How to Elope in Moab, Utah
Katie Berg Photo || Moab, Utah Elopement Photographer – Updated Guide for 2025
If you’re wanting to get married somewhere with breathtaking landscapes that are as monumental and deep as your love – you’ve found it! Take it from a professional Moab wedding photographer — Moab is truly the dreamiest desert destination based in Utah and the hub for all things “adventure” related! Moab is made up of three main parks: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.
I love Moab so much (so much that I even got married there!) and I want you guys to be as prepared as possible before you take this adventure of a lifetime and say your “I do’s” in Moab.
In this guide, we will cover:
How to elope In Moab, Utah
1. Choose your dates and length of trip
2. Send me an inquiry for a FREE elopement consultation
3. Hire me to help you plan your epic day — I’ll help you plan EVERYTHING from locations, vendors and timelines to day-of activities, permits, accommodations and anything in between
4. Apply for a marriage license
5. We’ll have an adventure in the location you chose in Moab, Utah and create some epic pics and celebrate the start of a new chapter of your lives together!
Why Elope in Moab, Utah
My husband and I eloped! It’s true! We made the decision to have a small, intimate, intentional and meaningful wedding day in a national park in Moab with only 25 of our closest family members. And it was magic!
Eloping isn’t about saving money or the stress of a bigger, more traditional wedding. It’s all about YOU and the connection you share. It’s about creating the most meaningful and incredible experience for you and your relationship. It’s beautiful, emotional, intimate and unforgettable.
Whatever your reasons are for eloping, it truly is the most incredible way to start your new life together with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the most special and unique way and as an extra added bonus — it opens up all the possibilities of marrying in an absolutely EPIC location!
Still not sold on whether or not you should elope? Check out my blog post below!
How to Get to Moab, Utah
The closest major airport to Moab is the Salt Lake City Airport which is a little over a 4 hour drive or the Walker Field Airport out of Grand Junction, Colorado (only 1 hour 45 minutes away). However the truly closest is the Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) which is a tiny airport about 18 miles out of Moab.
If you’re interested in seeing other nearby places and are up for a slightly longer road trip, you can also fly into Denver or Las Vegas! It only adds an extra 1-2 hours onto your drive.
Should I Elope at Sunrise or Sunset?
Should you elope at sunrise or wait until sunset? That is the question. When it comes to deciding on whether or not you want a sunrise or sunset ceremony in Moab, there are a few factors to consider! While both are equally beautiful, there are pros and cons to both. Here are my thoughts on the ol’ sunrise vs sunset debate.
Sunrise
PROS: There will be less tourists (usually)! While it’s true that most people don’t always love the idea of waking up at the crack of dawn (or even hours prior) it does help to get an early start in place likes Arches National Park or Canyonlands where lots of the locations are popular and highly coveted! Waking up early not only means you’re more likely to get the spot you want without much, if any, disturbances from fellow hikers; but you’ll also be able to be the desert heat! If you plan on eloping in the summer when foot traffic is at an all time high, you might want to consider a sunrise ceremony!
CONS: Be prepared to be exhausted earlier on in the day. Before a sunrise ceremony, you’ll still have to plan on waking up, getting your morning cup of coffee in, shower, do your hair and makeup, get dressed in your attire, hike etc before the sun comes up. If you aren’t a morning person, this might not be the best option for you.
Sunset
PROS: You can sleep in and have a slow start to your day to enjoy yourselves and prep before the ceremony. If you plan on including some other events like a first look or getting ready photos in your day, a sunset option is a great choice. If there are some guests or loved ones you’d like to include in your celebration, this is usually the easiest option for them.
CONS: If you’re wanting photos in multiple locations but are not wanting to do a first look ahead of time, this might not be the best option for you. You’ll be most likely limited to one area as the distances between locations in Moab can take a lot of time to get to and from especially on the trails.
Best time to elope in Moab, Utah
When planning your elopement in Moab, Utah, one of the most important things to consider is the time of year! While it’s true that there isn’t a bad season to experience the breathtaking landscapes of Moab, each time of year comes with its own unique conditions that might influence your decision when picking a date for your special day.
SPRINGTIME: Spring in Moab is absolutely magical! The desert blooms come to life, painting the landscape with vibrant colors, and the temperatures are mild and pleasant. This is one of the best times to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. However, spring is also known for occasional strong winds and the possibility of rain showers, so it’s a good idea to bring a windproof jacket and prepare for some unpredictable weather. Clear umbrellas can be a fun accessory to keep handy—they not only protect you from the elements but also make for adorable, unique photos!
SUMMERTIME: Summer in Moab means long, sunny days and jaw-dropping sunsets, but it also comes with extreme heat. Temperatures can soar above 100°F (38°C), so plan your activities early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the worst of the heat. Make sure to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun with hats and sunscreen. Since this is a busy season for tourists, popular spots in the parks may be more crowded, even at sunrise. If you’re dreaming of a more private elopement, consider scouting less-trafficked locations or hiring a local guide to help you find hidden gems.
FALL: Fall is a fantastic time for a Moab elopement! The scorching summer heat begins to fade, leaving behind warm, comfortable days and crisp evenings. The crowds start to thin out after Labor Day, making it easier to find quiet, secluded spots for your ceremony. Plus, the golden hues of the desert landscape during autumn make for stunning photos.
WINTER: Winter in Moab is peaceful and quiet, offering a more intimate experience for couples who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of peak seasons. The cooler temperatures make it perfect for exploring the trails without overheating, and occasional snow dusting the red rock formations creates a dreamy, otherworldly vibe. However, some higher elevation areas or scenic routes may be closed due to snow, so it’s essential to check conditions beforehand.
No matter what time of year you choose, always check Moab’s national parks pages for the latest updates on weather, road closures, and other important information. With a little planning, your elopement in Moab is sure to be an unforgettable adventure!
Permits?
Do I actually need to have one?
If you plan to elope in any of the parks within Moab, you will need a special use permit, which can range between $60-$185 depending on your location. Whether you’re having an official ceremony or not, this permit will be required. You can apply for this permit up to one year in advance and no more than 21 days prior to your elopement. Make sure to review each of the parks Wedding and Elopement Ceremonies Pages for more in depth information. You can find each of these pages below!
Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding / Permit Info
Arches National Park Wedding / Permit Info
Canyonlands National Park Wedding / Permit Info
Top 8 Best Moab, Utah Elopement Locations
With so many incredible locations to experience around Moab, it can be hard to choose the perfect spot for your ceremony or even just your couples portraits. Especially when you take into consideration that the national parks involved span over 400,000 acres! When planning your locations, make sure to do your research. Not all spots are created equal and some can take over an hour to actually get too! Below are some of my favorite options to get you started.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
This park is a red rock wonderland containing over 2,000 towering formations and natural sandstone arches that make this an absolutely breathtaking and unique place to get married. It’s a gold mine for adventurous couples looking for an iconic place to elope and just as stunning at sunrise as it is at sunset. There’s a Special Recreation Permit ($185) is required to to exchange vows in the park so make sure you apply in time (a few months in advance – no later than 4 weeks out) Admission to Arches National Park is good for seven days. As of 2022, the entrance system to the park has changed as well and will also apply to eloping couples. From April 3 through October 3, 2022 you will be required to apply for a Timed Entry Reservations in order to enter the park. Private vehicles start at $30.00 for any private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Canyonlands has a totally different vibe than Arches. While Arches National Park is known for, well, it’s arches; Canyonlands is known for its expansive plateaus and canyons that stretch as far as the eye can see. Think “everything the light touches” from the movie The Lion King, as that’s what Canyonlands is, especially at sunset! Canyonlands is separated into 3 different areas: The Needles, The Maze and Island in the Sky.
The Needles is about an hour and a half from Moab and is the second most remote location in the park. Named after it’s tall spires of cedar mesa sandstone, this portion of Canyonlands is perfect for hiking or doing some good off-roading.
The Maze is the most remote portion of Canyonlands and it’s literally in the middle of nowhere! While there aren’t many trails, it is especially great for experienced backpackers and those who desire the most private experience possible.
The Island in the Sky is the closest to Moab at only 40 minutes away and also the most accessible. It’s best known for having the iconic Mesa Arch and Upheaval Dome. All approved ceremony locations can be for on the Island but that doesn’t mean you can explore the rest of the park on your wedding day as well! When you hire me as your elopement photographer, I’ll help build you the perfect timeline to get you to all the epic locations you want for the perfect lighting without feeling rushed or stressed out.
DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK
Dead Horse Point State Park is smack in the middle of Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park and while it doesn’t offer as much privacy as the other two, Dead Horse Point shouldn’t be written off! It’s full of beautiful canyons and vistas carved out by ice, water and wind making it a visual masterpiece. Dead Horse Point is about 45 minutes outside of Moab and has two main trails, the East Rim Trail (1.5 miles) and the West Rim (2.5 miles), that have multiple spur trails along the way to take you to overlooks. All of which are very well maintained and marked.
Since Dead Horse Point State Park, it’s Special Use Permit is a little bit cheaper at $60 but still required so make sure to apply no later than 30 days prior to your elopement. Another thing to note is that the park doesn’t allow any live or cut florals in so make sure to opt for artificial ones instead.
CASTLE VALLEY
Castle Valley is named for the castle like red rock formations you can find around the area. Castle Valley is just north east of Moab and is perfect for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking and no permits are currently required.
CORONA ARCH TRAIL
Want to elope under and arch but without all the busy-ness of a National Park? Corona Arch Trail might be the perfect option! This arch is located on BLM land and isn’t as popular as some of it is more iconic relatives, like Mesa Arch or Delicate Arch which means, less people and more privacy! It’s only a 3 mile hike but make no mistake, it’s a very strenuous one. Make sure to do plenty of hiking in the months leading up to your elopement to be prepared!
BLM LANDS
Moab has a TON of BLM land. 1.8 million acres in fact! And all full of cactus, desert sand, canyons, arches as far as the eye can see. BLM land is basically public lands open for recreational use if done respectfully and with Leave No Trace principles in good practice. Since these lands are considered public, the permit you will need to get married there is FREE! But, you will definitely still need BLM to approve the area you wish to elope first. Your photographer will also need to have a Special Recreation Permit in order to shoot your elopement on BLM land so make sure to chat with them (me?! lol) and make sure the have everything the need to conduct business on the land.
Things to Do for Your MOAB, UTAH Elopement
Sure, eloping is the feature presentation, but while you’re in Moab, Utah you should leave plenty of time for fun and recreation. Start off your new adventure together with some thrill seeking or just some quiet chill time in the charming town of Moab. You know what floats your boat, so I highly encourage you to think of this as your elopement/honeymoon/epic getaway.
If you want some suggestions for things to do in Moab, Utah, here’s a list of some of my faves:
- Hike through Arches National Park, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point State Park or Castle Valley
- Go white water rafting
- Take a 4×4 tour and go off roading
- Rock Climb in Castle Valley
- Mountain bike through the trails
- Go horseback riding and see the views
- Trail run
- Go kayaking in the Colorado River
- Site see through Moab’s very own mountain range
- Check out the Moab Giants Museum and hang out with dinosaurs
Best Places to Stay in Moab, Utah
SORREL RIVER RANCH
If you’re feeling EXTRA luxurious, Sorrel River Ranch is for you. It’s a gorgeous resort with stunning red rock mesas in the background. They also offer all sorts of amazing resort and spa amenities complete with nightly bonfires, live music, farm-to-table dining and options for horseback riding and off roading as well!
UNDER CANVAS MOAB
Under Canvas Moab is such an amazing “glamping” experience for adventurous couples who still want a lil bit more luxury than what the usual tent and campground provide. They have beautiful tents which can make for some super fun for photos as well as electricity, showers, restrooms and other amenities similar to a hotel. It’s also less than half an hour from the Canyonlands National Park entrance and only 10 minutes from Arches National Park.
RED CLIFFS LODGE
This hotel is tucked away at the base of the Colorado River and is the perfect hub if you’re wanting to visit several different locations around Moab! Bonus: they offer a multitude of guided tours, wine tasting, horseback riding and more. This is also where I hosted my day-before-the-wedding dinner with all of my family and let me be the first to tell you — their food is the BOMB!
AIRBNB
There are so many amazing Airbnbs around Moab if you take the time to search a little! Some are pet friendly, budget friendly and potentially have a hot tub and fire pit included! Perfect for relaxing after a fun wedding day filled with hiking and adventure. Finding the right Airbnb is key though and SURPRISE – something I help out with as part of my services! So if you’re looking for something that will fit your taste (and your wallet) hire me and I’ll help you out!
Cell Phone Service & Wifi in Moab, Utah
Prepare to lose service at certain points in all of the parks. If you have Verizon, you’ll have the best service inside the parks, but even still, it will be spotty at best.
Make sure to keep this in mind when planning out how you will communicate with family, guests, or vendors when it comes to the elopement day!
It’s also smart to carry walkie-talkies or satellite communication devices for remote areas where cellphone signals may completely drop.
Additionally, establish a detailed schedule with all parties involved and agree on specific meeting points in case there’s no way to get in touch during the day. Planning ahead ensures the focus stays on your special moments rather than logistics.
Leave No trace Principles
Always make sure you’re practicing good Leave No Trace Principles when planning your adventure elopement. Despite what most people think, the desert is actually a very delicate ecosystem and needs to be taken care of. Moab is also home to precious cryptobiotic soil so make sure to keep an eye out for it while exploring and hiking on your wedding day!
To learn more about Leave No Trace and why it’s so important to our lands, click the link below:
meet your
Moab, Utah elopement photographer
By this point, hopefully you’ve gathered allll the details that are relevant to planning your own Moab, Utah elopement, and one that feels 1000% right to YOU at that. I long ago left the belief behind that every wedding has to look the same, that every couple has to follow the same traditions in order to plan a “successful wedding” – now, the perfect elopement in my eyes is the one that feels like you. One that incorporates the people, the activities, and the experiences that matter to you, that feel important to your life, and that will help create those lasting memories that’ll warm your heart to think about in 10. . . 20. . . 50 years.
As a seasoned Moab, Utah elopement photographer, I’ve got the knowledge, expertise, and experience ready to guide you through the sometimes overwhelming, yet extremely exciting process of planning your Moab, Utah elopement!
I know it can be hard to spot the differences between the many adventure elopement photographers out there, so if you want to find out more about my approach to Moab, Utah elopement photography & what makes me different than the 10 other photographers you have open on your Chrome window, head to this page.
For details on my Moab, Utah elopement packages, prices, and what I offer to my booked couples, take a look at my Moab, Utah elopement pricing page (or see an overview below)!
Moab, Utah Elopement Packages & Pricing
I hope I got you SO STOKED for your Moab, Utah elopement! I’m so pumped for you! Seriously, eloping was one of the best decisions of my life and I get so excited seeing couples make this choice.
I am 10,000% all about helping couples find the location that feels perfect for your unique love and your one of a kind adventure elopement. So please reach out to me if you have any questions about where and how to elope in Moab, Utah. I want to help make your dream day come true!
I sincerely hope this handy guide helped you get started on your journey together. I can’t wait to make plans for your Moab, Utah elopement and capture memories that will last a lifetime. Talk to you soon!
STARTING PACKAGES BEGIN AT $6,500
Other Elopement Destinations to Consider in the United States
Woohoo, you’ve made it through this whole Moab, Utah National Park elopement guide!!
Haven’t quite landed on Moab, Utah as your final elopement destination? I totallyyyy get it – there are WAY too many stunning places to choose from (but is that really a bad thing?!). If you want to learn about more of my favorite places to elope in the U.S., check out the most popular elopement location guides from my extensive collection below!
California Elopement Guides
How to Elope in Yosemite National Park
How to Elope in Northern California
Washington Elopement Guides
How to Elope in the North Cascades
How to Elope at Mount Rainier
How to Elope at Olympic National Park
now booking 2025 & 2026 Moab, Utah National Park elopements and intimate weddings
Contact me to get started planning your dream elopement adventure!
In order to make your dream elopement day happen, it’s super important that we connect and that you feel comfortable with me! The best way to do this is to reach out and schedule a call so you can learn more about me and I can learn about you two so i can document what’s real + the most important to you.
