Best Places to Elope in Utah 2024
If exploring some of the most unique and beautiful places in the country is high on your wishlist, Utah just might be the best elopement location for you! With 5 National Parks (the 3rd most in the country after California and Alaska) and countless other state, local, and BLM sites, Utah is an outdoor elopement paradise. The best part is that depending on which parks you choose to visit, you may be able to visit two (or more!) locations in the same day. Let’s jump right into these best places to elope in Utah!
Eloping in Moab
Moab is known as a mecca for outdoor explorers, making it a popular destination for adventure elopements. Two of Utah’s most well-known national parks can be found here, as well as multiple ideal elopement locations on BLM and state land.
For more on planning your Moab adventure, check out our Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Moab. You’ll also want to see this Moab adventure engagement and this super fun Moab Elopement Skateboarding and Roller Skating style shoot.
For now, let’s check out some of the best elopement spots in Moab:
Arches National Park
With over 2,000 unique rock formations, many taking the form of gigantic arches, Arches National Park is an iconic, must-see destination. Its location just 5 miles from the town of Moab makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the area.
While this location is very popular (like many of the other Utah National Parks), it’s large size makes it possible to find a private spot away from the crowds. It is also the perfect place to arrive early to catch the sunrise peeking through the Arches while the rest of the world is asleep.
Activities at Arches
- Catch the sunrise through the Arches
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Camping
- Rock Climbing
- Stargazing
Canyonlands National Park
Located just 30 miles from Arches, Canyonlands National Park is another top destination for elopements in Moab. This park is massive, taking up over 500 square miles, so it’s perfect for couples who want to incorporate hiking or biking into their day. The Needles district within the park is a popular hiking destination with over 70 miles of trails.
Activities at Canyonlands:
- Touring off-road trails in a Jeep
- Hiking the Needles
- Boating (flat water and white-water rafting)
- Horseback riding
- Stargazing
Dead Horse Point State Park
Granted, the name doesn’t really scream romance, but Dead Horse Point truly has one of the best views in the world. Perched high above the Colorado River and Canyonlands park, this is a fantastic way to get an accessible view of the area without hiking. Plan to visit at sunrise or sunset to see the rocks change color moment by moment beneath you.
Dead Horse Point is also home to the Moenkopi Yurts. This is a fantastic lodging option if you want to wake up early to catch the sunrise!
Activities at Dead Horse Point:
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Camping
- Stay in a Yurt
BLM Land
One of the best kept secrets about eloping in Utah is that much of the land surrounding the big national parks is just as stunning as the more well-known sites, but often without the big crowds. With 23 million acres of land in Utah, the Bureau of Land Management public lands are a great option for those who love to go off the beaten path.
A special permit is required to photograph here, and permits are only issued twice per year. Lucky for you, I’ve already secured a permit for 2022. ?
Due to the vast and varied nature of BLM sites, activities will depend on the site. I can help you find the right place for your perfect day!
Eloping at Capitol Reef
About halfway between Moab and Zion National Parks, you’ll find Capitol Reef National Park. This slightly lesser-known park is home to a true geologic wonder. Waterpocket Fold is an actual wrinkle in the earth nearly 100 miles long! You could spend a whole day (or multiple days!) exploring the deep cut rock formations amidst the gorgeous red rock background.
Activities at Capitol Reef:
- Exploring in a 4×4
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Rock Climbing
- Backcountry camping
Eloping at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the largest collection of Hoodoos (irregular rock columns) anywhere on the planet, providing a completely unique and breathtakingly gorgeous background for your elopement. With over 200 miles of trails and backcountry routes, you’re guaranteed to find a private spot and a whole lot of adventure! It’s also close to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, another natural wonder.
The Rainbow and Yovimpa view points are especially stunning, with a view of the Grand Staircase and pink cliffs below.
Activities at Bryce Canyon:
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Camping
- Trail riding on an ATV
Eloping at Zion
Located just over an hour southwest of Bryce Canyon is Zion National Park, the first National Park in Utah. You’ve probably seen photos taken near the Zion Overlook, where you’ll find an incredible view high above the canyons. Of course, with this iconic view comes a lot of visitors, so I recommend arriving early. The sunrises here are spectacular!
Don’t let the crowds scare you off, though. There are so many other spots in this park to explore! As an experienced Utah elopement photographer, I can help you find the perfect location for your ceremony and the rest of your adventures.
Activities at Zion:
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Canyoneering
- Climbing
- Stargazing
Eloping at the Bonneville Salt Flats
Located near the Northeastern tip of Utah, you’ll find a landscape unlike any other on this list. Covering 30,000 acres, the Bonneville Salt Flats feature an expanse of smooth, white salt as far as the eye can see. The possibilities for incredible photos here are endless.
This is also the home of the famous Bonneville Speedway, the location of numerous land speed records. But don’t worry if auto racing isn’t your thing – there are plenty of quieter places to explore away from the races!
Bonneville Salt Flats Activities:
- Hiking
- Drive your car on the flats
- Catch an event at the speedway
Eloping at Lake Powell
Lake Powell spans the border of Arizona and southern Utah. As the 2nd largest manmade lake in the US, it has almost 2,000 miles of shoreline. Add in the surrounding rock formations and year-round warm weather, and it’s easy to see why Lake Powell is a popular location for elopements. This area is also the home of the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, which is the largest natural bridge in the world and a sacred site for local indigenous cultures.
Activities at Lake Powell:
- Hiking
- Rent a houseboat
- Kayaking
- Waterskiing
- Swimming
Map of Utah Elopement Locations
To get an idea of where all these amazing locations are located, check out the map below. Each of the locations I’ve noted are pinned, and you can find out more about each by clicking on each pin.
Utah Elopement Packages
You want a day that’s truly unique. That’s why from the moment you reach out to me, I’m invested in helping you craft a day that feels authentic to you as a couple. I offer unlimited consultations as part of every package to make sure that your elopement experience is everything you envision. This includes helping you find the right location for your ceremony, finding the right activities, and helping you plan out all of the logistics for your day. My goal is to make your elopement a hella fun and stress-free experience!
With all of my Utah elopement packages, you’ll get:
- Starting at 4 hours of coverage for your elopement package
- Personalized questionnaire to understand exactly how to craft your day
- Unlimited free consultations to help you craft your perfect day
- Complimentary Officiating where applicable
- Fully edited hi-res photos available for you to download for free
- TRAVEL FEES ALL INCLUDED. NO EXTRA OR HIDDEN FEES
Want to learn more? Schedule a free consultation and let’s chat!
Meet Your Utah Elopement Photographer
Hey! I’m Adam and I live for helping couples just like you make their elopement dreams come true. If you want to learn more about the best elopement locations in Utah, I’m your guy! I can help you find the best Utah elopement package and share all my tips to find the perfect location for your elopement.
If you’re ready to start planning or just have some questions to decide if a Utah elopement is right for you, I’d love to hear from you.
