Make the Most of Your Drive to Independence
For Elopements & Weddings in Death Valley National Park
Note: To make things easy, all drive times in this guide are calculated via Furnace Creek, the visitor center in the middle of the most known parts of the park.
Getting married in Death Valley National Park (DVNP) is ideal for adventurous couples who love road trips and the great outdoors. It can be challenging to get to Death Valley because the park, located in the middle of California, is pretty remote. When you think about California, you might not immediately imagine a place that’s 2+ hours from the nearest airport and populous city.
But don’t worry—it’ll all be worth it in the end. And hopefully, this guide will eliminate the guesswork so you can focus on the fun stuff of getting married in Death Valley National Park.
Picking Up Your California Marriage License for a Death Valley Wedding
Then there’s the added difficulty when you have to pick up your marriage license. If you live in the state of California, it’s fairly easy. You can pick up a marriage license from anywhere in the state and bring it to the park for your officiant and witness to sign. If you’re coming from out of state, this guide will be important for you.
If you’re flying into a California airport—such as LAX (5.5 hrs), SFO (8.5 hrs), or Mammoth Yosemite Airport (3.5 hrs)—you can get your marriage license at any county clerk's office on the way. Wherever you get your marriage license, make sure to book an appointment for your AND your partner.
Here’s the hard part—the closest airport to Death Valley is the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s where most out-of-state travelers fly into since the airport is just 2 hours from Furnace Creek. Unfortunately, you cannot pick up a marriage license in Las Vegas since it’s in Nevada and DVNP is in California. There are also no California county clerks' offices between Las Vegas and Death Valley, so you’ll need to drive all the way to the Inyo County Clerk-Recorder in Independence, CA which is a 4-hour round trip from Furnace Creek.
If you’re thinking: “Wow, all of this is complicated,” don’t worry. We are here to help you out.
If you’re flying into Las Vegas, here are your options:
Fly into California and pick up a marriage license on the way. It’s a longer drive, but not impossible—and if you love road trips, it can be a lot of fun.
Get legally married in your home county and have a commitment ceremony in Death Valley. This means you won’t have a legal ceremony in the park because you’ve already taken care of that. In essence, this means you can…
Skip the officiant and just have a commitment ceremony however you want. This can be led by yourself or a family or friend.
Still hire our officiant to host the commitment ceremony. We’ll give you a $100 discount for doing a commitment ceremony instead of a legal wedding ceremony.
Brace yourself and make the drive to Independence. Crank up the stereo, stock up on snacks, and make the journey with your soon-to-be spouse. More on that below.
If you opt for the third option, this is a guide for how to make the most of your 4-hour drive.
Driving to Independence from Furnace Creek
The drive will take you a round trip of about 4 hours from Furnace Creek to the Inyo County Clerk-Recorder. First, you’ll want to make an appointment online that both you and your partner can show up for. You’ll both need your IDs when you go to pick up the marriage license.
Since you’re making the drive, you’ll want to make some stops, both for fun and sanity.
Stretch Your Legs
Father Crowley Overlook: If you’re taking Highway 190, there are some incredible views. Stop at the overlook to stretch your legs and take it all in.
Death Valley National Park Sign: Pop out of your car and get a photo with the colorful sign. It’s a tourist’s right of passage, after all.
Mammoth Mountain Beanie: This iconic beanie on the side of the road on 395 is painted anew each winter. Kind of cute, right?
Lemon House Inn: You can rent a room at Airbnb or just stop by for a quick pic.
Hike and Explore
Death Valley: You’ll drive about an hour to get outside of the park. Yes, it’s big! Which means there’s still so much to explore.
Darwin Falls Trailhead: Can you believe there’s a waterfall in Death Valley? Wild stuff. This hidden gem is right off the 190.
Panamint Dunes: A high-clearance vehicle is recommended to reach this location. Check road conditions before heading out too. But once you’re there, you can take in the dusty majesty of these sand dunes.
Mosaic Canyon: This is a very popular canyon on the west side of the park. So many incredible colors—it’ll simply delight your senses.
Alabama Hills National Scenic Area: Check out these iconic public lands right off the highway. This area has a history of overuse, so if you go, tread lightly. Follow Leave No Trace Principles, camp only in designated spots, get a permit for a campfire, and use the porta-potties on site. Explore these landmarks while you’re at it:
Shark Fin Trailhead: A short loop around this fishy fin-shaped rock.
Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead: A very short trail with arch views.
Nightmare Rock: Creepy name, but a fun rock formation to explore.
Onion Valley/Kearsarge Pass: Not pressed for time? Head up to this mountain area for a long hike. Note that it’s only open in the summer.
Historical
Museum of Western Film History: Lone Pine is film-famous. You might even recognize it from movie Westerns and car commercials. This museum goes into the film history of the area.
Manzanar: Certainly not the most joyous landmark, but absolutely an important chapter of American history.
Food
Need a little breaky and a bite to eat? Here are a couple of tasty recommendations:
Climb
Alabama Hills National Scenic Area: The best climbing area around (outside of Bishop). To stay safe, only climb here if you have experience and the correct climbing gear.
Camp
Want to break up the drive with a camping trip or two? Here are some camping hot spots:
Final Note
The west coast is great but it’s not without its issues. Death Valley and the surrounding areas have experienced historic flooding for two years in a row. The flooding was bad enough to close all major roads going in and out of the area for at least a month. Always check road conditions—no matter where you’re headed. Better safe than sorry!
And there you have it! A ton of tips to make the most of your drive to Death Valley National Park. It’ll be an experience you’ll talk about for years to come. Because your wedding isn’t just a day, it’s an adventure you’ll cherish forever. Happy travels!
