Shelby + Zack
Close your eyes, and imagine your perfect day with your partner. Remove all limitations as best you can, and try to picture what the most blissful, genuine, and authentic day for the two of you would look like. Now, what can you include from that in your adventure elopement or wedding day? Well, just about everything!
Shelby + Zack share a passion for rock climbing + bouldering, so much so that they actually met at a rock climbing gym! Rock climbing on your elopement day? If you're following your highest excitement, why not?!
Rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park on your elopement or wedding day is a wild, unforgettable way to add adventure and raw beauty to your celebration.
Joshua Tree National Park is a gem in California that boasts flora + fauna unlike anywhere else in the world. Climbers from all over flock to Joshua Tree National Park to take advantage of this climbing mecca that offers thousands of routes for rock climbers + boulderers to enjoy.
Permitting in place [every national park is different, so be sure to check with your elopement location + elopement photographer for assistance on permits!], Shelby + Zack took to the sandy trails of Joshua Tree National Park for their rock climbing wedding.
This Joshua Tree Bouldering Elopement had such a sacred balance between traditional and non conforming: wedding cake, rock climbing, first dance, desert breeze.
There are so many locations to conquer when it comes to eloping in the desert of California's Joshua Tree National Park, that the cliche phrase 'there is something for everyone!' comes to mind.
Joshua trees dot the high desert landscape, while boulder formations such as Skull Rock provide rock climbing activities. Keys View presents sweeping vistas of California's desert floor below, as far as the eye can see. In fact, on a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of Mount Signal in Mexico!
As adventure elopement photographers, we take on the hard parts for you. Researching and scouting locations are our specialty, with no shortage of suggestions for you + your partner when it comes to elopement locations in Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite, Mount Rainier, or anywhere in between!
After Zack + Shelby's elopement ceremony, a picnic was in order. Champagne and cake, with a desert bird even swooping in for some sugary frosting. Once sweets were consumed, it was time to take to the rocks.
Shelby + Zack strapped on their rock climbing gear while we stood by, snapping photos from afar. Being able to be in tune with what the situation calls for is exceedingly important! Knowing when to take a step back and let a couple savor private moments together gives the opportunity for closeness and enjoying your elopement day.
The sun began to set in the Mojave Desert sky, with a chill in the air calling for a first dance. Shelby + Zack twirled amidst the Joshua trees, and in the glow of the car headlights.
The desert gets cold very quickly once the sun goes down, so we will always remind you to be prepared for any weather when it comes to the elements and eloping on the West Coast. As nighttime approached and temperatures fell, Shelby + Zack hopped in their warm car; driving into California's star-studded horizon.
How to Plan Rock Climbing or Bouldering in Joshua Tree National Park
1. Get a Permit (Yes, Even for Elopements!):
- Weddings and elopements in Joshua Tree require a Special Use Permit.
- Apply well in advance and note your intentions to include bouldering!
2. Pick a Climbing-Friendly Outfit:
- Choose a flexible, durable wedding outfit for your rock climbing elopement —think flowy dresses you can tie up or suits with stretch.
- Some couples do their vows in climbing shoes and chalk bags!
3. Climb Early or Late:
- Morning light is stunning and cooler, especially in warmer months.
- Avoid midday heat and crowds—plus it gives you space to share vows privately during your bouldering elopement.
4. Choose Iconic but Accessible Spots:
- Cap Rock, Hemingway, and Hidden Valley offer photogenic and beginner-friendly boulders in Joshua Tree National Park for rock climbing!
- Have your elopement photographer check out routes + locations ahead of time so you + your partner can get straight to enjoying your elopement day in the desert.
5. Stay Safe & Respectful:
- Know your limits when you are rock climbing or bouldering! Wedding day injuries = not cute.
- Follow Leave No Trace principles inside Joshua Tree National Park —no confetti, drones only in permitted areas, and stay off closed routes.
- Check out our article on How to Elope in Joshua Tree for more tips!
