Planning a Joshua Tree wedding in 2024? For a permit cost of $120, you can get married at the Hidden Valley Picnic Area with up to 25 guests. Hidden Valley is an easily accessible wedding venue, that can take up to 8 vehicles on site. For an additional cost of $200, you can get married at the Indian Cove Amphitheater, with up to 100 guests. With the best wedding venues and Airbnbs, read more about getting married at Joshua Tree National Park below.
Joshua tree boasts boho vibes, earth tones, and sunset ceremonies— we absolutely love the magical desert landscape of Joshua Tree. Home to some of the best wedding venues, get started on planning your Joshua Tree Wedding today!
The Best Joshua Tree Wedding Venues
Before we get into talking about the greatest Joshua Tree Wedding Venues, here’s a list of the best venues at the National Park!
- Indian Cove Amphitheater — No more than 100 people total and only 1 vehicle. You must shuttle your guests in and out of this location.
- Hidden Valley Picnic Area — No more than 35 people total and up to 8 vehicles (not permitted in March–May).
- 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 (not permitted in March–May).
- 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
- Tumbleweed Sanctuary, Garden & Labyrinth – No more than 100 people.
- Nowhere California – Must contact venue for information.
What else do I need to know?
If you’re considering having a Joshua Tree Wedding or Elopement, you’ll need to keep some things in mind!
- The park is eco-friendly. A lot of wedding decor and other items are not permitted in the park including drones, dried flowers, non-battery candles, bubbles, any live animals (doves and birds for example), confetti, balloons, or smoke bombs.
- There is no running water, and no power, and you cannot bring a generator into the park.
- You are not allowed to use microphones or speakers to amplify noise. Smaller wedding party’s may be better since your guests may not be able to hear the ceremony too well.
- All weddings with 26-100 guests must take place at the Indian Cove Amphitheater, which is beautiful and has seating.
Indian Cove Amphitheater
Capacity: 100 guests
Elevation: 3,200 ft
Indian Cove Amphitheater is perfect for a big group looking for a sunset desert wedding. This coveted spot features mountain views and a beautiful open concept outdoor amphitheatre! Because only one vehicle is permitted at this site per party, your guests will need to be brought in via the park’s shuttle bus to get to this location.
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required.
Hidden Valley Picnic Area
Capacity: 35 guests
Elevation: 4,205ft
For an intimate wedding ceremony, the Hidden Valley Picnic Area is Perfect and features some park’s most iconic boulders and, of course, Joshua trees. With only a one-mile trail hike, this venue is easy to access and can take up to 8 vehicles on site! Sunset ceremonies are a MUST at the Hidden Picnic Valley, and the views make for a great wedding picnic reception!
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required.
For ideas on how to throw a great Wedding Picnic Reception, check out this blogpost! You can also check out all inclusive Joshua Tree Wedding Packages below!
Turkey Flats
Capacity: 35 guests, 8 cars
Elevation: 1,791 ft
With a gorgeous view of Pinto Mountain, Turkey Flats is a great Joshua Tree Wedding venue for that couple that finds elegance in simplicity. This desert plain is open with quaint bushes, and the hiking trail is just a little over 2 miles. There are also rolling hills and wildflowers around the venue, making it unique.
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required.
Cap Rock
Capacity: 25 guests, up to 8 cars
Elevation: 4,200 ft
Cap Rock is the most popular wedding venue in Joshua Tree. With boulders, subtle mountain views, a southern terrain, and a giant Joshua tree, what’s not to love? There are also many plants, shrubs, and hiking trails nearby! Many get married under the grand Joshua tree for their ceremonies!
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required.
Rattlesnake Picnic Area
Capacity: 20 guests, 8 cars.
Elevation: 4,000 ft
The Rattlesnake Picnic Area is another great wedding venue filled with adventure! You can choose to have your ceremony with a background full of staggering rocks, or open fields of shrubbery.
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required.
For ideas on how to throw a great Wedding Picnic Reception, check out this blogpost! You can also check out all inclusive Joshua Tree Wedding Packages below!
Quail Springs Picnic Area
Capacity: 15 guests, 8 cars.
Elevation: 4,000 ft
Quail Springs Picnic Area is one of the more popular picnic sites and the first one you see once you enter the park. It’s packed with Joshua Trees and rocky boulders, and features a gorgeous picnic area for your wedding party! Many love to climb the rocks surrounding the picnic area, which also make for a great photo backdrop!
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required.
For ideas on how to throw a great Wedding Picnic Reception, check out this blogpost! You can also check out all inclusive Joshua Tree Wedding Packages below!
Split Rock
Capacity: 15 guests, up to 5 cars
Elevation: 4280 ft
Calling all couples who love to hike! Split Rock is a beautiful outdoor venue that is perfect for your small wedding ceremony. A quite popular wedding venue and hiking route, it has incredible Boulders that make make for great photo opportunities! It’s a 2 mile hike to get to the rock, and it can be a bit crowded, so it’s best to plan in advance.
Permit information: All park permits are available through the NPS website and can be emailed to park personnel for review. Once accepted, a $120 permit fee is required to get married.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get a marriage license at Joshua Tree?
- Marriage License Fee: $189
The Joshua Tree National Park Office Hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm, to get a marriage license. No advance reservations are needed to enter Joshua Tree National Park.The cost of a Joshua Tree marriage license is $189. You can call (760) 995-8065 to schedule your marriage license appointment with the Joshua Tree Rocky National Park office today!
To get a marriage license, you’ll need to apply through your city’s county. You can get your marriage license for Joshua Tree National Park from San Bernardino County or nearby California countess. You can find applications and more information here. A popular city to visit near Joshua Tree is definitely Palm Springs. You can find more information on getting married in Palm Springs here.
Do I need a permit to get married at Joshua Tree National Park?
To get married in Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll need the right wedding permit. The cost of a wedding permit application is $120 and it is non refundable. The Joshua Tree National Park Service permit office hours are Monday – Friday 7:30AM – 3:30PM. The National Park Service also has a list of non-permit days to pay attention to.
You can also apply for permits by filling out the application forms on the Joshua Tree National Park service website. You’ll have to pay a $120 fee for a Special Use Permit for your wedding, weddings with fewer than 25 guests. Weddings with 26-100 guests must take place at the Indian Cove Amphitheater, which is an additional $200 location fee.
Keep in mind, your photographer, videographer, and caterer(s), will need a separate Special Use Permit ($120) for themselves as well. Although the costs may add up, without a permit, there is a $500 citation fine, so keep this in mind when planning your wedding!
While acquiring permits is a very easy process, it’s also a slow one, so be sure to allow about a month from application to receive your permit.
Choose your Joshua Tree Wedding Officiant on the Wedy app!
Wedding in the Desert
Celene is a long time vendor who we know and love! As a Joshua Tree local, she has married hundreds of couples before and knows the ins-and-outs of Joshua Tree! With personalized wedding scripts and thoughtful consultations with you and your spouse before the ceremony, Celene is a great officiant for a Joshua Tree ceremony!
Elopement Package: $300
Wedding Package:
Hours of Service: 1 hour
What’s included?
- Virtual Consultation
- Handcrafted Wedding Script
- Performance at The Ceremony
- Assistance in Filing Marriage License (through the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office).
How Many Guests Can I Have at My Joshua Tree Wedding?
The wedding venues in Joshua Tree have different maximum capacities. The largest venue they have can hold 100 people total, but this also includes people like your officiant and photographer. The average amount of guests allowed at your wedding is only 18.
Keep in mind that Joshua Tree only allows a certain amount of vehicles at each venue as well. To see more information, check out the official park website here.
When should you get married at Joshua Tree National Park?
To figure out the best time of year to get married, we’ve broken down the weather by seasons so you can get a better idea of the outdoor conditions! Since Joshua Tree is a desert, the temperature tends to be quite extreme so it’s best to plan in advance. Bringing protection from the sun and the cold winds is always a good idea, especially if you’re planning an outdoor elopement!
Fall Season
One of the best times to have your Joshua Tree wedding is in the fall, specifically in October and November. During this time, there aren’t as many people, and the weather isn’t as dry. The light from the sun is warm and just bright enough to see you sparkle! November is our recommendation for the best month to hold your wedding!
Winter Season
Winter season is from February, and is a great time for weddings, if you don’t mind the cold! Though there is minimal snow and only chilly winds, make sure you bundle up if you get married in the winter! The temperature is consistently in the mid to high 60 degrees. However, it can drop significantly after the sun goes down. Winter is also a great month for your Joshua Tree wedding if you want to avoid the crowds, so its the ideal time to go if you want an intimate elopement or wedding with an open view!
Spring Season
Spring is the most popular season amongst tourists in Joshua Tree. From March – May, the park is filled with campers and tourists visiting Southern California. During the Spring, the weather is great all day long, the wildflowers are in bloom, and physical activity is easy – which is ideal for those hiking! If you’re wanting a spring wedding, we recommend getting married on a weekday to avoid the crowds, or perhaps considering a sunrise or sunset ceremony to make things more intimate.
Summer Season
Summer is the least popular season in Joshua Tree, as not only are there scorching-hot temperatures (100 plus degrees), but May and June are the windiest months, and peak summer season is super dry. In July and August, it tends to get windy after 4pm, so keep this in mind.
If you are set on a Summer wedding in Joshua Tree, then opt to stay at an Airbnb overnight. Every August, the Perseid Meteor Shower can be seen in the open California skies of Joshua Tree, a stunning sight especially on the night of your wedding day, in a cozy Airbnb!
Popular Joshua Tree Airbnbs
Whether you’re eloping or looking to take a destination wedding with your wedding party in California, these Joshua Tree Airbnbs are perfect for a relaxing getaway after your Joshua Tree Wedding! We’ve searched high and low for the best places to stay, so here are our top picks for the best Joshua Tree Airbnbs in California.
The Joshua Tree House Airbnb Features
- Two bedrooms, two bathrooms
- Built in 1949
- Quaint, Hacienda style home
- Hygienic necessities
- Air conditioning, indoor fireplace
- Outdoor Jacuzzi
- Tv and entertainment
- Proper home safety detectors and first aid
- Dedicated workspace
- Kitchenware and cooking appliances
- Patio and balcony, outdoor BBQ
- 10 Minutes from downtown, which offers shops and restaurants
- 100 Joshua trees surrounding the property
- Beautiful sunny views
- Great for small groups or couples eloping
Cactus Jax Cottage Joshua Tree Airbnb
Cactus Jax Cottage Airbnb Features
- Two bedrooms, one bathroom
- Built in 1959
- Newly Renovated
- Minimalist design
- Open concept, and lots of sunlight
- TV and entertainment
- Dedicated workspace
- Hammock, outdoor dining area
- Kitchenware and cooking appliances
- Outdoor fireplace, balcony, and surrounding seating
- Security cameras, proper home safety detectors and first aid
- Perfect for a small group or couple eloping
Kosmic Tortoise Dome Tents Airbnb Features
- One bedroom, one bathroom
- Open fire pit and outdoor seating
- Desert views
- TV, Wifi and entertainment
- Dedicated workspace
- Private outdoor shower
- Hammock, outdoor dining area
- Kitchenware, mini-fridge and cooking appliances
- Balcony and outdoor BBQ
- Security cameras, proper home safety detectors and first aid
- Perfect for a small group or couple eloping
- Near Joshua Tree National Park
- Perfect to view annual Perseid Meteor Shower
Mesquite Cabin Studio Airbnb Features
- One large kind bed, one bathroom
- Studio-styled cabin
- Private outdoor hot tub with hot springs
- Outdoor shower
- Private outdoor shower
- Outdoor dining area and patio
- Wifi included
- Kitchenware, mini-fridge and cooking appliances
- Open concept, desert and sunset views
- Near Joshua Tree National Park
- Perfect for couple staying the night in Joshua Tree
- Perfect to view annual Perseid Meteor Shower
New Moroccan Boho Bungalow Soak & Hot Tub Airbnb Features
- Two bedrooms, one bathroom
- Hygienic necessities
- Air conditioning, indoor fireplace
- Outdoor Jacuzzi and pool
- TV and entertainment
- Proper home safety detectors and first aid
- Dedicated workspace
- Kitchenware and cooking appliances
- Patio and balcony, outdoor BBQ
- Beautiful sunny desert views
- Near Joshua Tree National Park
- Perfect for small groups or couples eloping
- Perfect to view annual Perseid Meteor Shower
Joshua Tree Wedding Packages
Looking to plan a Joshua Tree wedding on your own? No problem! The Wedy app offers inclusive wedding planning packages for both Joshua Tree and around California! You can browse through our signature packages, consult with wedding planning experts, and even customize your payment plan all in one app! Download the Wedy App today to start planning!
With the Wedy App, we can help you find elopement packages in Joshua Tree, California, connecting you to California elopement vendors, including photographers, florists, venues, and more. Download our app today and find out how to elope in Joshua Tree National Park, California.
