Weddings, vow renewals, elopements, commitments, and other ceremonies may be permitted in certain areas of Yellowstone National Park depending on location, group size, and the time of year or day. While the park can be an unforgettable backdrop for your special day, if you want to have a large, exclusive or decorated celebration, please consider locations outside of the park for your event or visit the Yellowstone National Park Lodges wedding webpage.
A Special Use Permit is required for your ceremony to take place in any area of the park. Applications will be accepted up to 12 months in advance and no later than 2 weeks before the requested ceremony date. Due to changing conditions and resource issues, permits will not be issued more than a few weeks in advance; the approved permit must be with you during your event.
For ash scattering, still photography, filming, and other special use permits please visit our Special Use Permit page.
Prior to Applying
A Special Park Use Permit is required for holding a ceremony in Yellowstone National Park to ensure the activity will not interfere with or prevent general visitor use or cause resource damage. Prior to applying, review the Regulations and Permit Conditions to ensure the ceremony held is appropriate and meets the conditions of the permit. The following are key need to know items:
Locations are outdoors and rustic in nature and do not offer protection from the weather. The permit prohibits or restricts the use of items such as decorations, alters, tables, chairs, signs, scattering of materials, plants, generators, catered food services, etc. Most of the locations do not have restroom facilities at or near the ceremony locations.
Exclusive use of any area is not permitted; therefore, ceremony sites will remain open for public use alongside your permitted activity.
Consider carpooling. Access to parking maybe difficult and parking spaces cannot be reserved or held in advance.
Group size is restricted based on the permit type and location. Group size, includes the wedding party, guests- including children, officiant, planners, photographer(s), etc.
The permittee signs the permit to state they understand and accept the permit subject to the terms and conditions.
You may have portraits or video taken at the ceremony location during the permitted period per the permit conditions. 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.
The following are useful resources for applying and planning your ceremony and visiting Yellowstone:
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.
Locations to consider:
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.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges
Hotel conference rooms. Please work visit the Yellowstone National Park Lodges wedding webpage. No special use permit required facilities managed by the Yellowstone National Park Lodges. If there are any questions on whether or not a permit is required, please contact the Special Use Permit Office (307) 344-2110.
Other Locations
Alternative locations not listed here may be requested. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
How to Apply
A completed application and the $250 application fee must be submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to the requested ceremony date. Your location and date will be “held” while the permit is being drafted and finalized.
Applicant Information
Enter applicant information. One or both of the primary ceremony participant names may be listed (e.g., Bride and/or Groom). You can leave Organization and Fax number blank.
Description of Proposed Activity section
Describe the ceremony (length, size, how elaborate, etc.)
Date, Location, and Time
Enter your preferred date, location and start time for the permitted activity in the first row.
Identify and prioritize your alternates (e.g., if location is your priority you may have to be flexible on your ceremony date and vice versa).
If you are applying for an alternative site, please provide a description of the location with coordinates and/or a satellite view map of the requested location.
Participants and Vehicles (best estimate)
Enter the number of people who will be at the ceremony including children, officiant, photographer(s), and planner(s). Enter the maximum number you anticipate. Once your permit is finalized, if you end up having more participants, you will need to contact the park to have your permit reprocessed. Enter the maximum number of vehicles and the size of vehicle you are planning and requesting to be included in your permit.
List of Equipment
List any additional equipment you are requesting to be considered for your permit. For example, an estimated number of chairs for those who cannot stand through the full ceremony.
Support Personnel
Include any support personnel you may have to support your permitted ceremony activity (i.e., event planner, officiant, photographer, videographer).
Individual in Charge
Enter the name and cell phone number of the individual who will be in charge of the onsite activity and is authorized to make decisions related to the permitted activity.This person is expected to ensure the activities during the permitted event and all participants including attendees/officiants/photographers/planners are adhering to the permit conditions.
Activity Questions
Select the Yes or No checkbox for each question as it pertains to you.
Signature Block
Complete the applicant name, title, signature, and date section
Step 2: Submit Application
Email the completed application to e-mail us. Please allow 7 to 10 days for a response.
Step 3: Pay Application Fee
Pay the $250 non-refundable application fee over the phone at 307-344-2110 or by personal check made out to the National Park Service and mailed to:
Special Use Permit Office
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Step 4: Review Rules and Tentative Approval
Once your application and payment have been processed, we schedule a call to review the permit conditions. After the call a tentative approval will be granted.
Step 5: Review Draft and Sign Permit
Approximately two weeks prior to your ceremony dates the permit will be emailed to you for review and signature. If your ceremony requires a monitor, the monitor will be assigned, and the fee will be assessed at this stage.
By signing the permit, you are certifying that the applicant information is correct and that you have read, understood, and will abide by all permit conditions.
The permit must be returned via email to e-mail us for countersignature.
Step 6: Final Permit
A copy of the fully executed permit signed by the authorizing official, will be returned to you via email. You will need to have a printed copy of the fully executed permit with you on site during the event.
You are expected to share the permit with the individual in charge and support personnel identified in the application as they are expected to understand the regulations and permit conditions. You are responsible for adherence of the entire wedding party to the permit conditions.
Regulations and Permit Conditions
Additional terms and conditions may apply. Review and understand permit before signing.
The Superintendent may immediately suspend or revoke this permit without notice if destruction of, loss of, or injury to any park property or resource has occurred, is occurring, or appears imminent. In accordance with the System Unit Resource Protection Act, 54 U.S.C. §§ 100721-100725, any person that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any park system unit resource will be liable to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury.
The Superintendent may revoke this permit at any time after providing 24 hours’ written notice to the Permittee setting forth the reasons for the revocation.
The Permittee designates (Individual in Charge) (cell phone number) as the on-site person responsible for adherence to the permit’s terms and conditions. The on-site person must have full authority to make all decisions about the permitted work or activities; must be reachable at all times; and is responsible for all persons or entities performing the permitted work or activities, including the Permittee’s contractors and subcontractors.
Park-specific Terms and Conditions
This activity may be monitored by a National Park Service employee or designee to ensure compliance with all conditions of this permit. Permittee and wedding party must comply with all instructions from the monitor. Monitor may not release permittee from compliance with terms and conditions of the permit.
Harassment of wildlife (regardless of size) is strictly prohibited. Permittee/associates will wait until animals have naturally moved off trails or out of permitted location.
The permittee and designee/representatives shall avoid any inference, written, spoken, or printed, of any connection, either official or unofficial, with the National Park Service and/or its activities.
Disturbance of any natural resource (soils, vegetation, water, etc.) or disturbing any plant, animal (or animal parts), mineral feature, or archaeological/cultural artifact is prohibited; this includes cutting, tying or removing vegetation.
The area must be cleaned up and restored to its prior condition. Ensure all trash and ceremony items are picked up and packed out at the end of the ceremony. Respect the Park’s resources and tread lightly. Leave No Trace principles and practices shall be closely adhered to for all events/ceremonies that take place in non-developed and backcountry areas. For more information, please visit Leave No Trace Seven Principles and Wilderness Ethics.
The following activities are prohibited:
Erecting or placing of alters, arbors, arches, platforms, podiums, rugs, tables, and tents.
Chairs with the exception of a few portable chairs (provided by the permittee) under special circumstances, such as for guests who would have difficulty standing during the window of this permit.
Attaching or placing decorations (e.g., banners, flower stands, lights, objects, signs, streamers) to any natural or historic object or any National Park Service sign, bench, post, building, or facility. Only handheld items that can be carried at all times are permissible. Balloons are prohibited.
Use of generators.
Rearrangement of park facilities (e.g., moving benches, tables).
Removal or disturbance of vegetation.
Scattering, spreading, or throwing of any materials (e.g., birdseed, rice, flower petals, confetti, balloons, bubbles).
Releasing or throwing birds, butterflies, or any other animal.
Receptions or catered food services. Small food and drink items are permitted but must follow strict bear safety/food storage protocol.
Unmanned aircraft (e.g., drones, model airplanes, quadcopters).
Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only and drivers must pull safely out of traffic lanes without damaging resources. Parking at sites is not exclusive to or reserved for the ceremony.
This permit does not grant exclusive use of any area, including the approved ceremony site. The permitted location shall remain open to park visitors. Other park visitors shall not be requested to move themselves, their vehicles, or alter their selected activities by the permittee or agents of the permittee. Furthermore, all pathways and trails in the ceremony area must remain clear for visitors to freely use the path unimpeded.
Audio devices (radios, musical instruments, etc.) shall not be used in such a manner: that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels. Sound amplification is not permitted. 36 CFR 2.12 Audio Disturbances.
Photography and film/videography are authorized under the following conditions, and the permittee is required to ensure their photographer/videographer are aware of the permit conditions:
a. Outside of the ceremony location designated on the permit group size is limited to 15 participants for photography.
b. In thermal areas and at viewpoints or trails along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone group size is limited to 5 people total with equipment not exceeding a camera and tripod.
d. Impeding traffic or causing unnecessary delays in traffic is prohibited.
e. Photography may not take place in the road (e.g., bride posing on the yellow line).
g. The use of tripods or any multi-legged stabilization device is authorized but may not interfere with the general visiting public or with the free flow of traffic on roads, boardwalks, or trails. All other equipment must be handheld.
h. For nighttime photography, illuminating clients, park features and landscapes in any way for the purpose of photography is not authorized.
i. Specific to Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley there is a 2-hour maximum use limitation for the utilization of any one pull-out or parking area. Parking spaces in pull-outs are available on a first-come first-served basis and cannot be blocked or saved.
Contact Us
National Park Service Special Use Permit Office
Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (MT)
Closed federal holidays
Wedding permits: (307) 344-2110
Fax: (307) 344-2112 email us
