If you’re looking for an intimate and untamed elopement destination in the Sierra Nevadas, we absolutely love Ebbetts Pass. Along the scenic byway, there are many beautiful locations for your private vows. Adventure elopement destinations include alpine lakes such as White Pine Lakes or Lake Alpine. Just imagine having a beautiful mountain lake as the backdrop for one of the most important days of your life. We love it! Keep reading for our Ebbetts Pass Elopement Guide and everything you need to know to elope here.

Range Of Light Wed

We're Range Of Light Wed, your elopement planning dream team. We are a group of seasoned local wedding professionals who want to support your elopement or small wedding journey. Our biggest goal is to give you a meaningful experience that feels just how you want it to.

We delight in sharing our home, the Sierra Nevadas, with couples ready to start their lives with big adventures or quiet moments. For us, it’s not just about your elopement itself, instead it’s about the experience of connecting with nature and each other in a deeply personal way. Whether it’s the allure of the Sonora Pass, camping under the stars, or the adventure that comes with exploring nearby Ebbetts Pass, we believe this elopement destination promises a truly unforgettable day or multi-day adventure.

Let’s talk about eloping at Ebbetts Pass! There is no shortage of free campsites, hiking trails, jeep trails and forest service roads.

Ebbetts Pass Elopement Guide

Ebbetts Pass is a gorgeous scenic road that juts up from the heart of the Sierra Nevada and is surrounded by Lake Tahoeand Yosemite National Park. This scenic byway is a 61-mile stretch of Highways 4 and 89 that runs between the towns of Arnold and Markleeville in Alpine County, California.

Why Should You Elope At Ebbetts Pass?

Where do we begin? The glacially carved valleys, granite cliffs, basalt columns, ancient volcanic peaks, thick forests, and deep river canyons are just a few reasons to elope at Ebbetts Pass. Don’t forget about the majestic Giant Sequoias, bald eagles, open meadows, and pristine alpine lakes. These breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range are some of our absolute favorites, and in our opinion, they make a fantastic backdrop for your “I dos.”

When To Elope At Ebbetts Pass

As with most elopement locations in the Sierra Nevadas, we recommend Summer and Fall as the best times to elope at Ebbetts Pass. Like most high-elevation passes across the Sierra Nevadas, the highway is closed in the winter. Specifically, Highway 4 between Lake Alpine and Silver Creek closes in winter (about mid-November to May). So, eloping here in Spring or Winter is not advised.

Midweek elopements generally tend to be less crowded and offer more flexibility. Keep in mind that weather conditions can be unpredictable in the mountains, especially on the mountain passes, so we always recommend being prepared with appropriate clothing and gear.

Summer On Ebbetts Pass

Summer at Ebbetts Pass is stunning and one of the best times of year to elope here. Summer offers access to hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, and camping. It’s a time when the wildflowers are blooming, but patches of snow hang around at high-elevation lakes. We’ll take care of your gourmet elopement picnic (provided by Robin of Perfect Day Catering)! Keep in mind that you’ll need to be prepared on Ebbetts Pass because the weather can change quickly at higher elevations, and you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need if you plan to get out and explore (don’t worry, we’re here to help with that too).

Fall On Ebbetts Pass

You’ll find some of the most beautiful fall foliage on Ebbetts Pass. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is located just east of Arnold and offers a colorful explosion of dogwoods and black oaks set against the rich red of giant sequoias. This is by far one of the most picturesque places along the western end of Ebbetts Pass. Great news for those who want to include dogs in their elopement day - you can take them on leash on the fire roads, which will have beautiful fall colors but no giant sequoias.

Range Of Light Wed Ebbetts Pass Elopement Package

On-site hair and makeup
Personal florals for 2 people
Officiant Services (if needed)
Complimentary Champagne
Elegant Picnic Lunch
A gluten-free, organic, non-gmo cake
A table for 2 where local laws allow
A ceremony arch or ground florals
Seating for 15 people where permitted
Collaborative Timeline Planning
Location Suggestions
6 Hours of Photography Coverage (with option to extend)
Full Resolution files with printing rights.
Online gallery for printing and sharing.
NO TRAVEL FEES

Ebbetts Pass Elopement Package

Where To Elope At Ebbetts Pass

You won’t find a shortage of options when it comes to the perfect elopement destination on Ebbetts Pass.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Ebbetts Pass offers access to stunning Calaveras Big Trees State Park, with beautiful wedding venues such as ‘The Big Stump’ and the ‘Standing Sentinel Tree.’ Keep in mind that weddings and elopements can only be scheduled here from May 1 - Nov 1. If this sounds like the perfect spot for you, consider getting married surrounded by giant sequoias, followed by a gorgeous sunset reception at a lakeside alpine lake.

Adventure elopement couples can also take in the beauty of Mt. Reba by hiking the Bear Valley Mountain Ski Resort to Bear Lake trail. This easy 3.4-mile trail will give you amazing views of Stanislaus National Forest, and the best part is you can take in these views from the very beginning of the trailhead at Bear Valley Ski Resort.

Stanislaus National Forest

First, we'll say Stanislaus National Forest is incredibly gorgeous! National Forests are a fantastic place if you're looking for a more rugged and rustic adventure elopement ceremony. With the National Forest being over 898,000 acre, parts of Stanislaus are close to Ebbetts Pass. The general rule of thumb for National Forest permits is that they're needed for groups with more than 75 people. Stanislaus National Forest is the kind of place where you can elope for free if you're willing to camp, hike, backpack, or explore without worrying about permits.

Bear Valley

Bear Valley Resort might be perfect for you if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional but in an elopement setting. Have you dreamed of riding a chairlift to your intimate small wedding? If so, Bear Valley offers the unique opportunity to transport your guests to your wedding via chairlift! How epic is that? Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by these breathtaking 360-degree views! At 8,500 ft, your wedding day will feel like a dream come true. Take the chairlift up to the mountain’s peak, where you and your guests will be immersed in the serene beauty of Stanislaus National Forest.

Lake Alpine

Lake Alpine is a popular summer destination along Ebbetts Pass. This year-round destination is filled with adventure opportunities, including hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking, picnicking, mountain biking during the summer months, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the winter. The lake was created in 1892 when the Utica Mining Company, requiring ever more water for its mining operations in Angels Camp, dammed the waters of Silver Creek. You can even make reservations at Lake Alpine Campground for your wedding night.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness sprawls the crest of the Sierra Nevada range and is divided pretty evenly between the Stanislaus and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests. Eloping here means spectacular high country views, with several peaks rising above 10,000 feet, river valleys, small waterfalls, and meadow-filled valleys. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail actually runs for over 26 miles within the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. The area has around 200 miles of foot and horse trails that give you access to this beautiful wilderness with plenty of open spaces perfect for your elopement.

Range Of Light Wed Secret Spots

Being locals and growing up in this beautiful slice of paradise affords us the ability to suggest our favorite secret spots! We’ve got so many on Ebbetts Pass, and would love to help you plan your perfect elopement here.

Where To Stay On Ebbetts Pass

Lodges:

Camping:

Silver Creek Campground
Markleeville Campground
Oak Hollow Campground - Calaveras Big Trees
Big Meadow Campground
Wakalu Hep Yo (Wild River) Campground - Stanislaus National Forest

Your Ebbetts Pass Adventure Elopement Might Look Like…

Take a scenic drive on Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, which is surrounded by a beautiful national forest and wilderness areas. With plenty of recreational opportunities along Ebbetts Pass
Take a hike and say I do at a beautiful alpine lake or on the top of a mountain!
Experience the romance of the great outdoors-camp at one of the many dispersed campgrounds along Ebbetts Pass, and spend your wedding night by a cozy campfire, gazing at the stars and each other
OR imagine hiking to Lake Alpine Inspiration Point, a moderate 2.3-mile hike, having a private ceremony with a beautiful mountain lake as your backdrop, and then staying at the charming Lake Alpine Lodge on your wedding night. Sounds amazing, right?

Marriage License and Requirements For Ebbetts Pass

You’ll need to get your California marriage license to elope at Ebbetts Pass. In California, you need to apply for a marriage license at a County Clerk’s office. In this case the Calaveras County Clerk' or Alpine Country Clerk are the closest.

Your California marriage license will cost around $70 if you get it in Calaveras County or about $60 in Alpine County.

You’ll need one witness, and there are no age limits on your witness (we’ve got you - if you need us). You’ll also need an officiant (we can take care of that for you).

Find more information about a Calaveras marriage license here or Alpine marriage license here.

Ebbetts Pass Permits

You can host your wedding on Ebbetts Pass and in Stanislaus National Forest for free by obtaining a special use permit. Depending on the size of your party, you may need a non-commercial group use permit for your Sierra Nevada wedding celebration. You can get the permit application here, and submit this form to the local permit administrator in the Ranger District where you would like to hold your event.

Range Of Light - Leave No Trace

At Range Of Light Wed we always practice Leave No Trace, and our favorite places are often the most impacted by the presence of humans. If you’re familiar with this area in California, the growing popularity shows in terms of the amount of waste left behind. We love that people are getting outside and enjoying the Eastern Sierras, but it’s more important than ever to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) guidelines and protect these unique places.

Range Of Light Wed always follows Leave No Trace, but here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:

If you pack it in, pack it out.
Dispose of waste in proper receptacles.
Obey signs telling you to stay on the trail.
Don’t disturb local flora and fauna.
Be aware of what flowers you bring into the area (e.g., baby’s breath is an invasive species—our Susan always considers this when planning your elopement florals).