Groom tenderly holds bride for kiss at Olmsted point

OLMSTED POINT Yosemite Ceremony Location guide

A couple in wedding attire standing close against a large rock at sunset in a forest, with the sun shining behind them.
Abstract geometric design with overlapping circles and black curved lines on a dark background.

Easily the best place to elope in Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is one of those destinations where every place you look is another incredible viewpoint or towering mountain. So l when I say Olmsted Point is by far the most incredible ceremony site you can pick, without backpacking into the backcountry of course, you know it’s going to be special. This location is easily accessed via highway 120. In fact its right off the road. And while the visitor viewpoint next to the parking lot has some cool views. But that’s not what we are here for. A short 500ft hike down some granite steps takes you to the true gem. Few venture down the short trail but the view at the end gives the look and feeling of being deep in the wilderness. With views of Half Dome and Clouds Rest that are to die for, no matter which way you look the views are breathtaking. From the many domes around Tenaya Lake, to the iconic Half Dome itself, stunning vistas abound. For more epic photos you can cross the road and scale the sloping granite that leads to the peak above.

Couple leans in forehead to forehead at Olmsted point

Beautiful

Rain Or Shine

A newlywed couple embraces under a transparent umbrella amidst a mountain landscape during sunset, with the bride holding a bouquet of flowers.

The Deets

Maximum Guests- 11

  • Open Road Opening to September 30th

  • Elevation - 8,261 ft

  • Lightly Trafficked

  • Best Time of Day - Morning, Late Afternoon

  • Parking at Site

Graphic illustration of a caramel-colored sphere with overlaid contour lines, some in black and others in pink, creating a circular pattern.
A couple in formal attire, with the woman in a red dress and the man in a black suit, sharing a kiss on a rocky mountain overlook with a scenic valley and mountains in the background. A bouquet of flowers is placed near them.

But what really makes me love this spot for weddings,

and why I recommend it to so many couples for the marriage ceremony, is what’s nearby. From Olmsted its only a few minuets drive to Lake Tenaya, another of my favorite spots. And then you can continue on down the Tioga road to Tuolumne Meadows for another incredible elopement photo spot. It’s perfect for sunrises, sunsets and if you want to do the three aforementioned spots my three hour coverage package is perfect.

It’s accessible, in a great location, and has some of the best views in the park. You can’t go wrong saying “I do” here.

A bride and groom dancing by a lake with mountains and blue sky in the background.

Found Your wedding Ceremony Location?

Book your Yosemite elopement photography package now!

A couple sitting on a rock formation overlooking a mountainous landscape at sunset, with one person holding a bouquet of flowers.
A couple dressed in formal attire walking hand in hand up a rocky mountain trail with pine trees and large rock formations in the background at sunset.
 

Where to find it

Located on Highway 120 along the Tioga pass road. About 1 hour and 20 minutes from the Valley Village.

Parking Lot: Yosemite Valley, CA 95389

gps coordinates

37°48'39.2"N 119°29'06.5"W

 
Couple listens to their officiant lead them through their wedding.
Sunset on the mountains west of Olmsted point.

The viewpoint is only a few hundred feet from the parking lot, but you’d never guess that based on how few people make it out there!

Knotted pint with Half dome in background

DISCOVER MORE WEDDING AND ELOPEMENT CEREMONY LOCATIONS IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Sunset on Half dome from olmsted point
A newlywed couple kissing outdoors at sunset with a mountainous landscape in the background.
A man and woman dressed in wedding attire standing close together outdoors with mountain landscape in the background.
A woman in a white lace wedding dress holding a colorful bouquet standing on rocky terrain with mountains and trees in the background at sunset.
A rugged mountain landscape with granite formations, a lone pine tree, and a partly cloudy sky.
A couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss with raised fists, standing on a rocky landscape with mountainous terrain and a sunset sky in the background.
A mountain landscape with large granite rock formations, a forest at the base, and a river running through the valley under a cloudy sky.
A bride and groom smiling and laughing on a mountain in a wedding photo; the bride is lifting her dress.
Mountain landscape with tall pine trees, large rocks, and a partly cloudy sky.
A bride and groom kiss on a rock formations in a mountainous landscape under cloudy sky. The bride has dark hair with a flower in her hair and is holding a bouquet, while the groom is dressed in a black suit and sneakers.
A couple, dressed in wedding attire, stands back to back holding hands on a rocky surface in a mountainous landscape during sunset.
Couple sitting on large rock at Yosemite National Park during sunset, with rugged mountains and sparse trees in the background.
A bride and groom dancing outdoors at sunset on rocky terrain with mountains and trees in the background.
Three people standing outdoors in a mountainous area, engaged in conversation, with one holding a box of snacks, another with a file, and the third holding a bowl of snacks.
A mountainous landscape with rocky cliffs, pine trees, and a partly cloudy sky during daytime.
A bride and groom sharing a romantic moment outdoors at sunset, with the bride in a lace wedding dress and the groom in a black tuxedo, standing close with their foreheads touching near a rocky wall surrounded by greenery.
A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape with rugged, snow-dusted peaks, dense forested slopes, and a cloudy sky.
Snow-capped mountain with rocky cliffs, surrounded by tall pine trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A bride and groom hold hands and walk on rocky terrain at sunset with a mountain and trees in the background.
Mountain landscape with tall pine trees, rocky terrain, and distant mountain peaks under partly cloudy sky.
A fallen, twisted tree laying on a rocky ground with a cloudy sky in the background
A newlywed couple sharing a kiss and holding hands against a mountainous landscape with large granite rock formations, possibly in Yosemite National Park, during sunset.
A newlywed couple standing close together outdoors with mountains in the background at sunset.
A woman in a white lace wedding dress holding a colorful bouquet stands on rocky terrain with mountainous landscape in the background at sunset.
A mountainous landscape with a lone pine tree on a rocky surface, with distant mountains and a partly cloudy sky.
A newlywed couple embracing and celebrating on a rocky mountain terrain during sunset with scenic mountains in the background.
A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape with large granite cliffs and a forested valley, cloudy sky overhead.
A happy couple in wedding attire standing on a mountain with foggy landscape in the background, smiling and enjoying their moment.
Mountain landscape with pine trees and large rocks under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A bride and groom standing close together on a rocky ledge in a mountainous landscape, sharing a kiss under a cloudy sky. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers, and the scene is surrounded by rocky mountains and sparse trees.
A bride and groom in wedding attire standing back to back on a rocky ledge, holding hands, with mountainous landscape and Half Dome in the background during sunset.
A couple sits on rocky terrain with mountains in the background during sunset, embracing and sharing a kiss, with one holding a bouquet of flowers.
A bride and groom dancing outdoors at sunset on rocky terrain with mountains and trees in the background.
Three people standing outdoors in a mountainous area, engaged in a conversation. The man on the left is wearing a light gray suit and holding a box of snacks. The woman in the middle is dressed in a long pink dress, smiling, and holding a folder. The
Scenic mountain landscape with rocky cliffs, pine trees, and a partly cloudy sky at sunset.
A couple dressed in wedding attire standing close together near a large rock, with the sun setting in the background, creating a romantic and picturesque scene.
Mountain landscape with rocky peaks, forested slopes, and a lake, under a cloudy sky
A mountain with patches of snow, under a cloudy sky, surrounded by tall pine trees.
A bride and groom holding hands and walking on a rocky terrain with a mountain and trees in the background during sunset.
A mountainous landscape with pine trees, rocky terrain, and a partly cloudy sky.
A fallen, weathered tree with twisted branches lying on rocky ground under a partly cloudy sky.