A Lake Tahoe Elopement Story

Long before the first light reached the peaks surrounding this alpine lake, Emily and Mike were hiking by the light of the stars for their Desolation Wilderness elopement. The only sounds were the rush of the waterfall and their own breathing. No chairs. No audience. Just the mountains waking up around them. It was everything they had hoped for—peaceful, adventurous, and completely immersed in nature—but their story began years earlier with an unexpected moment that neither of them could have seen coming.

Back in college, they lived in the same dorm and bonded over everything from capture the flag to board game nights—until one competitive racing game ended with Mike accidentally knocking Emily out after a door swung shut in her face. Thankfully she was okay, and what could have been an awkward memory became the first chapter of a relationship built on laughter, adventure, and never taking life too seriously.

In addition to games, these two share a love for the outdoors, and when they started planning their wedding the idea to get married out in nature came up so often they decided to go for it! They came to me without any idea where they wanted to elope but knew they wanted somewhere beautiful, peaceful, and not too hot. The perfect solution – the Desolation Wilderness above Lake Tahoe.

Why They Chose a Sunrise Desolation Wilderness Elopement

Emily and Mike had spent time in the Tahoe area both growing up on family vacations and a couple trips together. They knew summers in Tahoe were stunning, but busy. It’s fine if you’re enjoying a beach day or hiking, but for their elopement they wanted to have a more peaceful vibe. Their exact words were that “they wanted to feel immersed in nature” instead of rushing through a day that was really important to them. So instead of eloping on the shores of Lake Tahoe, I suggested we hike up into the Desolation Wilderness to one of the alpine lakes up there. Some of the lakes in the Desolation Wilderness do see a lot of traffic, so we decided to go up at sunrise for complete privacy.

The Early Morning Adventure

After Emily did her own hair and makeup in the car and we filled out the free hiking permit, we hit the trail at 4:30 AM hiking by the light of headlamps and stars. The trail was empty and the weather crisp and cool. As we crested the rise to the lake where they’d get married, alpenglow was just starting to kiss the mountains. It was so calm the lake reflections were like a mirror. Best of all, it was just them. This kind of peaceful solitude is what makes sunrise a perfect choice for Desolation Wilderness elopements.

A Moving Elopement Ceremony

Mike and Emily hiked up in everyday clothes, and changed into their wedding attire once we arrived. Giant pine trees provided more than enough privacy, and I even helped Emily tie up the laces on her gown. Once they were both ready Emily surprised Mike with a first look as the sun rose.

Standing on an elevated overlook, these two promised forever. Their beautiful vows in the soft morning light brought them to tears. But true to them, these two were soon laughing at some Disney jokes and swatting some rogue mosquitoes away with their vow books. It was hilarious – especially since I didn’t know what was going on haha. Through the whole ceremony they both would just look at each other every now and then and breathe it all in. They took their time – really savored the feeling standing their together tenderly holding hands in the incredible morning light.

Exploring the Desolation Wilderness During Their Elopement

With a one heck of a foot-popping-kiss, these two were officially married! I signed their CA marriage license as their officiant, and then we were off to explore the area. Large granite slabs line the lake and these two wanted to climb them all. Then they headed down to the lake shore to touch the water (a must for them), and enjoy the views just hanging out in their camp chairs. While a breeze did pick up at some point, the reflections on the lake were still amazing all through the morning. Best yet, when the sun finally did rise far enough it’s warmth was welcome. Even in the summer the heavy shade and altitude in the mornings can make the Desolation Wilderness chilly! We took many breaks to warm up with puffer jackets and hand warmers saved the day.

On our way back down, the trail was already pretty crowded with hikers. Everyone wished Emily and Mike congratulations and they even asked one hiker to sign their marriage license as their witness! Right before the final descent, you get an epic view over Lake Tahoe’s famous Emerald Bay. The wide open view over Emerald Bay that’s not crowded is something unique to this trail. There these two popped some sparkling water to celebrate and also leave no trace! To top off their day, they headed into South Lake Tahoe where they had a wedding meal at their favorite pizza place – Base Camp Pizza Co.

Why Desolation Wilderness Is One of the Best Places to Elope Near Lake Tahoe

Incredible Mountain/Alpine Scenery

• Alpine lakes (there are over 100)
• Granite peaks
• Wildflowers (seasonal)
• Forests
• Panoramic mountain views
• Wild and rugged landscapes

Variety

• Tons of different trail lengths & difficulty levels (ranging from easy hikes to more adventurous backcountry locations)
• Totally unique ceremony locations: alpine lake, forest, and mountain views
• Summer & fall are the best weather options, with winter & spring offering options for snowshoeing

Tips for Planning Your Own Desolation Wilderness Elopement

1. Start Before Sunrise

The time right before sunrise in the Desolation Wilderness is one of the most peaceful and magical times of day. Plus as the sun rises, alpenglow does often appear on west facing mountains making the views stunning. If you’d rather not hike in the dark or in the middle of the night, the Desolation Wilderness is a popular backpacking area and you can spend the night camping before your elopement. This is actually recommended for more backcountry locations!

2. Be Prepared for Alpine Weather

Even summer mornings can be cold! Emily and Mike were warm from the hike up, but were glad they had brought layers and warm jackets. Emily also wore leggings under her gown for extra warmth. I recommend hand warmers, gloves, and ear muffs or hats depending on the weather! For all Tahoe hiking elopements, I recommend hiking shoes for traction, stability, and warmth.

3. Choose a Trail/Location That Matches Your Experience

“Adventure” is relative. Not everyone wants a long hike, especially on their wedding day. Also, almost all the Desolation Wilderness trails start at over 6,000 ft in elevation and only go up. The nice thing is there are a variety of locations. Some you can get to with short hikes under a mile and also locations that require backpacking 12 miles. I encourage choosing locations that give you the epic vibes you want, but also will be enjoyable rather than exhausting.

4. Understand Regulations

Everyone is required to have a free day use hiking permit for your group that can be filled out at most trailheads. If you’ll be backpacking, you’ll need a overnight permit that can be be purchased online in advance from Recreation.gov. Backpacking permits to certain lakes do sell out in the summer.

Desolation Wilderness elopements are limited to small groups because of the fragile alpine landscape. If your group (including me) will be 5 or fewer people, no special use permit is needed (thanks to new clarifications from the EXPLORE Act 2025). Groups up to 8 need a de minimus use authorization; this is typically free but takes time for processing. If you’ll have over 9 people in your group, a special use permit is likely needed. Unfortunately, the Tahoe Forest Service is notoriously strict and doesn’t approve most larger private groups for permits. If you’re wanting to elope in the Desolation Wilderness, I recommend sorting out which permits you need early and applying as soon as possible. I will help you with this!

5. Don’t forget to Leave No Trace

As you head out into the Desolation Wilderness be sure to stay on trails or durable surfaces. This is super easy to do when a lot of the area is large boulders or rock faces! Pack everything in/out and respect the wildlife. A cheeky squirrel actually started eating Emily’s bouquet at one point, but we calmly shooed it away and picked up all the flower petals it pulled out. Low impact ceremonies in the Desolation Wilderness are the best because it really lets nature shine. Emily and Mike popped sparkling water to celebrate instead of champagne so they wouldn’t leave a sticky residue.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Desolation Wilderness Elopements

Can you legally get married in Desolation Wilderness?

• Yes! You’ll need a California marriage license with an officiant and witness signatures. I can sign as either!

Do you need a permit to elope in the Desolation Wilderness?

• Yes and no. For day use, a free permit is required. For backpacking, you’ll need to book a reservation through Recreation.gov. For getting married – it depends on your group size. Groups up to 5 people – no permit needed. Groups of 6-8 people – a de minimus use authorization is likely required. For groups over 9 people, you’ll need a special use permit. These are tricky to get and usually denied. Keep group sizes small for an easier time eloping in this region.

When is the best season?

• Summer and fall offer the best options with clear trails and good weather. Winter can be a fun time to venture into the backcountry on snowshoes; trails often have feet of snow and temperatures can be below freezing. Spring is very hit or miss. It can sometimes be lovely, but most of the time melting snow makes trails a muddy mess.

How difficult are the hikes?

• There are a variety of trails in the Desolation Wilderness. You can choose your preferred level of intensity and distance! Keep in mind trails start at over 6,000 ft elevation and just go up.

Can guests come?

• Yes, but keep in mind permitting regulations with group size (see above) and that all guests will have to do the same hike as you do.

Are the Desolation Wilderness and Lake Tahoe the same thing?

• Sort of. The Desolation Wilderness is an area located just off of Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore comprising over 60,000 acres of subalpine and alpine forests, granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. While a close neighbor to Lake Tahoe, the Desolation Wilderness is technically it’s own area. But it’s jointly managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Eldorado National Forest, so even the government recognizes it’s an interconnected landscape.

Can we bring our dog when we elope here?

• Yes! Dogs are allowed in the backcountry on a leash or under voice control. Please bring your dogs 🙂

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Thinking About Your Own Lake Tahoe Elopement?

If you’re dreaming of exchanging vows on a quiet alpine trail, watching the sunrise over granite peaks, and celebrating with an unforgettable hiking adventure instead of a packed wedding timeline, a Desolation Wilderness elopement might be exactly what you’re looking for. I’d love to help you plan a celebration that’s actually fun and helps you two slow down and soak it all in—from choosing the perfect trail and navigating permits to creating a relaxed, meaningful experience you’ll remember long after the hike back down. If this sound like you guys, reach out here to start planning the sunrise elopement of your dreams!

Vendors:

Photography, Planning, Florals, Officiant – Clarissa Wylde Photography

Location – The Desolation Wilderness, Lake Tahoe

Pizza – Base Camp Pizza Co

Accommodations – Tahoe North Rentals

Backpacks – Osprey