# 5 Best Elopement Locations in South Lake Tahoe
Best Elopement Locations in Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is such a special place filled with epic tree lined scenery, wavering hues of alpine blue water, stunning views, hiking galore, open meadows, kayaking, boating, OH YEA and sandy beaches! Not a bad place to share your vows.
If you’re dreaming of tying the knot and eloping in South Lake Tahoe this little guide will help you narrow down the exact location of where to have your perfect ceremony location, I’ll be sharing 5 worthy elopement ceremony locations for you to consider.
But First, A Few Helpful Tips…
CA | NV
It’s important to note that if you plan on doing the legal paperwork of signing your marriage license during your elopement, you’ll want to consider the state that you file your marriage certificate in because this will indicate what locations you can legally get married in.
For example if you filed for your marriage certificate in California but you wanted to have your ceremony at, lets say, Rock Cave which is located on the Nevada side, you wouldn’t be able to legally sign the documents there!
When To Visit
Best Season / Time For Your Elopement
The best time to plan your elopement is from March- May and September -November, this helps avoid peak season (summer) when the area gets its most visitors.
If you’re a snow bunny at heart and want to get married in the winter that’s totally up to you, you could even hit the slopes afterward!
The rule of thumb for maximizing your elopement experience is planning to have your elopement on a weekday rather than the weekend, and starting at sunrise or sunset!
Permits - Do You Need One?
The answer is, Yes.
In order to have a smooth, easy, and relaxed elopement day you’ll want to obtain a permit ahead of time.
Regardless if it’s just 10 people in your party or just the two of you, you’ll want to ensure you get a permit (there is a small fee), the last thing you want is someone stopping you mid ceremony during such a special moment.
You can quickly get in touch with the Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit Service office at (530) 543-2600.
Alright, now that I’ve covered that let’s dive into my 5 top recommended elopement locations in no particular order.
1.) Emerald Bay
EMERALD BAY
This location is stunning and it’s accessible via a short (and a little scramble-y) walk from the parking lot. It overlooks the beautiful little island and you’re surrounded by trees and beautiful sweeping views. You can opt to have your ceremony on the rocks overlooking the bay or using the Vikingsholm paved cement overlook area.
2.) D.L. Bliss State Park
D.L BLISS STATE PARK
I could easily spend days here, but this is by far one of my favorites for elopements or just for portraits because it has a lovely variety! The clear blue water along the sandy beach, if you go on the trail, you get great sweeping shots, there’s also trees for those forest vibes, and even a little adventure draw bridge.
Once you follow the road all the way to the end, (there is a day use fee), you can park right near the water, there are restrooms near by, and you’ll have easy access down to the sandy beaches that are lined with trees. If you’re feeling adventurous you can take some of the trails that surround you with trees and give you access to a higher view point!
If it’s just you two or a very small group (6max), you can find a little nook along the rubicon trail and have your ceremony there. If it’ll be more than 6 the best bet would be along the beach for more space.
You can even finish off the day by going for a just married swim, go kayaking, and even have a picnic here, it’s truly such a good spot!
3.) Cave Rock
CAVE ROCK
If you’re just planning a “just us” experience for your elopement (just you two) then you can opt to have your ceremony on TOP of Cave Rock. It’s a short but steep hike with a bit of scrambling up the rocks to reach the top, once on top you have a beautiful sweeping view of Nevada and California! I will mention that once you are at the top it is very limited, no more than 5 people can walk around, I would suggest to have your ceremony here at sunrise because during sunset it can get a bit crowded/less private.
Or you can have your ceremony down on the small beach stretch of Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (which you can see the parking for on the top image), here you can have up to 15 people with you!
4.) Beaches!
Kiva Beach, Pope’s Beach, or Baldwin Beach
There are lots of great big sandy beaches to choose from for an elopement! I would highly recommend Kiva beach as it has a great beach but also provides a bit of variety since it has a “nature/tree lined” section which would be beautiful.
Also little side note, Nevada Beach Camp To Lam Watah Nature Trail is a great “backup location” I have on hand. You can start at the Nevada Beach Camp and have your ceremony on the beach and make your way on the Lam Watah Nature Trail which will give you a peaceful and easy walk onto open meadows lined with beautiful trees!
Lam Watah Nature Trail
This location is easy to get to since it’s right in town near the big casinos, but I keep this location in mind because it has a great open meadow with trees lined in the background, which makes it a great backup location when the weather is bad and some of the more remote locations are inaccessible.
5.) Lower + Upper Eagle Falls
LOWER EAGLE FALLS
LOWER EAGLE FALLS + UPPER
This is a great area because you have access to some pretty amazing locations within a short distance. Lower Eagle Falls has a running waterfall (depending on the season will indicate how big or small the stream), but it makes for a unique location. You can access it rather easily a small walk down from the side of the road, (you can park along the designated parking pullouts, the Upper Eagle Falls Trailhead parking, or even a little north at the Vikingsholm parking lot). This would be a great choice for a two person elopement or up to 6-7 people. It also over looks Fanette Island. The ground is uneven so standing room only like most locations.
(Lower Eagle Falls above)
Across from Lower Eagle Falls, is Upper Eagle Falls which will be noticable as it has it’s own designated parking area. A short trail leads you up through some brush, and you can see Upper Eagle Falls as you’re walking. You could potentially have a small ceremony at the bottom at one of the overlook areas, or you can keep hiking up and reach the bridge. I enjoy coming here for portraits too.
Upper Eagle Falls - off the side of the parking lot is a great little photo op with the big trees!
Upper Eagle Falls
Extra Locations
Lake Tahoe is filled with so many options for an elopement. I will list a few more locations below to consider.
Sand Harbor
Sand Harbor is located on the “Northern side” of Lake Tahoe but is so beautiful as it has these beautiful beach coves with unique round rocks. You can reserve the “Group Ramada” to host your ceremony here, or you can visit just for some photos.
Secret Cove, Whales Rock, Bonsai Rock
Also on the northern side, is “secret beach/cove” which keep in mind is a nudes beach BUT the stretch of beach and cove make it absolutely stunning! Perhaps for the more adventurous couples lol. It is a paved hike down.
Also in this general area there are also a few iconic rocks( Whales Head and Bonsai rock). It’s a bit of a scramble down to these locations, and the bottom is rocky, but could be a super interesting addition for portraits or for a celebratory swim! Recommended for only the couple (2 people).
Location List
Eagle Lake Trail - A continuation of the Upper Eagle Falls trailhead that leads to an alpine lake, (for the more adventurous couple).
Sugar Pine State Park - beach access, trees, and wooden dock.
Eagle Rock Trailhead - a hiking trail that leads to a rocky overlook
Cascade Falls Trail
Fallen Leaf Lake - apart of a longer hike but for a ceremony it has a rather accesible rocky shoreline lake with a gorgeous view.
Glen Alpine Falls + Lily Lake
Zephyr Cove
That’s A Wrap!
Hopefully by now your day dreaming of planning your elopement and (super excited) to share your vows in Lake Tahoe!
Whether you choose to overlook Emerald Bay, or enjoy the sandy beaches, or you opt for a hike in location, remember an elopement means you get to choose the type of experience you want to have , you make the rules, and you get to make your day a representation of who you are as a couple. Have fun with it, and enjoy the process!
Not many couples are brave enough to elope so CONGRATS on being totally awesome!
Hey- I’m Nelly!
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER & GUIDE
READY TO ADVENTURE IN LAKE TAHOE? AWESOME! REACH OUT AND LET’S CHAT.