A peaceful wedding ceremony location at Zumwalt Meadow.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI), in coordination with Federal, State and Local guidelines, have announced that the implementation of the first phase of a Phased Reopening plan that began on June 4, 2020. This includes roads, trails, picnic areas, restrooms, and wilderness backpacking for those with reservations only. Information and current conditions are available online https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
This also includes an allowance for Special Use Permits (SUP) for weddings held in the park. The following applies until further notice:
Available locations:
Sunset Rock
Beetle Rock
Giant Forest Museum Patio
Halstead Meadow
Lost Grove
Crescent Meadow
Long Meadow/Wolverton
Panoramic Point
Muir Rock/Roads End
No other locations will be considered until further notice.
Amended Conditions for this initial phase of increased access in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks:
All groups are limited to 6 people until further notice.
Permittee must ensure physical distancing of at least 6 feet between non-household attendees.
Permit conditions are subject to change prior to the event as circumstances and guidance evolve.
Allow for 30 days to process all incoming applications.
What could be a better backdrop for your wedding day than the giant sequoias of the Big Trees Trail, the quiet, peaceful Crescent Meadow, the soaring granite walls of Kings Canyon as seen from Zumwalt Meadow, or the wide foothills view from Beetle Rock? From large amphitheaters to intimate overlooks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks has it all. Please read through all of the information listed below to learn more about holding your wedding ceremony in these beautiful parks.
Special use permits are required for wedding ceremonies of any size. We recommend that you avoid our most highly visited locations or schedule your ceremony for early or late in the day. By doing so, your wedding will have more privacy.
Wedding Ceremony Locations
We highly recommend a visit prior to deciding on a site for your wedding. Each location has different group size limitations and parking restrictions, so read through the location descriptions carefully.
Scheduled park programs and activities may be taking place at the same time and in the same general area. Additionally, there may be times when a location becomes unavailable due to resource protection, weather conditions, etc. You should always have a second location in mind just in case of these unforeseen closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take a moment to read through our FAQs before sending in your wedding permit application.
Wedding permit applications may be sent up to one year in advance of and a minimum of 30 days prior to your requested event date. A last minute request might be accommodated, but there are no guarantees. Applications received on weekends or holidays will be processed on the next business day. The average permit request takes 2-3 weeks.
Cost Recovery/ Permit Fee: $125 (payable upon approval of the application)
Additional fees may apply depending on complexity.
Monitoring Fee: $50/hour
The total amount charged will vary depending on the complexity of your event. Some events are found to require a park monitor to ensure protection of natural or cultural resources, etc.
Please note that your permit fees do not cover park entrance fees for you or your guests. For more information on park entrance fees and passes, and to learn about how to purchase passes in advance, visit https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
At this time, photographers for permitted weddings do not require a separate permit. Photographers taking photos not covered under a wedding permit require a film and photography permit.
If you would like to have wedding photos taken at locations other than the wedding site, you must indicate this on the permit application. Keep in mind that other park visitors may not be restricted from enjoying any location.
Listed below are some park specific limits on wedding activities, including activities occasionally associated with weddings but not permitted in the national parks. For a full list of permit conditions, please read our Wedding Permit Conditions. Contact our office if you are still unsure.
Weddings cannot be held in meadows or at the base of sequoia trees.
Weddings are not approved in the following locations: The General Sherman Tree, The General Grant Tree, and Moro Rock.
Wedding permits are not issued for high visitor use periods including Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend.
The maximum time allowed for wedding permits is three hours.
Altering, damaging or removing vegetation is not allowed. Please select the location that already has the look you want and do not expect to alter the site in any way.
The use of any artificial decoration outdoors that could distract from other's enjoyment of the area or threaten resources is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, balloons, banners, arches, and event or directional signage.
Chairs should be restricted to guests who need them and must be provided by you.
Floral arrangements and bouquets are allowed, however, all live, artificial, and dried plant material must be disposed of outside of the parks.
The release of any animals (butterflies, birds, etc) is prohibited.
Birdseed, rice, any other food material, or confetti of any kind may not be thrown within the parks.
Pets, leashed or not, are not permitted on any trails in the parks. However, leashed pets are allowed in campgrounds and picnic areas. See www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/pets.htm for more details. Service dogs are allowed in national parks. For a definition of a service animal, please go to www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm.
The use of amplified music or public address systems exceeding a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A weighted scale at 50 feet are not allowed. This sound level is comparable to a normal conversation voice at distance of 50 feet from the source.
You may not restrict others from accessing any location in the parks. Your permit does not provide exclusive use of any area. In our experience, other people are respectful of wedding ceremonies.
Drones are prohibited in all national park service areas.
Receptions may be held only in concessioner facilities or private property. Delaware North Parks & Resorts at Sequoia (DN) have facilities in Wuksachi, Grant Grove and Cedar Grove. DN provides food service, lodging, grocery and gift shops as well as catering services for receptions. To reserve an area for a wedding reception, contact the special functions department at (801) 559-5050 or visit their website at www.visitsequoia.com.
Yes, please indicate the campsite reservation on the permit application. You may reserve campsites through www.recreation.gov. In addition to the special use permit conditions, campers must follow all rules and restrictions set forth by the campgrounds including quiet hours and site capacity.
Contact the Commercial Services office at (559) 565-4235 or e-mail us.
Ready to apply?
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
