Just north of Moab, Utah, is Arches National Park - named for the more than 2,000 sandstone arches formed by centuries of erosion. With trails that wander through the towering pinnacles, rock bridges, and unique red rock formations, there’s plenty to explore in this vast desert landscape. If you’ve decided to skip the traditional wedding and tie the knot with nature as your backdrop, an Arches National Park elopement is perfect for any adventurous couple! This guide will tell you everything you need to know to elope at Arches and plan your unique day.
Location: Double Arch
Getting There
If you’re traveling across state lines for your Arches National Park elopement and you need to take a flight, the closest major airport is the Grand Junction Regional Airport. From there it’s a 1.5 hour drive to the park. You’ll need a car to get around, but the roads are easily accessible in any vehicle!
Location: Sand Dunes Arch
Setting an Elopement Date
One of the first steps to planning your Arches National Park elopement will be to set a date. Before you pull out your planner, you’ll need to consider a few things!
Weather in Arches National Park
Weather will be one of the biggest considerations when you decide on a date for your elopement. The best time to elope in Arches National Park is spring or fall, when temperatures are mild. Below is a graph of the average temperatures in the park throughout the year:
As you can see, summers can be very toasty! Unless you’re ready for the desert heat, a summer elopement won’t be ideal for most couples. Storms are also more frequent in late summer, which can occasionally cause flash floods throughout the park.
Eloping in the winter can be a great way to avoid crowds, though there is occasionally a dusting of snow or some ice on the trails, and you’ll definitely need to bring layers!
Avoiding Crowds
Because good weather always coincides with tourist season, March through October are much more busy at Arches National Park. If you’re hoping for some more privacy for your elopement, I recommend eloping during shoulder season.
Shoulder season is the time right before or right after the peak, when the weather is still manageable but crowds have started to disperse. For an Arches National Park elopement, shoulder season would be in early spring, or late fall.
But, even if you elope during the peak, you can still ensure more privacy when you read your vows by eloping on a weekday. Weekends are always more crowded, but watch out for holidays or three day weekends when you’re choosing a date! I also recommend a sunrise elopement, as you’re likely to get your location to yourself - and watching the sunrise over the red rocks will make you forget all about your early wake up call.
Location: Sand Dunes Arch
Choosing an Elopement Location
Arches National Park only allows wedding ceremonies in a few locations - but don’t worry, you can still take photos around the park!
The locations where you can have your elopement ceremony are:
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
The Windows Section
Sand Dune Arch
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Pine Tree Arch
Landscape Arch
Park Avenue
Devils Garden Amphitheater
Panorama Point
Delicate Arch, Park Avenue, and Landscape Arch are best for a small elopement ceremony - you can see the most up to date ceremony info and group size limits here! After (or before) your ceremony, I recommend taking some time to explore and take some photos in other areas of the park. There are so many spots that are lesser known and a little off the beaten path where you can get away from the crowds. Finding these places is often easier said than done, but luckily I know an elopement photographer who can help you with that (wink wink, it’s me).
Location: Sand Dunes Arch
Location: Sand Dunes Arch
The Legal Stuff
To ensure you’re legally married and that your Arches National Park elopement doesn’t get busted by park rangers, there’s a little bit of paperwork you’ll need to do!
Park Permits
Arches National Park requires a permit for any wedding ceremony that takes place in the park. Make sure to apply for your permit early, as they need at least 4 weeks to process your application, and will allow you to schedule your ceremony up to a year in advance. You can find the permit application on NPS.gov, and there is a $185 application fee, but this money goes towards taking care of the park!
Marriage License
You will need to get a Utah marriage license to elope in Arches National Park. You can do this at any county clerk’s office in the state, but the closest office to the park is the Grand County office in Moab. The application can be found online and filled out ahead of time, but you will both need to appear in front of the country clerk to sign it - so if you’re traveling from out of state, make sure to arrive early enough to do this! You’ll need to bring a photo ID and $40 for the license fee. The marriage license expires after 30 days, but there is no waiting period, which means you can use it the same day you get it!
Officiant
In Utah, an officiant is required to sign your marriage license. One thing to be aware of is that you will need to provide their name when you apply for your marriage license, so be sure to get this figured out before you apply! You can hire an officiant who is ready to join you on an adventure, or have a friend or family member perform your ceremony. Getting ordained is quick, easy, and free on ULC.org, so if there’s someone you trust to officiate, this can add a personal touch to the ceremony.
Witnesses
Two witnesses are required to sign your marriage license - but don’t worry if you weren’t planning on inviting any guests. The only requirement is that they be over 18, so your photographer or any other vendors can double as witnesses! You can also find someone around the park to sign for you, as most people are always stoked to help!
Planning Your Elopement
The best thing about eloping is that you can do anything you want to! Your day is about more than just having a ceremony - it should be an experience! So plan some adventures or activities on your elopement day that will make it the best day ever. Here are some ideas to get the gears turning.
A 4x4 Tour
Avoid the crowds by taking an adventure-mobile down the roads less traveled! You can rent a car and explore on your own, or take a guided tour. A tour by NAVTEC Expeditions will take you through the rocky terrain to spot fossilized dinosaur tracks, red rock formations, and gorgeous views of the park.
Horseback Riding
With a horseback riding tour, you can explore the trails, riding through the towering rock formations around you. You don’t have to have any experience with horses, as Castle Valley Tours provides a beginner friendly tour around the park.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
What could be more unique than starting your wedding day in a hot air balloon, and getting a birds eye view of Moab and Arches National Park at sunrise? The view of the sun reflecting off the red rocks is one you’ll remember forever - so check out the Moab Adventure Center for more info!
Make Your Bookings
You’ll need to book your elopement vendors, and decide where to stay for your Arches National Park elopement! Do this early on, as people and places can book up fast, especially during the busy season.
Accomodations
There’s nothing like having a cozy home base to come back to after a day of adventures - so find somewhere to stay where you can relax at the end of the day! You can check Airbnb for lodging, or check out The Domes - a unique glamping experience that combines luxury with the outdoors.
Venue
If you want to get married outside the park, or have a reception after your elopement ceremony, The Red Earth Venue is the perfect spot. With unreal 360 degree views of Moab and towering red rock buttes, you’ll have some of the best scenery around, and get the place to yourself (and your guests)!
Vendors
Your elopement vendors will take so much stress off of you on your elopement day and throughout the planning process. Reach out to vendors early, as many of them fill their calendars as far as a year out! Here are some of my recommendations for vendors for your Arches National Park elopement.
Hair + Makeup:
Florist and Elopement Planner:
Photographer:
Ready to Elope at Arches National Park?
I believe that every couple deserves the wedding day they want - so if you’re dreaming of an epic adventure in the desert, I’m here to be your personal hype girl through it all. From providing location recommendations, to helping with permit info, to building your customized elopement timeline, I’ll be there to help you with all of it - and to take photos, of course! If you're ready to elope at Arches National park and ready to start planning your day, contact me!