Located in southeastern Utah is one of the most unique national parks in the country - the dramatic desert landscape carved out by the Colorado River, with huge mesas, towering rock formations, and remote canyons. Canyonlands National Park is the perfect place to elope if you’re looking to get married in a way that’s truly one of a kind!
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan a Canyonlands National Park wedding, from the best places for an elopement ceremony to planning tips!
Getting There
If you need to hop on a plane to get married in Canyonlands National Park, the closest airport is the Grand Junction Regional Airport. From there, it’s about two hours to drive to the park. You’ll definitely need a car, but the roads don’t require a 4x4 or anything fancy!
During your Canyonlands National Park elopement, I recommend staying in the nearby town of Moab. (If you’re interested in other parks near the town of Moab, check out my other blog about how to elope in Arches National Park HERE)
The Best Time to Get Married at Canyonlands National Park
One of the first things you’ll do to plan your Canyonlands National Park wedding is set a date! Before you decide, here’s what you can expect throughout the year.
Weather in Canyonlands National Park
Weather varies a ton in the desert landscape, so the time of year you elope will make a big difference! Here’s a graph of the weather averages in Canyonlands National Park.
As you can see, summers are really hot! During the day, the heat can get brutal, but if you elope at sunrise or sunset, you can beat the heat.
The best time to get married at Canyonlands National Park, for most couples, is going to be spring and fall. The weather is a lot more mild, so it’s perfect for outdoor adventures!
Avoiding Crowds
Privacy is super elopement for an elopement day - and though Canyonlands National Park is a pretty busy location, there are a few things you can do to avoid the crowds.
The best way is to elope in the off season - winter. However, the weather can be harsh and this may not be ideal! Instead, consider tying the knot during shoulder season. Shoulder season refers to the time right before or right after the peak, when the weather is relatively nice but there are fewer people around. The most popular times to visit Canyonlands National Park are spring and fall, so shoulder season would be February to March, June, August, and November to December.
No matter when you elope, I recommend planning your ceremony for a weekday! There are always more people out and about on weekends, so this will help a ton. You can also plan to tie the knot at sunrise!
The Best Places for a Canyonlands National Park Wedding
There are countless gorgeous elopement locations around Canyonlands National Park - but there is a list of approved locations, and wedding ceremonies can only take place in these spots! Don’t worry, we can still take photos and explore afterwards, but for the ceremony, this is where you can actually tie the knot in Canyonlands:
Grand View Point - up to 25 people
Green River Overlook - up to 25 people
Mesa Arch - up to 25 people
Shafer Canyon Overlook - up to 10 people
Pothole Point - up to 10 people
Needles Campsite - up to 50 people
Wooden Shoe Campsite - up to 25 people
Split Top Campsite - up to 15 people
The Legal Stuff
There’s a little bit of paperwork to do if you want to get married at Canyonlands National Park! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Canyonlands National Park Wedding Permits
Canyonlands National Park requires a wedding permit for all ceremonies - yes, even if it’s just the two of you! A permit costs $185, and you can find the application online.
You can see the most up to date location options and ceremony rules at NPS.gov. Getting a permit helps the park office keep track of what’s happening in the park, and ensure that all regulations are being followed!
Marriage License
To get legally married when you elope at Canyonlands National Park, you’ll need a marriage license. It needs to be from the state of Utah, but you can go to any county clerk’s office in the state. The closest one is the Grand County office, located in Moab.
You can find the application online here, and fill it out in advance. But don’t sign it yet! You’ll both need to go to the county clerk’s office in person, with a photo ID and $40. You’ll sign your application there, and you’ll get your marriage license right away. There’s no waiting period, so after this, you can get married!
Officiant
Utah requires an officiant to sign the marriage license. You’ll need to provide their name when you apply, so make sure to get this figured out in advance! You can hire a professional elopement officiant, or have a friend or family member get ordained on ULC.org.
Witnesses
Along with the officiant, you also need two witnesses to make your marriage legal. They need to be over 18, so you can ask your guests, or your wedding vendors, or even any two people you run into throughout the day!
What to Do When You Elope at Canyonlands National Park
Eloping is all about the experience - no going through the motions, no following the mold, no being pressured into throwing a wedding for everyone but you to enjoy! So, when you tie the knot at Canyonlands National Park, plan an adventure you’ll remember forever. Here are some ideas for things to do!
A 4x4 Tour
In Canyonlands National Park, there are some roads that take a little bit of effort! These less traveled paths require a 4x4, and hopping in to adventure over the rocky, rugged terrain is a great way to experience the more remote areas of the park. You can rent your own vehicle, or take a tour!
Stargazing
Imagine ending your wedding day lying together, under a blanket of the brightest stars you’ve ever seen. Canyonlands National Park is remote and far from any big cities, so it’s dark and perfect for stargazing! If you want to see the Milky Way, your best bet is to plan your elopement for a new moon - any sliver of light will make it a little harder to see the stars.
Rock Climbing
Canyonlands National Park is a rock climber's paradise! So if you’re into that sort of thing, bring your gear and try out the sandstone towers at Island in the Sky. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, there are some routes for you!
Canyonlands National Park Wedding Packages
Every couple deserves a wedding day that makes them head over heels ecstatic - and I’m here to take the stress off, be your planning assistant, your hype woman, and your adventure buddy!
As your elopement photographer, my job is to help with everything you need to plan the most amazing elopement - recommendations for places to stay, help with permits, creating a customized timeline, and so much more! If you’re ready to plan the wedding day of your dreams, contact me to learn about Canyonlands National Park wedding packages.
