Guide to a Joshua Tree National Park Elopement
There is truly not another spot in the country quite like Joshua Tree National Park. There’s nowhere else you’ll find such a large concentration of the bizarre trees this park is known for, and it can feel like you’re stepping onto another planet. If you’re hoping for a dramatic desert wedding with the coolest vibes you can imagine, then a Joshua Tree elopement is right for you. Here, I’ve rounded up some general information you need to know – from how to get your permits to what kind of fun activities you can do with your person during your wedding week.
While I haven’t yet been to Joshua Tree it’s popular for a reason, there is just no where else like it and I think would make an epic backdrop for an adventurous wedding day! With my wedding/travel experience I created this guide to help jumpstart your own research but as always, my best suggestion is to hire a local wedding planner or a planner with experience in Joshua Tree who can help with the nitty gritty logistical details specific to the area. You’ll enjoy your day more and I’ll focus on getting you epic wedding photos!
About Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the more recent parks to be added to the NPS collection. It was upgraded to a national park in 1996 and covers 800,000 of desert terrain about 3 hours east of Los Angeles. The high desert is a favorite destination for city dwellers to get away from the hustle and bustle of LA – yes, even the stars! Nearby Palm Springs was a big-time hangout for celebs in the Hollywood glamour era, and it still retains that retro charm.
As for the park, its highlight is the collection of signature trees it is known for. Joshua trees supposedly got their name from Mormon settlers who thought the trees’ arms resembled the Biblical character of Joshua guiding travelers to the West. As famous as the trees are though, they’re not the only thing you’ll find in the desert. The park is also lined with mountains on the horizon and dotted with rock formations that look like giant stacks of sand-colored boulders. The landscape is otherworldly, making it the perfect spot for a dreamy elopement.
When to plan a Joshua Tree National Park elopement
I love Joshua Tree as an option for an elopement during the months that other national parks are too cold or limited due to winter weather! While you can get snow in Joshua Tree and the nighttime desert temps can plunge, it’s much better weather compared to other locales in the winter. In the summertime, the desert can be a little too sweltering hot for doing much adventuring, so it’s probably best to avoid it for an elopement in the heat of the summer. Your sweet spot for weather is early spring or late fall, but keep in mind these can tend to be busy times for the park as well!
How to legally elope in Joshua Tree
The paperwork may not be the most fun part of planning your Joshua Tree elopement, but it has to get done. Here are the details on what you need. *Be sure to check for updated policies!
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California’s marriage licenses are pretty interesting! They actually have two different types: a public marriage license and a confidential marriage license. The public one is similar to marriage licenses in most states. It’s public record, generally the cheapest and most common. A confidential one is for couples who want to be the only ones who can obtain information about the marriage or order a certified copy of the marriage certificate. One caveat: you have to be living together before marriage to apply for this one. Both are valid for 90 days once you pick it up. Be aware that marriage licenses cost different amounts in California based on where you pick yours up! It can cost anywhere from $60-110. A tip: pick up your marriage license from the San Bernadino Clerk of Court on your way out to the desert to save money rather than picking it up from Palm Springs!
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In California, you’re required to have an officiant and two witnesses for your ceremony. If you need an officiant – my husband can do it! And I can be a witness so we only need one more!
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In order to get married in any national park, you’ll need a permit. Joshua Tree is no different. For a wedding in Joshua Tree, you’ll need a special use permit. This permit is $120 and allows you to get married inside the park at one of a few designated areas. You’ll have to list which area you pick on your permit! In the next section, I’ll list your options. Keep in mind there are a few restrictions on what you can/cannot bring into the park for your ceremony. For example, dried flowers are NOT allowed in the park, but you are able to bring a freestanding arch. Head to Joshua Tree’s website for more details.
Best locations for a Joshua Tree National Park elopement
Joshua Tree National Park designates certain areas inside the park for special uses and ceremonies. Each one is unique and has a certain capacity and number of vehicles allowed. I’ve listed all your options below and what sets each apart!
Indian Cove Amphitheater
Capacity: 100 people
Vehicles allowed: 1
This is the one spot in Joshua Tree National Park where you’ll find a setup with amphitheater-style bench seating. There’s a structure at the front of the amphitheater with a backdrop of majestic rock formations. If you’re looking for a more traditional wedding setup but in the outdoors, this is the spot for you! The upside here is that it’s great for a bigger group, but the downside is that you have to shuttle guests in and out because your group is only allowed to park one vehicle on site. Note that this area is located inside its own entrance along Indian Cove Road near Twentynine Palms.
Hidden Valley Picnic Area
Capacity: 35 people
Vehicles allowed: 8
This picnic area is a short walk from the Hidden Valley Nature Trail Trailhead. The rock formations here are beautiful, but there aren’t as many Joshua trees in this particular spot. It’s close to the paved parking lot though, so it’s great for a Joshua Tree National Park elopement where you don’t want to do a lot of hiking in your wedding clothes.
Turkey Flats
Capacity: 35 people
Vehicles allowed: 8
If you’re looking for a stark, flat desert landscape with mountains lining the distant horizon, Turkey Flats is the spot for your Joshua Tree National Park elopement. It’s deeper into the park than some of the other destinations, but it’s not far from big-time landmarks like Skull Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden. While you can’t hold your ceremony at either of those places, they’re great to visit while you’re in the park.
Cap Rock
Capacity: 25 people
Vehicles allowed: 8
Cap Rock is a great spot if you’re looking for a good mix of rock formations and plentiful Joshua trees! It’s named for the notable rock formation here and features a loop trail that’s about a half mile long. It’s super easy to get to, making it ideal for couples or guests who don’t want to do too much walking.
Rattlesnake Picnic Area
Capacity: 20 people
Vehicles allowed: 8
Like Indian Cove Amphitheater, this spot is also located inside the North Entrance near Twentynine Palms. It’s at the mouth of Rattlesnake Canyon, an impressive collection of boulders that you can explore with a 2.6 mile hike. The hike is considered challenging, but you don’t have to complete the whole hike for your wedding photos – but if your favorite thing about Joshua Tree is the unique rock formations, this is a great spot for you.
Quail Springs Picnic Area
Capacity: 15 people
Vehicles allowed: 8
Quail Springs is the most accessible permit spot from Joshua Tree town. It’s the first picnic area you’ll arrive at when you enter from the West Entrance, and here you’ll find massive boulders and some of the park’s famous trees. It’s popular with rock climbers and can fill up quickly because it’s so easy to access, so if you choose this spot I recommend a sunrise ceremony.
Split Rock
Capacity: 15 people
Vehicles allowed: 5
This spot is named for the most prominent rock formation here that looks like a giant boulder has been sliced down the middle. It also features large boulders, some Joshua trees and a 2.5 mile loop. It’s nearby to Skull Rock, arguably one of the most well-known spots in Joshua Tree!
Porcupine Wash
Capacity: 12 people
Vehicles allowed: 4
A wash is a creek bed that’s dry most of the time, so you’ll find a bit more of a stark landscape around here. This spot is best accessed from the South Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. It may not be ideal for you if you are staying near Joshua Tree, but if you’re staying in Palm Springs, Palm Desert or La Quinta, it could work.
Queen Valley Mine Intersection
Capacity: 10 people
Vehicles allowed: 5
This spot is located in the central region of the park, which makes it a little harder to get to – but it is less crowded and more remote if seclusion is important to you!
Lost Horse Parking Lot
Capacity: 10 people
Vehicles allowed: 5
With this option, you can hold your ceremony at the trailhead for Lost Horse Loop, the 6.5 mile loop that takes you past Lost Horse Mine, an old gold mine. While the mine is definitely the most exciting thing to see around this area, there are some Joshua trees around the parking lot.
Live Oak Picnic Area
Capacity: 5 people
Vehicles allowed: 3
Just across from Split Rock, which I mentioned earlier, you’ll find this picnic area. It features picnic tables nestled into rock formations and is a great choice if it’s just you, your partner, your officiant, a witness and me for the ceremony! Like Split Rock, it’s very close to the popular Skull Rock formation.
A venue in Joshua Tree
While the ones I’ve already listed are the spots you’re allowed to reserve on your permit for your Joshua Tree elopement, you could opt to get married at a nearby venue and just take your photos inside the park! From The Morada to Sacred Sands, there are some gorgeous Joshua Tree wedding venues – in fact, I wrote a whole blog about them!
An Airbnb
Joshua Tree is chock-full of incredible, one-of-a-kind Airbnbs. However, an Airbnb elopement in Joshua Tree is ONLY an option if your entire group is going to be 12 people or less! Yes, that includes daytime visitors, not just guests who are staying overnight. That’s because of local ordinances in San Bernardino County that prevent large gatherings at short term rentals. If you group is going to be larger than this, then you will need to reserve a permitted venue, or get a permit for a spot inside the park. If your group is small enough, you will still need to get permission from your Airbnb host to hold your elopement or reception there!
Where to stay for a Joshua Tree National Park elopement
There are SO many places for chic and trendy lodgings for your Joshua Tree elopement. There are two main areas to stay: you can either stay in the desert close to the park, or you can stay in the Palm Springs area, where there’s lots more options when it comes to hotels and restaurants. If you don’t mind driving an hour or so into the park, there are tons of cute hotels and remodeled motels in Palm Springs. If you’d rather be close to the action and feel a little more secluded, choose from one of these lodging options in Joshua Tree – or one of the abundant Airbnb options in the desert!
Pioneertown Motel – upscale Wild West style lodgings in an old film set
Autocamp Joshua Tree – trendy collection of renovated Airstreams for luxe glamping
Ramsey 29 – modernized 1940s motel in Twentynine Palms
Wander Joshua Tree – gorgeous vacation home with hotel-like amenities
The Invisible House – you’ve probably seen these mirrored walls on Instagram
Le Chacuel – another insta famous spot with chic white minimalism
Whisper Rock Ranch – modern home highlighted by patio with pool and views
Seven Arches – Spanish ranch home with iconic 7 arches out front
Parker Palm Springs – this is the IT hotel in Palm Springs. It’s pricey but gorgeous!
Casa Cody Palm Springs – luxe boutique hotel with a Mediterranean vibe
Les Cactus Palm Springs – cute retro pink hotel
Korakia Palm Springs – collection of gorgeous villas with great design
Tip: Joshua Tree is jam-packed with adorable, affordable Airbnbs with fun ameneities like saunas or hot tubs with a view. It isn’t hard to find a good one in this area!
Things to do when you elope in Joshua Tree
There’s so much to explore inside the park! But it’s also an area that has plenty of fun activities to take part in as well. Whether you’re into a bougie meal or an adventurous new sport, there’s something for you in the high desert.
Food
I’ve split this into two categories: restaurants in the desert near the park, and restaurants in Palm Springs. Joshua Tree is more rustic and rugged, while Palm Springs is more retro and scene-y. Both are fun!
Desert
Mara 29 Palms – local spot with seasonal fare in Twentynine Palms
Kitchen in the Desert – delicious food and cool outdoor vibes in Twentynine Palms
Joshua Tree Coffee Co. – hip coffee joint in downtown Joshua Tree
Natural Sisters Café – great quick stop for healthy food in Joshua Tree
Pappy and Harriet’s – old timey Western spot in Pioneertown
Palm Springs
Tac/Quila – trendy taco spot with great margaritas
Workshop Kitchen & Bar – farmers market style food in chic, modern digs
Farm – French-inspired dishes with gorgeous outdoor garden seating
Bar Cecil – posh bar by the team behind Sparrows Lodge and Holiday House hotels
Mr. Lyons – upscale steakhouse that’s an ode to the Rat Pack days
Norma’s – bright, mod vibes at the luxe Parker Palm Springs hotel
Activities
Explore Cholla Cactus Garden or Skull Rock – while you can’t hold your ceremony in either of these spots, you have to stop here while you’re in the park! They’re iconic.
Hire a rock climbing guide through Joshua Tree Uprising – if there’s one thing Joshua Tree is known for besides the trees, it’s being a rock climbing destination. It’s a great place for beginners because there are lots of smaller formations to learn on!
Go on a Hummer tour of the park with Adventure Hummer Tours – Joshua Tree is vast and there’s so much to explore. Go off-road and see one of the biggest forests of Joshua trees in the park with a Hummer tour – it’s only accessible via off-road driving!
Get spa treatments in your Airbnb from Grounded Bodyworks – there’s no doubt the desert has all the zen vibes. Lean into it and bring a massage therapist to your Airbnb for a private session.
Take a private yoga class with Untamed Yoga Studio – yet another way to embrace all the good vibes in the desert! Hard to imagine a better setting for yoga.
Go stargazing with Joshua Tree Excursions – Joshua Tree is a Dark Sky Park which means there’s so little light pollution, the night sky is absolutely incredible! Hire a guide to tell you exactly what you’re looking at.
Go horseback riding at Knob Hill Ranch – cover more ground and get into the Wild West spirit with a horseback riding tour together!
Let me help you elope in Joshua Tree
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to head to Joshua Tree RIGHT NOW! Does this sound like the perfect wedding day to you?! If a Joshua Tree elopement is up your alley, let’s take some epic photos there showcasing your love! And have a blast exploring with your person while you’re at it.