By Joel Reyes, California Elopement Photographer
Last updated: March 2026
Yosemite National Park requires a permit for all weddings and ceremonies, including elopements with no guests. The permit process is straightforward but has specific rules you need to follow. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Do You Need a Permit?
Yes. Any ceremony, vow exchange, or organized event in Yosemite requires a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service. This applies even if it’s just the two of you and your photographer.
What counts as a ceremony: Any organized gathering for a wedding, vow exchange, or commitment ceremony. If you’re setting up any kind of ceremony (even standing in a specific spot and reading vows), you need a permit.
What doesn’t require a permit: Spontaneous, unplanned moments. But if you’ve hired a photographer, brought an officiant, or planned a specific ceremony at a specific time and place, that’s organized and requires a permit.
How to Apply
Application: Submit the Special Use Permit application to the Yosemite Special Park Uses office.
Contact:
Yosemite Special Park Uses
Phone: (209) 379-1796
Email: yose_specialparkuses@nps.gov
Timeline: Apply at least 2 to 3 months before your elopement date. Peak season dates (May through October) should be applied for 4 to 6 months in advance.
Fee: $150 for the permit (as of 2026; fees may change). This covers a ceremony of up to 2 hours.
Permit Rules and Restrictions
Group size: Standard elopement permits allow a small group. Larger weddings (50+ guests) have additional requirements and fees.
Designated locations: The NPS may designate specific ceremony sites. Popular permitted locations include:
- Cathedral Beach
- Swinging Bridge
- Sentinel Beach
- El Capitan Meadow
- Valley View
Not permitted: Ceremonies on the rim (Glacier Point, Taft Point) may be restricted or require additional approval. Ask specifically when applying.
Amplified music: Not allowed.
Decorations: No decorations that alter the natural setting. No arches attached to trees, no flower petals scattered on the ground, no confetti or rice.
Chairs: A small number of chairs may be allowed depending on the location. Confirm with the permit office.
Duration: Ceremonies are typically limited to 1 to 2 hours including setup and cleanup.
Timing Your Ceremony
Weekdays are significantly easier for permits and fewer crowds.
Early morning (before 9 AM) offers the best light and fewest tourists.
Sunset is popular but busier. El Capitan Meadow at sunset is stunning but you’ll share the space with dozens of other photographers and visitors.
What If You Don’t Get a Permit?
Rangers patrol popular areas and do check for unpermitted ceremonies. Getting caught without a permit can result in fines and the ceremony being stopped. It’s not worth the risk. Get the permit.
Combining Permitted and Non-Permitted Activities
Here’s how I structure a Yosemite elopement day:
Morning (permitted): Ceremony at a designated Valley location (Cathedral Beach, Swinging Bridge).
Midday: Portraits throughout the Valley. Walking around with a photographer is not a ceremony and doesn’t require a separate permit.
Afternoon: Drive to Glacier Point or hike to Taft Point for adventure portraits (not a ceremony, so no additional permit needed).
Sunset: Return to the Valley or capture sunset from the high viewpoints.
The permit covers the ceremony itself. Portraits at other locations throughout the day are simply photography in a national park, which is allowed.
[Plan Your Yosemite Elopement →]
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