08/11/2026
Five things you have to know if you want to elope at White Sands National Park!! 😍💜
1. You need a wedding permit.
Even if it’s literally you two, your officiant, witnesses, and photographer. Exchanging vows inside White Sands counts as a wedding and requires a Special Use Permit. The application fee is $100, and you can apply up to 6 months in advance.
2.You basically get a naturally gorgeous ceremony backdrop.
You don't need a bunch of decorations to make a White Sands elopement feel special. The huge white gypsum dunes, mountains, and sunset do most of the work for you. They actually highlight sunset as one of the most popular times to go to the park.
3. Your ceremony location probably won't be private
You can get married ANYWHERE in the park, but those areas still are open to the public. The Group Use Area is the only reservable, semi-private wedding spot & requires an additional fee.
4. Real flowers are NOT allowed.
They do not allow real flowers, or live plants. So bouquets need to be artificial; the park allows silk, paper, fake, and some dried arrangements. Also not allowed, balloons, glass, lanterns, petals, rice, birdseed, & open fires.
5. Have a backup plan because White Sands can CLOSE.
This is probably the one that could affect my out of town peeps. Because it is next to White Sands Missile Range, the road can close for military testing—sometimes for up to three hours. The park says it usually gets notice in advance, but sometimes they can be notified only about 24 hours beforehand. Weather can cause random closures too.
