Moab is full of amazing arches, grand views of the Colorado River, and full of insane mesas and cute restaurants. If you’re looking for an elopement location where it’s fairly warm year round with red rock views, Moab is a great spot for you! With two national parks, a state park, and BLM land, this guide will take you through locations in each of the parks, the permit process, and more!

1: Where is Moab?

Moab is one of the most popular red rock towns in the Southwest! Located in the South East corner of Utah, Moab is about a 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City, the closest big city. There is a regional airport that is just outside Moab with one gate and the same three employees for the whole airport. It’s a pretty straight forward drive from Salt Lake and it’s just south of I70.

Closest Major Cities/Towns:

Moab is kind of in the middle of nowhere! Here are a few of the closest big towns for reference or if you are looking for a place to fly in.

• Driving Time From Salt Lake City: 3:45 hrs
• Driving Time From Grand Junction: 1:45 hr
• Driving Time From Vegas: 6:45 hrs

How to Get to Moab

Closest Major Airports:

If you’re flying in, these are the airports I recommend flying into and the drive times to Moab from each.

• Airport #1: Moab Airport: 15min
• Airport #2: Salt Lake City: 4hrs

How to Drive to Moab

From Salt Lake City, you’ll drive all the way through Salt Lake and Utah Valley before turning East towards Helper/Price. You’ll be going through mountain passes, so if you’re heading there in the winter, bring chains! Once you’re leaving the Helper/Price area, there’s about an hour stretch of nothing until you get to Green River, so fill up on gas before continuing your drive. From Green River, you have about 20min before exiting I70 and turing South towards Moab. Arches National Park will be on your left if you’re driving in, and totally worth driving through if you’re coming in a bit later since the park will be less busy. The town of Moab is quite small, with one main road that hits most of the attractions and hotels.

2: Why Should You Elope In Moab?

If you love the unique red rock landscapes, warm sunny weather, epic cliffs, and unique arches, Moab is the perfect spot for you! Arches National Park is just outside of Moab and has all the natural red arches that make this part of Utah so iconic. If you’re looking for a more intimate setting, Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park have epic cliffs where you can see the Colorado river. If you are looking for a place to say “I do” without all the tourists, Moab is surrounded by so much BLM land that is widespread and easy to find an intimate spot. After spending the day exploring the desert, there’s also nice restaurants in Moab to celebrate, hotels and airbnbs for a unique stay or an easy place for other guests to stay. 

In addition to the traditional marriage experience, Moab is full of fun activities like hiking, rafting, helicopter tours, four wheeling, and more! 

3: Best Locations for Your Moab Elopement

Moab has many locations for elopements that are all gorgeous! Each area is a little different with permit processes and what they have to offer. Moab has iconic Arches, stunning cliffs, and beautiful red rock desert. If you want an iconic location, or somewhere breathtaking and more intimate for your elopement, Moab has it all!

1. Arches National Park Elopement Locations

Arches national park is one of the most iconic places in the area. It’s a really easy park to enter and is only 5 minutes up the road from Moab. It’s known for being home to Delicate Arch, the most well known arch that you’ll see on license plates. Overall, the park is on the small side and gets a ton of visitors. It is still possible to elope inside Arches, but the park is picky about who is approved. It is smaller and parking is harder to find on busy days.

Arches Wedding Permits:

Permits are required when having a ceremony in Arches National Park. To apply, head to https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/weddings.htm to get all the information and how to pay! Permits need to be completed by the couple getting married and is $185. The permit also outlines specific locations where you can hold your ceremony. If you’re interested in eloping somewhere else within the park, it needs to be approved by the rangers. Your park entry fee is not covered when you have a permit, and Arches can fill up and not allow more cars in if the park is full. Be prepared to get there early!

Arches National Park Ceremony Locations:

La Salle Mountain Viewpoint (50 total people)

Park Avenue (15 total people)

Double Arch (25 total people)

The Windows (25 Total People)

Panorama Point (50 total People)

Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater (80 Total people)

2. Dead Horse State Park Elopement Locations

Dead Horse Point State Park is a 45min drive outside of Moab. Overlooking the Colorado River, Dead Horse is known for epic cliffside views! Since it’s a state park, the permit process is a little easier than a national park. It also is a bit more intimate since most tourists are heading to the surrounding national parks! It’s a small park, but packed with gorgeous views and is great for sunset!

Dead Horse State Park Wedding Permits:

Permits are required when having a ceremony in Dead Horse Point State Park. To apply, head to https://stateparks.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/06/Wedding-Packet.pdf to get all the information and how to pay! Wedding permits are $60 with additional car entry fees. The park and their PDF packet outline great ceremony locations in the park, how accessible it is, and how many people are allowed. The West side of the park has the best views of the Colorado River and are perfect for sunset!

Dead Horse Point State Park Elopement Locations:

Any location on the West side of the park has the best views and lighting for sunset, but the park outlines specific areas that can accommodate larger groups of people. It is important to stay on trails that have already been established!

3. Canyonlands National Park Elopement Locations

Canyonlands National Park is HUGE! To elope here, you need to understand the three districts in Canyonlands and how to access them. Isle of the Sky is closest to Moab, about a 45min drive from town. It is the most touristy area of the park and is mainly all front country, containing cliff overlooks and Mesa Arch. The Needles district is an hour and a half outside of Moab, but in the opposite direction, you come in from around the South. This area has tall, needle-like, rock formations and slot canyons. The third district is called The Maze and is all back country. It’s very expensive and only pros should visit. 

The locations the park needs permits for are in Isle of the Sky and The Needles.

Canyonlands Wedding Permits:

Permits are required when having a ceremony in Canyonlands National Park. To apply, head to https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/weddings.htm to get all the information and how to pay! Permits need to be completed by the couple getting married and is $185. The permit also outlines specific locations where you can hold your ceremony. If you’re interested in eloping somewhere else within the park, it needs to be approved by the rangers. Be aware of the location you’re choosing, what district it is in, and how long to takes to get there since it’s such a widespread area!

Canyonlands National Park Ceremony Locations:

Isle in the Sky:

Shafer Canyon Overlook (25 people total)

Green River Overlook (25 people total)

Grand View Point (25 people total)

Needles:

Pothole Point (15 people total)

Dutch Oven Group site (50 people total) https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campsites/10060972

Wooden Shoe Group Site (25 people total)

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campsites/10060974

Split Top Group site (15 people total)

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campsites/10060973

4. Surrounding BLM Land Elopement Locations

If you find a location that is not in a National or State Park, it is probably on BLM land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees most of the land in the Moab area that does not belong to a park. Other iconic locations or activities usually fall on BLM land, and it’s important to make sure you get the right permits and respect the land you’re getting married on. 

Moab Wedding Permits:

BLM permits are not as straightforward as national parks. Typically, they like the people getting married to reach out to them about obtaining a permit, their plans for the day (such as props and vendors) and where you plan on getting married. It’s important to follow leave no trace policies when eloping on BLM land!

Here is who to contact for BLM permits in Moab:

Email: BLM_UT_MB_SRP@blm.gov

Todd Murdock
82 East Dogwood, Suite M
Moab, UT 84532
435-259-2123
BLM_UT_MB_SRP@blm.gov

Katie Stevens
82 East Dogwood, Suite M
Moab, UT 84532
435-259-2172
BLM_UT_MB_SRP@blm.gov

Moab Wedding Ceremony Locations:

Castle Valley

Corona Arch 

Bowtie Arch

Big Bend Campground

4: The Best Time of Year to Get Married in Moab

Weather

Shoulder season is the best time to go for the weather in Moab! It’s typically a lot cooler than summer months. With an increase in rain, there may be some flash floods that you may have to avoid in certain areas. Winter is still very accessible in Moab, but there may be some snow and it can get a bit cold!

Crowds

Moab is a cute town with so many parks and BLM land around! Canyonlands and Arches are the two national parks in the area, and they can get quite crowded with long lines to enter. Arches sometimes needs entry reservations depending on time of year. The national parks are the most crowded; however, there’s so many locations outside of these areas that are less  crowded but have the same vibe. 

5: Where to Stay Near Arches National Park

Moab has a variety of places to stay for your elopement! There’s campsites, glamping, Airbnbs, and hotels all close to the parks and in downtown Moab so you’re close to restaurants.

Moab Airbnbs/VRBOs

1. Three Bedrooms, Six Guests

2. Three Bedrooms, Ten Guests

3. Four Bedrooms, Twelve Guests

4. Three Bedrooms, Six Guests

Hotels, Lodges, & Resorts

1. Moab Springs Ranch

2. Kokopelli West

3. The Moab Resort

4. Best Western Plus

5. Aarchway Inn

Campgrounds

Big Bend Campground

Hal Canyon Campground

Oak Ground Campground

Moonflower Canyon Campground

Spring Flower Campground

Glamping

1. Under Canvas

2. Tent for Two

3. Teepee

4. Airstream

5. Tent for Two

6. Glamping Moab

6: Moab Elopement Photographer

If you’re looking for an elopement photographer for the Moab area, I’m your girl! I’ve spent many seasons exploring this amazing location, its parks, and things to do. I’m familiar with the permit process, where you can have your ceremony, and where we can do portraits around the area.

I’ve been in the elopement industry for years and love showing couples amazing locations and capturing some of their most favorite memories. I take pride in serving my clients and helping them in any way I can!

My elopement packages include everything! From hours we shoot, photos you get, and travel. There are no surprise fees. My most popular package for the Moab area includes:

– Intro call to get to know me

– A welcome box which includes a 60+ page elopement guide to spark ideas and help you plan

– My custom location guide with ceremony locations, things to do, places to stay, vendor recommendations, and more!

– Permit assistance

– A collaborative Pinterest board

– 6 hours of photo coverage

– 1000 photos including color and black and white

– A polaroid album that you get to take home immediately after our time together

– 48 hour sneak gallery of all the highlights

– Travel included

My most popular package includes all this and more for $2,600.

Book me! A Moab Elopement photographer here!

7: Sample 6 Hour Elopement Timeline in Moab!

Curious how much time you should book in Moab? Here is an example timeline of an elopement in the area:

4:30- Meet for rock climbing

5:30- Wrap up climbing and drive to campground to change into wedding attire

6:30- Hike to vow location in Castle Valley for Vows and Formal photos

8:00- Head back to campground

8:15- Start a fire, make s’mores, celebrate with some music and dancing

8:45- Drive to Arches National Park

9:30- Take Astro Photos dressed up under an arch

10:30- End of day!

8: Moab Elopement Activity Ideas

Moab is so amazing for those that love outdoor activities! Here’s a list of things that you can add to your day!

• Rock climbing
• Board games
• Playing music
• Hiking
• White water rafting
• Mountain biking
• Four wheeling
• Canoeing
• Astro photos
• Star gazing
• Horseback riding

9: Final Tips for Eloping in Moab, Utah

Moab is such a beautiful and unique place that’s perfect in all seasons to elope! Make sure to bring your permit, get directions to your guests, and arrive early if you choose to be in Arches national park. Dogs are a case by case basis, so research the area you are eloping in to see if your dog is allowed! If eloping in the summer time, bring lots of water since it can get really hot!