The Best Utah Elopement Locations

A bride spins in a slot canyon in moab as a leaf falls.
Moab, Utah Elopement

Fully updated for 2024.

Why elope in Utah?

Utah – what do you think of? For us, we think of adventure and amazing views. Utah is like a large playground if you are into hiking, canyoneering, soaking in hot springs, climbing, mountain biking, off-roading, camping, backpacking, base jumping, sightseeing, road trips, and the list could just go on and on. Utah is diverse. It is full of opportunities for your dream adventure wedding day. Let’s chat about some of the very best of the best elopement locations in Utah from the perspective of adventure elopement photographers.

Best Places to Elope in Utah

Utah is home to, and largely known for the  “Big 5” referencing the five National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, and Capital Reef. All five of these parks are incredible, but Utah is filled with so much more to offer than just these five places.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell has 2000 miles of shoreline and over 80 slot canyons stemming from the lake, making for an epic elopement! Along Lake Powell, you can elope on the rocky or sandy shores, on the water, in a slot canyon, or even on an overlook. Lake Powell is a perfect location for a multi-day elopement with just you two or with a few of your closest friends or family.

Lake Powell spans over Utah and Arizona. Some of our favorite access points are near Kanab, Page (AZ), Escalante, and Bullfrog. This place is so unique and if you are there during the off-season, it can be pretty quiet too compared to other regions in Arizona that are great elopement spots, like Sedona.

You will need a special use permit to legally get married on most of the land in and around Lake Powell as it is a part of the Glen Canyon NP Recreation area.

Favorite things to do for a Lake Powell Elopement:

  • Kayak/Paddleboard
  • Boat (speed and/or house boat)
  • Backpack to incredible overlooking views
  • Off-road to other incredible views
  • Hike to natural arches
  • Explore slot canyons by foot
  • Helicopter tours

Best Time to elope at Lake Powell:

  • Spring – March and April really are amazing times to elope in this area, the perfect temperatures. It can be windy in the desert in the spring more so than in other months.
  • Summer – While traditionally we do not recommend eloping in the Summer in the desert, Lake Powell is a great summer option because you can hop in the water to cool off and do more activities like skiing! (NOTE: keep in mind Lake Powell is a very dangerous place to be during a storm or monsoon and canyons flood. Do not go during a storm. )
  • Fall – This is one of our favorite time in the area! The temperatures are perfect again, the crowds are gone from the summer and the Milky Way will be showing off! Truly, we think this is THE best time to elope at Lake Powell.
  • Winter – This is a fantastic elopement location in the winter! Privacy will for sure be on your side! The temperatures are mild compared to other parts of the US in the winter, but you still might be chilly. Once Winter in February we were in the area and got to experience it with Snow which was so beautiful!!

Address: 37.0683° N, 111.2433° W

Park Entrances:

Utah – Enter through Lone Rock Beach, Bullfrog, Halls Crossing, or Hit.

Arizona – Enter through Wahweap, Antelope Point, or Lees Ferry and Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center

Closest Airports: St. George Regional Airport (2 hr 45 mins), Grand Junction Regional Airport (2 hr 45 min), McCarran International Airport (4 hr 30 min)

A couple shares a lunch picnic together on a sunny day at Lake Powell.

Amangiri

If you are looking for a luxurious, but adventurous elopement experience Amangiri is it. This accommodation will blow you away. The resort itself has stunning places to stay that blend right in with the environment, horseback riding, a swinging bridge across the canyons, climbing routes, hiking trails, private flight tours, and more private access to the stunning Navajo mountains and rock formations. The resort also offers a beautiful space for a small wedding dinner and celebration. 

To elope here you have to stay at the resort. Last I checked with the events manager a 2-night stay was required. You can expect to spend at around 10-12k on your stay and accommodations here, but it would be well worth the experience! Amangiri is located in Utah just a mile past the Arizona border and is a great place to stay and elope. You can also do other things during your stay here like visit Lake Powell or Kanab hiking/off-roading areas.

Favorite things to do for an Amangiri Elopement:

  • Horseback ride
  • Swinging bridge
  • Private tours
  • Ferrata
  • Cultural experience
  • Dining
  • Stargazing

Best time to Elope in Amangiri:

  • I would recommend eloping here during their slower season so that way you can get a more private experience. Their booking rates are also cheaper during this time which is Jan – March. However, keep in mind the weather here is the same as Lake Powell weather listed above.

Address: 1 Kayenta Rd, Canyon Point, UT 84741 

Closest Airports: St. George Regional Airport (2 hr 15 min), Grand Junction Regional Airport (2 hr 45 min), McCarran International Airport (4 hr)

Kanab, Utah

Kanab is a very cute quaint town surrounded by adventure. The best way to get here is by flying into Vegas and then driving East toward the town. Kanab basically shuts down in the Winter for the most part, but it is so stunning in the Fall with changing leaves and a slight chill in the air making it a perfect place to elope.

In this region, you will find a ton of off-roading and slot canyons to explore within the region or just south of it back towards Arizona. There is also a beautiful state park called Coral Pink Sand Dunes that makes for a playful + fun elopement location. With an adorable downtown to eat, grab ice cream or coffee we highly recommend stopping by Rocking V Cafe for dinner on your elopement evening. Kanab is a wonderful place for a quiet elopement in the wilderness, it is also a gateway for Zion and Bryce National Park.

You want to be careful or you might leave here with a new furry family member! The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is home to many dogs, cats, horses, and more bringing in many visitors to the area to adopt from here. 

Our Favorite things about eloping in Kanab:

  • Off-roading
  • Sand Dunes which are so fun to play in!
  • Hiking
  • Quaint town
  • Starry skies
  • Slot canyons

Best time to Elope in Kanab:

  • We for sure recommend Spring or Fall for the best weather.

Address: 37.0475° N, 112.5263° W

Closest Airports: St. George Regional Airport (1 hr 15 min), Grand Junction Regional Airport (3 hr), McCarran International Airport (3 hr 45 min)

I like to note that Kanab is a wonderful base for your elopement in Zion or Northern Arizona, as well as, Kanab itself.

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A couple stands in a snowy slot canyon together during their winter elopement.
Kanab, Utah Elopement in February | Adventure + Vow

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is a great desert elopement location with the whole family or just you two. Zion is probably most known for its hikes Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. While these are not trails you can elope on, you can for sure explore them during your travels for your perfect elopement.

Within Zion, there are a few places you can hold an elopement ceremony in the valley of the park and then you can take your portraits almost anywhere within the park. Stunning overview trails of the beautiful rock canyons range from 1 mile to 10 miles. Oh, and did I mention so many more slot canyons with technical rappelling as well as friendly walk-in ones?

Zion is also a pretty good location to be able to see the Milky Way in the evening! You will need a permit through the park system to get married within the park so be sure to apply for that at least 45 days in advance. Zion National Park is super busy and has a public transportation system to many trails. Due to this, we recommend eloping in the off-season of late fall, winter, or early spring and sticking to a weekday.

There are accessible places to stay right outside the park or in nearby towns like Kanab or Hurricane. We highly recommend checking out Under Canvas for your overnight accommodations or one of the many Airbnb or Hipcamps.

Our favorite things about eloping in Zion National Park:

  • Canyoneering!!!
  • Horseback rides
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Chef provided dinners

Best time to Elope in Zion?

  • In our opinion, the best time to elope here is late September or early October. Temperatures here can be quite chilly by late October!

Address: 37.2982° N, 113.0263° W

Park Entrances: Springdale, Utah (Main Entrance, South Entrance), Zion-Mt Caramel Highway (East Entrance), and New Harmony, Utah (Kalob Canyons Entrance)

Closest Airports: St George Regional Airport (1 hr 30 min), Salt Lake City International Airport (1 hr 30 min), McCarran International Airport (2 hr 30 min)

Everything you need to know about eloping in Zion!

A couple holds each other at sunset at Observation Overlook in Zion National Park.

Hurricane + St George, Utah

Ah, another beautiful small town outside of Zion! Hurricane is located on the West side of the National Park, putting it closer to Las Vegas. Surrounding this town though is not just the National Park, but many beautiful State Parks. This is the area we typically stay in when visiting Zion as we like the access to off roading and the bigger town. However, this area can be much busier than Kanab.

For example, Sand Hallow State Park has beautiful blue water surrounded by orange rock walls with lovely sand shores, rock cliffs, boating, and kayaking! It is a great place to elope with family, kids, or just you two! Also nearby is the Red Cliffs Recreation area home to many hiking trails, climbing, and more.

Even outside of these two recreational areas, you will find trails, off-roading, waterfalls, and more. It is a lovely place for a quiet getaway. This is great if you want to be close to accommodations and a town, but also play in the desert.

Favorite things about eloping in this town?

  • Kayaking/paddle boarding
  • Off-roading
  • Yummy food
  • Close to forest + desert
  • Climbing

Best time to elope in St George?

  • Spring or Fall! Check the events calendar on the state parks’ websites before you book because they often hold very large events that can shut down many main roads in town.

Hurricane Address: 37.1753° N, 113.2899° W

St George Address: 37.0965° N, 113.5684° W

Closest Airports: St George Regional Airport (20 min), McCarran International Airport (2 hr), Salt Lake City International Airport (4 hr)

A drone photograph of a bride and groom kayaking together.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Going back through Zion and heading further North East you will find Bryce Canyon National Park. While this location is a bit more remote than the others listed above, it is beautiful with very unique rock formations. There are several easy day hikes, a few backpacking trails, and horseback riding options.

Being a National Park, you need to obtain a permit to get married inside of the park. Bryce Canyon also has very specific areas where you are allowed to get married. There are many unique glamping stays to consider in this area that can be found on Hipcamp, Airbnb, and more.

You do need a permit for this National Park elopement.

Things we love about eloping in Bryce:

  • Less busy thank Zion and other areas in this region of Utah.
  • Hiking
  • Colorful sunrises + sunsets
  • In the snow, it’s so beautiful!
  • ATV tours
  • Horseback rides

Best time to elope in Bryce Canyon?

  • The best time is April to October unless you want the snow. However, keep in mind in the Winter most things surrounding the area are completely closed. Summer will be busy.

Address: 37.5930° N, 112.1871° W

Park Entrance: Bryce Canyon City, Utah (North Entrance)

Closest Airports: Cedar City Regional Airport (1 hr 15 min), St. George Regional Airport (2 hr 15 min), McCarran International Airport (4 hr)

Let’s make your elopement unforgettable. Be you on your elopement day, while we capture every memory.

Talk to an elopement photographer.

A couple faces a canyon filled with sand as the wind catches the brides dress.
Escalante Elopement

Grand Staircase Region

1.87 million acres. Can you imagine the possibilities for your elopement here?! This region is pretty remote so if you are looking for an elopement location that will allow you to disconnect from the rest of the world and experience the desert together all the while getting married, the Grant Staircase Region is it.

This chunk of land is expansive spreading through parts of Kanab and down to Lake Powell. An area we haven’t chatted about is Escalante, another close town and access point to a lot of the cool areas here. Grand Staircase grants you access to some stunning overviews of Lake Powell, wild arch formations, and awesome backpacking trails through canyons and gulches. There are also some super cool places to stay in this area from yurts, tiny cabins, to more modern stays.

In this area, you do not want to shy away from spending some time deep in the wilderness. Don’t worry we’re here to help you with all the epic trails and locations within this land region. 

Favorite things about eloping in Grand Staircase:

  • Off-roading
  • Canyoneering
  • Backpacking
  • Endless slot canyons
  • Stars
  • Camping
  • Hunting down arches + waterfalls

Best time to elope in Grand Staircase

  • You do not want to be here when it is too cold or too hot, we recommend September, October, and April.

Address: 37.4609° N, 111.5943° W

Closest Airports: Cedar City Regional Airport (2 hr 30 min), St. George Regional Airport (3 hr 15 min), Grand Junction Regional Airport (3 hr 45 min)

A couple stands under a famous arch in the middle of Utah.
Escalante Elopement Locations | Adventure + Vow

Moab, Utah

Going to the almost complete East side of Southern Utah you will find Moab. Home of many rock climbing adventures, some serious off-roading, slacklining, base jumping, and more. Moab is also known for Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

We may be bias due to our own draw to certain adventures and landscapes, but to us this is the very best place to elope in Utah!!!

While these are two iconic places to adventure and hold a Moab elopement, you also do not want to forget about Dead Horse State Park (perfect for ceremonies with guests), the La Sal Mountain range, and a ton of BLM land granting access to more arches, slot canyons, river access and more! Moab is a beautiful part of Utah for an adventurous elopement day + to have an epic honeymoon afterward!

Favorite things about an elopement in Moab:

  • Rock climbing/canyoneering
  • Watching Base jumpers or Base jumping yourself with a guide
  • Hot Air Balloons
  • Hike Natural Arches
  • Starry skies
  • Off-roading
  • BIG CANYONS
  • Rock Climbing
  • Canyoneering
  • Camping
  • Helicopter tour
  • Small plane tour
  • Diversity in landscape

Best time to Elope in Moab

  • Moab’s busy season is Summer. We actually tell folks to fully avoid this time of year there due to crowds and the high temperatures. In our opinion, the best time to elope in Moab is April, early May, October, and November.

Address: 38.5733° N, 109.5498° W

Closest Airports: Grand Junction Regional Airport (1 hr 45 min), Montrose Regional Airport (2 hr 45 min), Salt Lake City International Airport (3 hr 45 min)

Bonneville Salt Flats

The Salt Flats spans 30,000 acres of land. It is unlike anything you have ever seen really, unless you have been to the flats in Death Valley National Park. Located only 1.5 hours from Salt Lake City. This unique elopement location is the closest one in Utah on the list to a major city/airport. This location is one of the best places if you want to involve a lot of creativity in your elopement day, have a ton of fun, and have a completely stress-free experience.

What we love about eloping a Salt Flats elopement:

  • the vastness
  • beautiful sunsets
  • SPEED – if you are into cars, dirt bikes, ATVs, etc this is the place to go to get some speed

When to Elope at the Salt Flats:

  • Be sure you are avoiding any big events at the flats, this schedule can be found on the BLM’s website. 

Address: 40.7787° N, 113.8352° W

Closest Airports: Wendover Airport (30 min), Salt Lake City International Airport (2 hr 45 min)

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest + Fishlake National Forest

Believe it or not, Utah, is not just a desert. In fact, there are many mountain regions in Utah complete with wildflowers, lakes, skiing, and hiking. Conveniently located near Salt Lake City, the Wasatch area runs East of the city and runs into Ashley National Forest just North of the city.

Some of the best hikes in this area range from two miles to seven miles. This area is great year-round pending what you are looking for. In the winter you can ski and snowmobile, and in the summer you can hike and fish. Fall is a favorite for many couples, great for seeing the aspen leaves change.

Fishlake is more central to the state. This area would be less busy than Wasatch. Some of the best trails in this area range from two miles to fourteen miles. The best times to visit for hiking or eloping in this area would be Spring or Fall.

Our favorite thing about eloping in the National Forests:

  • Typical no permit or less expensive permit
  • You can camp!
  • Hiking
  • in general nature: wildflowers, fall leaves, waterfalls, animals, etc
  • Typically quieter than the National Parks
  • mountain peaks!

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Address: 11925 N Horizon Dr, Highland, UT 84003

Fishlake National Forest Address: 115 E 900 N, Sevier, UT 84766

Closest Airports: Provo Municipal Airport (45 min), Logan-Cache Airport (45 min), Salt Lake City International Airport (1 hr)

Make your Utah elopement unforgettable with beautiful photography. Don’t let the moment pass you by.

Preserve every moment.

Plan Your Elopement: How Can I Legally Elope in Utah?

To legally elope in Utah you and your partner will need to obtain a Utah Marriage license from a local clerk’s office or online. You will need an officiant and two witnesses to get legally married in Utah. Our elopement packages include one officiant and one witness, or two witnesses if you have a family or friend officiating.

How much does it cost to elope in Utah?

The cost of a marriage license in Utah is $50 generally. The entire cost of your elopement in Utah varies depending on your elopement plans. Your elopement could cost anywhere from $8k – $40k. Elopement costs vary so greatly pending things like travel, stay, food, photography, videography, officiant, attire, activities, and more. Per a recent study, the average elopement cost is between $8-15k.

Utah Elopement Packages

We offer Utah elopement packages that start at “mini” elopement coverage and go all the way up to multi-day adventure packages. We do offer custom packages to couples when it may be a better fit, so always reach out even if our pre-designed packages may not be what you are looking for. Our elopement packages include:

  • An officiant/witness
  • Scouting
  • Assistance in finding a location, picking vendors, planning
  • Timeline creation
  • Elopement Photography coverage by two international award winning photographers
  • The option to add video coverage
  • Same-day sneak peeks
  • Full gallery with printing rights and advice on preserving your images for a lifetime
  • MORE +

Our most common Utah elopement package is our full day for sunrise/sunset or our two-day elopement package. Utah is big, there is a ton to do – it is very easy to fill an entire day on your adventure!

Find the perfect elopement package for your big day. Limited dates are available. 

A couple explores an arch in Arches National Park.

Tips for Eloping in Utah

After photographing many elopements in the state of Utah and endlessly exploring the state ourselves these are our top tips to keep in mind when choosing Utah for your elopement:

  • Rent a car. To get to any of these small towns or around these parks you will need to drive, probably a lot.
  • Drink a lot of water! It’s the desert, you need more water than you think.
  • Avoid Summer: heat + monsoons, are not the best thing in the desert. This does not apply to the National Forest areas
  • Follow Leave No Trace and stay on the trail!
  • Hire a guide if you do not know how to do an adventure or do not have all the proper gear. Don’t be scared to do something new!
  • To avoid crowds, pick a weekday or choose a sunrise ceremony. Eloping on the shoulder or off-season is also helpful.
  • Have at least 3 months to plan an elopement – this is helpful for permits and booking travel.
A man and woman stand together holding a puppy during sunrise in Moab Utah

Your Utah Elopement Photographer Team!

Hi! We are your adventure elopement photographers, officiants, planners, and videographers! We have explored the desert endlessly through our passion for hiking, off-roading, climbing, and canyoneering! We love exploring the depths of Utah and finding incredible elopement nooks. We love helping couples plan a wedding day that is authentic to who they are, meaningful to how they want to start off their marriage, and of course, stoked on adventure! We look forward to connecting with you for your day and sharing more about what this region has to offer!

Check out these words from one of our couples that eloped in Utah!

“When my husband and I first reached out to Traci from Adventure and Vow, we were hyped. With having seen other couples having such an amazing time with fantastic photos of their elopement, we were inspired and reeled in. We knew we wanted to experience something more than a traditional wedding, and we were heavily considering eloping for the intimate experience. After testing the waters and contacting Traci, we felt that eloping with Adventure and Vow was the absolute best decision.

The time had come, to travel out west for our elopement, and we truly had an amazing adventure we’ll remember forever! Traci and Bill both were so fun to work with while getting ready, posing, laughing, having fun with ourselves with the moment, and really roughing it through mud and back roads for our hiking adventure! Our location for the shoot was perfectly secluded and at a Clift side with the most amazing views We had ever seen!

My husband and I truly wish we could just do it all again! It was absolutely the time of our lives!

The photos of our elopement blew our minds. The most comments we have heard from friends and family is how perfect they are they couldn’t believe it was from our elopement! Traci’s amazing work and experience took everything to the next level.

Lex and I can’t thank you enough Traci and Bill! We miss you guys and encourage anyone thinking about eloping… DO IT AND DO IT WITH ADVENTURE AND VOW !!!!!!” – Deb + Lex


We’d Love To Hear About Your Utah Elopement Plans!

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A couple stands in the sun as the sun starts to set past the canyons in Zion.

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