Ready to elope in Moab with jaw-dropping views and one hell of a day?! Moab has it all: waterfalls, canyons, ARCHES, mountains, lakes, and cliffs. This will be your favorite place to visit, explore, and wed that sweet honey of yours. We’ll help navigate this incredible elopement location every step of the way.

Situated among the winding Colorado River, Moab’s unique community provides for a variety of

elopement adventures. Think: countless hiking trails, UTV trails, white water rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, and of course, beautiful places to elope. From Moab, the infamous Arches National Park is just 6 miles away, while Canyonlands National Park is 32 miles away.

When to elope in Moab

Moab is gorgeous and accessible throughout the year, but there are a few times that are better than others.

Spring: Eloping in April, May, or June is the best choice! Temperatures are reasonable, and if you go on a weekday, you’ll avoid the heavy crowds.

Summer: The months are HOT (100°F+). We can do it, let’s just get an early start and come prepared!

Fall: Best choice number two! Additionally, you can enjoy better temperatures for part of the Fall. The park will remain open through October 31st every year. And if you’re thinking a Halloween-style elopement, please, please, please, call me. Let’s make that witchy magic happen.

Winter: The temps hang around 30-50°F to as low as 0-20°F. On the other hand, no reservations are required between November and March. If you can bundle, we can bundle as well. Let’s get it!

Permits & making it legit for a Moab wedding

Permits and licenses can be overwhelming to navigate. That’s why we’re the experts, ready to help every step of the way! To elope in Moab, let’s make sure you have everything you need.

Fun fact: You don’t have to be a resident of Utah to obtain a marriage license in Utah. Once you have your license, you’ll have 30 days to get married.

Firstly, 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.

Below is a lot of logistical information.

How to apply for a wedding permit specifically at Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park:

• Download and fill out this application/
• Pay $185 to Pay.gov by selecting “SEUG” 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.”
• Select the park for which your Special Use Permit is intended.
• 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. Then, follow the instructions and complete the forms.
• Please save your payment confirmation, as you will need to send it with your application to seug_commercialservices@nps.gov.

Timed Entry

Timed entry tickets are required in addition to your park pass OR entrance fee from 7 am to 4 pm daily, April 1 through July 6 and August 28 through October 31, 2025. 

You may enter the park before 7:00 am or after 4:00 pm, and from July 7 through August 27, 2025, without a timed entry ticket.

The park will release tickets first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov up to six (6) months in advance starting on January 2, 2025, according to the following schedule:

• April, May, and June reservations (April 1–June 30) open January 2 at 8 am MST
• July reservations (July 1–6) open February 1 at 8 am MST
• August reservations (August 28–31) open March 1 at 8 am MST
• September reservations (September 1–30) open April 1 at 8 am MDT
• October reservations (October 1–31) open May 1 at 8 am MDT

An additional batch of tickets will be released at 7:00 pm MDT for park visits the following day. Any unbooked tickets remain available for same-day visits. Morning time slots book up first, so we encourage visitors to plan ahead.

Okay – now that you can get married in Moab, let’s talk location, location, location!

Canyonlands National Park

Let’s talk sweeping canyon views of red rock landscapes. We love the Canyonlands for its accessibility via car, foot, or bike, and fewer crowds! If you’re the camping type, you’ll definitely want to spend a few days exploring and camping – the Canyonlands are expansive. The

Canyonlands has four sections: Island in the Sky (the most accessible and popular), The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers. Each area has its own special adventuring permits, purchase passes, and permits here – keep in mind, Island in the Sky is the only area permitted to get married.

Island in the Sky

If you’re looking to get married in the Canyonlands, the Island in the Sky is for you! There are three locations you can have your ceremony: Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, and Mesa Arch. Don’t worry – there is plenty of room for exploring and taking photos outside your ceremony site. Just 10 miles north of Moab, Island in the Sky rests on sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet tall (hence the name!), overlooking a breathtaking landscape. Good news: this beautiful location is the easiest to visit in Canyonlands and offers ample opportunities for adventure, from hiking trails to epic off-roading expeditions.

The Needles

The Needles are found in the southeast corner of Canyonlands and offer spectacular views and adventure opportunities. Whether hiking or four-wheel-driving, this area provides plenty of miles to explore – 60 miles for hiking, and 50 miles of driving trails!

The Maze

Besides, being known for being the least accessible area of Canyonlands, it’s recommended to use a map rather than GPS to visit The Maze. Check out the 3-6 hours of off-roading in a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, spending a minimum of 3 days, and strenuous hikes. That is some serious adventuring – we’re down if you are!

Arches National Park

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 are also the most visited area in Moab! So, try to plan for a weekday

elopement. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to find space for your ceremony. Make sure to leave the Arches (and all of Moab!) the way you found it – avoid scrambling, walking on, or rappelling off any arch in the park.

Not surprisingly, the Arches requires permits (see: Permits, above) and offers 10 locations to marry: La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, The Windows Section, Sand Dune Arch, Delicate Arch, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Park Avenue, Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater, and Panorama Point.

Looking to camp among slickrock outcroppings before or after your elopement? You can! Devils Garden Campground is the only campground at Arches National Park, and you can reserve campsites from March 1 through October 31. Sites are first-come, first-served the rest of the year.

Overall, here are few unique things to keep in mind about eloping in Arches National Park.

• The total cost of a wedding permit (see: permits) is $185 (a non-refundable application fee of
  $55, and an administrative and management fee of $130). In addition, all elopement attendees
  will pay an entrance fee of $30 per car.
• You may occupy an area for 10 minutes when others are present (so they can
  also take in the views). Don’t worry – we can definitely make this work for photos before/after
  your ceremony!
• No use of rice, birdseed or any non-native plant seed.
• Playing musical instruments or having amplified sound is prohibited.

SEE THE FULL POST FROM THIS ARCHES NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT

Dead Horse Point State Park

9 miles outside Moab with ample hiking and dirt biking trails, Dead Horse Point State Park is an adventurer’s paradise. Viewpoints face east and west! Meaning, we can get that great shot no matter what time you want to party. Pack your wedding clothes and change when you arrive – heck, bring your pup along and include them in the ceremony! There are plenty of dog-friendly trails for your elopement companion.

Fill out a Special Use Permit at least 30 days before your elopement date to get married on BLM land. Correspondingly, the permit costs $60 ($10 application fee and $50 permit fee). The day of the wedding will cost $15 per vehicle, accommodating up to 8 people per vehicle. Here’s a great pros and cons guide of this location, provided by the State Park. This is one of the most gorgeous places when you elope in Moab!

A few unique things to keep in mind about this location:

• All sites are accessible to the public. This means you might be sharing space, but it also means
  getting to go on an adventure!
• No live or cut flowers – stick with artificial flowers. It’s a fun opportunity to keep a flower
  budget low or reuse the flowers later!
• No throwing seeds, confetti, rice…basically don’t throw anything. (see: leave Moab the way it
  was when you arrive)
• Trails must be used for access to the wedding site of your choice
• No amplified music, lighting or decoration (really though, the views + you lovebirds is enough to
  fill the space!)

SEE THE FULL POST FROM THIS DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK ELOPEMENT

Manti La Sal Mountains

The Manti-La Sal Mountains offer a mountain escape from the desert, and you can still enjoy views of
the canyons. Southeast of Moab, eloping in the Manti-La Sal National Forest does not require permits.
Fun fact: The Forest contains over 5,000 known archaeological sites dating from 10,000 years ago to the
mid-1900s. Besides being historical, this is also one of the most accessible place to elope in Moab. Let’s go!

Kane Creek

Take a downriver winding road to access Kane Creek, which provides a reprieve from the crowds due to its moderate-to-difficult off-roading trail. Best to use high-clearance SUVs and ATVs for this drive – but if off-roading is for you, it’s worth it, given the views and Moonflower Canyon waiting for you. Moonflower Canyon is a lush oasis in the surrounding red rock bluffs and is the site of ancient Native American remnants. You can even stay for the night!

SEE THE FULL POST FROM THIS KANE CREEK ADVENTURE SESSION

Sand Flats Recreation Area

Of course, check out the Sand Flats bike and 4×4 trails. The Sand Flats Recreation Area features a high plateau of slickrock domes, bowls, and fins. Campsites are first-come, first-served, and you’ll need to purchase a day-use pass online before enjoying this 8,000-acre area. Ready to ride to your elopement destination? You’ll know better than we can what you and your partner can handle – definitely check out all the mountain bike options in Moab. Four-wheeling more your thing? When you elope in Moab, you can get a little wild! You’ll want to visit Fins and Things and Hell’s Revenge. Both are world-renowned 4×4 trails!

SEE THE FULL POST FROM THIS SAND FLATS RECREATION AREA ELOPEMENT

Castle Valley

Equally as cool is the Arches, just 20 miles north of Moab, is Castle Valley. Home to the 400-foot Wingate Sandstone spire! It’s a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Besides, Castle Valley can be a great connecting point for your rock climbing elopement on Castle Rock, rafting down the Colorado River post elopement, or mountain biking Porcupine Rim. Castle Valley is also a real valley that extends from the Colorado River for almost 12 miles into the foothills of the La Sal Mountains.

Cedar Mesa

If you’ve never seen Ancestral Puebloans, petroglyphs, or pictographs, Cedar Mesa is your chance. You can elope here or plan a visit before/after your big day. Here’s everything you need to know about requesting permits for Cedar Mesa, based on what type of adventure you’re looking for.

Please note: Kane Creek, Sand Flats Recreation Area, and Cedar Mesa are all BLM land. As such, here is the Special Recreation Permit Application you’ll need to fill out for getting married on BLM land, and here is the Moab Field Office you’ll contact to receive approval.

BLM Permit Situation

Speaking of BLM land – there are plenty of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) trails and camping
options in Moab, as well as river recreation options. What does this mean for your adventure when you elope in Moab? More opportunities to have your furry friend join you (dogs are allowed on BLM trails – just keep them on leash), potential for more of your own space, and obviously, adventure! Here is the
Special Recreation Permit Application you’ll need to fill out for getting married on BLM land – here is the Moab Field Office you’ll contact to receive approval.

The most important permit to have for BLM land is actually not for you – but rather your photographer.
Overall, the BLM land permitting process takes up to 180 days and is something we take care of for all of our couples. Just make sure your photographer has one!

Fun Activities when you elope in Moab

moab rafting – Mild to Wild

When I think “let’s elope in Moab,” of COURSE I think of rafting! One of the most popular rafting options in Moab is a one-day trip on the Fisher Towers section hostedby Mild to Wild. The 14-mile stretch is a great option for families or anyone trying to stay cool during the summer heat. Check out petroglyphs, a relaxing time to swim, and sandy beaches for camping under the starry sky on this “Utah’s Best Family Rafting Trip!“

Navtec Expeditions

All the adventures under one ‘roof’ – you can white water raft, try out canyoneering, go backpacking,
and enjoy 4×4 and hiking tours with Navtec Expeditions. Certainly, you’ll head out for the Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky, Needles, Maze and Arches National Park for some epic elopement activities. 

mountain biking

Since Moab is known for adventrurers, you’ll want to check out Slickrock Bike Trail. It’s 2.3 miles from the entrance of the Sands Flats Recreation Area and features 12 miles of exhausting and exhilarating mountain biking. Plan for about 4 hours to ride the entire loop, and definitely plan to carry water. Certainly, this is one of the most famous mountain biking trails in the world and hosts several campgrounds nearby. 

jeeping

Jeeping has found a home in Moab – check out this list of best jeep trails, and let’s plan an adventure!
Some of the best off-roading trails are in Sand Flats, and many other trails are less than a few miles
away (like Fins and Things and Hell’s Revenge). Don’t have a jeep but ready to explore? Dan Mick’s Jeep
Tours offers high quality guided tours and have been doing so for over 30 years. You can’t elope in Moab and not go out on a jeeping adventure!

leave no trace

Last but not least, please make sure you stay on trails or designated areas – This land is every bit as
fragile as it is beautiful. If you step off the trail, you may injure its living surface. Yes, you read that right
– Living! Surface! When biological soil crust is damaged, it can take centuries (literally) to recover. Please
leave Moab the way you found it and allow others who will be inspired by your photos and elopement
story to come and see this land as Nature intended: organic and alive. The Leave No Trace principles are a MUST when you elope in Moab.

Whether you’re feeling an arch vibe for your elopement, capturing the infamous red sandstone in your
background or the ultimate adventure elopement week in the backcountry, we can’t wait to help create the perfect elopement adventure with you. And let’s be honest, we’ll take ANY excuse to join you in Moab – pick a date and we’re there!

Moab Elopement Packages

We offer elopement photography and videography for adventure elopements in Moab and Utah. We are your guides, planners, and best friends. From the very first moment we start discussing your elopement dreams (the consult is free), it’s an immediate connection. That’s when the magic begins! We want to know who you are as a couple, where your love story happened, and where you want it to go. Elope in Moab with us and you’ll leave with friends for life!

our moab elopement packages start at $6,000

SEE OUR MOAB ELOPEMENT PACKAGES HERE