Let's cut to the chase. I'm a world traveling, Central California based wedding and couples photographer with a deep passion for documenting my couples' love stories as raw and candidly as possible.
I can't wait to create something beautiful with you.
i'm sierra brook
Hey, lovebug! 🤩 I am so dang glad you’re here, because if you are… that means you’re thinking of eloping in Joshua Tree National Park (AKA: one of my faves). Let me just say: CONGRATULATIONS! Planning your epic, romantic elopement is so special. Whether you’ve been to Joshua Tree before or you’re looking to explore a new place with your honey, you’ve come to the right place! Known for its picturesque rock formations, endless night sky, and unique trees, Joshua Tree is one of the USA’s prettiest hidden gems. As a full-time wedding and elopement photographer based in California, I’ve been lucky enough to spend plenty of time exploring this vast desert with madly in love couples. So if you’re looking for The Ultimate Joshua Tree National Park elopement guide, look no further. Let’s dive in! 🏜
How to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park
Step #1: Pick your Elopement Date
This might be an obvious one, but that’s because it is a crucial step! Before you can do anything in your elopement planning process, narrowing down a date is key. If you are flexible on your date, here’s how to narrow it down a bit:
Summers in Southern California are brutal – especially in the desert. It might go without saying, but try to avoid a Summer elopement in Joshua Tree. Temperatures can exceed 91℉ from June-September if that tells you anything 🥵. Your safety is definitely something to consider when planning your elopement – and any guests that attend.
Summers are frequently busier in Joshua Tree, despite the scorching temperatures.
Keep in mind the facts of a desert: typically hot during the day, and frigid at night.
If you’re planning to have a sunrise or sunset ceremony, be cognizant of where the sun will be! Your photographer should be able to tell you the best times for either.
Sunrise or sunset ceremonies are a great way to work around a hot summer day.
The best times for a Joshua Tree National Park elopement are typically from February-May or October-November. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, opt for a weekday elopement or a sunrise/sunset ceremony.
Step #2: Pick a Location
One of my favorite resources for planning to elope in Joshua Tree is actually the National Park Service website; it’ll quickly become one of your fave resources, too! Believe it or not, couples are not allowed to elope just anywhere. There are certain areas of Joshua Tree National Park that do not allow ceremonies, photography, or a certain number of guests.
Once you choose your date for your elopement, consider how many guests you will want to attend. When planning an elopement, chat with the people you plan to invite. This allows you to gage how big of a space you’ll need; NPS is very strict on the number of guests and vehicles allowed in a certain area.
Here are some of my personal favorite locations to elope in Joshua Tree National Park:
Cap Rock – 25 people maximum. Up to 8 vehicles.
Live Oak Picnic Area – 5 people maximum. Up to 3 vehicles.
Turkey Flats – 35 people maximum. Up to 8 vehicles.
Other areas to consider:
Indian Cove Amphitheater – 100 people maximum. Shuttle required; 1 vehicle allowed.
Hidden Valley Picnic Area– 35 people maximum. Up to 8 vehicles.
Rattlesnake Picnic Area – 20 people maximum. Up to 8 vehicles.
Quail Springs Picnic Area– 15 people maximum. Up to 8 vehicles.
Split Rock – 15 people maximum. Up to 5 vehicles.
Porcupine Wash – 12 people maximum. Up to 4 vehicles.
Queen Valley Mine Intersection – 10 people maximum. Up to 5 vehicles.
Lost Horse Parking Lot – 10 people maximum. Up to 5 vehicles.
Please note: Maximum number of people allowed includes the couple and officiant. I also highly recommend carpooling to avoid unnecessary traffic.
Step #3: Apply for a Permit
Yes, you absolutely need to apply for a permit. To get married at one of permissible locations above, a permit is required. You can find the application HERE, along with additional information about how to submit it. Once the application is approved, the park will provide you with information on how to pay the fee ($120). This does not include the permit required to have a photographer present. There is also a park entrance fee.
Please, please, please get your permit. Not only are you subject to a citation of $500 if caught without a permit, but money from the permit goes towards conservation of the park. Just be a good human, pay for the permit, and get married 😉 Apply in advance. Some permits can take up to 6 months to obtain.
Step #4: Book Your “Must Have” Elopement Vendors
I promise I’m not being biased 😂 After you’ve selected your date, chosen your location, and applied for your permit, it’s time to book your vendors! I highly recommend booking your photographer ASAP. Not only do wedding and elopement photographers book up quickly, but they will likely become your right-hand person along the rest of your planning process.
Finding vendors might be a bit overwhelming if you’re looking at a place you’re not very familiar with. Like I mentioned, your elopement photographer will become your right-hand person and can suggest some vendors in the area. But if you can’t wait, try searching for yourself in Instagram! Try searching for hashtags like: #JoshuaTreeNationalParkElopement #JoshuaTreeElopement #JoshuaTreeWedding. You might be surprised at the gems you can find!
Elopements are the freaking best. Period. But they’re also the best because you can do whatever the heck you want to do – including activities! While you won’t find whitewater rafting near Joshua Tree, don’t let that stop you from exploring the area. Whether you plan to go out for lunch before your ceremony, make a weekend of your elopement, or even a week, here’s some ideas for you:
Backpacking
Horseback Riding
Stargazing
Rock Climbing
Fourwheeling
If you’re a big foodie like myself, here are a few of my favorite restaurants in the area:
The Natural Sisters Café – Yummy vegan options, organic treats, and smoothies. Located at the entrance of JTree! How perfect!
Joshua Tree Saloon – Bar food, tacos, seafood, steak, etc. I’m yet to have a bad meal here. The atmosphere here is my favorite! Also the perfect place for a well-deserved brew (or 2).
Step #6: Secure Your Joshua Tree Lodging
Joshua Tree and Palm Springs are both known widely for their incredible, quirky desert abodes. One of the best parts of planning for your Joshua Tree National Park elopement are the incredible accommodations available to choose from! Here are some of my recommendations:
Moonstone Abode – A boho dream. Located 20-30 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, this is the perfect little place to call home for awhile. The home is placed on 2.5 acres of privacy, featuring a hot tub, an outdoor fireplace, and hammocks to enjoy the sunset in.
The Desert Daisy Haus – This vibrant yellow desert home is literally located off the beaten path, but worth every bump on the drive. Some of my favorite features of this gem include the outdoor shower + bath, the hot tub, the hammock swings, and the Western touches throughout.
Purty Yurty & Mini Me – Is there anything more unique than staying in a YURT!? This is the best place to take in the night sky, as it is located in the “middle of nowhere”. The yurts would be best enjoyed by couples looking to “rough” it in comfort.
Step #7: Get Legal!
I know what you’re thinking, “Wait, there’s more besides my permit?!” Yes! Your permit allows you and your boo to tie the knot at the park. But you need your MARRIAGE LICENSE! 🥂 You can get your marriage license at any county clerk in California, with San Bernardino County being closest to Joshua Tree National Park. You can find more info on requirements HERE.
Step #8: Leave No Trace
Leaving no trace is key to having a respectful ceremony in a National Park (or anywhere in general). National Parks are even more specific on what kind of decor they allow. Here are some things to keep in mind:
PERMITTED
Free-standing arches
Guest book table
Cooler with water
Live florals
Flameless candles
Runner
Rug
Cake
Champagne
NOT PERMITTED
Drones
Dried florals
Flamed candles
Bubbles
Animals (doves, butterflies, etc.)
Confetti
Rice
Birdseed
Balloons
Smoke Bombs
All-in-all, be respectful of the land. Our National Parks are a privilege to use, especially for ceremonies. You know the drill: take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. ‘Nuff said.
Step #9: Research, Pack, and Get Married!
As much as I hope The Ultimate Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Guide helps you plan your dreamy desert elopement, I encourage you to continue to research. As mentioned before, the NPS website is the best resource for up-to-date information, closures, and weather info. CLICK HERE and add the NPS website to your bookmarked tabs while you plan your Joshua Tree elopement!
As you near your beautiful day, here are a few things to add to your packing list (beyond your wedding goodies) that you may have forgotten about:
Insulated water bottles (with water, of course)
LiquidIV
Snacks (granola bars, trail mix, jerky, etc.)
Sunglasses
Wide-brimmed hat
Sunscreen
Hiking boots
Umbrella
Blanket (plan for all emergencies)
Bugspray
Headlamp
GPS
First Aide Kit
Pocket knife
My biggest tip is to be prepared for the unexpected. While you may be planning to just have a quick 30 minute ceremony, an emergency can occur in an instant. If I’m your elopement photographer, know that I can help you plan exactly what to pack for your specific elopement. But if I’m not, do your research! Even though you’re in the desert, accidents can happen where you’re stranded with an injury as temperatures drop into frigid temperatures. Be prepared.
Last step? POP THAT BUBBLY✨🥂 Let’s get you two married.
Still searching for your elopement photographer? I gotchu, babe! LET’S CONNECT🎉 And as always, let’s be bff’s over on Instagram (@sierrabrookphotography). Check out some additional resources below for more wedding and elopement planning tips!
"Sierra was amazing to work with. I was super nervous for our engagement shoot - she even caught me trying to take a tequila shot to calm the nerves, haha. She made us laugh and really just made us feel incredibly comfortable. She paid attention to details and even braved the cold water of the Kern River to get us the shots we wanted. I would HIGHLY recommend Sierra and will absolutely work with her again in the future." - Natasha
She made us feel incredibly comfortable.
"Let me tell you about how appreciative I am of Sierra’s lovely soul. She was a dream to work with and I would HIGHLY recommend booking with her. Sierra made us feel so comfortable as my bf and I were kind of nervous to be in front of the camera. We ended up laughing the entire time, it was so fun and felt like friends just hanging out. I screamed when we got our sneak peeks and our gallery, she got them back to us so so fast. We will definitely be booking Sierra in the future and for our future wedding. If you’re looking for a sign to tell you to book with her, THIS IS IT" - Miranda
Felt like friends just hanging out
"can't say enough good things about sierra! we've worked with her twice now in the past month. she provides beautifully curated, high quality memories to cherish for a lifetime! she's very professional, but feels like a long-time friend during sessions. sierra makes her clients feel absolutely comfortable in front of the camera, and can really gauge the perfect ambience per her clients and their specific styles; it's quite impressive! we can't wait to work with her again for all of the holiday and birthday celebrations!"
High quality memories to last a lifetime
"Sierra captured every moment perfectly. Each emotion, every smile, ALL the love, and even all the happiness from the guests. It was all so perfect. More so, Sierra’s presence was so calming and reassuring. I am uncomfortable in front of cameras and this was our first time in our entire relationship taking any type of professional photos and she made it effortless. Best part for me was her keeping everything on track yet still being able to go with the flow of my messy self (who is almost never on time for anything). She didn’t bat an eye at any of the flaws we had, she accepted them and rolled with them. We can’t thank her enough. We cannot wait to take anniversary pictures with her. One year can’t come soon enough!" - Larissa
Captured every moment perfectly
"Sierra was awesome! She got our wedding pictures back to us in no time, and they were all amazing. She was extremely professional and made sure to get all the photos that we requested. She also reached out to us before our wedding to help with the timeline of our day which was something that I really appreciated. I will definitely be reaching out to Sierra for another project, and highly recommend her for all your photography needs!" - Erandy
Extremely professional
"My experience with Sierra was 10/10! From the time I inquired, to the shoot, to delivering our photos, she was extremely professional and prompt. I have nothing but good things to say about Sierra and her work! I’m so in love with the photos she captured, and I highly recommend choosing her for your next shoot!" - Caleigh