Joshua Tree is a seriously majestic place for an elopement. As a California elopement photographer,  I may be biased, but honestly? It doesn’t get better than this place. I mean, the weather in California is gorgeous year-round, the park has a variety of STUNNING scenery, and your opportunities for style and design are basically endless! If a Joshua Tree elopement has been living rent-free in your brain, keep scrolling. This guide has all the legal stuff, pretty spots, and pro tips, so planning is as easy as possible!

Why Choose a Joshua Tree Elopement? 

It’s no surprise that Joshua Tree is super beautiful, but the reasons to opt for an elopement here go way beyond just that. Here are some of my top FAVORITE things about eloping at Joshua Tree National Park!:

• There are plenty of location options, no matter your style. The locations for a Joshua Tree elopement are basically endless, and there are plenty to choose from for any wedding vibe! I’ll give you some specific spots later, but just know that whether you’re going for that chic, editorial feel or that natural, boho feel, there’s for sure somewhere here for you. 
• You have the freedom to do literally whatever feels right! With wide open spaces, not having to please family or friends, and location options with different styles, you get to make your elopement all yours. My couples who elope seriously always end up with the smoothest, most effortless, STUNNING day! 
• You can get that destination wedding feel without worrying about travel fuss. There are so many spots here that are giving destination wedding, without having to deal with the stress of travel plans and TSA lines. Beautiful AND easy?! Sign me up.
• Every season is gorgeous. More on this later, but no matter what season you opt for for your Joshua Tree elopement, you’re gonna be framed by some beautiful scenery and colors. Honestly, Joshua Tree does all the work for you!!
• You love a boho wedding feel. An outdoor desert elopement isn’t going to be for everyone, but if that’s right up your alley, I LOVE that for you. And Joshua Tree? The most iconic place to do it. 
• It’s unique. Seriously, who else can say they got married with just the love of their life (and their photographer, hiiii!) around, in one of the most popular locations in the US?! It’s giving cool girl.

How to Plan a Joshua Tree Elopement 

Every good elopement needs a good plan, and I’m here to give you ALL the details. Find some commonly asked questions to learn how to elope in Joshua Tree!

The Steps to Eloping in Joshua Tree

There are two pretty simple legal steps you need to follow first when you’re planning your Joshua Tree elopement: 

1. Get your California marriage license! It’s valid for 90 days once you get it, so make sure to plan that with your wedding date.  After you get it, it’s valid for 90 days, so make sure you plan accordingly! You can do all the paperwork to register for your marriage license here (side note: Joshua Tree National Park is located in Riverside County and San Bernardino County).
2. Your second step is going to be applying for a special-use permit for the park. I’ve got you covered below with ALL the info you’ll need to know for that! 

Permitting: Everything to Know for Your Joshua Tree Elopement

I know, I know; this is the boring stuff that no one really wants to mess with, so I did all the research for ya. You’re welcome! 😉

So, a special use permit is required for ALL weddings anywhere inside the park. You will need to apply somewhere between twelve months and 15 days prior to your elopement date! Also, pro tip: make sure to bring your permit with you to your ceremony, they’ll need to see it! Luckily, this special use permit also allows photography and videography, so you won’t need a separate one for getting your day captured.

If you’re dreaming of a holiday wedding, Joshua Tree might not be your place. They unfortunately can’t approve applications for weddings on national holidays! 

You can apply for your permit right here. It costs $120, and can sometimes take up to 15 business days for them to review and get back to you (I know, the wait is gonna kill you!), so the sooner you apply, the better!

Can You Decorate for a Wedding in Joshua Tree? | What’s Allowed And What Isn’t

You CAN make your Joshua Tree elopement yours through design and decorating, there are just some specific rules to follow that are put in place to protect the park! 

What IS Allowed: 

• An arch for ceremony decor. Note that it must be free-standing, not one that gets placed into the ground! 
• A small table, for things like a guest book, or holding items during your ceremony.
• A cooler with water. Trust me, you’ll want this!
• Live or fake flowers, in your gorgeous color scheme!
• Battery-powered candles. No real flames, just to keep everything and everyone safe!
• A small runner (or a small rug), perfect to use as your aisle! 
• Cake, because, duh. 
• Champagne to celebrate, of course! 

What’s NOT Allowed:

• Loud music, microphones, or speakers, because there are other guests trying to enjoy their visit! 
• The release of objects. No butterflies, bird seed, rice, bubbles, or flower petals are allowed at a Joshua Tree elopement, so you’ve gotta get creative for a sendoff.
• Unattended food items. You don’t want to attract animals to your wedding site, trust me!
• Decorations like balloons or signage. Stick to the permitted items I listed above! 
• Furniture, although there is special consideration made for those with special needs. Make sure to list it in your permit application if that applies to you! 
• Anything that restricts visitor use or blocks the flow of traffic. Remember, this is a National Park, and there are going to be others there trying to enjoy the scenery. 
• Pets are not allowed on trails or paths in the park, but if you want one of your furry friends at your ceremony (love that for you), you can contact the Special Park Uses Office to inquire about it.
• Drones. We’ve gotta stick to the good old-fashioned handheld cameras! But of course, that’s no problem for me. We’ll still get you some crazy good pictures.
• Dried flowers, including Pampas Grass.
• Smoke bombs, sparklers, fireworks, or non-battery-powered candles. We gotta protect the gorgeous park! 

There are two main rules to follow for your Joshua Tree elopement: protect the area, and make it feel like you. You can for sure follow these rules (and Leave No Trace practices) and still design and celebrate a stunning wedding day.

Which Locations in Joshua Tree Are Allowed for Weddings?

Again, there are so many beautiful spots to host your ceremony at Joshua Tree National Park. However, when you’re doing your research, note that the locations are first-come, first-served, so if you submit your application and your ideal spot has already been taken, they’ll reach out to you to choose a new one! Luckily, you can’t go wrong with any of them, even if you are a little bit late in the game. 

Here are all of the Joshua Tree locations that you’re allowed to hold your wedding at:

Indian Cove Amphitheater

Indian Cove? Stunning. It’s a perfect neutral backdrop, and makes you the center of attention (as you should be). This area holds up to 100 people and only 1 vehicle, so you’ll most likely need to hire a shuttle for your guests if you choose this spot! Also note that Indian Cove Amphitheater is not available June 1-August 31, so don’t plan your summer wedding here! 

Hidden Valley Picnic Area

Hidden Valley is a space with those classic rock formations, and they make a truly perfect backdrop for your wedding. It’s better for a more intimate wedding, holding up to 35 people! It can also hold 8 cars, so there’s no shuttle needed this time.

Turkey Flats 

Turkey Flats might seriously be the most underrated spot for a Joshua Tree wedding. the intimacy of it all makes it feel like it’s just you two starting forever in a world alone! This space holds up to 35 people and 8 vehicles.

Cap Rock 

Okay… Cap Rock? Absolutely gorgeous. It’s more of those unique rock formations that you won’t find anywhere else, and this one holds up to 25 people and 8 vehicles. 

Rattlesnake Picnic Area 

My favorite part about this location is that the rocks form around you two perfectly. It’s giving main character energy, and makes for some crazy, unique photos. You can have up to 20 people and 8 vehicles for your wedding at Rattlesnake Picnic Area! 

Quail Springs Picnic Area 

If you want rock formations AND real Joshua trees, this is your spot. It’s so beautiful I’ll seriously never get over it. This one is a perfect spot for a super intimate wedding, holding 15 people and 8 cars.

Split Rock 

Split Rock is not only gorgeous, but also an iconic spot in Joshua Tree National Park. Another for couples who love a rocky background and an intimate wedding, holding no more than 15 people and 5 vehicles!

Porcupine Wash 

Porcupine Wash is also giving the open desert feel, and is perfect for an intimate wedding for the cool couple. This one holds up to just 12 guests and 4 cars!

Queen Valley Mine Intersection 

Now this one? Perfect for a boho wedding vibe. Neutral colors and gorgeous rocks make up this location, and my favorite part is that it only holds up to 10 people (and 5 cars), so it’s a super intimate spot!

Lost Horse Parking Lot 

Lost Horse is an old mine, bringing a feel of history and charm to your Joshua Tree elopement. It’s another great choice for an intimate wedding, holding 10 people and 5 vehicles! 

Live Oak Picnic Area 

Honestly, this one may be the most classic Joshua Tree wedding location. It’s got it all: sand, trees, and rocks. Plus, it’s super intimate, holding no more than 5 people and 3 vehicles! 

Each location to choose from for your Joshua Tree wedding is accessible by car, perfect to know if you or any of your guests have special needs! 

Another thing to note is that you do not get to reserve exclusive use of any of the locations. They’re all open to the public since it is a public national park. Don’t let this worry you, though. People are always SO nice and respectful during weddings here, in my experience as a California elopement photographer (who literally has seen it all)! 

A Sample Joshua Tree Elopement Timeline (Plus Entrance Rules and Tips!) 

First rule of wedding planning: Literally no wedding goes well without a good, solid timeline. It’s arguably the most important part of your day running smoothly! 

There’s a little bit extra that goes into planning your timeline for a national park elopement. With Joshua Tree specifically, they’ll use your preferred location to tell you what time(s) you’re able to hold your wedding there. They plan this based on the season and how busy the park is at that location at different times of the day! Also, you get two hours to do everything: set-up, the ceremony, your photos, and clean-up. I know that sounds super stressful, but with a good timeline and pros on your side (hi 😉), you can do it so effortlessly. 

Here is a sample timeline for a Joshua Tree wedding, and all the info you need to know to create your perfect one: 

4:00 pm: Arrive and set up your freakin’ beautiful decor

4:45 pm: Guest arrival, unless you’re eloping just the two of you, of course! Note that you two, each guest, and each vendor will have to pay the entrance fee of $15-$30 upon arrival. 

5:00 pm: Ceremony (yay!) 

5:15 pm: My personal fave: Photo timeee! 

Pro tip: Hire a coordinator so you can have someone breaking down and cleaning up while you’re taking photos, so that after that, you’re all done!

6:00 pm: Leave the park (the way you found it!)

And then, of course, it’s party time. The best part? This can look however you want it to. Are the two of you going to sneak away to have fried chicken at your fave date place? Love. Want more photos in a different location? I’m there. Throwing a bigger party after? Time to dance the night away! 

Best Time of Day (And Year!) to Elope in Joshua Tree

Again, Joshua Tree itself will mainly tell you when you are and aren’t allowed to host your ceremony, but if you get any say in it, right before sunset is beautiful! The light gets dreamy and the weather feels so mild, it feels like literal magic (and makes for some bomb photos, if I do say so myself). I personally love weddings that follow my sample 4:00 pm-6:00 pm timeline, because everything turns out SO gorgeous. 

And again, every season here? Unreal. You’ll get great weather year-round, with fall bringing you my personal ideal temperatures (I’m a fall girly at heart!), spring bringing you gorgeous blooming flowers, winter bringing you a cozy desert feel, and summer bringing you long days and beautiful sunshine. It’s honestly personal preference, and no matter what, I can help you plan a stunning day at Joshua Tree.

Can You Take Photos in a Different Spot Than Your Ceremony?

Yes! You can head to other approved locations in the park, just make sure you don’t intrude on anyone else’s wedding! I love doing this with my Joshua Tree elopement couples, because anything that adds variety to a gallery makes me so happy. 

Joshua Tree Elopement Ideas from Ashley and Ryan’s Boho Wedding

Okay, so if you didn’t want a Joshua Tree elopement before, Ashley and Ryan’s wedding is going to give you all the feels (and wonder why you haven’t decided on it sooner). These two brought boho and chic together seamlessly, which 100% gives that classic Joshua Tree wedding feel, that seems like it popped right off of your Pinterest board into real life. 

They did it all right: a neutral color palette, boho wedding outfits (of my actual dreams), and being SO in love that there was no way I could capture anything less than these stinkin’ adorable photos. Are these photos giving Pinterest-perfect or WHAT?! 😍

Grace Thao | California Elopement Photographer

Sooo… I’ll see you in Joshua Tree? But really, having me on your side for your Joshua Tree elopement means that I’ll help you every step of the way. All the hard, boring, legal stuff? I’ll help make it fun (and easy). Planning your design? I’m your new right-hand man. Show me everything! And yes, I’ll help you decide which flowers to include in your bouquet! 

If you’re looking for your biggest hype girl who also happens to capture your love authentically and nostalgically, I’m your girl. You can inquire about booking me right here, and make sure to check out these other elopements and intimate weddings while you’re here!:

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