How to Elope at Dead Horse Point State Park

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By now, you’re probably aware that Moab is one of the most incredible regions of Utah, offering unparalleled desert landscapes, endless outdoor recreation, and a multitude of the country’s most iconic national parks—and if not, you should go check out my Moab Elopement Guide! I’ve written about a couple of the more popular parks in the area already, including Canyonlands NP, but today I wanted to focus on a park that truly doesn’t get enough hype: Dead Horse Point State Park. This place is heaven on earth for couples seeking to take advantage of the incredible outdoor adventures Moab has to offer, but would rather tie the knot somewhere with a little more privacy. As a Dead Horse Point elopement photographer, you bet I’ll be there to capture all the magic for you! 

Where is Dead Horse Point State Park?

Dead Horse Point is a state park located in San Juan County, Utah, about 32 miles west of Moab. Encompassing over 5,000 acres of desert, this park opened to the public back in 1959, even before Canyonlands was named a national park. It’s got a super fascinating history, famed for a legend from the late 1800s in which cowboys would gather wild mustangs along the mesa, and herd them all to Dead Horse Point. Now, two centuries later, the park has been a film location for many movies (including Mission Impossible) and attracts many visitors who want to admire the breathtaking views overlooking both the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park!

Why Elope at Dead Horse Point State Park?

It’s close to countless other epic locations

I’m always shocked when I talk to anyone who doesn’t know Dead Horse Point State Park even exists! Most people are familiar with Arches National Park, not quite as many with Canyonlands National Park, and even fewer with Dead Horse Point. But let me be the one to tell you that its lack of popularity doesn’t have anything to do with the beauty it has to offer—it is JUST as breathtaking as the more iconic destinations in Moab, and is actually only a quick drive from the two national parks! The drive from Dead Horse Point to Arches NP is just 26 miles, and the route to Canyonlands NP is just 22, making it super doable to visit more than one park during your time in Moab. But Dead Horse Point State Park receives around one million visitors compared to the 1.5 million that Arches gets, so it’s a great alternative if you’re looking for somewhere that may be a little quieter (especially on weekdays).

If you’d like to learn more about eloping in the Moab area as a whole, be sure to read through my Ultimate Moab Elopement Guide next!

The terrain offers infinite opportunities for adventure

Dead Horse Point boasts such a wide variety of outdoor recreation + activities that there is truly something for everyone, whether your dream elopement involves hiking to a wildly beautiful overlook, mountain biking through the Intrepid Trail System, looking up at the stars once the sun sets over the canyons, or cozying up in a yurt in the middle of the desert. Dead Horse Point State Park has actually been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, and it’s one of the best places in Moab for stargazing—a must at the end of your elopement day! 

One great thing about Dead Horse Point is that you can enjoy + explore it no matter how much time you have. If you’re spending a few hours here on your elopement day, you’ll have time to hit the trails and check out all the best overlooks, but even if you’re just stopping by on your way to another park, you’ll still be able to easily see some of the best viewpoints in the park! Because of how easy it is to access a few of the overlooks, and how flat and safe the trails are, Dead Horse Point is also a great elopement location to pick if you’ll have kids with you.

The desert views are to die for

Obviously, the pictures say it all: the views at Dead Horse Point are simply phenomenal. There’s a reason it’s an incredibly popular stop for photographers! For miles and miles you’ll see gorgeous mesas, vast canyons, dramatic cliffs, and even the towering pinnacles of Canyonlands National Park. The views from 2,000 feet above the Colorado River are out of this world and provide the most enchanting backdrop for any couple to say their vows! And you can just imagine how dramatic the sunrise + sunsets are at Dead Horse Point, with the way the light and colors magically evolve as the sun slowly moves over the horizon. From golden hour, to blue hour, all the way to twilight, this park never ceases to amaze me!

Want to start planning your perfect desert elopement with views like these? Here’s a Full Guide to an Unforgettable Desert Elopement that I put together for you!

Dead Horse Point Elopement FAQ’s

Can you get married at Dead Horse Point State Park?

Yes, you can get married at Dead Horse Point State Park as long as you obtain a Special Use Permit! I’ll talk about this permit more in-depth a little later in this guide, but it’s important to know that you must have a permit for any size of elopement/wedding ceremony, no matter if it’s just the two of you, your officiant, and myself. Don’t worry—this is something I’ll help you out with as your photographer, and as someone who has helped many couples apply for park permits over the years!

Where can you get married at Dead Horse Point?

There are five specific locations where wedding ceremonies are allowed at Dead Horse Point State Park: La Sal, Cliff Side, West Bench, Point Bench, and Shade Shelter. Below, you’ll find a a few important notes about each ceremony site as well as how many people can be accommodated.

La Sal | 25 people

Surfaces are uneven and have a sloping grade

Cliff Side | 20 people

One of the more isolated locations; uneven surfaces and complete sun exposure

West Bench | 50 people

Easy to access; one of the more popular viewing points for visitors; not as private; uneven surfaces

Point Bench | 5 people

Easy to access; uneven surfaces

Shade Shelter | 100 people

ADA-accessible; chairs permitted; shade cover; popular viewing point for visitors

See where all of these wedding sites are located on this park map!

Do you need a pass to visit Dead Horse Point?

Yes, you’ll need to pay a day-use park entry fee to visit Dead Horse Point State Park. The fee for a private vehicle is $20, and is valid for up to eight people. Any additional visitors after that cost $5 per person, so keep that in mind if you’re carpooling with guests! If you’re a Utah resident, you can opt instead for a $125 annual day-use pass, which grants you entry into all Utah state parks for a year.

Do you need a reservation to visit Dead Horse Point?

Nope! There’s no reservation needed to enter the park; the only time you need one is if you’ll be staying the night and want to reserve a campsite.

Are dogs allowed at Dead Horse Point?

Fortunately, Dead Horse Point is dog-friendly—so feel free to bring your four-legged friends along for the adventure as long as they’re properly leashed up! 

When to Elope at Dead Horse Point

When is the best time of year to elope at Dead Horse Point?

For any part of southwestern Utah, I always say that spring and fall are the best seasons for an elopement. You may think summer would be at the top of the list since that’s when you’d get the most clear, blue, and sunny skies, but it gets WAY too hot and dry in the summer to actually be able to enjoy time outside. If you want to be able to spend time exploring the desert terrain and going hiking, mountain biking, climbing, etc., your best bet is going to be between March-May and September-November, when temperatures have cooled down and you still have enough daylight! These seasons are typically a bit less busy than summer as well, since a lot of tourists come to the Moab area during their summer vacations and stop at all the iconic destinations. The only time that summer would be best is if you’re looking to spend time on the water; for example, kayaking or rafting along the Colorado River.

When is the best time of day to elope at Dead Horse Point?

You really can’t go wrong eloping at Dead Horse Point any time of day, but sunrise and sunset will always bring a little extra magic. The desert views become even more breathtaking and dramatic as the sun rises and sets over the deep canyons and the colorful mesas, casting a gorgeous golden hour glow over everything in sight. Sunrise is best viewed from the main Dead Horse Point Overlook, and sunset either from the same spot or the west side of the Rim Trail.

Now while I obviously adore both sunrise and sunset at Dead Horse Point, there’s something incredibly beautiful about the lighting that comes right before the sun comes up, and right after it goes down: blue hour! Blue hour is the time of day where the sun is below the horizon but there is still light in the sky. I’ve said for *years* that blue hour is one of my favorite times to photograph. The sky is ombre cotton candy colored and the landscape is cloaked in a soft blue light. It’s so fun to play around at this time, especially with orange colored light to complement the blue hued landscape. It was so fun exploring the park after sunset with lanterns lighting the way when I visited with Kelsey and Eddie (see below)!

Dead Horse Point Wedding & Elopement Permits

Dead Horse Point permits can be fairly competitive, as a large number of couples apply for permits every year (especially in the spring and fall months), and they only give out a limited number. All weddings at Dead Horse Point are required to have a Special Use Permit, no matter the size of the group or location of the ceremony. You can apply for this permit between 1-18 months in advance of your desired date, and I’d recommend applying as early as you can before your ideal date/location gets filled up by another couple. Weddings are allowed at any time of day that the park is open (6:00am-10:00pm), any day of the year.

A Special Use Permit for weddings at Dead Horse Point costs $60—a $10 application fee and $50 permit fee. You’ll also have additional site fees depending on your group size of either $200 (up to 50 people) or $300 (51-100 people) for the first two hours, and $100 for each additional hour. One cool thing about weddings at Dead Horse Point is that they actually allow you to reserve your site for a ceremony rehearsal beforehand for an additional $50, as well as to reserve a picnic shelter for exclusive use by your group! 

Don’t forget about the regular park entrance fee, as well, which is $20 per vehicle (covering up to eight people). Alternatively, you can bus in your guests for $5 per person.

To start the process of getting your permit, all you need to do is fill out this application form at least 30 days prior to your wedding or elopement, and you can email ecappa@utah.gov with any questions!

Best Places to Stay for Your Dead Horse Point Elopement

If you and your partner want to take full advantage of the beauty of Dead Horse Point + spend as much time in the park as possible, why not stay the night in the park itself? There are multiple accommodation options at the park, including:

There are also plenty of cozy Airbnbs in the area if you’d rather have a larger place to stay during your elopement! From luxury glamping tents to upscale homes with outdoor hot tubs, you’ve got a whole range of options to choose from—including bigger places if you’d like to stay in the same place as your guests. I can just picture the two of you arriving back to your Airbnb from your all-day elopement adventure, ready to relax and soak in the hot tub with glasses of champagne, before laying down a blanket and stargazing on the deck. Sounds like a dream to me! 

Below are a few of the top-rated Airbnbs near Dead Horse Point that would be fabulous for your time in the area:

Hiring Your Dead Horse Point Elopement Photographer

Are you in love with Dead Horse Point and ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this spectacular state park? If so, you’ve come to the right gal, because I’m just as obsessed with it as you are now! With some of the best views in the Moab area, it’s no wonder so many couples choose to elope at Dead Horse Point and end up having the most unforgettable, breathtaking, and epic day of their lives. If you’ve been getting good vibes throughout this guide and want to learn more about hiring me to be your Dead Horse Point elopement photographer, contact me here and let’s begin our adventure—my bags are already packed and ready to head into the desert wilderness!

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