Are you looking to elope with jaw-dropping views around you? Look no further than Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Waterfalls, canyons, ARCHES, mountains, lakes, and cliffs provide a gorgeous and memorable location to marry that sweet partner of yours! Moab is one of our favorite places to visit, explore, and share with our couples – we’re full of ideas if you need any help navigating ALL of your how to elope in Arches National Park questions!

Dubbed a “red-rock wonderland,” Arches National Park has the highest concentration of natural stone arches found anywhere in the world – over 2,000! If you’re like us and nerd out on how these Arches are formed, check this out. The Arches is also the most visited area in Moab, so try to plan a weekday elopement and arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to secure space for your ceremony. Make sure to leave the Arches (and all of Moab!) the way you found it – avoid scrambling, walking, or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch in the park.

The Arches require elopement permits (see below!) and offer 6 locations for your ceremony: The Park Avenue, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Double Arch, The Windows, Panorama Point, and Devil’s Garden Campground Ampitheater. We’ve included details for each location in this guide, just for you. If the Arches aren’t your jam, but Moab is, head over to our Moab Elopement Guide for Moab elopement locations and details!

***NEW 2026 INFORMATION**

Requirements for Entering Arches National Park

The Department of the Interior announced that it is canceling the seasonal timed-entry reservation systems at Yosemite National Park in California and Arches National Park in Utah, two of the country’s most visited national parks, effective immediately. The agency also confirmed significant changes to the vehicle reservation system at Glacier National Park in Montana for the 2026 season.

Reservations Dropped for Yosemite and Arches National Parks – AFAR

Parking Requirements

While timed-entry reservations are paused, visitors to Arches National Park are required to pay an entry fee, except for senior citizens and anyone with a handicap access pass.  Most entry fees are good for seven days, while some are valid for an entire year. 

If you’re interested in camping (highly recommend!!) There are associated fees to stay overnight at Devil’s Garden Campground. 

• Regular Camp Sites $20 per night
• Group Camp Sites $3 per person ($33/night minimum)
• Handicap or Senior Citizens Access Card $10/night

Note: ATVs are not permitted in Arches National Park. Don’t worry, if this is a must do adventure activity, I know a few places nearby we can go!

How to get to Arches National Park 

From Moab, the infamous Arches National Park is just 6 miles away. We recommend flying into Salt Lake City International Airport (234 miles/approximately 4 hours from Arches National Park) or Denver International Airport (276 miles/approximately 6 hours from Arches National Park). You’ll want to have a car to get around the beauty of this national park, so if you have the time for the drive from the airport, it’s worth it in $ you’d be saving by not flying into a regional airport.

best time to elope in Arches National Park

Arches National Park is gorgeous and accessible year-round, but some times are better than others. Summer months are hot AF (100°F+), and in winter you can expect temperatures around 30-50°F, and as low as 0-20°F. So, the best time to go to Moab? You really can’t go wrong if you love adventure. Working together, we can help you plan for any season. That said, April, May, September, and October are ideal for adventuring, with daytime temperatures averaging 60-80 degrees! Try to plan for a weekday to avoid crowds for this desert elopement location.

permits needed to elope in Arches National Park

First things first, make sure you’re 18 years or older or meet these requirements and restrictions. You will be legal in Grand County, Utah.

Permits and licenses are essential and can sometimes be overwhelming to navigate. In order to have the Arches National Park elopement of your dreams, let’s make sure you have what you need. Fun fact: you don’t have to be a resident of Utah to get a marriage license in Utah, and once you have your license, you have 30 days to get married. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about getting a marriage license in Grand County, Utah, and here’s the marriage application you’ll need to take with you to the Grand County Clerk.

If you’re wondering how to elope in Arches National Park, you’ll need to download and fill out this: NPS Form 10-930s and pay $185 to Pay.gov.

Applicants should submit payments via Pay.gov. To make a payment:

• Enter “ARCH” in the Pay.gov search window.
• Payment will be made at: Canyonlands and Arches NP & Natural Bridges and Hovenweep NM Special Use Permit – click on “Continue.”
• Check which park your Special Use Permit is for. Under Permit Fee click on Permit and select Wedding.
• Enter a total dollar amount of $185 for the type of Special Use Permit you are requesting.
• Follow the instructions and fill out the forms.
• Save your payment confirmation; you will submit this with your application.

Check out our most recent Arches National Park elopement!

Arches National Park ceremony locations – *updated 2026*  

There honestly isn’t a bad place for a ceremony in Arches! The biggest determining factor will be the maximum size of a wedding allowed at each venue. Maximum participants range from 15-80. Check the list below!

Park Avenue -15 people

Oh man – if you’re looking for famous Moab backdrops for you and your sweetheart to elope, look no further than Park Avenue! Enjoy a 1.8-mile out-and-back hike, perfect for any time of year.

La Sal Mountain Viewpoint – 50 people

The La Sal Mountain Viewpoint is a large space where you can choose the best viewpoint for you. We’re talking 360º views, and our favorite is with Courthouse Rock, Three Gossips, and Sheep’s Rock. The slick rock can be difficult for wheelchairs.

Double Arch – 25 people

The ceremony spot is before you get to the base of Double Arch, it’s a .6 mile walk there and back. It’s one of our all time FAVORITE ceremony spots because of the epic arches in the background. We recommend sunrise ceremonies to avoid the crowds. For a bit of a rock scramble, you can get an epic photo within the arch.

The Windows (Turret Arch) – 25 people

The Windows Section, also known as “the beating heart of Arches National Park”, is one of the most scenic locations in the park. Just 1.2 miles round trip, you can find North Window, Turret Arch (check out this looped hiking trail!), and Double Arch. It’s also high on our list of recommendations because, while crowded, it’s not as crazy as Double Arch.

Panorama Point – 50 people

This is the most handicap accessible ceremony location in Arches National Park. Located just a gravel path away from the parking lot, this spot offers a place to sit.

Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater – 80 people

Devil’s Garden Campground Amphitheater is the largest ceremony location in the park, but it’s our least favorite because there is a white screen that doesn’t move. It’s meant for large group presentations put on by the park. Yes – you CAN camp in Arches National Park! It’s also the only campground at Arches National Park, and you can reserve campsites from March 1 through October 31. Sites are first-come-first-serve the rest of the year. If an amphitheater isn’t your thing, you could even camp and hike into your Arches National Park elopement location above! Campers here can enjoy waking up next to epic Slickrock outcroppings.

A few unique things to keep in mind about eloping in Arches National Park:

• A permit does not grant exclusive use of the area; it will remain open to the visiting public.
• Natural Resource Protection: Wedding activities are restricted to slickrock, dry washes, or maintained areas of the park to protect fragile biological soil crust and plant life.
• Bouquets: To prevent the introduction of invasive species into the park, dried plants, including grasses, are prohibited in bouquets.
• Releases: Butterfly releases, and all other living and/or inanimate object releases or dispersal, including birdseed and rice, are prohibited. The permittee is responsible for site cleanup.
• Decorations: The use of balloons, arches, or any other type of decorations will not be authorized.
• Obstructions: Permittees may not obstruct sidewalks, trails, parking lots, or other visitor facilities. This includes the use of tents, tables, or other furniture. The park will evaluate folding chairs on a case-by-case basis.
• Food: Catering or any food service is prohibited.
• Audio Disturbance: No public address system is permitted, and music volumes are highly regulated (Re: 36 CFR 2.12). Noise levels must not exceed normal speaking volumes.
• Pets: Pets are typically not allowed at ceremony sites, particularly those areas off pavement or in other undeveloped locations.
• Drones: Operating a drone is prohibited.
• Time limit: All permits will be written for one hour.
• Parking Plan: Groups larger than 25 participants will be required to create a parking plan.
• Photography: The permit holder and ceremony participants may take photos at all park locations and are not limited to the locations listed above.

camping in or near national arches park

Looking for other camping options than Devils Garden Campground? We got you. Access Arches National Park’s two Backcountry sites via backroads and trails (hello, adventure!) and are for experienced backpackers. Note: Paths are not always marked for hiking to the designated campsites and at-large zones, and campfires are not allowed. 

There are two designated backpacking camping sites: Courthouse Wash and one off the primitive trail in Devil’s Garden. Backpacking require permits and you purchase them at the visitor center for $7. We highly recommend reading about backpacking safety in the Arches and partnering with a photography+videography adventure team (like us!) to help make your adventure elopement dreams come true.

Be sure to reserve both improved campsites and backcountry campsites many months in advance on the National Park Website. If you cannot secure a site, we recommend checking out camping options in Canyonlands National Park, Deadhorse Point State Park, and private campgrounds in Moab. When asked the question how to elope in Arches National Park, we will ALWAYS say the wild way!

Arches National Park Elopement Timeline

Wondering how your full-day Arches National Park elopement could look? Check this out:

10 am – We show up as you get ready in your Airbnb (s) – whether you want to have your first look here or wait until we get to your Arches National Park elopement location is up to you!

11 am –  The adventure of your Arches National Park elopement starts the minute we get into the park. The sun shines as we drive the windy Main Park Road. We drive past Park Avenue and soak in the views of the Organ and the Petrified Dunes on our way to the trailhead. We wind our way up to the trailhead, where you two lovebirds will begin the rest of your journey.

12 pm – We arrive at Devil’s campground trailhead and hike to Pine Tree Arch, enjoying a shady hike, which is rare for desert elopements. We walk past high towers and dried juniper bushes. We find a quiet place tucked behind the arch where your ceremony can rock on in seclusion. (yes, we went there)

Desert elopements are for lovers

1 pm – You see the love of your life and it’s the moment you’ve been waiting. You take a deep breath and stand together in awe of your location and love for each other as you complete your intimate, personal, and above all, intentional Arches National Park elopement ceremony.

1:30 pm – You climb cliffs and cascade down rocks, exploring Pine Tree Arch and soaking in the snow-capped La Sal Mountains in the distance. Next, we hike to Double Arch, where we enjoy every last minute of the available light of the day. We put you inside an arch and let you look out over the horizon as the sun sets in the distance. The light is behind you, and you celebrate with your favorite beverage! You’re MARRIED!

5:30 pm – We help you plan an epic post-elopement dinner (maybe you’d enjoy Moab Food Truck Park and inviting some friends or family to join you?). You have your first dance under the twinkle lights of a food truck park as we play your favorite song from a speaker. You cut your wedding cake on a bistro table or enjoy your favorite dessert from a local shop. It’s thoughtful. It’s perfectly you.  

8 pm – It’s not an Arches National Park elopement without the epic star photos! We head to your GLAMPING tent at Under Canvas Moab and capture the gorgeous night sky and stargaze as you enjoy the bliss of newlyweds!!

Arches National Park elopement vendors:

Photography & Videography: Honeybee Wedding (yours truly!)

Reception: Moab Food Truck Park

Accommodation: Under Canvas Moab Glamping

We are Kelsey and Jake, a husband and wife team capturing adventure photos and videos for the wildly in love.  We can’t wait to sip margaritas, adventure together, make memories, and pop that champagne at the top of the mountain. We’re not just here to capture elopements – screw that. If you’re ever wondering how to elope in Arches National Park, we’re here to give you the adventure of a lifetime! 

Whether you’re looking for a two-day elopement experience (think: two 8 hour days of documentation, or mix it up and do a 12 hour day and a 4 hour day), a full day elopement experience (up to 12 hours of coverage), an 8-hour elopement experience, or a partial day elopement experience (up to 4 hours of coverage), we can’t wait to plan your dream Arches National Park elopement experience. Reach out today, and let’s dream together!

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