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Summary: Weddings, elopements, vow renewals, and similar ceremonies may be permitted in Yellowstone, depending on location, group size, and time of year or day. A Special Use Permit is required and must be requested at least 10 business days in advance. Applications are accepted up to 12 months ahead, but permits are typically issued only a few weeks before the event due to changing conditions.
Permit Terms & Conditions
Before submitting your application, visit the county website for information regarding marriage licenses as these regulations may affect your application: Park County, MT, Park County, WY, and Teton County, WY. Please review the following terms and conditions to ensure your event complies with park guidelines. The permittee is responsible for ensuring all participants adhere to these regulations. Additional terms may apply.
Permit Suspension or Revocation
- The Superintendent may immediately suspend or revoke the permit without notice if resource damage or loss is occurring, appears likely, or has already occurred.
- Under the System Unit Resource Protection Act (54 U.S.C. §§ 100721–100725), any person causing damage to park resources may be held liable for response costs and damages.
Revocation with Notice
- The Superintendent may revoke the permit at any time with 24 hours’ written notice stating the reason.
Designated On-Site Contact
- The Permittee must designate an on-site contact person (with name and cell number), who must be authorized to make decisions on behalf of the group, always remain reachable, ensure compliance by all involved, including contractors or vendors.
Compliance Monitoring
- Activities may be monitored by a park employee or designee. All instructions must be followed. A monitor does not have the authority to waive permit terms.
Wildlife Protection
- Harassment of wildlife is strictly prohibited. All parties must wait until wildlife has naturally left the area before proceeding.
No Association with NPS
- Permittee and participants must not imply or suggest any official connection with the National Park Service.
Resource Protection
- Do not disturb soil, water, vegetation, wildlife, fossils, or cultural artifacts. Cutting, tying, or removing vegetation is prohibited.
Clean-Up
Bouquets
- Allowed but must not contain any species listed as noxious weeds by the State of Wyoming.
Parking
- Only allowed in designated areas. Do not block traffic or damage resources. Parking is not reserved for permitted events.
Non-Exclusive Use
- All ceremony locations remain open to the public. Do not ask visitors to move or alter their behavior. Trails and walkways must stay fully accessible. Ceremonies are limited to two hours maximum and must be defined with a start and end time. This time includes the arrival for set-up and ending time to including photos or video at the ceremony location.
Noise Limits
- Audio devices must not exceed 60 decibels. Sound amplification is prohibited. (Refer to 36 CFR 2.12)
Prohibited Activities & Items
- Altars, arches, podiums, rugs, tables, tents
- Chairs (except a few portable chairs for guests with mobility needs)
- Decorations or signage attached to natural or park structures
- Balloons
- Generators
- Moving park furniture (e.g., benches)
- Scattering of any materials (e.g., rice, petals, confetti, birdseed, bubbles)
- Releasing animals (e.g., butterflies, birds)
- Receptions or catered food service (small personal food items are allowed with proper bear-safe storage)
- Drones or other unmanned aircraft
You may have portraits or video taken at the ceremony location during the permitted period. You may also go to other locations in the park without a permit as long as the portraits or video taken are for your use and not to promote or sell a product or service which requires a Still Photography or Film Permit.
Ceremony Location
- No group size limit beyond what’s stated in the permit.
Other Locations
- Limit 15 people for photography.
- In thermal areas and along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone rim: limit 5 people (including photographer); only camera and tripod allowed.
Safety and Access
- Do not block traffic or delay others.
- No standing or posing in roads (e.g., on yellow lines).
Equipment Use
- Tripods and monopods are allowed but must not impede visitors or traffic. All other gear must be handheld.
Night Photography
- Use of artificial light on people or landscapes is not permitted.
Parking Areas (Hayden & Lamar Valleys):
- Maximum use: 2 hours per pullout.
- First-come, first-served. Do not block or save parking spaces.
Permit Locations
Locations are outdoors and rustic in nature and do not offer protection from the weather. Most of the locations do not have restroom facilities at or near the ceremony locations. Large or highly decorated events are better suited to venues outside the park or through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
- Barnes Hole Road: Maximum 30 people. One of the more secluded locations.
- Fishing Bridge Visitor Center Beach: Maximum 40 people.
- Lake Butte Overlook: Maximum 30 people.
- Lamar Valley: Maximum group size of 5 people allowed. Groups may choose an empty pullout along the road in Lamar Valley the day of the ceremony.
- Nearby to Lamar Valley: For ceremonies up to 20 people, we have four designated locations in the northeast corridor: Trout Lake, Barronette Meadows, Thunderer Cutoff Trail Head, and Warm Creek Picnic Area. Permits for the northeast corridor will include all four locations (when available) to allow for flexibility in crowded conditions.
- Mammoth Chapel: Application fee is $300. Maximum 250 people (parking limited, carpool or bus required for larger weddings). National Park Service monitor is required at an additional fee.
- Old Faithful Area: Maximum 40 people. Designated location is on east side of Old Faithful.
- Parkwide Amphitheaters: Amphitheaters are a good place for a larger group gathering. Capacity varies up to 150 people.
- Virginia Cascade Picnic Area: Maximum 30 people.
- Two Ribbon Trail: Maximum 15 people.
- Other Locations: Alternative locations not listed here may be requested. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
How to Apply
Complete and email the Special Use Form to yell_sup@nps.gov at least 10 business days before your planned date. Allow five business days for a response. Complete all yes/no questions and sign (ink or digital) and date the form. Include the following:
- Applicant Information: Provide the names of one or both ceremony participants. Organization and fax number can be left blank.
- Description of Proposed Activity: Describe the ceremony (length, size, level of formality, etc.).
- Date, Location, and Time: Enter your preferred ceremony date, time, and location in the first row. Include alternate dates or locations in order of preference. If requesting a non-standard location, include coordinates or a satellite map.
- Participants and Vehicles: Estimate the total number of attendees, including children, officiants, photographers, and planners. Provide the maximum number of vehicles and types (e.g., vans, SUVs). If your guest count increases after your permit is issued, contact the park to have the permit updated.
- List of Equipment: List any items you’re requesting, such as portable chairs for those unable to stand for the ceremony.
- Support Personnel: List any individuals assisting with your event (e.g., planner, officiant, photographer/videographer).
- Individual in Charge: Identify the on-site person authorized to make decisions during the ceremony. This person ensures all participants comply with permit conditions.
Pay the $250 non-refundable application fee by:
- Calling (307) 344-2110 with a credit card, or
- Mailing a personal check to:Special Use Permit OfficePO Box 168Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
After your application and payment are received, park staff will schedule a call to review permit conditions. Tentative approval will follow this conversation.
About two weeks before your ceremony, you’ll receive the draft permit for review and signature. If a monitor is required, you’ll be notified and charged a monitoring fee at this time. Return the signed (ink or digital) permit by email.
Once signed by the authorizing official, a final, countersigned permit will be emailed to you. Share the permit with your designated on-site lead and all support personnel. You must print and carry this permit with you at the ceremony.
Contact Us
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm (MT)
Closed federal holidays
(307) 344-2110
yell_sup@nps.gov
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