How to Get Married at Schwabacher’s Landing in Grand Teton National Park
Let me take a wild guess. You’re planning your wedding. You want epic mountain views and low stress, so you narrowed it down to Grand Teton National Park. You’ve looked through all of the designated ceremony locations and fallen in love with Schwabacher’s Landing. And no wonder, with views like that!
This spot is one of Grand Teton National Park’s most sought-after wedding ceremony locations, and it’s easy to see why – it’s easy to access, has jaw-dropping mountain views, and only costs $200.
But, how do you go about planning a wedding at Schwabacher’s Landing? When is the best time of year? How about what time of day for your ceremony? Don’t worry, because I’ve got answers to all of your questions as an elopement photographer who specializes in helping couples plan elopements in Wyoming’s National Parks.
Where is Schwabacher’s Landing?
Schwabacher’s Landing is located in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. It is one of the park’s most sought-after wedding ceremony locations, and it’s easy to see why! The views of the jagged Teton Mountains from this easy-to-access viewpoint make it a unicorn of elopement locations.
Check out my full guide to eloping in Wyoming!
How to Get to Schwabacher’s Landing
The Schwabacher’s Landing viewpoint is located on a short, 0.5-mile round-trip dirt walking path in Moose, Wyoming. The trailhead is located down a short, bumpy dirt road off the main highway, accessible to any vehicle.
This trail is suitable for everyone due to its short length with virtually no elevation change. It’ll take you down to the Snake River and the iconic viewpoint of the Teton Mountains.
View the Trailhead’s GPS Location | View Trail Stats
Grand Teton National Park Entrance Fee
Since Schwabacher’s Landing lies within Grand Teton National Park, all vehicles will need an entrance pass. The pass costs $35 (or $100 for non-U.S. residents) , or you can get the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 (or $250 for non-U.S. residents), which gets you into all 63 of America’s National Parks for a year. This is a great option if you’ll be staying longer than 7 days or visiting the nearby Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
If you are a veteran, you can get a lifetime America the Beautiful Pass for free!
Schwabacher’s Landing Wedding Permit
All weddings held in Grand Teton National Park must obtain a Special Use Permit. These permits go fast, so it’s important that you are ready to apply as soon as applications open up in early December.
Even if you don’t get approved for your wedding at Schwabacher’s Landing, you can still take photos there during your wedding.
How to Apply for Your Schwabacher’s Wedding Permit:
- Download the application from the National Park Service website.
- Complete the form, making sure to include your elopement location, date, time, number of participants, estimated number of vehicles, and vendors who will be present. Make sure to also include your second choice of location in case Schwabacher’s Landing is not available.
- Pay the non-refundable $200 application fee.
- Submit the application via email to grte_spu_permits@nps.gov. You should receive a response within 2-10 business days.
- Review, finalize, and sign your permit after you receive the emailed draft permit.
- Print a copy of the finalized permit to have on your wedding day, and share it with your coordinator.
How many Guests Can You Have at your Schwabacher’s Landing Wedding?
This location accommodates up to 25 people (including vendors, such as your photographer) at your wedding. If you’ll be having a wedding with more than 25 people, you will need to book a different location.
Check out my guide on how to plan an elopement with family!
When is the Best Time of Year for Your Schwabacher’s Landing Wedding?
Summer through early Fall is the best time of year to get married here. The Summer brings warmer weather (though the nights are still freezing!), and the Autumn brings fall foliage with fewer crowds around.
The Best Time for Your Schwabacher’s Landing Wedding Ceremony
Sunrise is the best time of day because there will be fewer crowds, the water will be still and reflect the mountains, and you might get a gorgeous alpenglow sunrise over the mountains.
This is a very popular location for photographers to photograph the mountains, so you will likely see a few others around, even at the crack of dawn. But people are usually good at giving couples space, especially when they see it’s your wedding day.
Learn more about sunrise elopements and how to plan one!
Where to Stay for Your Schwabacher’s Landing Wedding
When it comes to eloping in a National Park, I always recommend staying as close to the park as possible to avoid spending half of your day in the car. If you want simple lodging, there are plenty of great options inside the park.
Check out the park’s lodging here.
If you want something a little more luxurious or spacious, here are some great options nearby:
What to Pack for Your Schwabacher’s Landing Wedding
Even though the trail to Schwabacher’s Landing is a dirt path, it’s a little rocky. I would recommend opting for comfortable footwear that you are okay with getting a little dirty.
In addition, make sure to bring some warm layers (especially if you’ll be having a sunrise or sunset ceremony – it gets cold as soon as the sun is gone, even in Summer!) and some rain gear like a couple of clear umbrellas or rain ponchos for just in case.
You’ll also need to bring your marriage license and a pen with black ink to sign it.
Check out my full guide to eloping in Grand Teton here!
Things to Do Near Schwabacher’s Landing
There is so much to see and do during your Grand Teton elopement! Whether you want a day full of adventure and hiking or a more relaxed experience, here are some fun ideas for your Schwabacher’s Landing wedding.
- Picnic at Schwabacher’s Landing
- Hike on one of the numerous trails nearby
- Photograph the scenery
- Watch for wildlife
- Take a boat ride across Jenny Lake
I love helping couples plan the details of their elopement experiences to help make their wedding the best day ever! Wyoming is a favorite place of mine to explore and help couples elope in. If you’re ready to start planning your own Wyoming elopement, send me a message and let’s work together!
Happy eloping!
