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Updated Oct 14, 202416 Stunning National Park Wedding Venues for Every Outdoor Enthusiast
With over a dozen spots to choose from, these venues showcase nature's finest backdrops for your perfect day.
Photo: Jeff Hall Photography
,Venue: Yosemite National Park
When looking at national park wedding venues, many people wonder how to pick the right space for them and their vision. Perhaps you're hoping for a scenic mountain view where you can bring in the wedding industry's rising stars in for an unforgettable party maybe you would rather have a rustic cabin setting and a picnic reception. Either way, we've collected our favorite wedding venues in national parks to inspire you for your big day.
When perusing this list, consider things like your potential guest count, if you want the ceremony and reception to take place at the same spot, nearby lodging options and if your guests can easily travel to the location, as many national parks are a bit off the beaten path. The process of picking a wedding venue and asking the right questions is no easy feat. Knowing this, we spoke with an expert in the industry to create the ultimate guide on how to plan a national park wedding. With help from these two articles, you will be well on your way to planning an epic celebration at one of America's prettiest places.
Glacier Park Weddings & Events in West Glacier, Montana
The list starts with Glacier National Park, which we've named to our list of the most Unforgettable Venues available to reserve through The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Just a quarter mile away from the west entrance to Glacier National Park is Glacier Park Weddings & Events, giving guests all the beauty of the park with fewer restrictions. This incredible venue gives couples a blank slate to plan their wedding, allowing them to choose a small, rustic theme or a truly glamorous celebration under a white tent that can comfortably fit up to 200 guests. While couples can drive to get married in the park, this venue also has a tiered ceremony meadow with stunning mountain views onsite. With five log cabins and a 14-room lodge on the property, many guests will even want to stay here while vacationing in the park before or after the festivities.
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The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park, California
Perhaps the most famous national park wedding venue in all of the United States is The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park. The four-star hotel's stained glass windows, stunning exposed beams, and majestic feel all tie together to give couples a romantic experience while in the heart of Yosemite Valley. With Half Dome and Yosemite Falls as the backdrop, this reception venue provides a quintessential national park experience alongside gourmet, four-course meals and unparalleled service. Various rooms inside can host parties with up to 200 guests, although more intimate receptions are easily arranged.
Teton Cabins in Moran, Wyoming
Nestled at the base of the Grand Teton mountain range are the Teton Cabins in Moran, Wyoming. This wedding venue lies at the entrance to Grand Teton National Park and can hold up to 50 friends and family for your special day. Breathtaking views of mountains greet guests as they settle into rustic log cabins. For larger weddings, Teton Cabin staff can set up a tent at the Diamond Cross Ranch right next door. Under a half hour from Yellowstone National Park and next door to the town of Jackson Holel, this venue is a favorite for the outdoor enthusiast hoping to see multiple national parks when they say their vows.
Crystal Ridge Distillery in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Tucked at the entrance of Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is the beautifully restored Crystal Ridge Distillery. Built in 1920 to be the town's general store, this stunning venue showcases craftsmanship, exposed brick and plenty of natural light alongside views of the national forests and lakes. The 3,600-square-foot event space can hold up to 250 guests for a reception after a ceremony in the national park.
Zion National Park Lodge in Springdale, Utah
Photo: Gestalt Imagery | Shutterstock
For couples hoping to host their wedding and reception in Zion National Park, the only place to stay is the Zion National Park Lodge. With numerous historic cabins tucked next to the sandstone cliffs in Zion Canyon, this venue is unmatched in its scenery and design. There are indoor and outdoor spots for both the ceremony and reception right at the lodge, making this one of the better national park wedding venues for couples desiring to hold an accessible wedding.
Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana
For a quintessential mountain retreat next to Glacier National Park, check out Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana. While the lodge has nine different banquet rooms able to host intimate parties or massive all-out receptions, this venue also has an idyllic pavilion for an outdoor celebration. This venue has absolutely everything you need, including rentals, custom menus and a top-notch, responsive staff. Just outside, the couple and their guests will have access to hiking, rafting, skiing, and a host of other outdoor adventures.
Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park, California
Hailed as the premier event center at Sequoia National Park in California is the Wuksachi Lodge. Built with local stone and cedar, this venue highlights all the beauty of the surrounding land without skimping on elegance. The dining room can accommodate up to 90 seated guests with views of the infamous sequoia trees and the High Sierra meadow. As far as national park wedding venues go, the Wuksachi Lodge is also known for having many budget-friendly options.
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Great Sand Dunes in Moscow, Colorado
Photo: Zack Frank | Shutterstock
If you're planning a national park micro-wedding, consider heading out to the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado. This stunning place allows for weddings of up to 15 people at various areas in the park, although larger groups can request a permit for the amphitheater. Getting married at the Great Sand Dunes allows a couple and their guests to take advantage of the unique area, such as going sandboarding or sand sledding, hiking in the park or splashing in the Medano Creek. There are also plenty of four-wheel drive trails and spectacular spots for a romantic photography shoot here as well.
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio
The Conservancy at Cuyahoga Valley National Park has numerous options for couples hoping to get married, making it one of the more accommodating and flexible wedding venues on our list. The Happy Days Lodge, built from wormy chestnut and sandstone, can hold up to 200 people for a seated reception after a ceremony elsewhere in the park, while the wooded Hines Hill is better for smaller ceremonies with an outdoor reception. There is also a stunning screened-in porch for those hoping to have the best of both worlds.
The Oasis in Death Valley, California
While the park's name may not immediately jump out as a go-to wedding destination, don't count Death Valley National Park out when considering incredible spots to tie the knot. The Oasis at Death Valley lies at the center of the park, just two hours from Las Vegas. Pairing vintage luxury with outdoor gardens, this venue is a spacious and beloved spot for up to 100 guests. With overnight accommodations available as well, this is an excellent place for those hoping to host an unforgettable wedding weekend.
Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier Park, Montana
For those able to make it to Montana, the Glacier Park Lodge in east Glacier National Park provides world-class service, overnight accommodations with over 160 rooms and unbeatable mountain views. There are three indoor reception areas, each able to hold up to 120 people. For those wanting an outdoor celebration, a pavilion can host up to 150 people at the foot of Dancing Lady Mountain. Glacier Park Lodge allows guests to get away from the hecticness of life in rural Montana without sacrificing elegance and modern amenities.
Jackson Lake Lodge in Moran, Wyoming
Less than five minutes from Jackson Lake lies the Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Teton National Park. The impressive 60-foot windows provide unbelievable views of the Tetons for guests, and when those are paired with sustainable and organic dining options, it's no surprise this venue is one of the best national park wedding venues in the nation. The 385 rooms accommodate guests hoping to stay for a while in the Lodge, while the Explorers Ballroom can hold up to 250 people for a reception. With plenty of spots for an outdoor ceremony and even a terrace for a cocktail hour, this lodge has everything needed for a top-notch event.
Skyland at Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Virginia
Built in the late 1800s, the Skyland Resort is a historic and picturesque venue sitting at the highest point along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. With plenty of wide open spaces overlooking the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, couples often choose to get married outside here before heading into the lodge or to its porch for a reception of up to 100 guests. Skyland is only open from early April to November. Also within Shenandoah National Park is the Big Meadows Lodge located just a few miles away and able to host parties of up to 64 people during warm weather months.
Wawona Hotel in Yosemite National Park, California
Couples who get married at the Wawona Hotel at Yosemite National Park in California will be transported back to an earlier time in America. Constructed in 1879, this Victorian-era venue has a wraparound porch, calming views and plenty of open space. As it is about an hour from Yosemite Valley, it is slightly less crowded than other parts of Yosemite National Park. It is just a few minutes away from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, an excellent spot to escape for one-of-a-kind pictures as well.
Chisos Mountains Lodge in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Photo: Photography by Deb Snelson | Getty Images
Big Bend National Park in Texas is home to both the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande River, and the only lodging within the park is found at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. This venue has three spots to host any size event. The Forest Grove holds over 200 guests while the Oak Grove is a more intimate spot that can accommodate up to 90 people among its forested surroundings. Lastly, the Town Hall can host up to 200 people under its roof and has all the amenities that come with a typical indoor venue.
Belton Chalet at Glacier National Park, Montana
Found at the entrance to Glacier National Park in Montana, which is considered one of the best national parks to get married in, is the Belton Chalet, a stunning venue known for its top-notch food and luxurious lodging. The Terrace Room can hold up to 100 guests that will thoroughly enjoy the historic lodge and surrounding meadow views. The Belton Chalet Restaurant and Taphouse are known for serving scrumptious, locally crafted dishes as well. So, for foodies hoping to get married at a national park, this should be a top choice.
