Ceremony Locations

2024 Reservation Requirements

A reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through October 27, 2024, for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:

• April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).

• July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.

• August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

A wedding/commitment ceremony permit is a valid reservation for members of the party and guests for the day of the wedding.

Each member of the party and the guests must provide the following to get into the park:

• A copy of the wedding permit AND

• A copy of a government-issued ID matching a bride's or groom's name on the permit

 

Important Information to Consider Regarding Wedding Ceremonies

• Site use is on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to two hours maximum, at all locations. Once an application and payment is received, Yosemite’s Special Park Uses permit program manager will contact you by email within two to seven business days. If, however, the location requested has already been booked or is unavailable, permittee will be contacted immediately to discuss an alternative location or preferred date.

• Wedding permits are not granted for holiday weekends or holidays (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).

• Pets are not allowed to attend any wedding ceremonies.

• Visitor use may impact your ceremony: we recommend morning time frames at all locations (before 10 am).

• The use of amplified music (& microphones); speakers (with exception of iPods with 2- to 3-inch, portable speakers); throwing of bird seed, rice and flower petals; decorations, and the use of drones are prohibited.

• Must avoid standing or walking on plants, grasses and tree roots. Standing under sequoia trees within sequoia grove locations is prohibited.

• The use of hardy flower bouquets and boutonnières are preferable, to ensure seeds do not fall and germinate. Baby’s breath is prohibited. The use of native flower arrangements is also preferred.

• If your party is fewer than 11 people, you are not limited to the following locations with exception of open meadows and riparian environments.

• Please respect park resources and tread lightly.

Yosemite Valley Locations

Please be aware that independent rafters and park visitors may use beach locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. Early-morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after Memorial Day until September 30. No pets are allowed.

All locations in Yosemite Valley are near rivers or waterfalls, which usually have high flows from approximately March through June. It may be difficult to hear people speak when water is high. Yosemite Falls usually has little to no water from approximately mid- to late July until October or November. While Bridalveil Fall flows all year, it usually has low flows from approximately July to October or November. The conditions described are typical and conditions may be different depending on snowpack or weather.

Cascades Picnic Area

Located west of Yosemite Valley on south side of El Portal Road and one block southwest of The Cascades viewing area; 30 people maximum; restroom facilities (pit toilets) nearby; ceremonies may occur within the designated picnic site and at least 6 feet away from the river's edge; picnic tables first-come, first-served; parking limited to 8 vehicles; Open year round. Ceremonies are prohibited at the falls viewing platform.

Lower Yosemite Fall Paved Trail

From Yosemite Valley Lodge and Northside Drive intersection, take paved path towards Yosemite Falls; continue straight/follow rock wall; at bronze relief sculpture veer right and loop around to the site where you see a sign and two wooden benches; ceremonies must occur in this area. Or, from the Yosemite Falls shuttle stop, take paved path to the west that parallels Northside Drive; walk over bridge, turn right and pass the restroom, staying straight ahead (don’t take paths to the right or left), continue on to the rock wall and follow directions listed above. 50 people maximum. Ceremonies are not allowed on Yosemite Creek Bridge or base of waterfall. Restroom facilities are nearby and there is no parking onsite; shuttle bus recommended. Monitoring is required for groups of 50. Open year round except on holiday weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).

Swinging Bridge Picnic Area

Site is located on beach northeast of bridge; 20 people maximum. No ceremonies are allowed on the bridge or in the meadows. Restroom facilities are nearby and there is limited parking; carpooling recommended. Open year round except on holiday weekends (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).

Cathedral Beach Picnic Area

Area closed November through Memorial Day Weekend. From Tuesday after Memorial Day through October 31^st, location closes at dusk; 50 people maximum. Monitoring is required for groups of 35–50 people. Restroom facilities are nearby and there is limited parking (6 vehicles max); carpooling recommended.

Sentinel Beach Picnic Area

Area closed November through Memorial Day Weekend. From Tuesday after Memorial Day through October 31^st, location closes at dusk; 100 people maximum. Monitoring is required for groups of 50 people or more. Restroom facilities are nearby and there is limited parking (8 vehicles max); carpooling recommended.

Bridalveil Fall

From the parking lot, take paved path and continue straight (do not turn right) until you are beyond the second stone bridge. Location lies at the forest clearing on your right where the fall comes into view. 50 people maximum; monitoring is required for groups of 50 people. Restroom facilities are nearby.

Glacier Point and Wawona Locations

Please be aware that park visitors may utilize locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. Please take this into consideration. Early morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after Memorial Day until September 30^th. No pets are allowed.

Glacier Point Amphitheater

Elevation: 7,214 Feet. Due to high elevations, storms that could occur may cause the road to close. Earliest availability is the Tuesday after Memorial Day (please consult road conditions for updates) through September 30^th due to the annual Glacier Point road closure. Weddings are not scheduled here in July and August.

Guests are seated within the south end of the amphitheater. 50 people maximum, monitoring is required for groups of 35-50 people.

Chilnualna Falls Trailhead Parking Lot

Location is located to the west of a large house (personally owned inholding), at the southwest end of the parking area, down slope from the parking lot. 50 people maximum, monitoring is required for groups of 35-50 people. 10 vehicles maximum allowed.

Tuolumne Meadows Locations

Please be aware that park visitors may utilize locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. Please take this into consideration. Early morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after Memorial Day until September 30^th. Weddings are not permitted within the meadows. No pets are allowed.

Due to high elevations storms that could occur may cause the road to close. Earliest availability is the Tuesday after Memorial Day (please consult road conditions for updates) through September 30^th due to the annual Tioga Road closure.

Tenaya Lake Beach

Elevation: 8,150 feet

Available from: Road opening until September 30^th. There may be snow still in the area. This site is located on the east end of Tenaya Lake Beach Picnic Area. From the parking lot, take the trail to the intersection. Turn left and walk 100 yards (90 meters) to reach the site. 50 people maximum, monitoring is required for groups of 50 people.

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Area

Elevation: 8,600 feet

Available from: Road opening until September 30^th. There may be snow still in the area. Site is located upstream from Tuolumne Meadows Lodge on the Dana Fork granite slab. Take dirt path toward the river stay left and follow for approximately 250 yards (300 meters), until you reach the cascade area. 25 people maximum; limited parking at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, carpooling required.

Big Oak Flat Area

Please be aware that park visitors may utilize locations at any time, which can be disruptive to your event. Please take this into consideration. Early morning weddings are advised (from 8 am to noon) the Tuesday after Memorial Day until September 30^th. No pets are allowed.

Due to high elevations storms that could occur may cause the road to close. Please visit the following website: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm

Tuolumne Grove

Elevation: 6,200 feet

Location is a 2.5 miles (4 km) hike round trip. Trail is paved and steep. Elevation loss to grove is 400 feet (120 meters) and then a 400 foot (120 meters) gain back to the parking lot. From late October to June there may be snow on the trail. Please bring lots of water. The ceremony must remain on the foot path. No standing on sequoia roots or near sequoia trees. 30 people maximum.

Merced Grove

Elevation: 6,000 feet

Location is a 3 mile (4.8 km) hike round trip. Trail is unpaved and rated easy to moderate. Elevation loss to grove is 600 feet (180 meters) and then a 600 foot (180 meters) gain back to the parking lot. From late October to June there may be snow on the trail. Please bring lots of water. The ceremony must remain on the foot path. No standing on sequoia roots or near sequoia trees. 30 people maximum.