When you are looking for the perfect place to have your wedding ceremony, it’s important to think about location and what type of person will be attending.
Choose a national park that is close by, somewhere with some interesting things to do. Here are ten of the most romantic national parks in all 50 states. Each is a unique place to say I do.
Let’s get started.
1. Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The Grand Canyon National Park has the most beautiful scenery of any national park in America. It is also a popular tourist destination and there are many natural wonders to see while visiting, which makes it ideal for weddings!
Some of the popular locations around Grand Canyon for weddings include the Grand Canyon Village and the North Rim. The North Rim has a number of lovely backdrops for wedding pictures, as well as excellent hiking trails to explore with your significant other. Keep in mind that it’s closed from October through May due to weather conditions.
At the South Rim, there are many facilities available for weddings including campgrounds, lodges, restaurants, gift shops, and more! If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path spot in which to tie the knot around this area then consider visiting Desert View or Tusayan. Both have gorgeous scenery without being too crowded like some areas can be on busy days at the park.
2. Mount Rushmore, SD
Another popular destination for weddings is Mount Rushmore with its scenic views, as well as being a historic landmark.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial was designated by Congress in October 1927 to honor four United States presidents; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The memorial sits on Mount Rushmore in Keystone Canyon near Keystone, South Dakota at an altitude of 6700 feet (2037 meters) above sea level.
The best time to visit Mount Rushmore is from May to September when there are fewer crowds which ensure you’ll get more privacy from the tourist crowds.
3. Zion National Park, UT
Recognized by Forbes magazine as one of America’s most popular places for weddings, Zion National Park holds over 300 weddings held here annually with an average spend per person coming out around $500 to $1,000 depending on their itinerary.
Some of the popular locations in Zion weddings are The Canyon Overlook for ceremonies that are taking place during the summer. It’s perfect because it offers views of the Virgin River and many other amazing features in Zion’s rugged terrain of cliffs and sandstone domes.
The Watchman Campground is another location that can be used by couples who want to have their ceremony outdoors, but still close to amenities like restrooms or even a market if they need supplies on site. This area also has picnic tables so there would be no need for rentals in order to provide seating outside at your wedding venue.
4. Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite National Park boasts some very scenic landscapes such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. While the park has no designated wedding sites due to the lack of water for guests who would gather in one location, there are various locations such as Tunnel View or Mirror Lake that could accommodate weddings on a smaller scale with less than 50 guests.
If you’re hosting a wedding ceremony with more than 50 guests you’ll need to rent a location like the Yosemite Chapel (which is not only available for weddings but also as an event venue) or Tenaya Lodge.
5. Acadia National Park, ME
Acadia National Park in Maine is another popular destination for weddings due to its beautiful coastline and rocky coastlines. The park has a designated site for weddings, called the Sand Beach Weddings Site, which is situated on the rugged coast of Maine near Bar Harbor’s village green; an ideal location with access only by foot or boat ride.
In addition, Acadia National Park has breathtaking views of Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond – perfect for a romantic location with natural beauty that would leave guests speechless!
The Anemone Trail is another popular area to hold weddings with its scenic vistas not found elsewhere on Mount Desert Island. It should be noted that this trail may only accommodate smaller groups as opposed to a large-scale event, but if you are looking for privacy then this site could be ideal.
Guests can explore an abundance of flora and fauna found along its path while enjoying panoramic views from nearby peaks.
6. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Coming in as the sixth most popular destination for weddings, Bryce Canyon National Park is full of opportunities to create a memorable event. The park offers views of large red and orange rock formations that are reminiscent of ancient structures – perfect for creating an unforgettable scene!
Guests will be able to appreciate majestic scenes dating back thousands of years at this site while still being surrounded by the natural beauty that features colorful canyons and forests filled with wildflowers.
One ceremony option would be atop the Sunrise Point or Sunset Point overlooks where guests could watch sunsets over distant mountains. If you want your wedding’s theme to revolve around nature then one more location worth consideration might be Mirror Lake which has serene reflections on its surface.
7. Shenandoah National Park, VA
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia boasts very scenic views that will stand out in your wedding photos. The park also has a long history of being one of America’s most popular spots for holding scenic weddings and other events, so you can be sure to get married in front of some beautiful scenery!
The Skyline Drive is the only public road through Shenandoah National Park; it runs from Front Royal all the way up to Dickey Gap near West Virginia border. It features over 100 miles worth of great mountain roads with stunning vistas as well as hiking trails and picnic areas which makes it perfect for an unforgettable ceremony location.
Hiking on these trails means exploring via foot or horseback – ideal if you want those classic old-timey pictures for your album!
8. Yellowstone National Park, WY
If you live on the west coast of the United States, you can’t look past Yellowstone. This park boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in North America, not to mention it’s home to a massive number of geysers and hot springs that will make your ceremony location feel extra magical.
The variety of landscapes is incredible, whether you want to get married on the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake or at one of the many waterfalls in the park. Plus, if it’s a nice day and you don’t have your heart set on being outdoors then there are options for that as well!
There are also plenty of great historical spots throughout such as Old Faithful Geyser which offers photo opportunities galore.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN & NC
If you’re on the east coast, then the Smokies is another great option. There are some beautiful lakes and rivers in the park, as well as a whole lot of different types of forests. You can get married at one of the many waterfalls or on top of Clingman’s Dome for an amazing view!
The variety of landscapes is incredible, whether you want to get married on the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake or at one of the many waterfalls in the park. Plus, if it’s a nice day and you don’t have your heart set on being outdoors then there are options for that as well!
There are also plenty of great historical spots throughout such as Old Faithful Geyser which offers photo opportunities galore.
10. Glacier Bay National Park, AK
Glacier Bay in Alaska, while quite a distance away from the rest, offers some of the most remote and pristine views in any national park. This is a great spot for those who are looking to get married outside, or if you’re wanting an intimate ceremony with only close family members present. This national park offers everything from kayaking to hiking on glaciers with your loved one which will make for some amazing wedding photos!
For most couples, advanced planning is for logistics and travel arrangements for guests are needed because of the distance. This is a great place for those who are looking to escape reality and get married in their own paradise that’s only accessible by plane, boat or sometimes snowmobile.
A flight into Hoonah gets you within 30 minutes of Glacier Bay where there are many scenic lakes as well as glacier walks through ice fields each day like Lake Louise and Margerie Glacier. There are also plenty of waterfalls in this area such as Terrace Falls so if it rains then don’t worry about getting wet because these falls can be seen year-round without rain gear!
And when the sun shines brightly,
Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams is a writer, plant-nerd, and outdoor enthusiast. She has traveled extensively, around the U.S., throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Everywhere she treks, she takes time to enjoy the outdoors. John Muir is her hero. She aspires to inspire people to live better as he did.