Guide to Weddings
at Dead Horse
Point State Park
Moab, UT
Welcome!
I absolutely love shooting weddings at Dead Horse Point State Park and wish everyone would get married there. If you think you want to get married under an arch, you should actually go to Dead Horse. If you’re thinking about booking a private venue, you should also just go to Dead Horse. It’s that good.
Why do I love Dead Horse so much? I’ll get into it below.
Dead Horse Point State Park 101
Dead Horse is my favorite wedding venue in Moab, UT. It’s very similar to Canyonlands National Park, but it has a particularly beautiful view of the Colorado Rive and the iconic Gooseneck bend.
Why choose Dead Horse Point State Park for your wedding?
The best sunrise and sunset lighting in Moab, hands down
Less crowded than the National Parks
But there are a few important things to note:
Dead Horse is more expensive than the National Parks and has a separate state park entrance fee
It’s really best at sunrise or sunset - midday lighting isn’t my favorite
location
Dead Horse Point State Park is about 32 miles. Getting there from Moab involves exactly three left hand turns, so it’s pretty simple navigation (though you will lose cell service!). It will still take 45 minutes to 1 hour to get there.
As a former guide who used to drive to Dead Horse several times a day: give yourself extra time. If you’re not stopping for mountain bikers or cows crossing the road, you might be stuck behind someone slowly towing a raft down to Mineral Bottom.
For elopements specifically, there is a more adventurous way to get to Dead Horse Point State Park if you have the time and the vehicle for it. If the dirt roads are dry and not closed due to winter weather, the alternate route through Long Canyon is beautiful. It used to be a really popular camping area, but the BLM closed it for the big horn sheep. The main route is already stunning, this somehow upgrades the scenic vibes and adds a touch of adventure.This route takes over an hour and is a bit shorter at 25 miles.
Head out of town going north on Highway 191, but take an earlier left down Potash Road. You’ll drive along the beautiful Colorado River before turning right down Long Canyon Road. You should see signs for the Jug handle arch at the turn. Follow this stunning road all the way up until it eventually meets up with the 313.
Wedding Venues in Dead Horse
Shade Shelter Site – 100 Person Limit
West Bench Site – 50 Person Limit
La Sal Site – 25 person limit
Cliffside Site – 20 Person Limit
Point Bench Site – 5 Person Limit
Cliffside and West Bench are my two favorite sites. Cliffside is great if you have fit guests and a smaller number of attendees; West Bench is the next best option, especially if you need a more accessible site.
I would recommend avoiding the sites on the east side of the park.
PERMITS
All weddings at Dead Horse Point require a special use permit. The good news? The park is known for its friendly and efficient permit process. Unlike larger parks with lengthy wait times, Dead Horse Point's rangers can get back to you quickly to answer any questions and help you complete the application.
To ensure your ceremony takes place at your desired location, submit your application at least 30 days before your wedding date. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of securing your dream spot.
Permit Fees Explained
The permit fee has two parts:
A base fee of $60 ($10 application fee + $50 permit fee)
A site fee that varies depending on your guest count:
Up to 40 people: $200-$300
Larger groups will incur an additional $100 charge per hour after the first two hours.
Note: photographers also need a permit to shoot at Dead Horse. They’re easy to get at pretty last minute, but I would confirm that your photographer is willing to get one / knows that they need a permit before booking them.
Wedding permit Conditions
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• All sites are open to the public and will not have exclusive use of the area.
• Live or cut flowers are not allowed to be brought into the Park. Plan to use artificial flowers instead.
• Seeds, confetti, rice, or any other type of object are not allowed to be thrown within the Park.
• Only domestic dogs are allowed at the wedding locations and all park regulations for dogs apply.
• Drone use is prohibited between March and October. November through February, drones may be used by a special use permit holder (this is a separate permit from the permit for the ceremony itself).
• Existing trails must be used to access the wedding location.
• Cars must be parked in the agreed upon parking area(s).
• All fees must be paid in advance of the wedding or immediately following.
• Amplified music, lighting, and decorations are not allowed in the Park.
Marriage Licenses
In addition to the park permit, you'll also need a Utah marriage license. The good news is these licenses are valid statewide, so you can obtain one in Salt Lake City upon arrival or in Moab for your convenience. Marriage licenses are valid for 32 days from the date of purchase, so ensure yours doesn't expire before your ceremony.
Season
Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) provide the most comfortable temperatures in Moab. Mornings and evenings in March and April are still pretty chilly though, and Dead Horse is about 1,000ft higher elevation than the town of Moab itself and it’s more exposed to wind.
Spring will be windier than the fall but you will see more flowers, like Paintbrush and Globemallow. Fall is less windy and has beautiful fall colors on the Cottonwoods, but you won’t see many of those of from Dead Horse.
Summer is scorching and has frequent monsoons and flooding. You also risk fire smoke blocking the entire view. Winter is beautiful but I’ve been up there in negative degrees and snow, so it’s hard to know what you’re going to get.
Have a great wedding day
More Moab Wedding Venues
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If you’re interested in arches, well, you guessed it - check out Arches National Park.
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If giant cliffs, easy hikes, and incredible lighting are your vibe, consider Canyonlands for your wedding.
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Dreaming of an arch wedding with a bit o a hike and less NPS hassle? Check out Corona Arch.
About Your Wedding Photographer
Hey, I’m Danielle! I’m a wedding and elopement photographer in Moab, UT. I used to work as a hiking guide in Moab and hiked 800 miles from Arches National Park to Zion National Park. I used to go to Dead Horse twice a day with clients, so when it comes to Dead Horse Point State Park experts, I’m your person.
If having a photographer with some serious local expertise and skill behind the camera sounds like something you want on your very important wedding day, reach out below. Packages start at $5,300 for 6 hours.
vilaplanaphoto@gmail.com