Eight Epic Places to Elope in Utah

Eight Epic Places to Elope in Utah: Updated for 2024

So Utah is sparking your interest as an elopement location. Friend? That is quite honestly the SUCH A GREAT DECISION. Utah is brimming with out of this world places for an elopement- some you may already be familiar with and some that are off-the-beaten-path hidden gems. While it’s true that the western part of the US is a cornucopia of incredible elopement destinations, and you could throw a dart at a map and wherever you hit is almost guaranteed to be stunning, but Utah is special. Sometimes it feels like adventure lives here- whether you ski, hike, climb, cannoneer, float, snowshoe, or even fly…. There is SO MUCH TO SEE HERE and Utah really is the perfect place to elope.

Home to the Mighty 5 (Utah’s five National Parks- Canyonlands, Arches, Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef) there is an absolute abundance of beauty in this gem of a state. There’s also 40 (yes… 40) state parks and over 20 million acres of public land. And the scenery here is so unbelievable diverse. There are there distinct and different geographical regions- The Rocky Mountains, The Great Basin, and The Colorado Plateau. This means that in the state of Utah you’ve got snow capped mountains, stunning desert vistas, deep canyons, sloping sandstone walls, groves of aspens, sand dunes…it’s pretty ridiculous all Utah has to offer. I know I’m hopeless biased here because I love this epic state- so I’m here to spill the beans on Utah, all this glorious state has to offer, and show you what a great place Utah is to Elope.

Four Places to Elope in Utah You May Have Heard Of…

If you are a Utah local or you live far away from the desert, you’ve likely heard of this places (and with good reason!) They are incredible (iconic even) and deserve every inch of the attention they get.

Moab National Parks

Oh, Moab. Land of stunning desert and adventure. You have my heart. (I actually have a whole blog post dedicated to this rad as hell town, so that’s definitely something to check out if Moab speaks to you as a place to elope in Utah.) Moab is home to two spectacular National Parks; Arches and Canyonlands. It’s hard not to fall in love with either of these two places. Whether you want sweeping desert cliffs or want to really “get amongst the rock” you can find what you’re looking for here.

Arches is the more popular but also smaller of the two. The famous Delicate Arch lives here (along with Double Arch which is in the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade…something that entertains me to no end). Arches is an extremely popular place, largely because of their truly iconic arches. It’s a great place to elope in Utah, but know that if you are averse to crowds this location could prove tricky (but not impossible!). The park is so popular that it actually reaches capacity around 8:30/9:00am and then closes to visitors. For this reason it’s really only suitable for a sunrise or sunset experience (which *high* emphasis on sunrise). There are also only a handful of spots you can have a ceremony in Arches, so that’s something to be aware of, too!

Canyonlands is the much bigger of the two parks, and as such is much easier to find some quiet alone space. Most folks stick to the Island in the Sky (home to Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Green River overlook) which is known for it’s stunning vistas- but there is a whole world of canyons below and the Needles district which is super out of the way… but super cool and not very crowded. I *love* Canyonlands. Ceremonies are limited to a few spots in the Island in the Sky, but there is so much to explore and see in this park:

Best in: March, April, early May, September, October.

Fun Activities: Off-roading, hiking, canyoneering, base-jumping, rock climbing, sky diving.

Nearest Major Airport: Salt Lake City (though Moab does have a tiny airport)

Perfect for: Adventurous couples who want stunning views with easy access and don’t mind sharing the space with other folks.

Maybe not a great fit for: Folks who are set on a super unique, very private experience (depending on the park/time of day/location!)

Real Moab Elopements to Inspire You: Three Day Backpacking Elopement. Two Day National Park Elopement.

Zion National Park

Located in the southwestern corner of Utah sits the third most visited National Park in the United States. Zion is a beautiful place to elope with it’s sandstone walls, winding river, and incredible overlooks. Utah as many different kinds of desert and while Moab is stark and Mars-like, Zion is full of trees, plants, and wildlife. The nearby towns of Springdale and St. George offer a great home base and a handful of really amazing vendors (like By Bloomers– who makes some of the most stunning bouquets EVER).

I kind of think of it as the Yosemite of the southwest- the main feature of Zion is a valley and that is where a lot of folks wind up spending their time (and is where famous hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows are), but there are other parts of the park (namely the east side of the park and the Kolob Canyon area) that are less busy and just as stunning as the more popular valley. Also important to note that for most of the year, the only way to access the valley is via the parks shuttle system. I’m a huge fan of Zion in the late fall, winter, and early spring- the weather is mild and the crowds are significantly decreased- and that way you can really experience the beauty of the park.

Best in: February, March, April, early May, late October, November.

Fun Activities: Hiking, exploring slot canyons.

Nearest Major Airport: Las Vegas

Perfect for: Folks wanting that desert/greenery combo.

Maybe not a great fit for: Folks who really want privacy.

Real Zion Elopements to Inspire You: Here’s a gorgeous Zion Elopement. And a Zion adventure wedding with some out of this word star photos. Or check out this blog post if you want more details on how to elope in a national park!

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is a great place to elope in Utah, and it flies a little under the radar- I think this is an under rated spot for elopements here in Utah. I get such a kick out of the different versions of “desert” that Utah has to offer- Bryce is full of hoodoos, which a funky rock structures formed by the constant freeze/thaw of the area. The temperature range can be HUGE here- mornings and evenings are typically cool, even in the summer months and especially in the fall and spring. But there’s snow dusting the hoodoos- be excited. It looks honestly incredible.

Bryce does have some restrictions on where you can formally have a ceremony, but the options for portraits are endless. There’s something about the environment that is so funky and playful… while still having those epic overlooks. It’s also a higher elevation than a lot of the other desert spots on this list- which means it’s a lot more doable in the warmer months (especially at sunrise and sunset… I actually was wearing a coat there last August at sunrise!)

If you want a funky desert and an underrated spot for your Utah elopement, this Bryce Canyon is an awesome option.

Best in: July, August, September

Fun Activities: Hiking (like Fairyland Loop Trail and Navajo Loop Trail, camping)

Nearest Major Airport: Las Vegas or Salt Lake City

Perfect for: Couples who love really a funky desert and don’t mind a little bit of hiking.

Maybe not a great fit for: Folks who want to avoid sunrise or sunset, or couples who want a lot of choices for your ceremony location.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell technically shares some nearby iconic spots with Arizona (hello Horseshoe Bend) but it is technically in the most southern portion of Utah. And it is an AMAZING spot for elopements. The water cutting through the desert is so dramatic and stunning. And if you’re wanting adventure… this is such a great spot. The options are endless- you can rent a houseboat and explore nooks and crannies of the lake, you can off-road to lakeside cliffs, hike through epic slot canyons, and explore rocky shores. It’s- SO much fun. It’s wonderful especially in the spring and fall (in the summer it’s incredibly hot and the lake is full fo boats).

PRO TIP: Renting a houseboat is one of the best ways to explore Lake Powell- it’s a great way to access private spots, explore difficult to get to spots, and see the most of the area while doing minimal hiking and maximum exploring and being so close to where you sleep when done with adventures.

Best in: April and early May for a houseboat adventure. For land focused elopements, February, March, April, November, early December.

Fun Activities: Boating, hiking, camping, off-roading.

Nearest Airport: Scheduled flights are available into Page Airport (connecting through Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV)

Perfect for: Couples wanting at venture off the beaten path.

Maybe not a great fit for: Couples eloping with larger groups or couples who want to stay close (30 minutes) from their home base.

Want to see more Lake Powell Beauty? Here’s an epic adventure session to check out.

…And Four Places to Elope in Utah That May be New to You

Kanab

Kanab is actually located on the east side of Zion, and sits snuggling between the National Park and Lake Powell. It’s often thought of as the less exciting access point for Zion, but I think Kanab is an amazing place to elope in Utah all on it’s own. Including some nearby state parks, there are honestly incredible and true hidden gems- sand dunes, slot canyons, and off roading adventures are abound.

The sand dunes are so fun; it’s basically a giant sandbox you can run around and play in (and you can sandboard down the dunes!) There’s also slot canyons, lava flow fields, petrified sand dunes, forests… there’s so much to see in the area that *isn’t* Zion. Because Zion is amazing but it is crowded and poses logistical challenges, these are really amazing other options if you want to elope in Utah.

Best in: February, March, April, early May, late October, November

Fun Activities: Hiking, Camping, Sandboarding, Off-roading (so much off-roading!)

Nearest Major Airport: Las Vegas

Perfect for: Folks wanting some variation in their desert setting, want some adventure, and

Maybe not a great fit for: Folks who want famous and iconic views, or folks who want spots that are super easy to access.

Real Kanab Elopement to Inspire You: This sand dune elopement outside of Zion, full of play and joy

Utah BLM Land

Bureau of Land Management Land. This is a huge swath of land that makes up large portions of Utah- 23 million acres to be exact. If you are looking for privacy and off-grid adventure, BLM land is a perfect fit for you. There’s something for everyone- exploring canyons, desert vistas, camping, biking, off-roading, hanging in your camper van, sharing a drink, and gazing at the stars.

Best in: Will depend on where you are in the state, but in general, April, early May, September, October are the best!

Fun Activities: Off-roading, hiking, canyoneering, base-jumping, rock climbing, sky diving. 

Nearest Major Airport: Depends on where in the state you are!

Perfect for: Couples who are keen on adventure, hidden gems, and off the beaten path locations.

Maybe not a great fit for: Anyone wanting easy access to bathrooms, paved roads, or anywhere that’s super easy to get to.

Real elopement to inspire you: Check out this rock climbing wedding that took place entirely on BLM land!

La Sal Mountains

Buckle in for these next two spots because it always stuns people to hear that there are places like this *in Utah.* The La Sal Mountains are actually super close to Moab, which I love because if you can’t decide between mountains or desert… you can literally have both. The La Sal’s a great in the winter for snow shoeing or snowball fights, green, vibrant and cool in the summer, and splashed with stunning swaths of yellow in the fall. There are overlooks (actually looking down in on the red rocks of Moab), lakes, and trails. It really is a stunning spot to elope in Utah.

Best in: July, August, September, October 

Fun Activities: Off-roading, hiking, canyoneering, base-jumping, rock climbing, sky diving. 

Nearest Major Airport: Salt Lake City (though Moab does have a tiny airport)

Perfect for: Couples who want both desert vibes and mountain loveliness.

Maybe not a great fit for: Anyone really wanting primarily desert vibes.

Wasatch Range

Up in northern Utah is a hidden gem of a spot. If you love mountains than this is the spot for you. Much of Utah is pretty hot in the summer- but here? You’re golden. With mountain peaks, lakes, waterfalls, and forests this is, in my humble opinion, a very under used spot for a mountain elopement. It seriously blows my mind that a place like Moab and a place like the Wasatch National Forest can exist in the same state. But that is the beauty of Utah and why it’s such a great place to elope.

Best in: Late June, July, and August

Fun Activities: Hiking, camping, backpacking, picnics 

Nearest Major Airport: Salt Lake City

Perfect for: Anyone who loves mountain lakes, jagged peaks, and CO vibes.

Maybe not a great fit for: People wanting to stick to Southern Utah.

Utah Elopement Packages: How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Utah?

I’m based in Flagstaff, Arizona but I’m in Utah super often (over half my elopements are in Utah!), and I travel all over the southwest. I basically consider places like Southern Utah to be my backyard. And I don’t charge any travel fees for Utah (or any stateside) elopement or adventure wedding. I’m a big fan of being super transparent, so there aren’t hidden or surprise costs. Just the cost of your package, and sales tax 🙂

• All packages include photographer travel expenses 
• Unlimited guidance from me, your elopement photographer, with planning and logistics. Think things like location scouting and personalized location guides, preferred vendor recommendations, elopement timeline construction, packing list, local gems to check out, and elopement hype woman for whenever you need some extra stoke.
• Online gallery full of stunning high-res images and full printing rights.

   Four hours: $5900 | Eight Hours: $7900 | One 8-hr day + 4 hr day: $11,000

Feeling stoked but not ready to reach out yet? I totally get it. In the meantime…

(plus lots of other adventurous antics!)

And if you are curious about other desert spots, check out my favorite places to elope in Arizona!

And here’s a some more Utah pics, just to get those elopement dreaming gears turning.