Once you know that you’d love to elope or have your Adventure Session in Yosemite you might think you’ve already decided “where” you’d like to have your photos, but with the park the size of the state of Rhode Island there’s actually a huge variety of locations to choose from! From classic roadside views and easily accessible meadows & river spots to adventurous off the beaten path hiking or climbing adventures, Yosemite has something for everyone. This post is here to help you get an idea of some of the locations I love that are great for elopements and adventure sessions. I’m including many locations I’ve shot at before, and a few locations that I think would be great but haven’t been to with a couple yet. There will be two main regions, each with many different locations to choose from. I’ll start with what has become the most popular region, the Glacier Point road (which includes Taft Point). We’ll then move on to Yosemite Valley with its plethora of options. In a follow-up post, I’ll be sharing location suggestions along the Tioga road throughout the Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass region, my favorite area of the park!
Tuolumne Meadows & Tioga Road Area ~ (June through October)
The Tioga Point road through Tuolumne Meadows is my favorite region of Yosemite National Park. It has countless stunning locations for Intimate Weddings, Elopement Photography, & Adventure Sessions. Places like Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, the Tuolumne River, and the prolific collection of granite domes offer some of my favorite wedding photography locations. The road is only open seasonally during summer & fall, normally opening between early to mid June and closing sometime in late October or early November.
Tuolumne Meadows
The Tuolumne Meadows region is the shining diamond of Yosemite National Park. I believe it’s the most under rated area of the park, and offers a great variety of locations from the Tuolumne river, to the granite domes, to the open meadows and more. There’s hidden gems everywhere, with incredible views, both grand and intimate.
Tenaya Lake
The Tenaya Lake region is a stunning region just west of Tuolumne Meadows. The lake itself is majestic, and Olmsted Point offers a unique view of Half Dome. There are also some great domes to summit with outstanding views of the canyon between Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake.
Tioga Backcountry Wilderness
The backcountry out of the Tuolumne Meadows & Tenaya Lake region off of the Tioga Road is just incredible. Places like the Cathedral Lakes, Cathedral Peak, Medlicott Dome, the Echo peaks and more are only a few hours hike for the adventurous elopement seekers.
Glacier Point Road Area ~ (Mid-May through October)
The Glacier Point road gives access to some of the most easily accessible mind-blowing “Rim of Yosemite Valley” locations in the national park for Elopement Photography & Adventure Sessions. While Glacier Point and Taft Point are far and away the most popular, hiking out to Dewey Point, Sentinel Dome or down towards Illilouette Falls could also be really amazing. The road is only open seasonally during summer & fall, normally opening between mid-May to mid-June and closing sometime in late October or early to mid-November.
Taft Point
Taft Point has quickly become my most requested location and for good reason, it’s a relatively accessible hike of 30-40 minutes to jaw-dropping exposure and outrageously beautiful views. There’s really nowhere quite like it except for, oh wait, Glacier Point! Taft really is special though with its “have to hike in” experience and its proximity to the west making it all time for sunset sessions. And while Glacier Point puts you face to face with Half Dome, Taft Point has you looking down on the massive face of El Capitan. With all its exposure thru social media, we can now expect there to be quite a few people out there and a little patience might be needed to get to certain spots, but there’s a reason it’s gotten so popular, it’s amazing!
Glacier Point
Glacier Point is one of the most incredible drive-up locations may be anywhere on earth. Within minutes one is face to face with the awe-inspiring face of Half Dome, views down to Vernal and Nevada Falls and Yosemite Valley lying over 3000 feet below. There are a variety of locations for elopements and the Glacier Point amphitheater is even perfect for Intimate Weddings. While Glacier Point can be amazing for both early morning and late afternoon into evening light, it really shines at sunrise. The ever-present afternoon and evening crowds are near non-existent and the pre-dawn light into sunrise is truly special.
Yosemite Valley Locations
Yosemite Valley has the highest concentration and greatest variety of gorgeous locations anywhere in the park. While Tuolumne Meadows is a close second (and personal favorite) in terms of variety and concentration, there’s nowhere like Yosemite Valley. “The Valley” is filled with sweeping views like those found at Tunnel View to intimate scenes such as along the Merced River or in the various meadows. The amount of jaw-dropping waterfalls is staggering, especially during the spring and early summer runoff. There are also many rocky outcroppings we can hike and scramble to and hidden gems that lie waiting for the adventurous, like Sierra Point or Ahwahnee Terrace. Yosemite Valley is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a dream location for Adventure Sessions & Elopement Photography.
Tunnel View
Tunnel View has an awe-inspiring position right at the head of Yosemite Valley with maybe the shortest approach to incredible views of anywhere in the park. The parking area is literally right there where even at Glacier Point you have a 5-minute walk. Now you may be thinking, but there’s going to be sooo many people there, can we have any space for ourselves? And the answer is Yes. I love to take my couples up some slabs just behind the parking area to a much more secluded area where the Valley opens open even more including views down the Merced River below. Just a few minutes walk and all the crowds fade away. While Tunnel View is beautiful all day, my favorite time is sunrise and early morning for sure.
El Cap Meadow
El Cap Meadow sits right in the heart of Yosemite Valley with the majestic Cathedral Rocks and the one and only El Capitan towering above. Beautiful meadows along the river with towering cliff faces and huge trees make a dramatic juxtaposition between the grand and intimate. It’s hard to put the words the feeling of standing in the middle of the valley with El Cap rising 3000 feet straight up from the valley floor. With the mountains opening up to the west, El Cap meadow also gets later sun than many of the locations in the eastern regions of the Valley, making this a great spot for last light. Morning can also be really nice, especially when there’s mist rising in the early morning light.
Rostrum View
What I call Rostrum view has become one of my favorite locations in Yosemite. It has lots of open space on granite slabs with stunning views up Yosemite Valley, including El Cap, Half Dome, and Bridaveil Falls. It’s one of the best views where you actually probably won’t see another person. If having a private ceremony with expansive views is important to you, this is one of my favorite locations in Yosemite Valley. With an open line of sight to the west, this place excels in the afternoon. Morning light can also be really nice, especially in the late fall and winter.
Chapel Meadow & Bridge Area
The Chapel Meadow area has a great variety of locations from stunning open meadows, to a walking bridge over the river, and many great spots along the Merced, some with great views of Yosemite Falls. This is actually one of the best locations along with Cook Meadow and the Swinging Bridge area for getting views of Yosemite Falls. The Chapel Meadow area also has an amazing view up to Sentinal Rock and down the valley towards the Cathedrals. The photogenic bridge crosses the Merced River and is a great place to shoot, and also gives us access to the Cook Meadow area. Chapel Meadow area is both great in the morning and the mid to late afternoon.
Turtleback Dome
Turtleback Dome has some of the most epic views of Yosemite Valley and is one of the only places in the Valley where you can actually watch the sunset. It’s a bit of an uphill hike to get here, maybe 20-30 minutes. But it’s a small price to pay for the sweeping views and access to some of the very last light.
Merced River Locations
There are so many gorgeous locations along the Merced River, and depending on the season can range from raging waters to calm reflections. In a Valley surrounded by towering cliffs, I often find the Merced is overlooked, yet has some of my favorite locations in Yosemite. Because there are so many spots to access the river throughout the entire Valley, the timing, approach time & parking locations vary widely. Nearly all day beautiful spots can be found along the river, with the eastern end of the Valley tending to be nice in the morning, while the western end tends to be great in both the morning & afternoon into evening light.
Swinging Bridge & Leidig Meadow
Swinging Bridge & Leidig Meadow lie in the center of Yosemite Valley with views towards Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Rock and down valley to the Cathedrals. This location can be reached by parking either at the Swinging Bridge parking area, or the far western area of the Yosemite Lodge parking. Mornings can be nice here, but this area really shines in the mid to late afternoon as the sun starts to dip lower in the west. There’s a small stand of trees on the edge of the meadow that get lovely fall colors.
Ahwahnee Ledge
Ahwahnee Ledge is terrace just above the trees about a 15-minute hike & scramble up from The Majestic Hotel that offers sweeping views across the Valley. The Devils Tubs are here, which are a swimming hole right at the base of the Royal Arches Cascade that is one of my favorite locations in the Valley. There’s definitely a little bit of scrambling required to get here, and if it’s spring when the water is flowing, we’re gonna get wet, but it’s amazing! This would be a great location for the adventurous couple who may even want to trash the dress or get wet in the name of art. As with most locations, early morning or mid to late afternoon is ideal.
Cook Meadow
Cook Meadow has gorgeous views of both Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, as well as the edge of a fairytale-like forest with backlight in the mid to late afternoon. First light can be gorgeous here on the edge of the meadow with the sun coming up next to Half Dome. Walking along the loop trail can reveal really beautiful views of Yosemite Falls with nice light throughout the morning. Afternoon light can be nice as well, especially along the edge of the Black Oak forest with the ferns. Cook Meadow can be reached by walking over the Chapel area bridge, parking at the Sentinel Bridge parking area, or by parking along the straightaway between Yosemite Village and Yosemite Lodge.
Elephant Rock
The top of Elephant Rock is a very private location that soars over the Lower Merced River Canyon. It’s accessed from above via a 15-20 minute walk from Highway 41 to the rim of the Valley. I have not shot an elopement out here yet but it one of the top locations I’m excited to explore this year with couples. It has a beautiful dramatic position with a special feel and there’s never anyone there. It’s also easier to hike to than Turtleback Dome even though they’re close to each other. The top of Elephant Rock is amazing at both early light and late light.
Cathedral Beach
Cathedral Beach lies along the banks of the Merced River with El Cap looming above. This location is also nice for Intimate Weddings, and that’s mainly what I’ve shot here, although an elopement with a small group of guests could also be nice. The lighting can be a little tough, especially midday, but like most locations early to mid-morning or mid to late afternoon light is best.
In a follow-up post, I’ll be sharing location suggestions for adventure sessions and elopement photography in and around my favorite area in the park, the Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass region along the Tioga Rd. Coming soon!
Click here for more information, and you can see more images in my portfolio. You can also see my nature photography and filmmaking on my personal website here. You can find more information on the National Park Service website here. It’ll have info on the permit process, locations, and more.
