Table of Contents:

• Where is Moab?
• Why Elope in Moab?
• Moab Elopement FAQ’s
• Top 4 Most Spectacular Moab Elopement Locations
• When to Elope in Moab
• Adventurous Moab Elopement Ideas
• Where to Stay for Your Moab Elopement
• Hiring Your Moab Elopement Photographer

Maybe I should be used to it by now, but sometimes the fact that I get to visit places like Moab and call it my job, still doesn’t feel like real life. Even after spending countless days exploring this vast wonderland in our camper van, I will never get over the otherworldly beauty it has to offer, and I’ll never stop recommending it as one of the most phenomenal elopement locations in the country. To help you plan your dream Moab elopement, I’ve compiled all of my experience and knowledge into one big guide filled with my top recommendations of where to elope, what to do, where to stay, and so much more. Get ready to book a flight because by the end of this guide, I know you’ll be dying to pack up your bags and head out to this desert paradise!

Where is Moab?

If you’re unfamiliar with this area of Utah, no worries—you don’t need to be an expert in order to elope here. That’s my job!

Moab is a city in eastern Utah most known for its jaw-dropping landscapes that border the Colorado River, just upstream from where it meets the Green River. If you’ve ever heard of the “Four Corners”—the point where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico converge—Moab is about 150 miles north of that famous monument. Home to two national parks (which I’ll be talking more about later in this guide), one state park, and one national forest, Moab is truly a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, boasting enchanting landscapes essentially everywhere you look. With that, let’s move onto all the reasons why Moab makes for such a spectacular elopement location!

Why Elope in Moab?

Moab made a lasting mark on me the very first time I visited; I had planned to spend only two days here, but the beauty of a road trip without anything booked is that I could change plans on a whim. I end up staying in Moab for nearly a week, and will now take any chance I can get to go back as much as possible—thank goodness for our van that allows me to visit often and set up my “office” amidst some of the most incredible desert landscapes in the world!

Stepping into Moab feels like you’re stepping onto another planet, with its striking red rocks, towering arch formations, deep canyons that never seem to end, and a wide array of stunning colors that look as if they were carefully painted across the landscapes. It’s hard not to admire Mother Nature’s works of art when you visit Moab; it’s as though every piece of the landscape was intentionally designed to be one giant masterpiece for all of us to enjoy. 

The rugged landscapes, vibrant colors, and diverse scenery foster the most perfect atmosphere for adventure elopements, a tranquil setting that you can’t help but admire with wonder at every step. Can you imagine standing under one of Moab’s iconic arches as you say your vows and promise a lifetime to each other? Walking hand-in-hand through the awe-inspiring terrain as fresh newlyweds, feeling overwhelmed by the emotions of the day and the natural beauty surrounding you? What a dream come true for any couple who envisions a day completely focused on themselves, with nothing but a sense of adventure and winding desert paths to guide each and every moment!

Moab’s landscapes aren’t only beautiful to look at, but also a playground for anyone who loves outdoor activities such as hiking, paddle boarding, rafting, off-roading, biking, and climbing. From low-key activities like paddle boarding on calm sections of the Colorado River to more thrilling adventures like taking Jeep rides through the rugged desert trails, Moab has something to offer everyone when it comes to outdoor recreation! It’s truly insane how you could spend days, even weeks exploring Moab and not even get close to seeing or experiencing it all.

Moab Elopement FAQ’s

Let’s move onto a few quick FAQ’s about eloping in Moab before we dive deeper into all the beautiful locations you have to choose from.

Can you get married in Moab?

Yes! You can absolutely get married in Moab, as long as you do a few things:

• Find a location where elopement ceremonies & photography are allowed
• Get the proper permits/pay the proper fees for your elopement location
• Follow any local rules and regulations of the area you’re in
• Be intentional about Leaving No Trace, to ensure you leave these gorgeous spots as beautiful as you found them

As your Moab elopement photographer, I’ll be there to help you do all of this and ensure you find the perfect location that allows you to have the ceremony you’re dreaming of.

Do you need a permit to get married in Moab?

It depends on where you’d like to have your ceremony. Many locations in Moab are on publicly-owned land, or land that is protected in some form, which means you’ll need to get a permit for your elopement ceremony. This includes both of Moab’s national parks as well as any BLM land. For each of the locations I’m recommending in this guide, I’ve made sure to include any specific permit(s) you’ll need to get in order to have your ceremony there!

Where can you get married in Moab?

You can get married in Moab anywhere that wedding and elopement ceremonies are allowed! I know that’s not super helpful or specific, but there’s not one big list of permitted elopement locations in Moab or anything—you simply need to do your research to find out which locations allow ceremonies, and what the permit application process looks like. The cost will vary for permits and so will the application requirements for different locations, but again, this is something that I’ll help you with as your photographer!

Top 4 Most Spectacular Moab Elopement Locations

There are truly ENDLESS locations you could explore in Moab for your elopement, and trust me when I say I’ll be there to guide you through as many as you want (and as we have time for). But for now, I wanted to give you four of my top favorite Moab elopement locations to at least get you started!

1. Arches National Park

Arches National Park obviously has to be at the top of this list—it’s only one of the most sought-after parks in the US! Known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, colorful red rock formations, towering pinnacles, and endless canyons, this park in eastern Utah offers striking landscapes that you could only dream of getting married in front of. If you’re looking for a gorgeous, moderately-challenging hike to complete during your time in Arches, Corona Arch Trail is a personal favorite of mine.

To elope in Arches National Park, you’ll need an entrance pass and a Special Use Permit. Weddings can be scheduled in Arches up to a year in advance, and the park has a list of locations that are always available for ceremonies—see them here! Other spots are considered on a case-by-case basis, and vary by group size. 

2. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is the other of the two national parks in Moab, located just 30 minutes southwest of Arches. You could easily hit them both up during your elopement if you want the full Moab national park experience! This wilderness boasts miles and miles of vast canyons, colorful buttes, and winding views of the Colorado River + the La Sal Mountains in the distance, plus a wide variety of trails to explore. It’s divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Green & Colorado Rivers, all of which offer their own unique advantages and distinct natural beauty. A few of my favorite spots for photos in Canyonlands include the White Rim Overlook, Mesa Arch Trail, Shafer Canyon Overlook, and Green River Overlook!

Just as with Arches, you’ll need an entrance pass and a Special Use Permit to tie the knot in Canyonlands. You can apply for the permit no later than four weeks before your elopement and no sooner than one year in advance—but the earlier, the better in my experience!

3. Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the most underrated destinations in Moab. Usually when people pass through Moab they stop at Arches National Park first, and sometimes stop at Canyonlands—but rarely do they spend much time exploring Dead Horse Point! This state park is by far my favorite, and it’s wild to me how few people know that it exists. Eight gorgeous miles of hiking trails make way to some of the most phenomenal desert landscapes in Utah, overlooking the Colorado River and layers upon layers of colorful, textured sandstone cliffs.

A Special Use Permit is required to hold your ceremony at Dead Horse Point, and you can choose from a variety of permitted sites that can accommodate anywhere from 5-100 people.

4. Castle Valley

Castle Valley may technically be 20 miles north of Moab, but it still counts in my book being that you can easily drive between the two towns! Located within such a short drive from both of Moab’s national parks, Castle Valley is famed for its incredible rock climbing opportunities (hello, Castle Rock!), rafting adventures down the Colorado River, and awe-inspiring desert views, of course. You’ll even find some of the best mountain biking trails in Utah if you head up to Porcupine Rim!

When to Elope in Moab

Next, let’s talk about when the best time is to elope in Moab, as time of year will play a huge role in what your elopement day looks like.

When is the best time of year to elope in Moab?

In general, the best time of year to elope in Moab is always going to be spring or fall. This area of Utah gets SO hot during the summers, making it often unbearable to be outside for very long—so if you’re wanting to plan an adventure elopement where you spend a ton of time exploring the landscapes, you definitely won’t want to have to do so in those scorching temperatures. To avoid the worst of the heat, I recommend choosing between the spring and fall months, when temperatures will be more moderate and a whole lot more pleasant for any sort of outdoor activity!

The only thing to keep in mind about summer is that it is usually the best time for water-based activities, such as rafting or paddle boarding along the Colorado River. You’ll probably want that summertime heat when you’re heading out on the water, so summer may actually be the best time of year for your elopement in this case.

When is the best time of day to elope in Moab?

This depends on where you’ll be eloping! The main thing you’ll want to consider when picking a time of day for your elopement is the amount of tourists at your location. If you’re planning to have your ceremony at an iconic spot in one of Moab’s two national parks on a perfect spring day, for example, you may want to aim for earlier in the morning or later in the evening, when that spot will likely be less crowded. But if you picked a more secluded, off-the-beaten-path location later in the fall months, when it’s a little cooler, you probably won’t have to worry as much about visitors. As someone who has experience exploring many of Moab’s more popular and more remote locations, I can help you determine the best time of day for your Moab elopement ceremony when we put together your timeline!

Adventurous Moab Elopement Ideas

It wouldn’t be a Moab elopement without incorporating some wild, unforgettable adventures into your day now, would it? Moab is filled to the brim (overflowing is more accurate, actually) with incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation, so here are a few of the best activities to consider adding to your elopement itinerary!

1. Rock climbing

Rock climbing is one of my personal favorite things to do as I adventure around in my camper van, and fortunately Moab is undoubtedly one of the top climbing destinations in the country. With thousands and thousands of routes to choose from (ranging from quick and easy to world-famous climbs that require a bit more effort), climbing among the vibrant red sandstone will be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. There’s nothing like getting to the top of your route and taking in the scenery around you, admiring the landscapes covered in soaring red cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and canyons as far as the eye can see. Indian Creek is a place I’ll never stop recommending, offering a wild amount of crack routes and some of the best climbing in the country, plus quite a few awesome spots to go camping!

2. Hiking

I already mentioned some of my favorite trails in the Moab area earlier in this guide—and after seeing photos of those trails, I’m sure you can see why hiking in Moab is a MUST. What better way to immerse yourself in the landscapes than to trek to the best viewpoints, hike through narrow canyons, walk under the magnificent sandstone arches, and get up close to the cascading desert waterfalls? If you want to get out of the national parks for a bit, check out the Fisher Towers Trail—it explores some of the coolest and most unique landscapes in Utah, featuring a maze of towering pinnacles and massive rock formations.

3. Off-roading

Off-roading in a Jeep or OHV is such a fun way to explore some of the more remote areas of Moab and find your way to some pretty incredible overlooks! Walker and Sharook went on an off-roading adventure for their surprise proposal & engagement session, and it was a blast capturing them having the time of their lives driving through the rugged Utah landscapes. Check out their epic session here!

4. Canyoneering

In addition to boasting phenomenal hiking trails and rock climbing opportunities, Moab is also home to a variety of world-class canyoneering destinations that are surrounded by, of course, stunning scenery that’ll leave your jaw on the floor. It would be SO fun to go on a canyoneering adventure on your elopement day, maybe at sunrise for a crazy cool start to the day, or at sunset to watch the sun sink below the horizon!

5. Rafting

Thanks to its spot along the Colorado River, Moab boasts quite a few prime locations for white water rafting, paddle boarding, kayaking, and other fun water adventures. Whether you’d rather go on a more chill rafting trip or have an action-packed day out on the water, there are plenty of different tour companies that offer awesome rafting trips in Moab—and I think this would be such a fun addition to your day, especially if you need to escape the Utah heat!

6. Hot air ballooning

Riding a hot air balloon at sunrise: what more is there to say? This would be such an epic way to start your elopement day in the most unforgettable of ways, watching the sun come up over the red rock landscapes from high up in the air. Plus, it would make for some insane photos!

Where to Stay for Your Moab Elopement

Did you know that Moab is home to some of the most gorgeous and luxurious glamping sites in the area? Yes, you could totally stay at a regular Airbnb or reserve a more primitive campground, but I recommend taking advantage of the incredible options and finding a cozy glamping site to stay at during your elopement. From the stargazing suites at Under Canvas to the spacious resort-style accommodations at ULUM, Moab has all sorts of upscale outdoor stays to offer. Below are a few of the top glamping destinations in Moab!

• Under Canvas Moab
• ULUM Moab
• Glamping Canyonlands
• Cave Glamping Suite
• Crooked Bindi Ranch

Hiring Your Moab Elopement Photographer

Feeling inspired by all the possibilities that come with eloping in Moab? You and me both—I guess that’s why I’m a Moab elopement photographer who literally does this for work. Fill out my contact form now and let’s chat about all the best places we can explore for your Moab elopement!

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Dreaming about your adventure elopement but not sure where you want to go yet? Check out more of my favorite desert elopement locations below, as well as a list of the best national parks to consider.

Your Guide to an Unforgettable Desert Elopement

The Top 12 US National Parks to Elope In