Dreaming of eloping in the California Redwoods but not sure where to start? The most important thing to figure out is your timing. Here’s exactly when to elope in the Redwoods and when to avoid. 

It can be hard to figure out the best timing for your elopement. That’s why I help the couples I work with plan their elopement, as well as photograph it! Learn more about my Redwoods elopement photography.

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What is the best season to elope in the Redwoods?

Summer Elopements in the Redwoods

6/10, recommend with reservations. June through August have great weather in the Redwoods. You’re less likely to have rain and it’s likely to be warm. However, this is peak tourist season, and peak tourist season in the Redwoods honestly can make for a pretty unpleasant experience if you don’t plan ahead. If you’re set on the summer, don’t sweat it too much though, here are some tips:

• Aim for a weekday and sunrise for the best chance at privacy. Yes, that means being out the door by 5 a.m. and on your way to the trailhead.
• Bring bug spray – the mosquitoes are out and about!
• Look into alternative experiences in the Redwoods. Maybe you book your Airbnb in the Redwoods so you can have an idyllic afternoon relaxing in a cabin surrounded by the trees, or maybe you go horseback riding together among the redwoods. Not everything has to be centered on hiking one of the popular trails!
• Do part of your day in the Redwoods and part of your day on the Oregon Coast. This ensures you get the Redwoods in during the morning when it’s less busy, and then you can catch an epic sunset on the Coast later in the day! Learn more about planning a Redwoods and Oregon Coast elopement.

Best for: couples who don’t mind an early start, thinking outside the box, or combining their day with the Oregon Coast.

Fall Elopements in the Redwoods

10/10, recommend. Fall may be a little colder of course, but it is lovely. It’s the shoulder season and things feel way less chaotic. The weather also tends to still be on the dry side. All in all, one of the best seasons to elope in the Redwoods – just make sure you stick to the early fall!

A perk is that it’s also still super easy to combine a fall elopement in the Redwoods with a second location… the stunning Oregon Coast! Whether you have a day devoted to the Redwoods and a day to the Coast or if you’d like to do a morning in the Redwoods and the evening on the Coast, both will likely have great weather in the fall and be way less busy than in summer.

Best for: couples who want fewer crowds and don’t mind potentially cooler temperatures.

Spring Elopements in the Redwoods

8/10, recommend with some notes. Spring gets more rain than summer or fall, and the temperatures are of course a bit chilly still. However, that all makes for beautiful greenery and the vibrance of new life in the forest. I’m a big fan of moody, rainy vibes as well, so this feels like a special time of year in the Redwoods. It’s also the off season, so way fewer crowds than you’ll see in summer.  

Best for: couples who want fewer crowds and don’t mind potentially cooler temperatures and a chance of rain.

Winter Elopements in the Redwoods

4/10, recommend with reservations. This season sees the fewest crowds in the Redwoods; however, it also has the highest chance of rain and sometimes even snow. Because you are in a forested area, it also tends to be cooler than the rest of the nearby mild coastline, so you’ll want to pack your layers. 

Best for: couples who want the lowest chance at crowds and who wouldn’t mind a cozy vibes day back at the rental cabin after being out in some rainy weather.

Choosing the best season to elope in the Redwoods can feel overwhelming. This is something I help my couples decide with confidence. Learn more.

What day of the week should I elope in the Redwoods?

I’d recommend aiming for a weekday! The Redwoods are a popular travel destination and traffic picks up on the weekends when people are out of school and have time off work. You’re much more likely to find privacy on a weekday, and it makes for a more pleasant elopement experience overall.

What time of day should I elope in the Redwoods?

Unless you have secured one of the pre-approved ceremony locations in the Redwoods, you’re going to want to aim for sunrise. And honestly… even if you have secured one of those locations… please aim for sunrise. I’m so serious, if you’re not already a sunrise kind of person, it’s very important to become one. Why’s that? There are two very different experiences in the Redwoods, so allow me to paint you a picture:

• Sunrise: Idyllic, the birds are singing as you walk through groves of old growth redwood trees. It’s just you two and maybe a stray hiker along the trail. Parking is super easy and you get a spot right next to the trailhead. You feel at peace among these ancient trees surrounded by only the sounds of nature. 
• Late morning – mid-day: Cars, traffic, dusty gravel roads, hoards of people are exploring the trails. No parking, you’ve got to walk an extra mile to the trailhead. You do not feel at peace among the ancient trees. You feel like you’re at a tourist trap.

So … please choose sunrise for your sanity and enjoyment.

But I have a ceremony location reserved. Do I still need to aim for sunrise? 

Yes. The ceremony locations are beautiful, but they are small groves of redwood trees and there is a more limited space to explore. You’ll likely want to incorporate one of the more popular trails to explore and take photos in, meaning you’ll probably want to start with that and then head to your ceremony spot!

Learn more about the pre-approved ceremony locations in the Redwoods National and State Parks.

Is sunset a good time of day to elope in the Redwoods? 

It’s not a bad thing, but it’s not my top recommendation. Here are some reasons why I don’t recommend it:

• It gets darker earlier in the Redwoods given that you’re hiking in dense forests, so you probably won’t get that full sunset effect. 
• You’re still going to be battling the crowds likely until a couple hours before sunset, though people start clearing out towards the end of the day. 
• There are better locations for sunset… like the nearby Southern Oregon Coast!

Spend your sunrise in the Redwoods and your sunset on the stunning Oregon Coast. Learn more about doing a Redwoods and Oregon Coast elopement!

What’s my top recommendation of when to elope in the Redwoods?

So putting it all together, I highly recommend aiming for May, September, or October on a weekday, in the early morning for your Redwoods elopement! The other seasons have particular vibes/challenges, but if you are okay with those, definitely go for it! But the bottom line is to always aim for a weekday and morning for the best results! 

How I Can Help You Plan Your Redwoods Elopement

You don’t need to have the perfect date or plan figured out yet. I help couples navigate all of this, from timing to creating an elopement day that feels unique and personal. Learn more about my Redwoods elopement photography services.