June Lake Loop, Inyo National Forest

Permit Information

Under the 2026 USFS EXPLORE Act rule: no permit needed for groups of 5 or fewer, free de minimis authorization for 6 to 8, Special Use Permit for 9+. Most elopements fall in the no permit tier.

Planning Your Day at June Lake Loop, Inyo National Forest

One-Spot Day

June Lake Loop is a 16 mile scenic loop off Highway 395 with four lakes (June, Gull, Silver, Grant) and three USFS day use sites within a 20 minute drive of each other. Pair an Oh! Ridge sunrise ceremony with a Silver Lake mid morning portrait session and a Gull Lake village walk lunch in a single day. The June Lake village offers lodging (Double Eagle Resort, Gull Lake Lodge), restaurants, a small grocery, and a wedding florist (June Lake Florist) within walking distance of Gull Lake Park. The loop highway closes from late November through May at the Lee Vining end due to avalanche risk.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

Inyo National Forest under the 2026 USFS EXPLORE Act: no permit needed for groups of 5 or fewer, free de minimis authorization for 6 to 8 with a phone call, Special Use Permit for 9 or more. File with the Mono Lake Ranger District at 760 647 3044 at least 2 weeks ahead (72 hour minimum). Day use fee per vehicle applies at developed sites. Gull Lake Park is Mono County land with a separate venue reservation through visitjunelakeloop.com or Mono County Parks. No amplified sound anywhere in the basin. No driving stakes or attaching anything to trees. Pack out all florals and decor.

A Note on Light

Aspen color peaks the first two weeks of October across the entire loop, with Rush Creek (Silver Lake) and the Oh! Ridge groves typically the most vibrant. East facing Oh! Ridge catches sunrise pink on Carson Peak across June Lake. Silver Lake catches alpenglow on Carson Peak's vertical granite face from roughly 6am to 7am at peak season. Gull Lake holds best light mid morning to midday when Carson Peak is fully lit across the water. Afternoon thermal winds funnel through Rush Creek canyon by 11am most days, so plan ceremonies before the wind picks up.

Ceremony Spots at June Lake Loop, Inyo National Forest

• June Lake Beach at Oh! Ridge Day Use Area — Sunrise ceremonies with Carson Peak reflections and aspen framed lake views
• Silver Lake Day Use Site — Intimate ceremonies with dramatic granite and aspen backdrop, access to Rush Creek aspens
• Gull Lake Park (East Shore) — Accessible micro weddings with full services moments away, low effort setup