How to Elope in Zion National Park

A Complete Guide to Planning Your Zion National Park Elopement: Updated for 2025

With five different national parks across the state, Utah has no shortage of adventurous places to elope! Located in the southwestern portion of the state, Zion National Park is one of Utah’s most beautiful and well-known national parks. The park has so many beautiful landscapes from its towering sandstone cliffs to beautiful rivers winding through the canyon floor. With easy access via the park’s shuttle and lots of nearby hotels and amenities, it’s easy to see why couples choose to elope here. If this sounds like your dream elopement location, then keep reading! I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to elope in Zion National Park, including the best locations, when to elope here, lodging information, permits, and more!

3 Reasons to Elope in Zion National Park

A Variety of Gorgeous Desert Landscapes

Visiting Zion National Park never ceases to amaze me! From giant sandstone cliffs to secret slot canyons to rushing rivers, this national park is filled to the brim with incredible (not to mention diverse) views! Why visit multiple locations when you can get a variety of landscapes all in one?

Proximity to Other Locations

Located in Southern Utah, Zion National Park is not a national park that you have to drive hours to get to. The park is located in the town of Springdale with easy access to shops, restaurants, places to stay, and – of course – even more nature to explore! 

Year-Round Availability

While it’s true that Spring and Fall are the most visited times of year for Zion National Park (more on that in a minute), this park is available year-round! Winter snow brings a whole other feeling to the park and, while summer tends to be very hot, there is still plenty to see and explore no matter what time of year you elope.

When to Elope in Zion National Park

Speaking of the best time of year to elope in Zion National Park, here is a breakdown of each season. 

Spring

If you want to experience Zion come alive, then you’ll definitely want to elope during springtime. Spring breathes new life into Zion National Park! The desert floor comes alive with new greenery and with warmer temperatures, come more visitors. This season is also a great time to visit if you want to experience the beauty of summer without the crowds. 

Summer 

As I mentioned earlier, summertime in Zion National Park can be brutal! Not only do deserts + sunshine = hot, hot, hot, but these months also happen to be some of the busiest. While a summer elopement in Zion National Park is possible, there are other months that will allow for a more enjoyable elopement experience. 

Fall 

As the summer temperatures start to die down and the autumn leaves change color, Zion National Park begins to slow down in preparation for winter. October and November are some of my personal favorite months to visit the national park as the weather is comfortable and the crowds start to thin out, allowing for more privacy for your elopement day. 

Winter

The winter months bring a whole new look to Zion National Park! With cool temperatures and the occasional snowfall (don’t worry, the snow doesn’t stick around on the canyon floors for long), the white snow against the red rocks contrast each other beautifully! Winter is the least visited time in Zion National Park meaning more privacy. If you want to feel like you have the whole place to yourself, this is the season for you!

*Pro Tip – No matter what time of year you decide to elope in Zion, I absolutely recommend choosing a weekday if possible. Eloping in the middle of the week will make the entire process (acquiring a permit, parking, crowds, etc.) SO much easier. 

Best Places to Elope in Zion National Park

You’ve already chosen a beautiful national park, now all that’s left to do is find a beautiful ceremony location. Here are a few of my favorite Zion elopement locations to say ‘I Do’. 

Approved Ceremony Spots

There is nothing quite like holding your elopement ceremony inside a national park! If your elopement includes guests, keep in mind that there are a few restrictions on what you can and cannot do for your ceremony. These restrictions include things like how many people can attend and where your ceremony can take place. For more information, click here to view the national park guidelines, otherwise, check out a few of my favorite approved ceremony locations in Zion.

• Temple of Sinawava – this is my personal favorite elopement location in Zion! This location can accommodate up to 35 people and is situated on the canyon floor along a beautiful river. Note that if you are visiting outside winter time you will need to take the shuttle to get there.
• Zion Lodge Lawn – it doesn’t get any more convenient that this location. The lawn at Zion Lodge can accommodate ceremonies with up to 75 people. It also has plenty of shaded areas so you can escape the desert heat and get the best lighting even when eloping at midday. 
• Nature Center North Lawn – while this area of the park is conveniently located, it is only accessible from November through April. The lawn can accommodate up to 50 guests and is surrounded by towering cliffs allowing for lots of privacy and seclusion. 
• Timber Creek Overlook – if you are looking for a less busy part of the park, this is the place for you! Timber Creek Overlook can accommodate up to 20 guests and is the perfect location for intimate weddings and elopements with incredible views. Keep in mind that this ceremony spot is on the edge of the parking lot and may not allow for as much privacy as some of the others.

Portrait Locations

There are tons of other elopement locations in the park that, while they may not be available for ceremonies, are incredible places to go for your adventure portraits. 

Pa’rus Trail

If you’re looking for an easy-access trail to wander around while soaking in the desert canyon views, then this is the trail for you! Pa’rus Trail connects to the Zion Canyon visitor center and Caynon Junction allowing easy access to and from both locations. Whether you want to watch the sunset, do a little stargazing, or get some astrophotography, I can’t think of a better place in the entire park! 

Canyon Overlook

Looking for a short hike with gorgeous views? Well, look no further than Canyon Overlook! This location has some of the best (and most popular) views in the whole park. While this means it can be very crowded, it definitely is a must-visit during your Zion National Park elopement. 

Watchman Trail

Another gorgeous hike to consider for your elopement in Zion is Watchman Trail. This out-and-back trail allows for gorgeous views the whole way and is especially beautiful during the fall months. While the trail can be somewhat busy, it’s an amazing sunset hike that is totally worth it!

Zion Canyon

If you want a handful of hiking trails in one easy-to-access area, then consider the hikes in Zion Canyon! With easy to moderate to challenging hikes, this area has something for everyone! Most of the hikes will require you to ride the park shuttle and keep in mind the shuttle only runs from March through November, so these trails aren’t available year-round. 

Secret Slot Canyons

Nothing screams adventure in the desert more than slot canyons. These narrow tunnels in the canyon walls are the perfect place to go to escape the heat with your partner. Not to mention they also make for some of the dreamiest elopement photos. As a Zion elopement photographer, I’ve collected a handful of secret slot canyon locations we can explore during your elopement in Zion. 

What You Can Do During Your Zion National Park Elopement

Planning an adventure elopement is all about including adventures that are unique and meaningful to the two of you! While the possibilities for adventure in Zion are endless, here are a few of my favorite activities to consider when planning an elopement in Zion.

• Hiking
• Canyoneering
• Star Gazing
• Have a picnic
• Renting bikes
• Off-roading
• Horseback riding 
• Slot canyon tour
• Scenic drive
• Check out other nearby locations outside of the park!

Where to Stay for Your Elopement in Zion National Park 

Zion National Park Lodge

Want to experience what it’s like to stay overnight in a national park? As Zion’s only in-park lodging, Zion National Park Lodge is the perfect (not to mention the most convenient) place to relax after a long day of exploring. The lodge is centrally located and, because it’s surrounded by desert walls all around, you won’t ever have to leave the beautiful desert views behind. 

Hotels and Airbnbs outside of the park

I am a big fan of renting an Airbnb for your elopement! Not only are Airbnbs great for lodging, but they can be used for all sorts of other elopement day activities. You can use your Airbnb to get ready, share your first look, or even hold your ceremony. Heck, you can even host a reception dinner at your Airbnb if your host allows it! By choosing an Airbnb, you have more variety in accommodations and you can even find a location to house all your guests.

When looking for a place to stay outside the park, what you value will help you narrow down a location. Kanab is one of my favorite small towns and it is not too far from some of the best hikes around Zion.

If you’re looking for towns with more amenities or lodging options, consider staying in Springdale or St George. These cities will provide access to more options while still keeping you close to the park’s entrance.

How to Get Legally Married at Zion National Park: Marriage Licenses, Elopement Permits, and More

Obtain a Marriage License

No matter what location you choose for your Zion elopement, you will need to obtain a Utah marriage license. Here are a few things to know when applying for your Utah state marriage license:

• You do not need to be a resident of Utah to apply for a marriage license
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must present a valid form of ID
• You must apply for your marriage license in person at any county clerk’s office. You will also need to pay the license fee which varies by county
• There is no waiting period. Once you receive your marriage license, it is valid for use immediately
• The license is valid for 32 days
• Click here to learn more about obtaining a marriage license in Utah

In order to make your marriage official, your ceremony must be performed by a registered officiant. You will also need two witnesses to sign your marriage license. Oftentimes, couples will have friends or family sign as witnesses, but if you don’t plan on inviting guests, don’t worry. I am always happy to sign as a witness and we can always ask another vendor or even a trail hiker to sign. In my experience, they are always more than happy to help! 

Special Use Permits

If you are planning to hold your elopement ceremony inside the national park, you will need a special use permit. This permit simply lets the park know about the ceremonies taking place in the park. It also allows you to hold your ceremony at any one of the pre-approved ceremony locations. Keep in mind that a special use permit does not allow exclusive use of the area. Your location will still remain open to other park visitors during the time of use. 

*Pro Tip – A special use permit is not required for portraits. You can have your ceremony at one of the many amazing spots outside the park, then venture into the park for portraits, picnics, adventures, and more.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Zion: Zion National Park Wedding Packages

Alright, let’s talk nuts and bolts. Before we dive into my Zion National Park elopement packages, I just want to share that I don’t charge travel fees for any stateside elopement or adventure wedding. That way you don’t have to worry about additional travel costs to get me from here to there. Wondering what’s included in a Zion National Park elopement and how much it costs? Here’s what you need to know.

• All packages include photographer travel expenses 
• Unlimited assistance (from me!) with planning and logistics. This includes location guides, vendor referrals, elopement timeline construction, packing list, local gems to check out, and just general hype woman.
• Online gallery of high-res images and full printing rights (so you can print your pics on stamps, billboards, whatever floats your boat).

   Four hours: $6400 | Eight Hours: $8400 | One 8-hr day + 4 hr day: $11500

Meet your Zion National Park Elopement Photographer 

Hi, I’m Aimee, your Zion National Park elopement photographer. I am so stoked you are considering eloping in Zion (like seriously SO STOKED)! I’m based in the southwest United States but crisscross all over the U.S. for my work and travel to Utah often. 

Not only will we document some epic, magazine-cover-worthy, totally bananas moments during your Zion National Park elopement, but we’ll also document your story. Together, we’ll tell your love story in the honest and epic fashion it deserves. Throughout our planning process together, I will help guide you through every step of your Zion National Park elopement experience. Ready to get started?

More Zion National Park Elopement Inspiration