There are a lot of reasons to elope: you don’t want to deal with the stress of a big wedding, you can’t afford it, or maybe you just want to spend your time celebrating your love instead of planning it. Whatever your reason, I got you covered! One of the best places to elope is Grand Teton National Park. The Grand Teton National Park is located in Wyoming and is known as one of the most beautiful spots in the world. It’s a place of beauty, adventure, and wonder. The smallest of the three national parks in Yellowstone-Teton region, with only 762 square miles. Learn more to figure out how to make Grand Teton National Park your next elopement destination!

Location

You’ll get to Grand Teton National Park through the Jackson Hole Airport. It’s actually inside the national park! It’s the only commercial airport in the United States that is within a national park. You’re going to get breathtaking views of Grand Teton National Park as you fly in and it’s a magical start to your elopement experience. 

Permitting 

• Special Use Permit – $200
  • A special use permit is required and is obtain through an application. You can find the application here. It’s important to mention on the application if you want a Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permit (more than 12 people) and Small Dispersed Ceremony Permits (less than 12 people). Special use permits are reserved on a first-come first-serve basis and must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your ceremony. Grand Teton National Park does not permit exclusive use of any area and there will be normal visitor activity during your ceremony.
• Marriage License – $30
  • You need to obtain your marriage license in person in Wyoming and are required to make an appointment by calling the County Clerk’s Office by calling 307-733-4430. Once you fill out the marriage questionnaire, then you can go to the office at your scheduled time to process your marriage license. 

Ceremony Locations

When selecting where to elope in Grand Teton National Park your options are going to be based on how many people will be at your ceremony. If your elopement is less than 12 people, then you can elope anywhere in the park (there are a few exceptions and you can find them here). However, if your elopement is more than 12 people, then you need to elope in one of the six elopement locations. 

Mountain View Turnout

This beautiful area offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains, as well as a large grassy field where you can relax after your ceremony and take in the scenery before your reception begins.

Snake River Outlook

This area is perfect if you want a more intimate setting for your ceremony—it’s located right on the edge of Snake River! The dramatic view will make your wedding photos look amazing (and it’s easy to get good shots without having to worry about crowds of people getting in the way).

Schwabacher’s Landing

This is an ideal spot for couples who want an outdoor ceremony but don’t want to worry about weather conditions being too unpredictable (the area is covered with trees). It also has beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Mormon Row

This is one of the most popular sites in Grand Teton National Park, and it’s easy to see why! The beautiful wooden cabins are surrounded by stunning mountains and trees, making for the perfect backdrop for your vows. You can also choose to get married at the Mormon Row chapel or outside on one of their scenic porches.

Colter Bay Swim Beach

This beach offers plenty of privacy—it’s only open during summer months—and it has a gorgeous view of Jackson Lake. It’s also one of the few beaches in Grand Teton National Park that allows swimming during summer months (so long as you stay within 50 feet from shore). If you’re looking for something completely unique for your ceremony location, this may be just what you’re looking.

Glacier View Turnout

Glacier View Turnout has some great views at any time of year but especially during winter when all the snow adds another layer of beauty! If you’re looking for something unique then this spot might be perfect for you.

When to Elope and Crowds

The best time to elope in Grand Teton National park is Fall. The leaves are changing and you get that Fall foliage. The weather is cooler and it’s not as crowded. You’re able to enjoy your elopement more because you’re not dealing with harsh weather conditions and you get more intimacy with your elopement with fewer people. Summer is where it’s going to be the busiest with the most crowds. The weather may be sunny and beautiful, but it’s definitely warmer. Spring and Winter tend to be the least crowded because of the snow. While the weather may be transitioning in Spring, the weather can be unpredictable. If you’re okay dealing with the snow and want a winter wonderland elopement, then a Winter elopement would be perfect. Note: There are more limitations in Winter and Spring since not all the ceremony locations are open. 

Lodging

Whether you’re looking for a scenic camping spot, a luxury hotel, or something in between, Grand Teton National Park has something for everyone.

1. Jenny Lake Lodge is a great place to stay if you’re looking for something close to the main attractions of the park. It’s right on Jenny Lake, and there are plenty of hiking trails nearby. Plus, it’s only about 5 miles from downtown Jackson Hole, so it’s pretty easy to get around town from there.

2. The Signal Mountain Campground is another great option for people who want an easy commute into town. The campground is located just outside of Moose Junction (about five miles away), which means that you’ll still have access to all of the great restaurants and shops in town but won’t have any trouble getting back up the mountain after dark.

3. Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa is a luxury 4-star hotel and offers you luxurious option for your stay, especially if you want to relax at the spa or go skiing. 

Things to Do

The Grand Teton National Park offers several different types of activities, including hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing. There are horseback riding trails that let you explore on horseback while taking in the scenery at a slower pace than hiking would allow. And there are also plenty of opportunities for fishing in one of the park’s many lakes and streams.

If you’re looking for something more relaxing than hiking or biking through nature, there are plenty of places within the park where you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery. The Flagg Ranch area has several trails that lead up into the mountains where you’ll find breathtaking views of the valley below. If you’d rather stay down by the water then check out Jenny Lake Boat Tours on either Lake Yellowstone or Jenny Lake Reservoir which offer boat tours around these beautiful lakes with views of both Grand Teton Mountains and Mount Moran (also known as Cloud Tower).

Hiking Trails

There are hiking trails that lead through meadows filled with wildflowers or past lakes shimmering beneath towering peaks. Here are the top three hiking trails:

• Cascade Canyon Trail
  • Moderate difficulty level
  • 9.1-mile out-and-back trail 
  • 3 hours and 45 minutes trail

This hike has some steep climbs and takes hikers through a canyon with lots of beautiful rock formations. If you want to see some waterfalls and pools along the way, this is the trail for you!

• Delta Lake via Lupine Meadows Access
  • Hard difficulty level
  • 7.4-mile out-and-back trail 
  • 4 hours and 33 minutes trail

If you’re looking for a longer hike that will take you through meadows, forests, and lakes, this is the one for you! You’ll see wildlife like moose and bears along the way, so keep your eyes peeled!

• Taggart Lake Loop
  • Easy difficulty level
  • 3.8-mile loop trail
  • 1 hour and 31 minutes trail

For those who love waterfalls and beautiful scenery, this trail will deliver all that in spades—and more! 

Want to see more of this gorgeous park? Check out one of my favorite elopements from this location on the blog!