How to Elope in Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park Elopement Packages + Planning Guide

The Ultimate Guide to eloping in Saguaro National Park: Tucson, Arizona’s desert treasure. In this post, you will find information about the park and required permits, local city favorites, and sample timeline and activities for a Saguaro National Park Elopement.

About the Park: History + Culture

Saguaro (pronounced: /səˈ(ɡ)wärō/ or simpler: /sah-wah-ro/) is the name of one of the most infamous cacti. They grow over 60 feet in height, and their branches are affectionately called arms and tend to give the cacti human-like appearances. It takes between 50-75 years for the plants to sprout their first arms, which can give you an idea of how old they are as you explore the park.

The park was initially declared a National Monument in 1933, when land was bought from both the state and the University of Arizona during the Great Depression. Archeological sites date back over 8,000 years, giving the park lots of interesting academic history.

Since then, the park has been monitored closely for wildlife and vegetation, changes in the local climate, and surges of new saguaros and other cacti. After a significant freeze in the late 1930’s, a large population of the oldest saguaros in the park didn’t survive. The new cacti are replacing the old with time, and park monitoring and research has shown nearly a double in saguaro population between 1990 and 2020.

You can read more about the official park history here: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/historyculture/index.htm

Getting Married at Saguaro National Park

1. Pick a date

Decide on a date a few months out so that you have plenty of time to plan your elopement and secure any permits and reservations you may need.

2. Apply for Permits + Reservations

Nearly every wedding or elopement in National and State Parks require a permit for the use of land. You’ll need to apply for this at least 4 weeks in advance, but keep in mind that they can book quickly!

3. Book other vendors

Pull together your dream vendors that will help make your wedding day a reality.

4. Get married in a cactus forest!

Finally, let’s get you married! Your adventure awaits.

Cost of Getting Married at Saguaro National Park

Arizona Marriage License – $83
Special Use Permit – $100
Photography Permit – $150
Entrance Fee – $25/car (or $80 America The Beautiful pass)
Lodging – $$ Varies
Wedding/Elopement Vendors – $$ Varies

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Total: $358+

Best Seasons for a Saguaro National Park Wedding

As it is located in the heart of the Arizona desert, summer is not going to be an optimal time to get married in Saguaro National Park. Temperatures reach over 100°F on a daily basis between June and August, and the park provides little shaded areas. Heat exhaustion can quickly take over and create an uncomfortable experience. Summer also includes the majority of the local monsoon season, where a shift in wind direction causes sudden and strong storms.

On the other hand, shoulder season (around October, November, March and April) is beautiful in Tucson. Temperatures in spring and fall are consistently between 70-90 during the day, providing perfect, dry weather for a morning or evening ceremony. Winter (December to February) can be comfortable throughout the day with added layers such as jackets.

Elopement Locations within Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is split into two districts: East and West. The West District has a higher concentration of park visitors each year. It is on the west side of the city of Tucson, and butts up against the Tucson Mountain Park. The west is well known for its thick saguaro forest and slightly lower altitude.

The East District, along the eastern side of the city, is less visited, making it more likely to have some privacy during your elopement. This section of the park falls between the Mica Mountain Peak and Rincon Peak, which provides a more hilly environment as you hike or drive through the park.

Both districts provide a wide range of unique elopement locations, and have many trails that vary in length and difficulty. All of my Saguaro National Park elopement packages include location suggestions, which covers trail research and information to find the perfect location for your adventure to exchange vows.

Elopement Locations Around the Park

If you decide to search for other adventures near Saguaro National Park, Tucson offers a wide range of beautiful and unique places.

Windy Vista Point is a popular destination on the Catalina Highway, a stretch of highway that reaches the top of Mount Lemmon. It is a beautiful drive, with scenic viewpoints all the way to the top. Windy Vista Point is a relatively popular stop with a beautiful overlook of the city of Tucson and the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

The Santa Rita Mountains are located about an hour south of Tucson, and add greenery to the desert landscape. The drive from Tucson is also beautiful, filled with open air and more saguaros.

Lake Patagonia State Park is nearing the Arizona-Mexico border, and features a beautiful blue lake with mountainous backgrounds, fishing and kayaking, and a sandy beach. They do offer limited reservations for weddings, which you can learn about here: https://azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake/group-planning/weddings

Gate’s Pass and Tucson Mountain Park are on the southern border of the Saguaro National Park West District. It is a popular location for hiking, picnics, and camping with an overlook out of the city towards the vast Arizona desert.

Southern Arizona, including Tucson and the surrounding area, is a beautiful and unique artisan region. It can be so fun to explore, and has so much to offer!

Applying for Your Permit

Like most National Parks, a Special Use Permit is required for a wedding ceremony in the park. Saguaro NP permits are equipped for elopements, as they allow simple and smaller weddings. The park does not allow for a lot of elaborate decor or carried-in furniture. In order to allow other park visitors access to trails, they limit the group size to 18 people total (including you as the couple, your officiant, and photographer).

The Special Use Permit application can be found on their website linked here: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/sup.htm

The permit covers use of the land for your elopement, requiring a one-time $100 application fee. You can apply a maximum of 1 year, or a minimum of 4 weeks in advance.

Applying for an Arizona Marriage License

No matter where you are from, you need to obtain a marriage license in the state where you elope. The cost for a marriage license in Arizona is $83 anywhere in the state, but applying for the license is based on the county. Saguaro National Park is in Pima County, Arizona, and more information for Pima County Marriage Licenses can be found here: https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=88032

The state of Arizona requires signatures from an officiant, two witnesses, and you as the couple (over 18 years old). Keep in mind, if you want a “just us” elopement, other hikers on the trail can even be your witnesses!

Unique Lodging in Tucson

Hacienda Del Sol is a historic resort in Tucson. It is at the base of the Santa Catalina mountains, and a popular destination for local artists to photograph and paint for inspiration. The original architecture was created as a boarding school for eastern society’s elite families in 1929, and features photos and documents of the building’s history throughout the renovated modern resort.

Joshua Tree House Tucson is the second boutique inn in the JTH family, and probably one of the most photogenic lodging locations I’ve ever seen. It is nestled into cactus gardens for gorgeous scenery and a secluded getaway feel. 

The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is a beautiful boutique hotel nestled into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It has all of the desert mountain views and the resort-style amenities.

The Arizona Inn is a historic family-owned hotel in the heart of the Midtown neighborhood. Despite being near downtown, it feels private and secluded with extensive gardens and boutique lodging.

This Midcentury Poolhouse is a unique little rental through Airbnb. It is perfect for a couple– cozy and full of pretty little niches.

The Barrio House is a charming 1930s bungalow with lots of natural light and raw interior finishes. Guests have the house to themselves and access to the property’s outdoor gardens.

The Tanque Verde Ranch is an all-inclusive resort that is remodeled from an old-west cattle ranch. They provide a vast array of activities from within the resort, and have spectacular desert views.

Along with one-of-a-kind Tucson stays, there are lovely chain hotels and stays all around the city. The Westin La Paloma, Marriott Tucson Starr Pass, and Loews Ventana Canyon Resort have all come highly recommended as well.

Local Food Favorites

Tucson has a wonderful food scene, with a range of just about any cuisine you are looking for. Here are few of the top-rated restaurants in the area:

Tito + Pep is a little mid-century modern place along E Speedway Blvd. It is easy to pass by without noticing, but definitely worth the stop! The menu is bespoke and absolutely delicious.
The Baja Cafe is well known for their brunch menu, and has 3 locations in the city.
Tumerico has a primarily vegan menu, with a rotating menu of adventurous plates. 
Anello is a bit of a hidden gem, famous for its wood-fired pizza and seasonal local menu. 
Maria Mazon, the chef at BOCA Tacos y Tequila, has recently competed on Top Chef and other national cooking competitions. She is known as Tucson’s “Salsa Queen” and earns her title! 

Don’t forget about the hotel restaurants – Hacienda Del Sol and Tanque Verde Ranch both have highly rated restaurants if you’re looking for a delicious meal to celebrate your wedding.

There are so many local eats that you could enjoy on your wedding day, so please feel free to dive into google and find your own favorites!

Sample Timelines for a Saguaro National Park Elopement

Finally, let’s bring it all together with a few sample timelines for a Saguaro National Park elopement package. Keep in mind, your day will look unique to the activities, plans, and places that you want to include. These are just a few ideas to get your plans rolling.

For more information and ideas about planning your elopement timeline, check out the post How to Plan an Elopement Timeline.