National Park Elopement Permit Finder by State

A Zion wedding Special Use Permit costs $100, and you must apply at least three weeks (21 days) before your ceremony date. Source: National Park Service, nps.gov/zion.

A Yosemite wedding Special Use Permit costs $150 (non-refundable), plus $50/hour if NPS staff monitoring is required. Apply up to a year ahead but no later than 21 days before your date. Source: nps.gov/yose.

In nearly every US national park, yes - a Special Use Permit is required for any wedding or commitment ceremony, regardless of group size, even if it's just the two of you. The fee, application window, and approved locations are set individually by each park.

It varies by park. Joshua Tree requires applications at least 15 business days before your date; Zion requires at least three weeks (21 days); Yosemite allows applications up to a year ahead but no later than 21 days before. Processing itself commonly takes one to three weeks depending on season, so applying as early as your date is confirmed is the safest approach.

In most states, no - an authorized officiant must sign your license. Colorado and Washington, D.C. are the two places that allow full self-solemnization with no conditions: the couple alone can sign the marriage license, no officiant or witnesses required. A few other states allow limited self-solemnization under specific circumstances (such as a religious exemption) - check your specific state before assuming this applies.

There's no single "best" month nationally - it depends entirely on the region. Desert parks like Joshua Tree are far more comfortable in spring and fall than in peak summer heat; high-elevation parks like Zion and Rocky Mountain see snow and road closures in winter; the Pacific Northwest is greener but wetter outside summer. Match the season to the specific park's climate rather than a general date.