Prairie Creek Redwoods elopement featuring towering redwood trees and California Coast.

Redwood National Park is one of my favorite national parks. It’s one of the most underrated parks. Tucked away in the small towns of way Northern California, lower traffic than most national parks, and one of the most peaceful and awe-inspiring places. The trees can be up to 2,000 years old and the coastal location leaves a year-round mild climate.

The top things to know if you want to elope in Redwood National Park…

• The best seasons for Redwood elopements is summer or fall! That’s when you’re least likely to get rain on your day. Even so, you’ll find mild temperatures and some rain in the spring and winter months.
• Leave No Trace is very important for the Redwoods. It’s a very mature ecosystem that requires careful use to protect it. Some important LNT things to know: stay on trail and do not wander into the ferns as it damages the understory, do not stand on fallen logs (they serve as a starting place for small plants which then helps the tree decompose to recycle nutrients into the environment), and do not carve anything into the trees.
• The towns near the Redwoods are quite isolated. You’ll be able to find a cute vacation rental and some vendors to hire but they may have a bit of a travel fee. This location is best suited for a “just us” elopement experience. While there are places you can have guests, utilizing nearby coastline usually better accommodates guests. If having beautiful florals and multiple vendors is important to you, there may be better location options elsewhere.
• Live and dried florals are NOT allowed in the park (don’t worry, the flowers in these photos are fake). Rangers will be checking and it is very important in order to avoid invasive species.
• The Redwoods are a very unique place to photograph. It has both challenging lighting for portraits and unique Leave No Trace rules to ensure the park stays pristine for years to come. I highly recommend you hire someone who has experience with the park!

Permit rules have been updated as of 2025. The park is now separated based on whether it’s a state or national park section (though all are under the Redwood National and State Park umbrella still). For more on rules for the national park section, check out this resource from NPS. For the state park sections, like Prairie Creek Redwoods featured here, you now need a $20 permit for any kind of photos. If you’re having a ceremony, you need an additional permit and liability insurance. Photographers need an additional permit via the California Film Commission to use any images taken in any capacity. This information is not currently available online and you will need to contact California State Parks to work out permits for your elopement. I was able to get the contact via contacting the federal Redwoods permit coordinator.

Here’s a look at what your Redwood National Park elopement could look like!

First Look and Ceremony

Redwood National Park Hike

Fern Canyon Hike

Fern Canyon has gained a lot of popularity and now requires an advanced reservation (current as of January 2025). This limits the number of visitors each day and protects the ecosystem. You can learn more about these passes on the NPS website!

California Coast Portraits

Kind words from the couple:

Miki was the most responsible, professional, experienced, friendly, punctual and responsive photographer we could have found for our elopement. Another photographer HIGHLY recommended her to us.

My now-husband said at the start of our wedding planning that we didn’t need a photographer. A camera and a tripod would do the job. (rolling my eyes!).

I stood my ground and said that a photographer was a must. We hired Miki! Not even halfway through the process, he was, “I like this photographer! She’s also like a planner. I am glad we hired her. It’s so much easier.”
Me: side-eye, “I told you!” 🙂

Back to the review! Miki was beyond helpful. She is very familiar with the Redwood area, where we got married. She provided us with locations, suggestions (weather, vendors, hidden gem spots, and so on! ), and checklists.

Miki is environmentally conscious, respectful, and friendly. She never said no to our ideas. But she offers alternatives if you want to do something “crazy” that it’s not allowed.

She even drove to our wedding location the day before and sent us pictures of some beautiful spots for us to choose from.
If communication is important to you, she is the one! Miki is very communicative and responsive. She replied to all our emails promptly.

The result? We got stunning, wedding magazine-type shots. Because of our photos, we are still the talk of our circle.
My husband, the one who said we could take our own pictures, was the one who shared the photos with everyone.

Are you looking for a hands-on photographer? Hire Miki and relax! You won’t be in better hands.

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For more information, check out my elopement packages or contact me to start planning your day!

Want to learn more about eloping? Check out these other resources!

Everything You Need to Know About Eloping

How to Tell Friends and Family You’re Eloping

How to Elope in Brookings, OR (a coast location near the Redwoods)