A Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree
Our best advice for where, when, and how to do it!
We’re not ones to beat around the bush - we love Joshua Tree and it’s one of our favorite elopement locations! We live on the edge of the Mojave Desert and plan elopements, micro weddings, and weekend experiences in this unique, gorgeous plot of the American West.
At this point, we know the ins and outs of hosting an event here, whether it be for 2 people or 50. This guide will help you understand what it takes to elope in the high desert (what the locals call the desert cities of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Twentynine Palms) and if it’s the right fit for you.
In this blog post, you’ll also find an example elopement timeline, recommendations for the best time of year, day of the week recommendations, vendor recommendations, legal process, ceremony permit options, and our favorite Airbnbs for eloping in Joshua Tree National Park.
If you love the idea of a desert elopement but all the details are overwhelming to you, reach out to us here. We’d love to make planning easier, collaborative, and uniquely tailored to you.
Let’s start with a high-level view of how we recommend timing your elopement. Here is an example celebration timeline of an elopement in Joshua Tree:
Day 1
Fly into Palm Springs International Airport
We do not recommend flying into LAX if you don’t plan to stay overnight in Los Angeles. Though it may map only 144 miles away, it is highly likely you will hit traffic and turn your trip into a 3-4 hour stop-and-go trek to Joshua Tree. Palm Springs International Airport is convenient, small, and one of the prettiest airports in the country(in our humble opinion)!
Rent a car
Stay the night in Palm Springs or head up to Joshua Tree
Unless you will already be legally married, you will want to stay the night in Palm Springs to pick up your marriage license before heading up to Joshua Tree.
Day 2
Go to your scheduled court date to pick up your marriage certificate
Drive up to your Airbnb or hotel in Joshua Tree
About 50 minutes from downtown Palm Springs to Joshua Tree
Enjoy Joshua Tree and the high desert!
Day 3
Have a restful brunch at a local spot or at your Airbnb
Get ready together or separately
Make sure to book a two-bedroom house if you’d like to get ready separately. Hire a hair and makeup artist, if desired. We love Hair by Tiffany and Callie Allen Makeup.
First look on the property of your Airbnb
Drive into Joshua Tree National Park
Ceremony
The Vow Keeper, Wedding in the Desert, and Love Builders are reliable officiants if needed.
Portrait Session
Sunset
Drive back to your Airbnb
Enjoy a catered meal from a private chef at a beautiful sweetheart table
A couple of our favorite chefs are Epicurean Fling and Salt and Leisure. Circa Rentals, Boho Bloom, Planks and Patina, and Bright Event Rentals offer a range of tablewares, furniture, and decor for your sweetheart table.
Enjoy special cocktails
Have La Cantina mix a custom cocktail for you.
Soak in your hot tub
Dig into a personal cake
Our favorite in the high desert is Picnic Baked Goods.
Stargaze
It’s easy to stargaze on your own, but you could also hire 29 Palms Astronomy to tell you about the night sky on the night of your marriage.
What month should you elope in Joshua Tree National Park?
The desert is a dramatic environment. Sunny days and cool nights. Very dry. Sometimes wild winds. But, we’ve worked all over the United States and it’s still our favorite, most workable environment.
We recommend eloping in September, October, November, March, and April for mild temperatures and nearly zero rain. We’ve had couples elope outside of these months and still have amazing days!
Keep in mind, weather is never controllable. We find couples who have the best time on their wedding days are the ones who are able to flow with what Mother Nature brings. Move with the wind. Dance in the rain. Enjoy it all.
What day of the week should you elope?
If you’re choosing to hold your ceremony in Joshua Tree National Park, you will not be the only one there. You will have a permit for your ceremony, but this does not mean the public will be barred from the area you are using. We do find that most people are very respectful when a wedding is taking place, but if you’d like to reduce the chance of anyone being around while you hold your ceremony, mid-week is best. We recommend eloping on a Tuesday or Wednesday for less to no crowds.
If you are planning to hold your ceremony at your Airbnb you will not have to worry about crowds!
Where can you legally elope in Joshua Tree National Park?
You cannot go into the national park and hold a ceremony wherever you want. You are required to purchase a permit through the National Park Service and you must hold your ceremony at the designated location on your permit. Your permit will also be limited to certain hours, so it is important you have a timeline for your elopement day and follow it. As of the time of this post, permits cost $150.
You have the option to get a permit for the following locations:
Indian Cove Amphitheater No more than 100 people total and only 1 vehicle.
Hidden Valley Picnic Area No more than 35 people total and up to 8 vehicles.
Turkey Flats No more than 35 people total and up to 8 vehicles.
Cap Rock No more than 25 people total and up to 8 vehicles.
Rattlesnake Picnic Area No more than 20 people and 8 vehicles.
Quail Springs Picnic Area No more than 15 people and 8 vehicles.
Split Rock No more than 15 people and 5 vehicles.
Porcupine Wash No more than 12 people and 4 vehicles.
Queen Valley Mine Intersection No more than 10 people and 5 vehicles.
Lost Horse Parking Lot No more than 10 people and 5 vehicles.
Live Oak Picnic Area No more than 5 people and 3 vehicles.
You can get more information about acquiring a permit here.
How do you legally elope in Joshua Tree National Park?
You will need to follow the guidelines of San Bernardino County to legally be married. You can read about the process here.
You can hire an officiant for your ceremony and they will guide you through the marriage license process. Alternatively, if you’d like to self-solemnize, read more about that process from our blog post here.
What are the best Airbnbs for an elopement in Joshua Tree National Park?
When choosing an Airbnb for your elopement, consider the following factors:
Most importantly, always ask the Airbnb host for permission to host your elopement at their home prior to booking. We find that most hosts are appreciative of this and will allow it with little to no additional fees. Asking in advance will also save you from issues down the road. Most Airbnbs have cameras on the outside and will be able to see if you are hosting an event (even a small one) without their permission. The city government also holds Airbnb hosts to strict guidelines. In some areas, a host must hold an event permit. It can help to have your hired planner reach out for approval to host your event. Reach out to us here if you are looking to hire an elopement planner.
Do you want to get ready separately from your partner on your elopement day so that you can have a first look? If so, make sure there are two bedrooms in the Airbnb.
Lots of natural lighting for getting ready and portraits. Your photographer will appreciate this!
Do you plan to have a private chef for a dinner the night of your elopement? Make sure there is a full-sized kitchen in the Airbnb. Also, make sure there is a dining space that is semi-private from the kitchen so that you can dine peacefully while your chef is cooking.
Map out how far the Airbnb is from your chosen ceremony location. Make sure you’re up for the drive on your elopement day!
Do you like the views on the outside of your Airbnb? Make sure they are suitable for photos, if you plan to do so.
Here are our top 13 Airbnbs for eloping in Joshua Tree National Park:
How much does it cost to elope in Joshua Tree?
The cost of eloping is completely up to you and your values. We see couples spend under $2,000 or up to $25,000. You will have to pay for the bare minimums: traveling to the desert, staying overnight, a park permit, and a marriage license. But everything else is optional! If you’re struggling with delegating and organizing your budget, check out our signature planning guide here.
Let us know in the comments what questions you have about eloping in Joshua Tree National Park. If you’re looking to hire an elopement planner, reach out to us here.
