How to Elope in the Northern California Redwoods in 2025
want to elope in the redwoods
So you
California's redwood state and national parks offer some of the most stunning elopement backdrops. Towering ancient trees, misty forests, and ethereal green landscapes create the dreamiest elopement setting.
If you're looking for a peaceful, intimate elopement in nature that makes you feel tiny in the best way, then the redwoods are the perfect place for you.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by where to start, it's a great thing you're here!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan your dream redwood forest elopement.
Table of Contents
- Where to Elope in the Redwoods in California
- Best Places to Elope in Redwoods National & State Parks
- How to Plan Your Redwoods Elopement in Northern California
- When to Elope in Redwoods National & State Parks
- Where to Stay for Your Elopement in Redwoods National & State Parks
- Getting to the Parks
- Redwoods Elopement Timelines
- How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Redwoods National Park
- How to Legally Get Married in Redwoods National & State Parks
- How to Leave No Trace when Eloping in the Redwoods
"We are so happy that kasey took our photos on our special day! she was so wonderful to work with and made the process easy and fun from start to finish. She helped us plan a beautiful day and we love the photos. We can't wait for her to take our anniversary photos!"
K & F
Where to elope in the redwoods in California
Stretching along the foggy coast from Big Sur all the way to Oregon, California is home to some of the most iconic redwood forests, including some of the tallest trees on Earth. There are 3 main areas of California to explore the redwoods - Redwoods National and State Parks in Northern California, Santa Cruz, and Big Sur. While all of these forests are stunning, each of them has it's own unique vibe for an elopement.
In Redwoods National and State Parks (near the Oregon border), you’ll find the most dramatic scale—soaring trees, fern-filled canyons, and a quiet, wild atmosphere with few crowds. This is the area we will be focusing on in this guide!
redwoods national & state parks
Elope In
Where redwoods meet rugged cliffs and ocean views, Big Sur is ideal if you're wanting the best of both forest and coastline. If you want to learn more about Big Sur elopements, check out my Big Sur Elopement Guide.
the big sur redwoods
Elope In
The Santa Cruz redwoods offer easier access from the San Francisco Bay Area. These redwood forests are close by to charming towns, awesome restaurants and of course, the Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk!
the santa cruz redwoods
Elope In
the best places to elope in the redwoods national & state parks
Redwoods National & State Parks are hands down one of my favorite places in California. These parks are so underrated which makes them great for elopements. Unlike the more crowded parks in California, these ancient forests offer a peaceful, intimate setting that feels like they were made for quiet, meaningful moments, like reading your vows to each other privately.
From canyons lined with bright green ferns to the tallest trees in the world, there are so many amazing spots to explore in these parks. Trying to choose the right park might seem overwhelming at first, but that's where I come in!
Let's talk about the epic parks that make up the Redwoods National & State Parks system.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This park is dense with redwoods and ferns, creating a wild vibe. It's a little more remote feeling than the others with limited cell service. There are some great ceremony spots here that are off the beaten path for more privacy. And bonus, the Smith River runs through the park! Spend your post-ceremony celebration cracking open beers together by the river after exploring the iconic Stout Grove together.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek has lots of variety, from redwoods to ferns to beaches. It is home to the iconic fern canyon, which you can't have your ceremony in but we can venture to for photos and exploring after your ceremony elsewhere!
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
This quiet, coastal park offers both forest and coast views! It has more steep trails and lookout points on cliffs making it less easily accessible than the other parks. These coastal views are a great place to stop on your elopement day for some photos and to just enjoy the view.
Redwood National Park
If you're looking for some really tall trees, the National park is an awesome place to explore. This park is generally busy but there are some ceremony spots off the beaten path if you know where to look!
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
While technically not part of the Redwoods National & State Parks system, I had to mention it because it's also a stunning place to elope! It's closer to some major airports so it's easier to access if you have guests flying in from out of town and it's generally less crowded compared to Redwoods National Park.
Check out the different park locations on the map:
how to plan your redwoods elopement
eloping in the redwoods is magical, but it does require some logistics - that's where I come in!
Hire an elopement specific photographer who knows how to help you plan an elopement to get the most out of your day, make sure everything is legal, and of course get the best photos! Your photographer will be able to help with every step of planning your day, so it's a great place to start even if you have nothing else decided yet. I love brainstorming with my couples and coming up with the perfect day that feels like you.
After getting to know you and we chat about your elopement vision, I will send you a locations guide so we can pick your perfect ceremony spot.
Permit requirements are different for each location, and I'm here to help you with this! I apply for permits for you so you don't need to feel overwhelmed by this process.
Now that you know the location you'll be eloping in, you can book your lodging! I can help give you ideas and specific spots closest to your ceremony site.
Once you know where you'll be staying it's time to book your other vendors! I'll send you a curated list of vendors for whatever you need. Officiant, hair and makeup artist, private chef? I've got you.
Your day is here! Everything you planned all comes together and you get to enjoy your epic, stress-free day marrying your best friend!
- Mild temperatures (50-65 degrees F)
- Lush green foliage
- Medium potential for light rain
- Fewer crowds
spring
- Coolest season (40-55 degrees F)
- High chance of rain
- Dramatic, moody atmosphere
- Least crowded
winter
the best time of year to elope in the redwoods
My favorite time of the year for redwoods elopements is fall. September & October are beautiful months to be in the redwoods. Temperatures are moderate and there may be some rain, but it's not the wet season and not too hot. It's also after peak season, so the parks are not too crowded and you'll get to experience that "whole place to ourselves" feeling on your elopement day.
(December - February)
(March - May)
summer
- Hottest season (60-75 degrees F)
- Driest season
- Peak tourist season
- Need to book permits well in advance
(June - August)
fall
- Mild temperatures (50-65 degrees F)
- Fewer crowds
- Potential for misty mornings
- Medium chance of rain
(September - November)
WHERE TO STAY FOR YOUR REDWOODS ELOPEMENT
Rustic cabins, cozy Airbnbs, and forested retreats—there’s a stay for every style. Because the redwoods are spread out, where you stay will depend on your elopement spot.
Best Areas to Stay:
Brookings, OR - Ideal for Jedediah Smith Redwoods as it's not too far and has more restaurants as well as cute airbnbs compared to Crescent City.
Crescent City – Closest town to Jedediah Smith Redwoods
Klamath – Central location near several groves and coastal trails.
Orick – Closest town to Redwood National Park.
Trinidad or Arcata – Charming towns with more lodging and restaurants. The closest park is Redwood National Park.
Lodging Ideas:
Remote Airbnbs tucked into the forest
Glamping spots or yurts near the coast
Pro tip: Book early—availability is limited, especially in summer and fall.
Once we determine which park you'll be eloping in, I will send you a list of lodging recommendations!
- Marriage license To legally get married in California, you do not have to be a resident of California. You do, however, need to get your marriage license in California. You can get your marriage license in any California county within 90 days before your elopement date. There is no waiting period to pick up your license. Don't forget your ID!
- Hire an officiant or have a friend become ordained online to marry you.
- Have at least one witness. You must have at least 1 and up to 2 witnesses sign your marriage license. If you don't plan on having guests, I am happy to sign as your witness!
- Apply for a Special Use Permit through the National Park Service or the appropriate state park. I will help you with this!
legally elope in the california redwoods
How to
Making things legal might seem overwhelming, so I am here to help you. Here's the breakdown:
Imagine waking up in a rustic cabin in the forest, just you and your love getting up to make coffee together before the best day of your lives. The rest of your day can be absolutely ANYTHING you want. Here is an example of a full day adventure elopement in the redwoods...
Wake up and enjoy a slow morning making coffee together
Get pastries from a local bakery for breakfast
Hair & Makeup arrives and you get ready in separate rooms at your Airbnb, Photo coverage starts
Detail photos of a map of the state park you're getting married in, your rings, and your sentimental items you brought from home
First look outside in the forest
Travel to your ceremony location
Say your vows to each other under the canopy of the redwoods
Read letters from your family
Explore the redwood grove and take couples photos
Mid day break at a brewery for lunch
Meet at coastal overlook before sunset
Hike down to the beach
Enjoy a charcuterie board and share some beers
First dance as the sun starts to set
Couples photos on the beach as the sun sets and blue hour photos with lanterns after the sun goes down
Go back to your Airbnb for a delicious candlelit dinner cooked by a private chef and a romantic evening of champagne & playing board games together
What your elopement day can look like in the redwoods...
Redwoods Elopement Timeline
The cost of eloping in the redwoods can vary a lot depending on the kind of experience you want. A simple ceremony under the trees with just the two of you and your photographer is going to cost much less than a full-day adventure with a private chef, florals, multiple locations, and a small guest list.
A lot of couples I work with choose to elope in the redwoods because they want a day that feels deeply personal, relaxed, and meaningful—not necessarily because they’re trying to have the cheapest wedding possible. Elopements can vary from $6k to $30k+ depending if your budget is mostly photography or if you're including other pieces in your day.
Below, I’ve put together a few sample budgets—from simple to luxury, so you can get a feel for what redwoods elopements can look like at different price points. Most couples fall somewhere in between, splurging on the pieces that mean the most and keeping the rest simple.
how much does it cost to elope in the redwoods?
Photography (full day coverage): $5,300
Permit: $200-300
Travel + Lodging (3+ nights): $1,000–$2,000
Florals (bouquets and/or boutonierrres) $300–$600
Officiant: $300–$600
Private chef or catered meal: $500–$1,000
Hair & Makeup: $300–$500
Rental Car: $600-800
redwoods Elopement Budget
Luxury redwoods elopement budget
Photography (multi-day): $7,300
Permit: $200-300
Travel + Upscale Lodging (3–4 nights): $2,000–$4,000+
High-end floral design: $1,000–$2,500
Officiant: $300 - $600
Private chef dinner or catered reception: $1,500–$3,000+
Hair & Makeup: $800–$1,200+
Transportation / vintage car: $800–$1,500
Adventure extras (kayaking, picnic setup, etc.): $300-800+
This kind of elopement is a full experience—elevated, intentional, and completely centered around your love story.
This is a great balance between intentional simplicity and a little extra magic—you get to slow down, take it all in, and celebrate in a way that feels completely “you.”
Getting to the redwoods
The redwoods in Northern California are remote, peaceful, and absolutely worth the trip. The closest airport is in Medford, Oregon—about a two-hour drive from the parks. It’s technically an international airport, but it’s small, so direct flights aren’t always available. The next major option is San Francisco International (SFO), which is about six hours away by car—but it makes for an incredible road trip through Northern California.
Once you're in the area, you’ll definitely need a car. Driving is one of the best ways to experience the redwoods, with scenic highways, winding forest roads, and even the chance to drive through a redwood tree at some of the commercial groves. Trust me, you'll want to explore the different groves and experience these beautiful drives while in the area!
leave no trace in the redwoods
Key LNT Principles for Elopements:
- Stay on designated trails and don’t trample plant life.
- Avoid using props or décor that could disturb the natural area. Redwoods National & State Parks forbid real flowers, I have recommendations for how you can get gorgeous silk flower bouquets instead!
- Don’t scatter petals, confetti, or rice—even if biodegradable.
- Pack out everything you bring in—including food scraps.
Choose vendors who respect LNT practices and park rules.
