Yosemite has a wide variety of epic locations to offer for your elopement – from glacier-carved granite rock features to rivers and lakes to giant sequoia trees, this park truly has it all. Here is a list of the top Yosemite National Park wedding locations to inspire your elopement day.
Be sure to review the park’s ceremony locations page for potential closures and guest limits for each location.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Yosemite’s Most Famous Elopement Locations
Glacier Point
Taft Point
El Capitan Meadow
Cooks Meadow Loop
Tunnel View
Artist Point
Sentinel Dome
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
Bridalveil Fall
The Lesser Known Side of Yosemite
Olmsted Point
Mariposa Grove of Giants
Hetch Hetchy
Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite’s Most Famous Elopement Locations
Glacier Point
This elopement location requires no hiking as the epic view is right next to the parking lot. There is an amphitheater for those that wish to have guests, and an even better location for photos is just around the corner. This location is best at sunrise.
Taft Point
Taft Point has become one of the most iconic elopement locations in Yosemite. This spot is a 2.2 mile round-trip hike to a cliff that sits 3,000 feet above the valley floor. This location is best visited at sunset.
El Capitan Meadow
This meadow sits on the valley floor at the base of El Capitan. You can watch rock climbers scale the cliff face as you enjoy the meadow. This location also offers an excellent view of the surrounding glacier-carved granite walls surrounding the valley and is very easily accessed.
Cooks Meadow Loop
Similar to El Capitan Meadow, Cooks Meadow Loop is located in the Yosemite Valley. This meadow has a great view of Yosemite Falls. There is a loop trail that you can walk or bike to take in the beautiful scenery around the valley.
Tunnel View
Another iconic location in Yosemite – this spot is located in the parking lot just as you exit the Wawona Tunnel heading into the valley. This is one of the most popular locations in Yosemite due to its amazing view. This location can be very crowded, so if you want this view with less crowds you can park here and hike up to Artist Point.
Artist Point
This location is a stop along the trail to Inspiration Point and it is recommended to start hiking in the very early hours of the morning before sunrise to beat the crowds! From this location you can watch the sunrise with a view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls – a very similar view to the one at Tunnel View. This trail is accessed from the Tunnel View parking lot.
Sentinel Dome
The hike to Sentinel Dome is 2.2 miles round-trip that rewards you with 360-degree views of the Yosemite Valley and Half Dome. This location sits between Glacier Point and Taft Point offering similar views and can be done at sunrise or sunset.
Cathedral Beach Picnic Area
This popular wedding location sits on the edge of the river with a stunning view of El Capitan and is surrounded by pine trees. It is easily accessible and a great location if you have a few guests attending your wedding.
Cascades Picnic Area
This location is easily accessed and can host a small group of guests. Cascades Picnic Area sits on the edge of the river surrounded by trees and mountains.
Sentinel Beach Picnic Area
This picnic area allows the greatest number of guests of all of the ceremony locations within Yosemite National Park. Its large riverside beach with sweeping views of the valley and Yosemite Falls make it the perfect location for an intimate wedding.
Bridalveil Fall
This location is a short walk to a waterfall that cascades over 600 feet to the valley floor. This popular location is best visited in the early morning to avoid crowds.
The Lesser Known Side of Yosemite
Olmsted Point
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Hetch Hetchy
Tuolumne Meadows
Ready to plan the ultimate Yosemite Elopement?
Hi, I’m Heather Murphy! Your Northern California, born and raised guide and photographer. I love to help couples plan intimate, stress-free, and highly personalized wedding experiences in beautiful places. In addition to capturing your special day, my California elopement packages include the following:
- Location scouting and recommendations
- Timeline creation
- Help with permits
- Vendor and accommodation recommendations
- Activity ideas
- Packing list
I can’t wait to capture this unforgettable moment in your lives! Reach out to start the planning process.
More Planning Resources:
Yosemite Elopement at Taft Point
