Sequoia National Park Elopement Guide

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Sequoia National Park has always been one of my favorite elopement locations.

Not only is it a widely diverse area, it seems to change with every weather pattern and time of day.

While summer months do get busy, because it isn’t as heavily traveled as many parks crowds are usually tamer and it’s really easy to enjoy the park without as many selfie sticks in your way!

Here’s a guide to some of my favorite locations - many of these areas are fairly central in the park, and often during an elopement we can enjoy time visiting a few of these locations.

The Parker Group

The Parker group is probably my favorite ceremony site. A grove of Sequoias sits in a circular arrangement, making a perfect grove of magnificent trees. The light is often perfect for a ceremony any time of day, as the trees canopy can make a good shelter from mid day sun. The best ceremony timing here is usually 3-4 hours before sunset. From autumn to late spring, the road to the Parker group is often closed, and can sometimes be covered in snow. I love this time of year, because the only people here will be folks who have chosen to hike the casual mile-long trek.

Moro Rock

The Parker group is probably my favorite ceremony site. A grove of Sequoias sits in a circular arrangement, making a perfect grove of magnificent trees. The light is often perfect for a ceremony any time of day, as the trees canopy can make a good shelter from mid day sun. The best ceremony timing here is usually 3-4 hours before sunset. From autumn to late spring, the road to the Parker group is often closed, and can sometimes be covered in snow. I love this time of year, because the only people here will be folks who have chosen to hike the casual mile-long trek.

Beetle Rock

A location easily accessible to the parking lot, Beetle Rock is a west facing granite outcropping that looks towards Kaweah Lake, and the town of Three Rivers. A quick 5 minute walk from your car brings you to one of the best sunset spots in the park - and a great place to open a bottle of champagne to end the day!

I love ceremonies here - you can accomodate a large group (standing room only, too uneven to place chairs for a seated ceremony)

Wedding permit application: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/wedding-permits.htm

Visit here for a couple other park recommended areas that may accomodate larger ceremony groups:

Complete the application below, include proof of the $50 application fee and e-mail us, fax us (559) 565-3730, or mail to : 47050 Generals Highway, Attn: Special Use Permits, Three Rivers, CA 93271

To pay application and permit fees by credit card, debit card or direct debit, go to Pay.gov and input “SEKI” into the search bar. Choose “Continue to the Form” under the “Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP Wedding Permit Fees” form and then choose “Continue to the Form” again to submit payment. To pay by personal checks, money orders or cashier’s checks, make the payment out to: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Mail to: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Attn: Special Use Permits, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9700

Additional Resources for planning:

California Marriage License Information: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Marriage-License-Information.aspx