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Desert lovers, this one’s for you: welcome to my Joshua Tree elopement guide, where I’m about to dive into all things JT elopements! I’m covering the key details you’ll want to know when it comes to planning an elopement in Joshua Tree National Park, including the most epic locations for your ceremony, step-by-step instructions on how to get the proper permit, the most romantic glamping options nearby, and more. Pack your sunscreen and grab your water bottles, because it’s time to head into the vast desert of southern California!

Where is Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree National Park is one of many national parks in California, located in the southern part of the state about 3 hours east of Los Angeles and 1 hour east of Palm Springs. Now it’s not just home to one desert ecosystem but two, with both the Mojave and the Colorado desert coming together to form a vast desert landscape that draws tons and tons of visitors every year. With how easy it is to get to Joshua Tree from popular vacation spots like Palm Springs, it’s become an iconic California national park and makes for such a great day trip from nearby cities, as well as a great place to visit on its own! The closest airport to Joshua Tree is the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), but you could also fly into LAX and drive from there if you really wanted to spend some time in the big city.

I always love learning about the ecosystems and geological features of the national parks I visit, and many of my couples do as well—so here are three few fun facts about the ecosystem of Joshua Tree:

  1. The park has nearly 800,000 acres of diverse landscapes including sand dunes, valleys, dry lakes, desert oases, granite monoliths, and mountains.
  2. The geology of the park has been formed over the years due to the effects of plate tectonics, volcanism, and erosion.
  3. The soil of Joshua Tree has something called cryptobiotic crusts, which are essesntialy living biotic organisms hidden in the surface of the soils! They’re super important to the health of the desert environment, so we can protect these organisms by staying on designated trails and only driving on approved roads throughout the park.

Why Elope in Joshua Tree

There’s a reason over three million people visit Joshua Tree every year—the combination of the expansive desert vistas, sun-drenched days, diversity of wildlife, iconic Joshua trees, and a fascinating history make it a must-see for anybody visiting southern California.

One of the main draws of Joshua Tree is the massive boulder formations that have become an iconic part of the landscape, which have been sculpted over many years due to erosion and weathering processes in the arid conditions of the desert. These rocks now offer around 8,000 established climbing routes and 2,000 bouldering problems (another word for a sequence of moves in a climbing route), making it one of the most popular climbing destinations in the country for climbers. You know I love a good climb, so this is one of my favorite parts of Joshua Tree 🙂 

If you’re intrigued by the idea of adding a rock climbing adventure into your elopement experience, you won’t want to msis my Complete Guide to Planning a Rock Climbing Elopement!

Aside from climbing, Joshua Tree boasts approximately 300 miles of hiking trails, nine developed campgrounds, wildflower fields in the spring, dirt and paved bike trails, horseback riding, wilderness backpacking, endless miles of backcountry roads, and absolutely incredible stargazing opportunities. It’s safe to say that you won’t ever run out of epic things to do during your time in Joshua Tree, whether you’re more of a thrill-seeker and adventurer at heart who’s ready to take a 4×4 tour and camp beneath the night sky, or you’d rather enjoy the views via a laid-back horseback ride before heading back to your glamping resort. See why it’s become such an amazing and sought-after elopement location in SoCal?

FAQ’s About Eloping in Joshua Tree

Can you get married in Joshua Tree?

You betcha! Once you get your Special Use Permit through the NPS, you’re able to get married in Joshua Tree National Park. But more on that in a little bit!

Where can you get married in Joshua Tree?

Due to the insane amount of permit requests that Joshua Tree receives every year, as well as the increasing amount of couples that want to elope in the park, they’ve created a specific list of designated elopement locations where ceremonies are permitted.

Below are each of the locations where you can get married in Joshua Tree, each with its own maximum guest and vehicle capacity:

—Indian Cove Amphitheater: 100 people, 1 vehicle

—Hidden Valley Picnic Area: 35 people, 8 vehicles

—Turkey Flats: 35 people, 8 vehicles

—Cap Rock: 25 people, 8 vehicles

—Rattlesnake Picnic Area: 20 people, 8 vehicles

—Quail Springs Picnic Area: 15 people, 8 vehicles

—Split Rock: 15 people, 5 vehicles

—Porcupine Wash: 12 people, 4 vehicles

—Queen Valley Mine Intersection: 10 people, 5 vehicles

—Lost Horse Parking Lot: 10 people, 5 vehicles

—Live Oak Picnic Area: 5 people, 3 vehicles

Note that you are able to take portraits in other areas of the park outside of these locations, as long as you follow the rules and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Are dogs allowed in Joshua Tree?

Unfortunately pets aren’t allowed on any of the hiking trails in Joshua Tree; they can only be within 100 feet of a road, on a leash, so you’ll be pretty limited if you want to bring any furry friends to your elopement. I’d recommend bringing some sort of way to celebrate with them in spirit, instead, such as a cute photo or portrait, or even vow books with their paw prints on the outsides!

Do you need permits to elope in Joshua Tree?

Yes; to elope in Joshua Tree, you’ll need a wedding Special Use Permit, an entrance pass, and potentially a Commercial Use Authorization for your photographer.

Does Joshua Tree have an entrance fee?

Indeed! You must have an entrance pass to get into Joshua Tree National Park, whether it be a standard pass, an annual pass, or an America the Beautiful Pass. The standard pass costs $30 and is valid for one private vehicle for 7 consecutive days, whereas the annual pass costs $55 and is valid for an entire year. If you visit national parks often, you may already have an America the Beautiful Pass, which allows you entry into most national parks & federal recreation sites; if not, I highly recommend getting one, as the $80 price will save you a ton of money over time!

Best Time to Elope in Joshua Tree

What is the best time of year to elope in Joshua Tree?

I would say that Joshua Tree is a pretty amazing elopement location for the majority of the year, minus the summer months because, well, it is a desert—and it gets HOT. Highs in the summer tend to be over 100°F with lows only dropping into the mid-70s, which is not great weather for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and climbing.

That’s why I’d recommend eloping in Joshua Tree in either the spring, fall, or winter, when temperatures are cooler and much more bearable for long periods of outdoor adventure & exploration! Spring is typically the busiest time of year in Joshua Tree, especially on holidays, so keep that in mind if you’re leaning toward a spring elopement. Temps are super comfortable in the spring and fall, ranging from around 70-85°F highs and 50°F lows; pretty ideal hiking weather, if you ask me! Winter highs are usually around 60°F and get to below freezing at night, so the daytime temperatures are still super doable but definitely on the chillier side, especially if you stay out late or get up early in the morning. You can monitor the Joshua Tree weather forecast here!

If you prefer to hike or be outdoors when it’s cooler, you may opt for an early morning or later evening excursion into the desert; if you’d rather enjoy the sunshine, you can stay out during the day. It’s totally up to you—altough I would say that I’m rather biased toward sunrise and sunset in the desert 😉 But I’m getting ahead of myself here!

What is the best time of day to elope in Joshua Tree?

Sunrise or sunset, without a doubt. The way the sun looks over the desert horizon as it rises and sets, casting shades of orange, yellow, pink, and even purple over the Joshua trees and the golden-brown rocks is an absolute dream. A golden hour ceremony is definitely the way to go if you can time it right!

Some of the best places to watch sunrise and sunset in Joshua Tree include, although you really can’t go wrong watching from anywhere in the park:

6 Best Places to Elope in Joshua Tree

1. Cap Rock

Cap Rock is by far one of the most iconic spots in all of Joshua Tree, located in the central part of the park near the north end of Keys View Road. It’s most known for its towering rock formations, abundance of Joshua trees, and easily-accessible nature trails made up of flat dirt and gravel—making it a super great place to elope if you don’t want to hike, or if anybody in your group has limited mobility (although the 0.4-mile-long trail is dirt, and may not be suitable for many wheelchairs). You’ll also have a picnic area ot enjoy with grills, restrooms, and plenty of parking, so you can easily enjoy the views from the comfort of a picnic table OR head out on the quick nature trail for a little extra fun! Cap Rock can accommodate up to 25 people and 8 vehicles for weddings. 

2. Split Rock

Located near Twentynine Palms, Split Rock Loop is another uber-popular trail in Joshua Tree thanks to its easy level of difficulty, giant rock formations, abundance of wildlife, and, of course, stunning desert landscapes. You can take the 2.4-mile loop in either direction, and you’ll also have the chance to take an extra little side trip to see Face Rock & Split Rock themselves! The hike will only take you a little over an hour, and if you can time it right to watch the sunrise or sunset from this spot, man are the colors gorgeous over the boulders. And fun fact: in the winter, Split Rock Loop even gets a little bit of snow due to its higher elevation, as well as beautiful wildflowers in the spring that you can look out for! Split Rock has space for up to 15 people and 5 vehicles.

3. Turkey Flats

If you drive along Pinto Basin Road, one of the best stops to take in the panoramic views of the expansive desert landscapes is Turkey Flats, a wedding location that can fit up to 35 people and 8 vehicles. Simply park your car in the parking area, step out, and you’ll be met with wide-open views of both the lower elevations and higher elevations of the park, including the nearly 4,000-feet-tall Pinto Mountain in the distance. This is also an incredible spot to go stargazing thanks to its more remote, secluded location and very dark skies, so 10/10 recommend coming to this spot after dark to look up at the magical night sky!

4. Hidden Valley

Popular amongst families due to its easy loop trail and wildlife (both plant and animal), Hidden Valley is a great elopement location IF you can get there early enough to beat the crowds. The parking lot can get crazy busy especially on weekends and during holidays, so sunrise would  be a great option if you want to check out the 1-mile loop hike! Just make sure you download a map in advance & bring lots of water, as there’s little cell service along this trail and it can get hot in the summer without any shade. The picnic area has a maximum group size of 35 people for weddings, and the parking lot has room for up to 8 vehicles.

5. Quail Springs

Quail Springs is a cozy little picnic area along Park Boulevard, right near the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, with picnic tables, grills, and all sorts of trees, shrubs, and rock formations. This is one of the smaller elopement locations in the park, with room for only 15 people, but it still can accommodate up to 8 vehicles. If you’d like to make an extra adventure out of it, you can take the challenging 9.1-mile hike along Quail Springs Historic Trail, Quail Walsh, and Bigfoot Trail!

6. Indian Cove

You’ll see Indian Cove again later in the camping section of this guide, as it’s actually one of the most popular campgrounds in the park. Located on the north side of the Wonderland of Rocks, Indian Cove is a spacious campground enclosed by rock formations with tons of mature Mojave yuccas, spring wildflowers, and plenty of tree shrubs. This is a great spot for larger weddings, as the Indian Cove Amphitheater can actually fit up to 100 people—but you should note that you’ll need to hire a shuttle to get your guests to the amphitheater, as there is only room for 1 vehicle!

I did want to also include some of the best trails in Joshua Tree National Park, as well, even though you can’t have your ceremony along any of them! Below are a few of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree, ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging:

Arch Rock Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 1.2 mi

Elevation gain: 88 ft 

Trail type: Out & back

Barker Dam

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 1.3 mi

Elevation gain: 59 ft 

Trail type: Loop

Skull Rock

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 1.7 mi

Elevation gain: 174 ft

Trail type: Loop

Heart Rock & Arch Rock via Arch Rock Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 1.7 mi

Elevation gain: 108 ft 

Trail type: Out & back

Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 3.1 mi

Elevation gain: 636 ft 

Trail type: Out & back

Lost Palms Oasis

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 7.1 mi

Elevation gain: 1,046 ft 

Trail type: Out & back

Legalities of Eloping in Joshua Tree

Next, let’s talk permits and legal stuff! In order to get legally married in Joshua Tree National Park with any type of ceremony or vow exchange, you’ll need to have three things:

  1. A Special Use Permit
  2. A park entrance pass
  3. A California marriage license

Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Permits

First and foremost is a Special Use Permit, as this is likely what you’ll need to get the furthest in advance. Joshua Tree National Park accepts permit applications between 15 days and 12 months ahead of your desired date, but it’s best to apply as early as possible to ensure that the park has enough time to process your application, and discuss the details of your elopement with you. The NPS site says that it may take 15+ business days to review your permit application, but this really depends on the time of year and the demand they have for permits!

The Special Use Permit permit grants you use of a designated wedding location within Joshua Tree National Park for 2 consecutive hours—though not exclusive use; other visitors will still be allowed anywhere they would normally be—during which you’ll need to fit your setup, guest arrival, ceremony, photos, and cleanup. This is important to keep in mind not only because you’ll need to plan your timeline accordingly, but also because Joshua Tree only permits one wedding at a time per location, so you need to stay within your timeframe!

Here’s how to get your Joshua Tree National Park Wedding Special Use Permit:

  1. Complete this application
  2. Email your application to jotr_permit_office@nps.gov 
  3. Pay the $120 non-refundable application fee upon receiving instructions from the park office
  4. Wait for your request to be approved, and to be issued a permit
  5. Sign and return your permit to the park for final approval
  6. Bring your permit with you on your elopement day

Remember that when filling out your application, you’ll need to include any items you’d like to set up for your ceremony for consideration by the park. This may include items such as:

  • Free-standing arches
  • A small table
  • Lie or fake flowers
  • A small rug
  • Cake
  • Champagne

Items that are NOT allowed for your ceremony include the following:

  • Decorations
  • Furniture
  • Pets
  • Drones
  • Dried flowers (including pampas grass)
  • Bubbles
  • Smoke bombs
  • Sparklers

For a full list of approved items, check out the NPS permit page here.

Joshua Tree National Park Entrance Fees

Like I mentioned earlier in this guide, your permit won’t waive the standard park entrance fees, so you’ll still need a pass of some sort in order to get into the park: either a standard private vehicle entry pass, an annual park pass, or an America the Beautiful Pass, all of which you can purchase via this website.

California Marriage Laws + Licenses

Finally, you’ll need a California marriage license if you want to legally get married in the state of California! You must be at least 18 years old and have at least one witness present at your ceremony in order for it to be valid. Once you have your license, there’s no waiting period, so you can use it whenever you’d like, as long as it’s within the 90 day validity period—otherwise it’ll expire, and you’ll have to get a new one. 

While Joshua Tree National Park is part of Riverside County as well as San Bernardino County, you can actually get your license through ANY county and it’ll be valid anywhere in California. To apply for a marriage license in Riverside County, you’ll need to fill out this online application and pay a $100 license fee. For San Bernardino County, you can fill out this application, schedule an in-person appointment and pay an $89 fee. 

Best Places to Stay Near Joshua Tree

One thing to know about Joshua Tree is that it’s an absolute hot spot for cozy, eclectic Airbnbs of all sorts! Because of the fast-growing popularity of the area for vacationers, demand for short-term rentals have skyrocketed in recent years, making it so that you have an enormous selection of highly-rated places to stay whether you’re looking for a boho desert cabin, a luxurious villa with a pool and hot tub, an upscale camper van, or a glamping yurt underneat the stars. Below, I’ve narrowed down a few of the top Airbnbs, hotels, resorts, glamping spots, and campsites in the Joshua Tree area that would be fabulous for your elopement!

Best Joshua Tree Airbnbs

Best Joshua Tree Hotels/Resorts

Best Joshua Tree Glamping

Best Joshua Tree Campsites

Joshua Tree Elopement Photographer

Did someone say Joshua Tree elopement photographer? That’s me! I’m Marla, a photographer, storyteller, and artist here to capture your best moments on your best day ever. If you’re feeling super excited by the idea of eloping in Joshua Tree among the towering boulders, the Joshua trees, and the barren desert landscapes, I’d love to help you plan your dream experience and make sure it all goes smoothly so you can enjoy every single moment. If you’re ready to take that first step and get to dreaming & scheming, contact me here and let’s get this party started!

If you’re loving the desert vibes and are still considering other locations besides Joshua Tree, might I suggest eloping in the breathtaking deserts of Utah? I’ve got a couple of killer Utah elopement guides below that you’ll definitely want to check out!

Ultimate Utah Elopement Guide — How to Elope in Utah

How to Elope in Moab in 2023-2024 | Complete Planning Guide

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