The Giant Forest Museum and patio area are surrounded by giant sequoias and make an ideal wedding location, but conditions vary across the seasons. The photo on the left was taken in early September, while the photo on the right was taken in early April. Photo left: NPS; Photo right: Kirke Wrench
What could be a better backdrop for your wedding day than the giant sequoias near the Giant Forest Museum or the wide foothills view from Beetle Rock? Please read through all of the information listed below to learn more about holding your wedding ceremony in these beautiful parks.
Amended Conditions for Special Use Permits in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI), in coordination with Federal, State, and Local guidelines, have amended current special use permit conditions. The following conditions apply until further notice:
Permit conditions are subject to change prior to the event as circumstances and guidance evolve. Permit holders are responsible for the following conditions that are current on the date of their event.
Permit Information
A special use permit is required for any wedding, commitment ceremony, or elopement held within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
If you wish to hold a photo shoot only, with no wedding, elopement, or commitment ceremony, you may be required to obtain a photography permit. Please visit Filming and Photography Permits and contact seki_permits@nps.gov if you have additional questions.
The special use permit cost is $150. Payment is due at the time of application. Permit fees are not refundable in the event of closure due to fire, weather, or other unanticipated events. We are unable to contact permit holders individually if/when wildfires or prescribed burns occur, so please be sure to check for updates here and on the Current Conditions webpage.
Event Information
Time
The maximum time allowed for outdoor events is three hours.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are not waived for either wedding participants or guests.
Seating
If you have guests who require chairs, please include number of chairs in special requests on your application. Chair requests should be kept to a minimum, keeping in mind that chairs must not obstruct or block public use of the area, because the location of your event must remain open to all other park visitors. A wedding permit authorizes the use of an area and is not a reservation of a location. Setting up a large number of chairs construes to other park visitors that a location is reserved for an event.
You are responsible for supplying, setting up, and removing chairs during your event time period, which can be no longer than 3 hours.
Cell Service
Cell service is not typical at event locations. You should ensure all guests have printed directions to the event locations prior to arriving at the park.
Privacy
The wedding permit does not allow your ceremony to restrict other park visitors from your chosen location nor does it guarantee you a specific site. It is recommended that you schedule your ceremony for early or late in the day. By doing so, your wedding will have more privacy.
Any activity not allowed by the general public will not be allowed by a wedding party.
Receptions may be held only in concessioner facilities or on private property.
Delaware North Parks & Resorts have facilities in both parks. DNC provides food service, lodging, grocery, and gift shops as well as catering services for receptions. To reserve an area for a wedding reception at a location operated by Delaware North, please visit their website at www.visitsequoia.com.
Parking and Vehicles
All vehicles, including motorcycles, must be parked in designated areas only; no off-road traffic is permitted. Parking is limited, so it is recommended that all wedding participants and guests carpool to the site.
Shuttles are available in the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas in the summer and on special holiday dates. Please check the Park Shuttles webpage for more details and route information.
Special conveyances, including but not limited to horse drawn carriages and hot air balloons, are prohibited.
Wedding Locations
Descriptions and photos of potential wedding locations in the parks are available online.
Please be aware that all locations are at elevations that receive snow, typically from November through April. Some locations not accessible to vehicles when road conditions become impassible due to snow. Please check our location-specific road information and our winter driving information page before choosing a location. Before your arrival, please also visit our current park conditions page.
Sequoia National Park
Beetle Rock
Halstead Meadow
Crescent Meadow (road closes to vehicles when it becomes impassable to snow)
Long Meadow / Wolverton
Lost Grove
Kings Canyon National Park
Panoramic Point (the access road is not plowed in winter)
Muir Rock / Road's End (available only when Highway 180 to Cedar Grove is open, typically May through October)
No other locations will be considered until further notice.
Potential Smoke Impacts and Expectations
When choosing a wedding date and location, please note that the Fire Management Team at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks reduces hazardous fuel loads and manages for wildfire risk throughout the year by initiating prescribed burns and mechanical fuel reduction projects. We are unable to contact permit holders individually if/when wildfires or prescribed burns occur, so please be sure to check the Current Conditions webpage.
General Smoke Expectations
Below are estimated anticipated smoke impacts that may occur at each specific wedding location if a prescribed burn is taking place in the area. Please be aware that fire and smoke can be present at any time and that the times listed for each location are estimates only. Prescribed burning is dependent on weather, site conditions, fire personnel staffing, and air quality.
Giant Forest Area (Sequoia National Park)
Typically burned sometime from late May to July and/or late September to winter
Beetle Rock - Light to moderate smoke can be anticipated from any active burns
Halstead Meadow - Negligible light smoke may drift over from Giant Forest prescribed burns
Crescent Meadow - Heavy smoke can be anticipated in the morning hours
Long Meadow / Wolverton - Light to moderate drift smoke may settle
North Fork / Dorst Area (Sequoia National Park)
Typically fall / late fall burn window
Lost Grove - Light smoke in the morning, along with fire personnel and equipment in the area.
Grant Grove Area (Kings Canyon National Park)
Typically fall / late fall, but potential for early summer
Panoramic Point - Light to moderate smoke may drift across Panoramic Point in the morning hours.
Muir Rock/Roads End – Negligible light smoke may settle into canyon from Grant Grove prescribed burns
Choose an approved location, date, and time. Choose alternates in the event that your first choice is unavailable. Wedding permits will not be issued for heavy use periods including Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend. Note that applications must be submitted a minimum of 60 days prior to the event date to be considered. For example, an application submitted on May 15 must have an event date no sooner than July 15 to be considered.
Return it via e-mail to the address listed on the form, along with proof of the $150 non-refundable application payment (see payment instructions below). Allow 30 days for processing.
If approved, we will e-mail you a draft permit for your review and signature.
You will sign and e-mail the signed permit back to us to be finalized by the Superintendent.
The finalized permit must be issued by the NPS a minimum of 30 days prior to the event date or the application will be canceled. No changes may be made to the finalized permit.
Carry the permit with you on the day of your event. Please keep in mind that cell service is not typical at the event locations, so you should print a copy of your permit.
