When to Elope in Death Valley

When to Elope in Death Valley: Your Weather Guide

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: the summer is NOT the best time to elope in Death Valley National Park. The valley floor will see temperatures as high as 130°F (54°C) in its hottest months which are typically June, July, and August. So, we can all agree that summer is out.

The rest of the year is not so cut and dry. And while rain is rarely an issue here, the wind is something to keep an eye on. The elevation of your elopement location is another huge factor.

To figure out when to elope in Death Valley let’s break it down by month, starting at the end of the summer:

September

You might assume Death Valley starts cooling off in September. Unfortunately, while temperatures start to come down a little bit, it’s still scorching! High temperatures in the triple digits continue for the entire month. So while it might not be 130°F, it’s still 110°F (43°C) and very, very uncomfortable. September is not a viable month for an adventure elopement anywhere in Death Valley.

October

October is a transitional month which means it’s unpredictable. Early October is still very hot, but the second half of the month starts to provide some opportunities to elope at higher elevations in the park. The valley floor is still not viable in October but some incredible spots like the Racetrack become good options.

November

Now we’re cooking with gas. November is one of the best months to elope in Death Valley. The average high temperature in November is 77°F (25°C). It’s a gorgeous month. The entire valley floor will be open to you, as well as higher elevation locations. Crowds will increase steeply the week of Thanksgiving, so steer clear of dates around the holiday.

December-January

December and January are also great months to elope in Death Valley, especially if you don’t want to risk ANY high heat. The average high temperature in December & January is 65-67°F (18°C). The mornings are definitely chilly with the average low around 38°F (3°C). Keep this in mind if you want a sunrise ceremony. Locations at higher elevations risk snowfall (closed roads) and much colder temperatures (below freezing). Eloping on the valley floor is the best option in wintertime.

February-March

February and March start to warm up a bit and are generally gorgeous months. High temperatures are back around 73-82°F (23-25°C) with lows around 46-55°F (8-13°C). The valley floor is absolutely beautiful at this time of year. Higher elevations may experience snowfall, but the likelihood decreases into March. Overall, February and March are excellent months to elope in Death Valley.

Keep in mind: wind typically arrives in the valley when there is a significant increase in temperature (if a warm spell hits). Wind is impossible to accurately predict more than a few days out, but the likelihood does increase in the spring. Dangerous wind speeds (50-60+ MPH) that would require a reschedule are very rare. In my opinion, wind actually makes the most dramatic and memorable photographs!

April

Similar to October, April is an unpredictable transitional month. Plus, it’s the windiest month of the year on average. The average high temperature is 90°F (32°C). April can be beautiful, but it is a risk to elope on the valley floor because of potential high heat. Higher elevation locations can be a great option during this month.

May

Once we’re in May, the heat has started to climb in earnest. The highs are in the triple digits again, and everyone is uncomfortable. May is not a viable month for an adventure elopement anywhere in Death Valley.

When to Elope in Death Valley: Best Days of the Week

No matter which month or location you choose for your elopement, I will always recommend eloping on a weekday. Even avoid Mondays and Fridays if you can. Tuesdays-Thursdays are the best days of the week to elope. Crowd levels are significantly lower during the week, you’ll have an easier time finding lodging, restaurants will have more reservations available, and some wedding vendors might be easier to book during the week.

My final tip: avoid holidays and big park events. In Death Valley the highest crowd levels are typically seen during Presidents Weekend (February), Death Valley Dark Sky Festival (February or March), Thanksgiving week, and Christmas through New Years Eve.

Check out this blog for even for more planning tips!