(all-new updated guide for 2024)
Today, you’re going to learn how to elope in Yellowstone National Park! Yellowstone National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. It’s an incredible natural wonder that offers a unique and memorable elopement experience. You can’t help but be in awe of the sights and sounds at Yellowstone. The park is home to more than 1,000 geysers and 10,000 hot springs—and there are also more than 300 waterfalls! The landscape is constantly changing: you might be standing in front of a beautiful lake for one minute, and then suddenly there’s a huge crater where the lake used to be. This elopement destination is a haven for wildlife, but it’s also a place where the natural world can be seen in all its glory. You’ll see geysers and hot springs, rivers and waterfalls, forests, meadows, and more. If you’re lucky, you’ll see bears and wolves—and yes, even bison! If you’re looking for an elopement filled with adventure that will take your breath away time after time, then Yellowstone National Park is the perfect place!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to Get to Yellowstone National Park
Wedding Permits and Marriage Licenses
What’s the best time of year to elope in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trails
If you want to skip the research, click HERE for all-encompassing Yellowstone elopement photography packages (with zero travel fees)
How to Travel to Yellowstone National Park
If you’re planning to visit Yellowstone National Park, you’ll want to know that West Yellowstone Airport (WYS), located in Montana, is the closest airport to the park. From there, you can get a birds-eye view of the park before landing. A trip in a rental car is about 35 miles from a park entrance.
If you’re flying into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Wyoming, then you’ll have to drive about 1 hour to reach Yellowstone. You can easily explore both Grand Teton National Park AND Yellowstone National Park all in one day! Jackson Hole Airport is located within the boundary of Grand Teton National Park, making it easily accessible to explore for a bit before heading off to Yellowstone. Pro tip: plan an elopement adventure that spans across both parks, giving you an incredible and breathtaking range of views and scenery throughout your day (for more about how to elope in Grand Teton National Park, click HERE)
Yellowstone National Park Wedding Permit
Planning an elopement in Yellowstone National Park doesn’t have to be difficult! Here are the steps you’ll need to take to make sure you’re legally ready for your big day:
- Make sure you have a Special Use Permit ($250) and you can apply for this permit 12 months in advance and no earlier than 2 weeks before your elopement. The entrance fee for a single vehicle is $35 for a seven-day pass. You can get your permit and information by clicking HERE
- You’re able to get a marriage license in either Wyoming or Montana. The Wyoming marriage license is $30 and the Montana marriage license is $53.
- Once you’ve got your permits and licenses, you can go ahead with planning the rest of your wedding details!
If you’re planning to elope just the two of you and are in need of an officiant for your ceremony and license, we’ve got you covered – our all encompassing elopement packages include officiating!
Where to Elope at Yellowstone National Park
Keep in mind that Yellowstone does not permit exclusive use of any area – meaning that your ceremony area will be open to the general public. They do also only permit specific spots for wedding ceremonies within the park, such as:
- Mammoth Chapel: This is one of the most unique spots in Yellowstone. The gothic styled chapel was built by Thomas Moran and other artists in 1890 as an art studio, but it has since been converted into a church. The site is beautiful and intimate—perfect for an intimate ceremony! You need to make a reservation and pay a $100 reservation fee for this location. You can call (307)-344-2203 to make a reservation.
- Thermal Area: If you’re lucky, then you might be approved to elope in this magnificent and historical area. The smaller the group, then the more likely you will be approved, but it is rare. Who knows though? You might get your chance to be surrounded by beautiful geysers and hot springs.
- Old Faithful Area: This area is home to Old Faithful, which erupts approximately once every 74 minutes. It’s not always on time, but it’s always worth waiting for! You can get married right next to Old Faithful as it erupts!
- Lamar Valley: One of the most beautiful places to get married in all of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley is home to a wide range of wildlife species, including bison and wolves. As the sun rises over the valley, you’ll find yourself surrounded by millions of acres of untouched wilderness and mesmerizing views of the mountains surrounding you.
- Canyon Area (Artist’s Point): For those who prefer their weddings with a little less wilderness and more stunning views, Artist’s Point is an ideal spot for an intimate ceremony overlooking one of the world’s most famous canyons. Located at an elevation of 5200 feet above sea level, this point offers breathtaking views of the Colorado River as it winds through a deep red canyon carved by millions of years of erosion from water rushing through its narrow passage over time.
What’s the best time of year to elope in Yellowstone National Park?
If you’re planning to elope at Yellowstone National Park, you might be wondering what the best time of year is. Here are some things to consider:
The winter months can be cold, but they’re also beautiful. Snow blankets the park and makes it look like something out of a fairy tale. If you want your wedding to feel like a winter wonderland and don’t mind bundling up, this might be a good time for you to get married. Due to weather, there are roads that close down during this season, so your access to the national park may be limited in some areas.
The spring months are when the park comes alive with new life—from flowers blooming in the meadows to birds coming back from migration, and even bears waking up from hibernation! This is a great time to elope in Yellowstone if you want a springtime feel without having to deal with bugs or humidity.
The summer months are hot and busy in Yellowstone. If you prefer warmer weather and don’t mind crowds or traffic jams, this could be your best bet. But if crowds make you anxious or uncomfortable? Then maybe look into another time of year! Summer is the peak season for Yellowstone National park.
The autumn months are absolutely perfect! You’ll see the changing orange, yellow, and red leaves. The crowd dies down and the weather is not too hot and not too cold. Autumn is the sweet spot season when it comes to eloping at Yellowstone National Park.
Lodging near Yellowstone
There are so many places to stay at Yellowstone National Park, and you don’t have to camp to enjoy the park. Whether you’re looking for an affordable hotel or a luxury resort, there’s something for everyone.
Old Faithful Inn is probably one of the most iconic hotels in Yellowstone National Park—I mean, it’s right next door to Old Faithful! You can’t beat that kind of convenience! This hotel has been open since 1904 and was built by Frank Washburn (who also built the Grand Canyon Lodge).
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Yellowstone National Park. It’s located near the main entrance of the park and has great access to hiking trails and geysers. There are also several restaurants nearby if you want to eat out.
Canyon Lodge & Cabins is the largest sustainable lodging in national parks. It’s a sprawling property with rustic rooms and cabins, as well as a bar, gift shop, and on-site dining.
Under Canvas Yellowstone is upscale glamping accommodations – safari-Inspired tents with king beds, ensuite baths, onsite dining, private decks & more.
Airbnbs
Things to Do Near Yellowstone
There’s no shortage of things to do at Yellowstone National Park. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Visit Old Faithful Geyser, one of the most famous geysers in the world, located in Yellowstone National Park.
2. See wildlife and hike through the park’s many trails, including Hayden Valley Trail and Grand Prismatic Spring Trail, where you can see hot springs and wildlife up close.
3. Explore Yellowstone through its history by visiting Mammoth Hot Springs Museum or taking a tour of Fort Yellowstone, which is now part of the park complex.
4. Go on a guided tour with an expert guide who can tell you everything you need to know about this incredible place!
5. Walk across a suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River.
6. Watch bears in their natural habitat on one of our bear-watching tours.
7. Hike! There are over 800 miles of trails in the park. Don’t forget your bear spray!
8. Go fishing! The park offers some of the best fly-fishings in the country. Just make sure you know what you’re doing before you go—the locals can be very territorial about their fishing holes.
9. See bison grazing in the North Entrance area (they’re so close!)
10. Go on a horseback ride! There are plenty of opportunities for horseback riding in Yellowstone National Park, so if you want a chance to take in the sights while getting some exercise and fresh air, this is a great way to do it.
Yellowstone Hiking Trails
Yellowstone National Park is a place of breathtaking beauty. From the gorgeous mountain vistas to the crystal clear streams and rivers, it’s no wonder that millions of people come here each year to take in all its splendor. You can check out a TON of available trails by clicking HERE
Here are a few of our favorite trails:
- Grand Prismatic Hot Spring
- Easy difficulty level
- 1.5-mile out-and-back trail
- 38 minutes trail
The spring itself is a rainbow-colored pool of hot water that looks like it belongs on another planet. If you get lucky enough to have a ranger present when you visit, they will tell you all about this amazing feature of our home planet.
- Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop
- Moderate difficulty level
- 4.9-mile out-and-back trail
- 2 hours trail
This hike is perfect for anyone who wants to see some of the park’s famous geysers and hot springs without having to leave the comfort of a boardwalk. The path is just under two miles long, and it loops around between the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point.
- Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek, and Little Firehole Loop
- Moderate difficulty level
- 3.5-mile loop trail
- 1 hour and 38 minutes trail
This trail is for those who love waterfalls. The path follows along Fairy Creek as well as Little Firehole Creek until it reaches Mystic Falls—a beautiful waterfall that’s perfect for taking photos with! After visiting Mystic Falls, you’ll continue on until reaching Fairy Lake, which is another beautiful spot that’s worth stopping at before heading back down.
As pros in the Elopement industry, we’ve got all of the best tips, tricks and ideas for planning an elopement in Yellowstone National Park. With our all-encompassing Yellowstone elopement packages, we’d be stoked to come alongside you in planning your day and giving you epic, memorable images from your elopement.
Click HERE to reach out (psst – we don’t charge travel fees!)
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