21 National Parks You Can Get Married in (on the Cheap!)

Throw your wedding at one of these amazing National Parks in the West for an affordable permit fee

Maya Wong

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Pierre Leclerc / Getty Images

Arches National Park

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Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands are just a short boat ride away from the beachy town of Santa Barbara. Couples can choose to tie the knot on one of the park’s five different islands, depending on which view you prefer.

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Crater Lake National Park

Exchange your vows at the deepest, bluest lake in the United States—which just so happens to sit on top of the Cascade Mountain Range. This Oregon park is a one-of-a-kind venue for a Pacific Northwest wedding.

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Death Valley

While it’s not the most romantic name for a wedding destination, this desert location features a stunning backdrop of towering peaks frosted with snow in the cooler months. Be sure to plan the timing of your trip here wisely—Death Valley can reach up to 110 degrees during the summer.

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Glacier National Park

The outdoorsy couple will find Glacier National Park right up their alley. Surrounded by blue waters, soaring mountaintops, and plenty of greenery, this Montana spot serves as the headwaters for streams that flow to the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson's Bay.

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Glen Canyon

Spanning over 1.25 million acres across Arizona and Utah, Glen Canyon is just as much a jaw-dropping wedding venue as it is a place for water-based and backcountry activities. Get hitched with the epic Horseshoe Bend (pictured) as your backdrop, and take post-ceremony photos in the famous Antelope Canyon.

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Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim is the park’s most popular destination to exchange “I dos,” and is open 365 days a year. However, be careful about heading here for your big day during November to February—winter weather can pose logistical challenges.

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Grand Teton National Park

When you think of Grand Teton, you think of its pristine lakes and alpine terrain. A natural gem on the western edge of Wyoming, Grand Teton has plenty of scenic drives for guests to enjoy on their way to the big event.

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Haleakala National Park

Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā National Park stretches from the large summit of Haleakalā down south to the Kīpahulu coast near Hana. Choose one of the park’s amazing overlooks for your ceremony, like Pa’ka’oao or Leleiwi.

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Joshua Tree National Park

This Southern California national park is just a few hours outside of Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Turn the signature yucca trees at Black Rock Canyon or the picturesque rock formations into the backdrop for your big day.

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Kaloko-Honokōhau

Kaloko-Honokōhau truly feels like an off-the-grid wedding destination for couples who want to steer clear of the the we-got-married-in-Hawaii cliche. A special permit is required if you have more than 35 people in your group, and may take up to three months for approval.

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Kenai Fjords National Park

Equal parts icy water, lush forest, and glacier, Kenai Fjords looks more like a faraway mythical land than it does a U.S. territory. The park is located just outside the south-central Alaska town of Seward, and is most popular during June, July, and August.

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Mount Rainier National Park

If getting hitched next to the highest mountain in Washington sounds like your dream wedding, consider Mount Rainier. While July and August are the park’s most popular months, the fall season offers autumn colors and a less crowded experience.

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North Cascades

This Washington park is less than a three hour journey from Seattle, and is known for its conifer-clad mountains, glaciers, and lakes. Specifically, Diablo Lake takes top honors: the bright turquoise body of water can be seen from the North Cascades’ mountain overlook.

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Olympic National Park

Wedding-goers will see it all on their way to your Olympic National Park ceremony: rainforests, the rugged Pacific Coast, and old-growth trees. Highlights at this Pacific Northwest space (and inspiration for post-ceremony photos) include the picturesque Hoh Rain Forest, full of vibrant green moss, and the densely forested landcape of Sol Duc Valley.

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Rocky Mountain National Park

Home to the famously scenic Trail Ridge Road, this Colorado national park offers soon-to-be newlyweds a mountain- and water-filled backdrop. Different areas of the park are available to rent depending on how many people are in your party, like the scenic Bear Lake (pictured).

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San Juan Islands

This archipelago is defined by its breathtaking vistas, saltwater shore, and quiet woodlands. The rural Pacific Northwest landscape is right next to the quaint seaside town of Friday Harbor and the orca-whale lookout at Lime Kiln Point State Park.

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Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park find their home in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Here, you’ll feel centered as you’re surrounded by rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and towering sequoia trees.

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Yellowstone National Park

Nature-obsessed couples can continue their love story at the world’s first national park, which spans across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. At Yellowstone, there’s no shortage of alpine rivers, hot springs, geysers, canyons, and forests.

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Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of the most beloved national parks for a reason—its waterfalls, valleys, and giant sequoias are wilderness at its finest. Right outside the park, wedding guests can keep busy at the shops, restaurants, and lodging inside Yosemite Village.

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Zion National Park

Utah’s first national park looks like it came straight out of your “Dreamy Wedding Venues” Pinterest board. It’s chock full of massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red hues, and includes trails that lead you to waterfalls and a hanging garden. They’ve even got a campground amphitheater to make a larger ceremony a possibility.