Best Joshua Tree Wedding Venues
I’ll shout it from the mountaintops: I love Joshua Tree National Park! It’s a delightful desert that my family and I would regularly visit. It’s where I take friends to explore. It’s where my spouse and I got married. And it’s where I take so many of my couples for their wedding days.
And while I think eloping in the park is the ultimate outdoor wedding experience, it’s not always feasible for people who have specific needs for their wedding day.
Why you might not want to get married in the park:
There are guest restrictions at certain locations in the park
You’re worried about gathering a large group in a place with no reception and limited parking
You want to have a more traditional reception
You have accessibility concerns for your guests
You want the best of both worlds
All of these things can definitely be dealt with. I’ve photographed 2-person to 20-person weddings inside the park that can absolutely be done. But we’re here to talk about how you can still have the ultimate Joshua Tree Elopement experience at a venue.
What to Consider When Selecting a Joshua Tree Wedding Venue
When choosing a Joshua Tree wedding venue, you’ll want to start by thinking about these four factors:
Size. How big of a venue do you really need? If you have lots of guests and a rowdy reception, you’ll need more room than you would for a small wedding and sit-down dinner.
Vibe. Consider how you want your wedding to feel. Do you love elegance and upscale spaces? Do you prefer comfy and cozy? Do you crave the rugged and adventurous? There’s no wrong answer as long as it makes you and your special someone feel wedding-ready!
Distance to the park. If you want to make good use of the park for wedding day photos, exploration with your guests, or just to have something fun to do the days before or after your ceremony, you’ll want to consider the distance to the park. There are multiple entrances into JTNP, so do your homework.
Budget. While getting a permit to photograph or get married in Joshua Tree is inexpensive, prices for venues vary widely. The size of the venue, the duration of the booking, and even the timing of your booking will affect the price. So start with a number and see what conforms to your budget expectations.
Once you hash out these details, you—more or less—have an outline of your wedding needs and expectations. Your wedding photographer can help guide you during your planning process.
What Your Wedding Day Can Look Like
Weddings are incredibly malleable. I always advise my couples to put in some extra time for the things they care about most. Want to focus on the ceremony? Give it plenty of time for pomp and circumstance. Partying with friends and family topping your priorities? Then start the reception early and end late. Just want some stunning photos of you two as newlyweds? Let’s schedule time to step away and capture sunset.
Again, it’s all up to you two. But here are a few things to consider when planning what your wedding day can look like:
Get ready at a venue or Airbnb
Have a first look
Snap some family photos
Have a ceremony at the venue
Enjoy a reception at your venue
Catch some photos of the first dance
Head into the park for sunset and blue-hour portraits
Feel free to add or subtract items based on your specific needs. If something really calls to you, give it plenty of time in the schedule.
Lovely Wedding Venues Near Joshua Tree National Park
Let’s get into the best Joshua Tree wedding venues. I’ve listed some really special spots for your wedding or elopement, along with some need-to-know details such as the distances to the closest national park entrances and the recommended number of guests. Read through this list and see what calls to you.
AutoCamp
10 minutes from West Entrance | Guests: 50 to 165 (depending on where you rent)
AutoCamp offers luxury camping just outside of the park where you can stay in an Airstream or a room rental. This spot offers indoor and outdoor event space, which makes it great for any season. The vibe is clean and modern, with light colors that simply delight the senses. Even better, it offers luxury camping, which is good for rustic types, indoorsy people, and everyone in between. AutoCamp is good for groups of 50 to 165, depending on what area you rent.
Sacred Sands
5 minutes from the West Entrance | Guests: Up to 100
Sacred Sands is a five-acre property, ideal for events or booking a stay. It sports an outdoor and indoor reception area for dining, parties, and the like. The property offers a kitchen, event rentals, and luxury suites—which make for great getting-ready photos. Filled with rich colors, Sacred Sands has an enchanting vibe.
Rimrock Ranch
30 minutes from West Entrance | Guests: Inquire for details
Originally created as a retreat space for Wester-movie actors and crew, Rimrock Ranch is a really cool event space for JT weddings. Lodging options include cabins and Airstreams. You can even book a stay in a whole house if you want to do it big! The overall ambiance is folksy, whimsical, and a little bit boho.
29 Palms Inn
25 minutes from West Entrance | 7 minutes from Twentynine Palms Entrance | Guests: 20 to 50
The 29 Palms Inn boasts a lot of greenery for a desert. With all the palm trees and green spaces, you can think of it as your little oasis. Located in between the West Entrance and the Twentynine Palms Entrance, it’s really easy to get into the park from here. Check out their adobe lodging and see if this might be the spot for your big day, or as a place to stay after the festivities.
Hicksville Palace
20 minutes from West Entrance | Guests: 50 to 200 (additional fee for 50+)
This boutique trailer hotel is one of a kind. Hicksville Palace has a fun, colorful vibe. If you book the whole property, you and your 32 guests can take advantage of the bar, games, parking, and more. It can be your own little wedding village. Pro tip: Book weekdays for lower rates.
Mojave Moon Ranch
10 minutes from West Entrance | Guests: Inquire for details
Mojave Moon Ranch is a great choice as an Airbnb rental or event space. There’s a pool on the property if you and your guests want to take a dip. This desert-modern location offers a rocky twist and an amazing cactus garden you just have to see for yourself. Check out the beautiful sculpture too—I know you want to.
Morada
20 minutes from West Entrance | Guests: Up to 100
Morada is a fully re-designed 1958 Pueblo home—complete with jacuzzi, pool, and fire pit. It’s both bougie and minimalist at the same time. Take in the desert vibes, Adobe building, and rich earth tones on your wedding day.
Indian Cove Campground
Inside the Indian Cove Entrance | Guests: Up to 100
This booking is actually inside the national park itself. Indian Cove Campground offers a larger space for Joshua Tree National Park weddings. You can fit up to 100 guests, but only one car. The amphitheater is set against the stunning granite stone that JT is famous for. Plus, you can explore the park with ease since you’re already in it.
Love the idea of getting married in the park? See other places to get married in Joshua Tree National Park itself.
Rasta Rita Cantina
15 minutes from Twentynine Palms Entrance | Guests: Up to 300
Rasta Rita Cantina is based in Twentynine Palms. This outdoor venue proudly sports Adobe buildings, floral murals, a dance floor perfect for live music, and more. This has the largest capacity of any other listing and is capable of hosting up to 300 guests. Pro tip: Take advantage of the military discount if applicable to you.
Motojave
15 minutes from West Entrance | Guests: Up to 12
Motojave is ideal for more intimate weddings of 12 guests or less. Retro, rustic, and cuter-than-cute, Motojave offers a hot tub and pool. It’s more of an affordable option and only 15 minutes from the West Entrance of JTNP.
Fantastic Resources for Southern California Weddings & Elopements
You probably have more than a few ideas going through your head right now. If you’re interested in exploring a vibe, check out the inspiration from past weddings and elopements.
Or, if you are ready to talk to your Joshua Tree wedding photographer, reach out to me on the Love & Latitudes contact page. Let’s make your wedding day an amazing adventure!
