Table of Contents:
- Get to Know Sequoia National Park
- Sequoia National Park Elopement FAQ’s
- Where to Elope at Sequoia National Park
- Best Time of Year to Elope at Sequoia National Park
- Sequoia National Park Wedding & Elopement Permits
- How to Get Your California Marriage License
- Where to Stay for Your Sequoia National Park Elopement
- Sequoia National Park Elopement Packages
Ohhh Sequoia, land of the world’s coolest trees that make you feel completely insignificant in comparison to the massive giants around you. What better place to elope, am I right?? Idk about you, but when I picture outdoor adventure elopements, I picture eloping in an epic place that leaves you feeling so awe-struck that you start rethinking everything about your life and realizing how beautiful the world is. And if you’re looking for a place in central California to do it, then a Sequoia National Park elopement might be perfect for ya! Throughout this guide you’ll be learning everything there is to know about eloping in Sequoia National Park, including basic park information, permit deets, location reccs, and more. Ready to (figuratively) step into this iconic forest with me and say your vows amidst the towering mammoth trees?
Get to Know Sequoia National Park
Where is Sequoia National Park?
Sequoia National Park is nestled among the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of east-central California, about 45 minutes from the city of Visalia and 1.5 hours from Fresno (which is where you’ll want to fly into).
Looking for a Redwoods Elopement Guide instead? I got you!
Are Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks connected?
When you look up anything about Sequoia National Park online, you’re also going to get info about Kings Canyon National Park, as the two parks are actually adjacent to each other! It’s only about 30 miles from the General Sherman Parking area of Sequoia to Kings Canyon’s Grant Grove, so the two parks are both administered by the same National Park Service unit. The fact that you have super easy access to not one, but two national parks in the same area makes Sequoia SUCH an amazing place to elope!
How to Get to Sequoia National Park
The quickest way to get to Sequoia from Visalia is by taking Highway 198 (Generals Highway) to the Ash Mountain park entrance. From there, you can explore via foot or continue driving along Highway 198 until eventually you enter Kings Canyon National Park, then finally exit the park via Highway 180. Just know that the road between the two parks is often closed in the winter, depending on the weather!
Sequoia National Park Elopement FAQ’s
Where can I get married at Sequoia National Park?
Sequoia has a specific list of approved locations that you can choose from for your elopement ceremony, and no other locations are allowed, even with a permit. I’ll tell you more about each of these locations a little later in this guide! But don’t worry—we can definitely take portraits at other locations around the park and we’ll have plentyyyy of opportunities to explore.
How many guests can we have for our Sequoia National Park wedding?
It depends on the location you choose for your ceremony! The maximum number of people you can have at your Sequoia National Park wedding ceremony ranges from 20-100, with larger locations such as picnic areas and meadows offering more space. Skip to this section to learn more about the permitted elopement locations in the park!
Are dogs allowed at Sequoia National Park?
Pets are allowed on parking lots, paved roads, campgrounds, and picnic areas, but no trails. Keep in mind that Sequoia does have quite a lot of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, bears, and mountain lions, so it’s up to you whether or not you want to put in the effort to bring your dog along and take care of them the entire day—which is hard if you’re planning to take a hike or visit places where pets aren’t approved. Click here for more pet safety advice!
Where to Elope at Sequoia National Park
As I mentioned before, Sequoia has a specific list of permitted wedding ceremony locations, and ceremonies can’t be held outside of those locations. We can def take portraits elsewhere, though! Here are the deets about each of the elopement locations at Sequoia National Park.
Beetle Rock
Max guest count: 75 people
Where to park: Giant Forest Museum parking area (5-min walk)
Beetle Rock is a super scenic ceremony location with beautiful views of the western edge of the park, overlooking the San Joaquin Valley. It can be gorgeous at sunset, but keep in mind that there’s often smog blocking the view—so it’s good to either have a backup location in place, or just prepare for the possibility of missing out on the view, haha.
Giant Forest Museum Patio
Max guest count: 50 people
Where to park: Giant Forest Museum parking area (10-min walk)
This ceremony spot is located on the patio of the Giant Forest Museum, which you can visit to learn all about the history of the trees, meadows, and people in the area. If you want to invite a decent-sized group of guests and be surrounded by massive sequoias, this is an awesome spot to tie the knot (like my rhyme?)!
Crescent Meadow
Max guest count: 30 people
Parking lot capacity: 10 cars
The meadows in the Lodgepole area of Sequoia are SO beautiful, providing picturesque views of lush green grass and tree-covered hills. There’s a small parking lot at Crescent Meadow, but from 8am-7pm on the weekends during park shuttle operating season, you and all of your guests will have to take the park shuttle! Outside of those hours, or on weekdays, you can drive yourself to the parking area. Note that your ceremony can’t actually take place in the meadow itself, since you don’t want to damage the terrain—you can have it off to the side!
Halstead Meadow
Max guest count: 20 people
Parking lot capacity: 4 cars
Halstead Meadow is just as beautiful, but the ceremony spot is a little smaller than the one at Crescent Meadow. Again, make sure to keep your ceremony off to the side and not actually in the meadow. This one is often inaccessible in the colder months due to road conditions, so it may not be the best choice for winter or spring elopements.
Wolverton/Long Meadow
Max guest count: 100 people
Parking lot capacity: 30 cars
Need a lot of space to host a bigger group? Wolverton/Long Meadow is the place for ya! The ceremony site to the side of the meadow can fit a maximum of 100 people, so you’ll have plenty of room to tie the knot surrounded by all of your favorite people.
Lost Grove Turnout
Max guest count: 25 people
Parking lot capacity: 5 cars
If you’d prefer to be closer to the forest than out in a vast meadow, Lost Grove Turnout is great for weddings of 25 people or less—except in the winter and spring, when snow levels can cause road closures.
I know you’ve got a LOT of options when it comes to the best places to elope at Sequoia National Park, so I’ll help you out with your location + give you my recommendations!
Best Time of Year to Elope at Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is technically open year-round, but there are definitely certain seasons that are better than others for adventure elopements. Some areas of the park usually close down for the winter due to snowy conditions, often lasting into spring, so you’ll def want to avoid eloping in the dead of winterl. Summer (June-August) is peak season in Sequoia National Park due to the amazing temperatures, meaning there will be a LOT of other tourists wanting to see the sights—which is why I recommend eloping in Sequoia National Park between May-October!
These shoulder months are when you’ll get the best of everything: comfortable temperatures for hiking and exploring, beautiful fall colors, fewer crowds, lower travel costs, and open roads + trails. You can elope a little later in the fall or early winter if you really want to, but again, you can’t guarantee that there won’t be snow closures.
You can see weather alerts, current park conditions, and road closures on the NPS site here! We’ll keep an eye on this page as your elopement date gets closer just in case we need to adjust our plans.
Sequoia National Park Wedding & Elopement Permits
Entrance Fee
The first thing you’ll need in order to elope at Sequoia National Park is a Park Entrance Pass. You have a few options depending on how avid of a park-goer you are:
- Standard Pass: $35 for private vehicle entry into Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks; valid for 1-7 days
- Annual Pass: $70 for entrance into Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks; valid for one year
- America the Beautiful Pass: $80 for entrance into all US national parks, US forest service locations, and more; valid for one year
Entrance fees aren’t waived even if you get a Special Use Permit for a wedding, so you and all of your guests + vendors will need a pass to get into the park.
Special Use Permit
Next, you’ll need to get a Special Use Permit to hold your wedding ceremony in Sequoia National Park.
How to Get Your California Marriage License
If you’re dreaming of eloping in Sequoia National Park, one key step is getting your California marriage license. Without it, your ceremony won’t be legally binding. Luckily the process is pretty simple! Both of you must be at least 18 years old, and you’ll need at least one witness present at your ceremony to sign your marriage certificate. Unlike some other states, California has no waiting period, meaning you can get married as soon as you have your license! Easy peasy! Your license is valid for 90 days, so make sure you tie the knot within that time frame to avoid having to reapply.
To get your marriage license, you’ll need to apply through a county clerk’s office in California. Sequoia National Park is located in Tulare County so it’s easy to get your license there just before your elopement! And if you’re a California resident, you can also apply for the license in your home county and still use it in Sequoia.
Steps to Apply for a California Marriage License
- Start the online application: Some counties allow you to start your application online, but you’ll need to visit the county clerk’s office in person to finalize it.
- Show valid photo ID: Both partners will need to provide valid identification, like a driver’s license or passport, to verify your identities.
- Pay the licensing fee: Fees vary by county, so be sure to check in advance. Bring cash, card, or the payment method required by your specific county.
Once you’ve taken these steps, you’re all set to legally elope in one of the most magical locations in California!
Where to Stay for Your Sequoia National Park Elopement
There are plenty of cozy Airbnb and rental cabins/homes near Sequoia National Park, so you won’t have trouble finding a place to stay. Most of them are in the towns of Three Rivers, with a larger selection available in the Visalia area if you’re down to drive a little further.
Wanna cozy up underneath the trees + stars instead? Sequoia has lotsss of campgrounds (14, to be exact) to choose from, including two that are open year-round. Every campsite can fit six people, so there’s plenty of room to invite all your friends and fam to hang with you! What could be better than ending your elopement day with s’mores and drinks over the fire?
Airbnbs
- Paradise Ranch Inn Stellar House
- Dome in Three Rivers
- Three Rivers Cozy Mountain Getaway
- Oak Haven Cabin
Campgrounds
- Potwisha Campground
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Dorst Creek Campground
- Lodgepole Campground
- Cold Springs Campground
- Atwell Mill Campground
Sequoia National Park Elopement Packages
Hiii I’m Bree—your Sequoia National Park elopement photographer, trail guide, and unofficial cat enthusiast (yes it’s absolutely a personality trait). If you’re ready to trade wedding-day stress for jaw-dropping views and epic af moments, I’m here to make it happen. From helping you plan every dreamy detail to capturing every laugh, tear, and wild adventure, I’ve got you covered!!
Curious about what it’s like to have me by your side on your elopement day? I would be too 😉 Take a peek at my Sequoia National Park elopement packages + pricing to see if you’re vibing with what I can offer ya. And then I’d love to hear all about your dream day and help you bring it to life—reach out here to get started!
Still considering other elopement locations in Cali? Check out the guides I put together for my fave places below!
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