Where to Elope in Utah
Updated For 2024
Best Utah Elopement Locations
In this guide I’ll break down some of my favorite gorgeous locations around Utah for your desert elopement. My absolute favorite places (Moab and Lake Powell) already have full guides dedicated to the area, so check those out below. We’ll go through:
Zion National Park
Goblin Valley State Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Sand Hollow State Park
Snow Canyon State Park
Elopement Packages & Utah Info
Utah Elopements Booking Form
Zion National Park
Getting married in Zion National Park is for anyone who loves natural beauty and tranquility. It’s truly a majestic place. The landscapes are a marriage of many elements, old and new. At Zion, couples find serenity in the ceremony, and guests can bask in the glorious landscapes that surround. The wonderful other aspect of this park is that the downtown area has plenty of options for hotels, restaurants, shopping, and activities! Permits are only allowed for weddings in the park that have less than 100 guests. You may hold your ceremony at these locations:
Temple of Sinawava (35 people) - prettiest option by far!
Menu Falls (10 people)
Zion Lodge Lawn (75 people)
Nature Center North Lawn (50 people)
South Campground Ampitheater (100 people)
Kolob Canyon Overlook (20 people)
These are the only location options to hold your ceremony, but we can adventure anywhere in the park for your portraits before or after your ceremony! We can hike up to the Canyon Overlook Trail - but be prepared to fight for your spot as this is an incredibly popular hike among tourists! Or we can stay down below and walk the Pa’rus river trail to take in the views of the surrounding red walls.
Permits
Zion requires a $100.00 application fee for a wedding permit no matter the size of the wedding. You must submit a permit application at least three weeks before the wedding.
Zion National Park Wedding Permit Page
Weather
Weather-wise, the best time of the year to visit Zion National Park is between April and November. A big plus is that this is also when free shuttles run to the park. To avoid crowds, I recommend visiting on weekdays and shooting at sunrise when possible.
Popular activities
With Zion, the possibilities are endless for activities. There’s horseback riding, rock climbing, and history museums all around the park.
The park offers hiking trails with all levels of ability and difficulty. Some of the most popular hikes include: Observation Point, the Emerald Pools, Angel’s Landing, and the Canyon Overlook Trail.
Distance and Drive Time from Salt Lake City: 300 miles / 4.5 hours
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley is strangely colorful and truly unique in terms of Utah landscapes. It’s named Goblin Valley for its sandstone hoodoos—called ‘goblins’ locally—that look like giant rock chimneys. And the color is what you might think of when thinking of Mars. That being said, these goblins create a spectacular backdrop for a wedding. The location is certainly original and a place that neither you or your guests will ever forget. To get married here you have three great options:
Drive past the state park and onto BLM land at Wild Horse Dispersed Camping. Bring your RV, trailer, tents, or however you like to camp and set up for the night! It’s free to camp here and the spots are huge - so you can bring friends and family with you for a big camp out! Explore the BLM land and choose a spot to get married there. You could even set up tables for a fun evening dinner to celebrate you two.
Get married inside the state park on the Goblin Valley Trail. It’s an unofficial - unmarked trail that lets you wander as you’d like through the 4 mile radius of epic Goblins and orange chimneys.
Not afraid of tight spaces? Then maybe the Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon trail would be the perfect place to say “I do!” with just you two! Or we could do sunrise portraits here.
Permits
Goblin Valley doesn’t have wedding permits specific to the park. But before any elopement, it’s always best to contact the park first and submit a Utah Division of Parks and Recreation Special Use Permit Application. They require the application at least 30 days before any event and require a $10 application fee.
Weather
With temperatures reaching the 100s in the Summer and snow possibilities in the Winter. Your best bet for a great wedding at Goblin Valley is either in the Spring or Fall months.
Popular activities
At Goblin Valley, you and your guests will have lots to do pre and post wedding. Enjoy camping, canyoneering, mountain biking, and disc golf. You can even do some rappelling into the Goblin’s Lair! But one of the best activities at Goblin Valley is stargazing. It’s far enough away from civilization to make the nighttime sky magical.
Some of the most popular hiking trails include the Carmel Canyon Loop Trail, Entrada Canyon, Little Wild Horse Canyon.
Distance and Drive Time from Salt Lake City: 220 miles / 3.5 hours
Bryce Canyon National Park
Unlike Goblin Valley, they call the rock formations Hoodoos instead of Goblins at Bryce Canyon. And that’s nice because the park has the largest collection of them on the planet. These formations will most likely serve as the backdrop of your elopement along with pink cliffs, red sandstone rock formations, and a seemingly endless amount of beautiful vistas. Bryce Canyon is almost indescribable in its beauty.
Ceremonies at Bryce Canyon can only have 30 people max, and are allowed at Sunset Point in two locations: Overlooking the Main Amphitheater and the Silent City. Just like Zion, you can then wander the park for your portraits, but the official ceremony can only be held in those two locations with an officiant.
If you’re looking for a less crowded area, check out Bryce Canyon’s neighbor - Red Canyon Dixie National Forest! Located only 12 miles past Bryce Canyon, this much smaller canyon looks identical with the same canyon and rock features, only not as large!
Permits
The cost for a permit at Bryce Canyon is $100, and their permits page says it takes two to four weeks to process. Everyone besides the bride and groom must pay a park entrance fee. Bryce Canyon Wedding Permit Page
Weather
The weather at Bryce Canyon isn’t as simple as some of the other parks. You can’t just say Spring and Fall are the best weather seasons. Winter temperatures go all the way into May, and after September, the storms come fast and are impossible to predict. Fortunately, Summer is mild at Bryce Canyon with temps only going into the 80’s in July and August. Overall, May through September is the best time to elope in Bryce Canyon.
Popular activities
Enjoy camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding Bryce Canyon’s extensive variety of trails—Rim Trail, Mossy Cave Trail, Navajo Loop Trail. Or find a spot to relax, camp, and enjoy the sensational night skies.
Distance and Drive Time from Salt Lake City: 260 miles / 4 hours
Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow is one of Utah’s newest parks which has made it very popular. The park is on the banks of the Sand Hollow Water Reservoir, so the landscape has perfect shades of blue along with the red sandstone rocks that surround it. This is one of the top places to elope in Utah because after the ceremony. it’s a nature lover’s paradise full of things to do.
Permits
Sand Hollow doesn’t have wedding permits specific to the park. But if the elopement is more than a handful of people. You’ll need to contact the park and submit a Utah Division of Parks and Recreation Special Use Permit Application at least 30 days before the wedding. There’s a $10 processing fee on all Special Use application submissions. Regardless, even if it’s just you, a significant other, a minister, and a photographer—hopefully me!—it’s best to contact the park first.
Weather
Spring and Fall have the best elopement temperatures at Sand Hollow. But if you’re okay with some heat you can elope between June and September and cool off in the nearby water reservoir.
Popular activities
Because of the water reservoir, there’s an extended list of things to do around Sand Hollow. You can enjoy fishing, boating, and other water activities along with camping and hiking. Plus, this is one of Utah’s state parks famous for its ATV trails. The top hiking trails are also ATV trails. Here’s a list with ATV difficulty from easy difficulty to hard:
Sand Hollow Reservoir OHV Trail
Milt's Mile Extended OHV Loop
The Maze OHV Trail
Distance and Drive Time from Salt Lake City: 300 miles / 4.5 hours
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park has it all—canyons, domes, cliffs, rock bridges—and every piece of this beautiful landscape can be the backdrop to your special day. This scenery is all part of the Waterpocket Fold—think of it as a wrinkle in the Earth—that goes on for 100 miles. You and your significant other will have little trouble finding the perfect spot. “The park will approve permits for small weddings in locations around the picnic area, campground, or other front-country areas. Weddings in the park are simple, rustic and no-frills ceremonies in an outdoor setting. If you are looking for a place that allows chairs, music, decorations, runners, arches, tents, or other extras, this will not be your best option.”
Permits
Capitol Reef is a little less expensive than it’s more famous sister Zion at $50. You need to submit the application at least a week ahead of time, but that’s no big deal. You can do everything online here: Capitol Reef National Park Permit Page
Weather
Like many of the other parks on this list. Summer at the park has high heat—though not as bad as Zion—and Winter temperatures are more mild, but they can quickly drop below freezing. Stick to Spring or Fall if you want to elope at Capitol Reef.
Popular activities
There’s tons of adventure within Capitol Reef. The park has a variety of trails ranging in difficulty and plenty of spots for camping and outdoor recreation. You can also explore the park via horseback or mountain bike. Here’s a list of the top hiking trails:
National Parks are not very friendly to off-road vehicle usage, so there are no ATV trails. Though, you’ll find some very rugged terrain when traveling on the main roads! There are definitely lots of ATV opportunities outside of the park. Try these if you want a little off road adventure:
Hartnet Road
Caineville Wash Road
Boulder Mountain
Burr Trail
Distance and Drive Time from Salt Lake City: 220 miles / 3.5 hours
Snow Canyon State Park
Eloping in Utah doesn’t get much better than Snow Canyon State Park. The park has scenic views of red Navajo sandstone canyons along with rock formations carved by ancient lava flow. This is a desert landscape that you or your guests won’t forget.
Permits
Snow Canyon requires a $150 non-refundable filing fee with your application and there are extra charges to have a wedding at the Lower Galoot—see link below. Also, you must submit your application up to three weeks before your wedding. There is also a day pass for vehicles that ranges from $10 - $15 Snow Canyon State Park Wedding Permit Page
Weather
For weddings, the best time to elope at Snow Canyon is either in the Spring or Fall. However, it’s not unheard to go for a Winter wedding as long as you’re okay with guests wearing jackets.
Popular activities
Snow Canyon offers a wide variety of activities for before and after the wedding. You can enjoy rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, canyoneering, and camping. There are even petroglyphs around the park to view as well. Some of the most popular hiking trails at Snow Canyon include the Scout Cave Trail, Lava Lube Trail, Jenny’s Canyon Trail, and the Petrified Dunes Trail.
Distance and Drive Time from Salt Lake City: 300 miles / 4.5 hours
Utah Packages
-
Full Day $7,500
7 hours of coverage
3-5 locations + capturing any activities you do
Split or consecutive coverage
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
-
Half Day $6,000
4 hours of coverage
2-3 location
Consecutive coverage or $250 extra for split
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations, help planning your timeline
-
Golden Hour $4,500
2 hours of coverage (elopements only)
1-2 locations
Sunrise OR sunset - to get the best lighting
Includes any necessary photography permits
Includes ALL TRAVEL FEES to get here
Vendor referrals, location recommendations and help planning your timeline
Vendor Referrals
Important Things to Know
Slot canyon safety
Utah’s parks are full of slot canyons that are awe-inspiring to walk through and fun to climb. Canyoneering can be an awesome and fun experience, but it’s important to understand the safety precautions before partaking. If you’re not experienced, it’s best to go with a professional first. Regardless, here are some important things to remember:
Understand your equipment
Pack correctly before going out
Research the canyons beforehand
Recognize your limitations—both physically and with experience
Always go with a friend
Stop and soak in your surroundings—it’s not all just about climbing!
Flash flood safety
Utah’s parks are prone to flash flooding, and the floods should not be taken lightly. Here are a few tips to remember regarding flash floods.
Follow all orders from the park service. If there is a warning or evacuation order, heed the warning!
If you encounter a flood while hiking, move to higher ground immediately, and avoid all contact with the water.
If you’re in a vehicle, don’t drive around barricades and avoid bridges.
Never drive through flood waters—the popular saying is “Turn around, don’t drown!”
If you find your vehicle surrounded by flash flood waters, do not exit the vehicle unless the water is rising inside. If it’s rising inside, exit to the roof.
Are dogs allowed in national parks?
Many national parks allow dogs. Here is an interactive map from the National Parks Service so you can know which ones permit pets. However, there are some rules to follow when enjoying the park with our furry friends. The principle the national parks service asks everyone to follow is called BARK. So, bag your pet’s waste, always leash your pet, respect the wildlife, and know what areas are okay for pets. National Parks Service Pets Page
What is “Leave No Trace”?
Humans can have a detrimental impact on the environment if they don’t take care of the environment when enjoying nature. Leave No Trace is a set of principles that helps to minimize human impact and preserve our beautiful parks and wildlife. These principles apply to anyone going into nature, so that includes hiking, camping, and elopements.
Core Principles
Always plan ahead & prepare for your activities. Bring whatever you need to properly dispose of any waste and plan your hiking routes so you don’t damage natural resources.
Always travel and camp on durable surfaces—see below.
Properly dispose of all waste—you prepared beforehand after all.
If you find something beautiful in nature, leave it there. Don’t destroy fauna or mark on rocks or trees.
Be mindful of your campfire use and minimize its impact in nature.
Always respect wildlife—getting closer for a selfie isn’t healthy for the animal and could endanger your life.
Be kind and considerate to other visitors in the park.
Durable vs nondurable surfaces & cryptobiotic soil
One of the principles listed above is to always travel—hike—or camp on durable surfaces over nondurable. If you’re not sure of the difference, here’s a small explanation.
When hiking, durable surfaces include rocks, gravel, and sand because people can walk over them repeatedly and not impact vegetation. Ice and snow are also durable surfaces as long as it’s high enough above the vegetation. If you must walk across any vegetation, decide carefully and try to find areas of dry grass as they’re more durable.
For camping, the concept of durable surfaces is the same as hiking, but also avoids camping next to water or close to trails. Also, try to camp out of the view of other campers as it can disturb the solitude we all seek when going into nature. Last, always camp in designated areas, and be mindful of where you walk.
Florals
For a wedding at the park, even a small elopement, it is illegal to pick wildflowers for use in the wedding. Plus, it goes against the principles of Leave No Trace. If you want a wildflower arrangement for the wedding, work with a local forest and plan and prepare beforehand.
Let’s work together.
Fill out this form as detailed as possible and we’ll be planning together in no time!
