - 20 participants
Lost Man Creek Gate - 20 participants
Berry Glen - 6 participants
Fill out the Special Use Application (include a specific location, date and time, group size, and number of vehicles) and email it to redw_special_use_permits@nps.gov.
Once they receive your application, they’ll send you an email to pay the application fee through Pay.gov. Application fees for the pre-approved locations are $100. (Note: Other locations within Redwood National Park can be selected, but they require a $200 application fee, staff review, and are subject to peak hour blackouts).
View the National Park Service website here for more information on flowers, decorations, photography, and music.
To apply to a State Park location, the process is slightly different. You’ll need to first select your preferred spot within Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, or Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park from the list below:
Templeman Grove - 20 participants
Organ Donor’s Grove - 20 participants
River Trail - 8 participants
Merriman Grove - 8 participants
Zig Zag #2 - 10 participants
Schmidt Grove - 20 participants
Prairie Creek Amphitheater - 20 participants (Oct 25th – May 1)
Note: You can choose other locations within these parks but you’ll need to ask about availability.
Once you’ve chosen one of the locations above, just follow the steps here to apply.
Pro Tip: All of my photography packages include permit assistance! If any of this information is confusing, reach out!
How To Get A California Marriage License
Understanding California's marriage laws is crucial when planning your elopement. Here are some key points to consider:
Marriage License
You must obtain a marriage license from a California county clerk's office. The license is valid immediately upon issuance and for 90 days.
Waiting Period
There is no waiting period once you obtain your marriage license, allowing you to elope on the same day if you choose. However, I always recommend arriving at your elopement location at least one full day in advance to get settled in and would advise picking up the marriage license beforehand for less stress and timeline purposes for your elopement day.
Officiant
Your ceremony must be conducted by a recognized officiant, such as a minister, priest, rabbi, or judge. Friends or family members can also become Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages for a Day through the county clerk's office. I am a recognized officiant in the state of California & offer to sign for my couples in addition to photographing their day if they so choose.
Witnesses
California requires at least one witness, in addition to the officiant, to sign the marriage license.
Just So You Know: I am an ordained officiant and can legally sign on your marriage certificate in most U.S. states. Certain states may require additional paperwork and/or processing fees but I’m happy to help! However, if you would like an actual celebrant to verbally walk you through a ceremony, I know some great people who can do that for you.
Where To Stay For Your Redwood National Park Elopement
The park itself is superrr spread out, so choosing where to stay will be heavily dependent on where you will elope. I recommend choosing your location before booking any lodging. These towns are the most popular places to stay when visiting the park:
Brookings, OR
Crescent City, CA
Arcata, Trinidad, & Eureka, CA
Redwoods Elopement Packages
I’m much more than a photographer, I’m someone who is super passionate about supporting couples on their big day, from scouting hidden gems for the ideal location, stress-free planning, and of course capturing raw, authentic moments. As a West Coast photographer specializing in adventure elopements, you’ll be in safe hands. So, are you ready to say yes to Redwoods?! More information on my packages below:
Packages
4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, or 2 Day elopement photography
A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
Personalized elopement location recommendation list
Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
Custom-built-for-you elopement timeline
Assistance to help you with permits and licenses
90+ page elopement planning guide with my best tips & tricks
Optional complimentary officiant services
Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
5-7 day sneak peeks
Travel fees to anywhere in California are already included
Starting at $7000
Video Add-Ons
For an extra special, immersive reminder of your special day, I now offer the following options for video add ons to your elopement packages:
Documentary style highlight reel
Super 8 film
Ceremony recording
BTS iPhone video content