Emerald Bay State Park Elopement Information
Contact Email: LSSEC@parks.ca.gov
Thank you for your interest in hosting your special event at beautiful Emerald Bay State Park! For couples seeking a spectacular backdrop for their small and simple wedding ceremony or renewal of vows, this is an ideal spot. Ceremonies overlooking Emerald Bay are allowed via special permit at a specific site near Mile Marker 53 on Highway 89.
You can obtain a permit through the above email or utilize one of the local companies that will work with State Parks to obtain a permit for you. For information on relevant elopement companies, pricing and permit information, and for the map to the location of the elopement site, please contact the above email. (In the winter season our staff are part-time, response time can take up to 3-4 days.)
Please note the following regulations for special events at this site:
• You must have a permit to hold an event at this site.
• The maximum number of attendees, including permittees, is 25.
• Use of the ceremony site is limited to maximum of 30 minutes including photos at the site.
• A permit does not guarantee parking, which can be very limited, especially at peak times. It is often useful to hire a shuttle for your wedding party and/or arrange drop-off pick-up services.
• Use of the site is by permit only, but not exclusive. Therefore, you might encounter another event at the site. Please wait respectfully at a distance if you arrive while another event is in progress.
• The site allows standing, non-catered events only.
• To protect wildlife, throwing of any material (petals, rice, glitter, balloons, doves, songbirds, etc.) is prohibited.
• Smoking, e-cigarettes, and vaping are prohibited.
• Drone use is NOT allowed.
• As this is a state park, this is a public site. It is a more secluded spot, but it won’t be closed off to the public.
• Beyond what is specified in the permit, all state park rules apply.
• The permit fee is non-refundable in case of cancellation.
• In winter months, access to the site might not be possible due to weather-related Highway 89 road closure and/or accumulation of snow at the site. Refunds will not be issued for weather related cancellations.