Most Beautiful Places to Elope in Grand Teton National Park

Elopement

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I recently visited the Grand Tetons to shoot a BTS course for Basecamp, and when I tell you I was in awe of this incredible part of Wyoming, I mean it y’all. In AWE. I’m used to the mountains of Washington and Oregon, but the alpine wilderness of Wyoming just has a different feel to it—it’s rugged, it’s country, and it’s oh-so-epic. That’s why I couldn’t wait to create a Grand Teton National Park elopement guide to help you plan your own elopement in the middle of these incredible, diverse landscapes! In addition to giving you the lowdown on the best places to elope, I’ve also explained the fairly detailed process you’ll need to go through in order to get your permit + made it as simple as possible for you 🙂 Happy exploring y’all, can’t wait to capture you in front of these majestic views.

Get to Know Grand Teton National Park

If you’re anything like me, you probably know the Pacific Northwest like the back of your damn hand, but you might not be as familiar with some of the incredible locations further east. But these areas deserve to be just as loved and admired, so I wanted to start with a few basics about the Grand Tetons and where exactly they are.

Where is Grand Teton National Park?

Grand Teton National Park is located in the northwestern part of Wyoming, spanning the stunning, 40-mile long Teton mountain range and the iconic Jackson Hole valley. The park spans over 300,000 acres of picturesque wilderness that’ll leave your jaw on the FLOOR, whether you explore just a small area of the mountainous region or spend time covering more ground.

If you’re flying into Wyoming for your elopement, you’ll want to book a flight to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), which is the closest airport at just 10 miles away from Grand Teton National Park. And fun fact, Grand Teton National Park is also only 10 miles south of Yellowstone National Park—so you could easily hit two different national parks during your elopement trip if you wanted to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities around you!

What is Grand Teton National Park known for?

The short answer: its unparalleled views, incredible outdoor recreation, and diverse wildlife.

The long answer: Grand Teton National Park is heaven on Earth for anybody who loves exploring the great outdoors and really spending time out in the backcountry. People come from all over to visit the Grand Tetons in the summer and take advantage of the many amazing hiking, mountaineering, fishing, and backcountry camping opportunities, which are just a few of the many ways you can explore this scenic wilderness. I truly believe that it’s the perfect place to get away from your daily routines and stressors, and escape into the rugged Wyoming wilderness; to retreat into the lush landscapes and reconnect to nature + the people that matter most to you.

Here’s a VERY short list of reasons why Grand Teton National Park is a remarkable place for any couple to elope:

  • Over 11,000 years of fascinating human history & culture
  • Diverse wildlife such as grizzly and black bears, bison, moose, elk, wolves, eagles, and more
  • Diverse landscapes to explore, including alpine lakes, vast valleys, lush forests, and more
  • Wide variety of hikes & trails available, from quick walks to scenic viewpoints to extensive backpacking treks
  • Endless outdoor recreation including hiking, boating, rock climbing, mountaineering, swimming, and more
  • Cozy lodges, cabins, and campgrounds available directly within park boundaries
  • Winter activities such as skiing and snowshoeing available in the colder months, when regular hiking trails are inaccessible

When is Grand Teton National Park open?

The park is actually open year-round, but many visitor centers, ranger stations, and hiking trails are closed in the winter. Certain roads are typically closed to vehicles from November until the end of April, depending on the weather, so be sure to check the Park News page before your elopement for up-to-date info about seasonal road closures.

Is there a fee to visit Grand Teton National Park?

Yes, and it ranges from $20-$35 for regular entrance passes. 7-day entrance passes are $20 for hikers and bikers, $30 for motorcycles, and $35 for private vehicles. If you plan to visit the park again or have plans to check out any other national parks, you can save money in the long haul by option for a $70 annual pass or $80 America the Beautiful Pass instead. There are even certain fee-free days throughout the year where entrance fees are waived, including MLK Jr. Day and Veterans Day—but keep in mind that those holidays are typically super busy.

FAQ’s About Eloping in Grand Teton National Park

Can you get married in Grand Teton National Park?

Absolutely you can! As long as you get a Special Use Permit and follow the park’s rules for wedding ceremonies, you can totally have your wedding or elopement inside of Grand Teton National Park—in fact, you definitely should 😉 Haven’t I convinced you yet?!

Do you need a permit to get married in Grand Teton National Park?

Yep, you need a Special Use Permit to get married in Grand Teton National Park. Because of how popular this park has become for elopement and wedding ceremonies, they’re fairly strict about their permitting process, and only give out a limited number of permits every year. For that reason, it’s important that you pay close attention to what you need to do to get your permit + that you plan out as far in advance as possible!

This permit will allow you to have a one-hour time slot for your ceremony in the park, held at a specific designated location that is decided in advance. You won’t be given exclusive use of any area even with a permit, so know that the site you use will still be open to the public and could have visitors at any point. Because each of the ceremony locations in the park is completely outdoors and very well-preserved, items such as decor, tables, arbors, chairs, signs, etc. aren’t allowed.

What types of Special Use Permits does Grand Teton National Park offer?

There’s going to be a lot of info here, so just stay with me—and know that I’ll be there to help you every step of the way once it’s time for you to get yours!

The first thing to know is that there are two different types of wedding permits in Grand Teton National Park:

  1. Reserved, site-specific ceremony permits
  2. Small dispersed ceremony permits

Reserved, site-specific ceremony permits are just what they sound like: permits that allow you to hold your ceremony at a specific, pre-permitted ceremony location in the park, each of which has its own group size limit (ranging from 25-40 people). This permit is great for couples who want to have a slightly larger ceremony, and who are down to pick from one of the permitted locations.

These are the 6 ceremony sites that you can apply for under this permit:

I’ll be talking in more detail about these locations in the next section of this guide, to help you figure out which one is right for you!

Small dispersed ceremony permits allow you to have your ceremony at other locations throughout the park as long as you get proper approval, and have a maximum of 12 people including the two of you, your guests, your officiant, and your photographer/videographer. This permit is best for couples who have a small guest count and would like the ability to be more flexible with their elopement location, rather than picking from just a few designated sites throughout the park. While you do have more freedom with this permit, there are certain locations that are prohibited, including:

  • Paved trails around Jenny Lake
  • Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
  • String Lake
  • Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

Find a full list of the prohibited small dispersed ceremony locations here.

When can we apply for a Grand Teton National Park Special Use Permit?

The park has a specific application period that you must apply within, as applications submitted earlier than the set date won’t be considered. At the time of writing this in December 2024, applications for a 2025 Special Use Permit are now able to be submitted as of December 16th. 

While you can technically submit your application up until 30 days prior to your elopement, it’s important to apply as early as you can for Reserved Site-Specific Ceremony Permits. Each location has a maximum of 60 permits issued per year, and only 1 ceremony can be held per day, per location.

To find up-to-date info about current application periods and dates, visit the NPS site here.

How do we get a Grand Teton National Park Special Use Permit for our elopement?

Once you’ve figured out which type of permit is right for your Grand Teton National Park elopement ceremony, here’s how you’re going to actually apply for the permit:

  1. Fill out this Special Use Application, making sure to include all of the important information including your preferred type of permit, date, location, and time
  2. Submit your application (once the application period is open for your elopement year) via email to grte_visitor_services@nps.gov 
  3. Pay a non-refundable $200 application fee via Pay.gov, using the Grand Teton NP Special Use Permit Application Fee Form
  4. Review the preliminary permit sent to you, sign, and return it to grte_visitor_services@nps.gov 
  5. Print out your final permit and bring it to your elopement with you

How do we get a marriage license for our Grand Teton National Park elopement?

In addition to your permit, you will need a Wyoming marriage license to make things official! You’ll need to appear at a County Clerk’s Office in person to obtain your license, so be sure to add time for that into your trip. 

Here are the most important marriage laws in Wyoming that you need to be familiar with before getting your license:

  • You both need to be at least 18
  • Must present a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
  • There’s no waiting period before you can use your license
  • Blood tests aren’t required
  • At least two witnesses must be present at your ceremony
  • Licenses must be returned to the County Clerk’s Office within 10 days of your ceremony

The closest County Clerk’s Office to Grand Teton National Park is the Teton County office, which requires a $30 licensing fee. You can call their office at 307-733-4430 to make an appointment!

How much does it cost to elope in Grand Teton National Park?

Obviously the cost of your elopement will depend heavily on many things: how much photo coverage you book, how long you stay in the area, what accommodations you book, what vendors you hire, what you’re prioritizing in your budget, etc. So while I can’t give you the exact cost of eloping in Grand Teton National Park, I can tell you that the practical items will cost as follows:

  • Special Use Permit: $200+
  • Entrance fee: $35+
  • Marriage license: $30+

Be sure to add those expenses into your elopement budget!

Can we bring our pet to our Grand Teton National Park elopement?

You can, but pets are only allowed on roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, and parking lots—they’re not permitted on hiking trails, inside visitor centers, or in the backcountry. So you may want to leave them back at your Airbnb or with loved ones while you head into the park for your ceremony, and meet back up with them later for cute family photos!

Most Beautiful Places to Elope in Grand Teton National Park

Remember how I said that there are specific locations where you can have your wedding ceremony in Grand Teton National Park? Let’s talk a little bit more about those, and how to choose which one would be best for your ceremony.

Below, you’ll find details about the 6 locations that are allowed under reserved, site-specific ceremony permits, along with how many people you are allowed to bring.

Colter Bay Swim Beach | 40 people

Colter Bay Swim Beach is a BEAUTIFUL grassy spot along the shores of Jackson Lake. You get plenty of lakefront lawn space to hold your ceremony with spectacular views of Mount Moran across the water, as well as access to restrooms, parking, and a few paved pathways. This location is available under the Reserved Site-Specific Wedding Ceremony Permit between mid-May and mid-October for up to 40 people; otherwise, it’s available as a Small Dispersed Wedding Ceremony Permit location for up to 12 people.

Schwabacher Landing | 25 people

Oh man y’all, this one’s a stunner. Located just south of the Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher Landing offers incredible views of the Snake River and the snow-capped peaks of the Tetons. From the parking area, you’ll follow a short trailhead to get to the ceremony location, so it’s only available between May and October due to winter road closures. This spot does get pretty busy, so you might consider a mid-day ceremony to avoid crowds as much as possible.

Mormon Row (North or South) | 40 people (North) or 25 people (South)

I’m obsessed with Mormon Row and the iconic T. A. Moulton barn! The rustic charm of this historic barn with the majestic Tetons in the background creates the most magnificent setting for a ceremony. If you want to take photos right in front of the barn, you’ll want to apply for the North ceremony location, whereas if you’d like to stay a little further away from the crowds the barn draws, you can apply for the South ceremony location. Both offer gorgeous views of both the historical buildings and the Tetons, so you really can’t go wrong.

Mountain View Turnout | 25 people

For couples dreaming of a ceremony in the middle of a wide open space, with vast mountain views, Mountain View Turnout is an amazing option—especially because it doesn’t get super busy in the mornings and evenings. This is definitely a summer or fall ceremony location, as it’s not accessible by vehicle between November and April, although you can snowshoe or ski in if you wanted to (or hike/bike if there isn’t any snow)!

Glacier View Turnout | 25 people

I’m sorry for giving you all of these stunning location options—I don’t know how you’re going to choose, haha. Glacier View Turnout is yet another epic ceremony location with panoramic scenery of the Tetons shining nearby, available as a Reserved Site-Specific Permit location from May to October and a Small Dispersed Permit location for the rest of the year. The views of the golden glow of the sun as it drenches these towering mountain peaks in bright light are unreal.

Snake River Overlook | 25 people

Lastly, if you’d like both views of the Tetons and of a winding river with tree-lined shores, this is your spot! Snake River Overlook boasts dreamy, diverse scenery, with multiple different spots to get views of the trees, the expansive backcountry, and the mountains themselves. According to the National Park Service, the overlook is least busy in the evening, so how does a sunset elopement ceremony at this gorgeous overlook sound?

6 Cozy Places to Stay Near the Grand Tetons

Raise your hand if you’re dying to go glamping at a magical hideaway near the mountains. . . (I’m raising my hand over here, if you didn’t get that) 

Luckily, there are SO many cute, cozy, and luxurious places to stay nearby during your Grand Tetons elopement. Want to book a super unique geodesic dome with never ending mountain views? Maybe go stargazing on your balcony at night once you’re done adventuring for the day? Or how about staying at a lavish ski resort with all the modern amenities you could need? 

You’ll easily find whatever type of accommodations you’re looking for in the area, from glamping to camping to staying in a cabin in the middle of the woods. To help kickstart your search for the perfect place to stay, I’ve included 6 highly-rated lodges, cabins, and resorts below!

Best Time of Year for a Grand Teton National Park Elopement

I’ve already mentioned winter weather and road/trail closures throughout this guide, so I bet you’ve guessed by now that there are certain times of year that are better for Grand Teton elopements than others! Because the mountains get quite a bit of snow in the winter months, the overall “best” time for adventure elopements in Grand Teton National Park is from May to September, when trails, roads, and overlooks are open + accessible. Summer is peak tourist season thanks to the gorgeous sunny weather that makes for perfect hiking conditions, so be aware that if you elope in the summer months, you’re likely to be met with crowds. Even the earlier summer months can still see snow at the highest elevation trails, so keep an eye on conditions leading up to your elopement to ensure everywhere you want to go is clear!

To reduce the crowds around you but still have warm enough weather to hike and hit the trails, consider a fall elopement between early September to mid-October! These months tend to be a bit less busy, meaning you get more trails to yourselves, and the fall foliage in the Tetons is absolutely spectacular + makes the cooler temperatures so worth it.

Grand Teton National Park Elopement Photographer

I’m Dawn, an elopement and micro wedding photographer rooted in Oregon but who’s always ready for adventure elsewhere. I’m passionate about helping couples craft unforgettable experiences that feel true to them; whether it’s soaking in the epic views of Grand Teton National Park or capturing the quiet, candid moments along the forested trails, I’m here to document every part of your story. If a stress-free, adventure-filled Grand Tetons elopement sounds like your kinda thing, let’s team up and start planning something truly amazing together!

Still keeping your location options open? I’ve got a few PNW elopement guides below that might help you find the perfect place!

Top 20+ Best Places to Elope in Oregon in 2024-2025

25 Best Wildflower Elopement Locations in the PNW

8 Twilight-Inspired Elopement Locations in the PNW

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