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 Arches as much as three times a day with clients, have canyoneered many of the routes in the park, and have been to the super far out, inaccessible parts of the park that most people don’t know about on the Dome Plateau. I’ve even worked for Edward Abbey’s family. So when it comes to Arches National Park experts, I’m your person.

Arches National Park is a beautiful backdrop for a destination wedding or elopement. With its iconic rock formations and stunning vistas, it's no wonder that so many couples choose Arches National Park as the location for their special day.

If you're planning an Arches National Park elopement, consider working with a local Moab wedding photographer or Moab elopement photographer instead of a travel photographer. They’ll know which spots are best during sunrise and sunset, where to go for the most solitude in this busy, busy park, and more.

Read on for tips on how to plan your perfect elopement in Arches National Park.

Location

Arches National Park is located just north of Moab, UT. The exact distance to the wedding ceremony sites within Arches varies, because (for the most part) Arches is just one straight road to Devil’s Garden and back. Getting to the furthest part of the paved road takes about an hour.

Ceremony Sites

Arches National Park offers several incredible locations for your elopement ceremony, including the Windows section and Sand Dune Arch.

I strongly advise against Delicate Arch. Everyone wants a photo beneath the arch and it will be nearly impossible to get the photos you want.

Choose a location that fits your vision and consider the time of day and lighting conditions for your ceremony. If you choose a local Moab wedding photographer, they will have a better idea of what locations will be best at what time of day, as well as which locations will cater to your specific needs.

Arches allows weddings at only a handful of locations:

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint - 50 guests max
The Windows Section - 25 guests max
Sand Dune Arch - 25 guests max
Pine Tree Arch - 25 guests max
Park Avenue - 15 guests max
Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater - 80 guests max
Panorama Point - 50 guests max
Other locations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Permits

All elopements in Arches National Park require a $185 special use permit, which can be obtained through the park's website and here. Your Moab wedding photographer or Moab elopement photographer should be able help you with the permit application process. I personally created an entire step-by-step process in my client guide.

Be sure to apply for your permit well in advance to ensure that you can secure your desired ceremony location. The park requires 4 weeks or more to process a permit, so don’t slack! Weddings can be booked up to 1 year in advance.

If you have a special recreation permit, you won’t need to make a timed-entry reservation. But if we’re just doing a bridal shoot or engagement in Arches National Park, be sure to look into the reservations well in advance (see more info here).

Don’t forget to bring a hard copy of your permit on the day of your wedding!

Larger, more complex weddings will require monitoring by Canyonlands rangers. This will incur an additional fee, and this will be quoted upon issuing the permit.

Permit Conditions

A permit does not grant exclusive use of the area and the area will remain open to the visiting public. Permittees may not ask the public to alter their visitation in any way. Additional permit conditions are imposed as follows:

Natural Resource Protection: Wedding activities are restricted to slickrock, dry washes, or maintained areas of the park to protect fragile biological soil crust and plant life.
Bouquets: To prevent the introduction of invasive species into the park, dried plants, including grasses, are prohibited in bouquets.
Releases: Butterfly releases, and all other living and/or inanimate object releases or dispersal, including birdseed and rice, are prohibited. The permittee is responsible for site cleanup.
Decorations: The use of balloons, arches, or any other type of decorations will not be authorized.
Obstructions: Permittees may not obstruct sidewalks, trails, parking lots, or other visitor facilities. This includes the use of tents, tables, or other furniture. The park will evaluate folding chairs on a case-by-case basis.
Food: The establishment of caterers or any food service is prohibited.
Audio Disturbance: No public address system is permitted and music volumes are highly regulated (Re: 36 CFR 2.12). Noise levels must not exceed normal speaking volumes.
Vehicles: All vehicles must be parked in designated areas only; no off-road traffic. Carpooling is recommended and may be required at specific locations.
Pets: Pets are typically not allowed at ceremony sites, particularly those areas off pavement or in other undeveloped locations.
Drones: Operating a drone is prohibited.
Monitor: Activities will be monitored or spot checked by NPS personnel for compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit and to ensure that no resource damage or visitor conflicts are occurring.
Time limit: If requested ceremony location is under or immediately adjacent to an arch or scenic feature, then the ceremony may have a required time limit of 15 minutes, depending on time of day, time of year, and other visitation patters and factors. Locations likely to contain a time limit in the permit conditions are The Windows Section, Sand Dune Arch, Pine Tree Arch, and Park Avenue due to the congested nature of those locations.

Transportation

Guests will still be responsible for the entrance fee, so it’s best to coordinate carpooling ahead of time to save costs. Parking can be a pain in Arches so carpooling will help with that, too.

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.

Download and print Moab’s marriage license application here (only one application needed per couple). Do not sign the application until you visit the Grand County Clerk/Auditor's Office.

Plan your attire + gear

Arches National Park can be unpredictable in terms of weather, especially in the shoulder seasons, so plan your attire accordingly. Consider the time of year and the location of your ceremony when choosing your clothing and footwear.

I try to make the most of the golden hour and blue hour lighting, so if we’re venturing far from the car it’s best to bring your own headlamps (although I do have a few spares).

I always carry a backpack so there’s a place to stash your extra layers, water, and more, so stay on top of your hydration and sunscreen!

Read my guide on what to wear for your elopement here.

Have an awesome day!

Eloping in Arches National Park can be a magical and unforgettable experience. Just be sure to plan ahead, obtain the necessary permits, and work with a local Moab wedding photographer or Moab elopement photographer to capture every moment of your special day. With the stunning scenery of Arches National Park as your backdrop, your elopement is sure to be a day you'll cherish for years to come.

More Wedding Venues in Moab, UT

moab elopement packages — *Zoe + Anthony at Dead Horse Point State Park*

I know, I know, everyone wants to elope in Arches National Park - but what if I told you that it’s actually one of my least favorite locations for weddings and that Canyonlands and Dead Horse are about 100x better?

If you’re just starting to explore the idea of eloping in Moab, check out my guides to some of the other epic wedding venues in Moab.

More Planning Tools

I also have a big, super-comprehensive guide to planning you elopement in Moab. Check out some of my wedding and engagement galleries from Arches National Park too to get a solid idea of what you’re in for if you choose to get married here.

Moab Elopement Planning Guide

Moab Elopement Photographer / Moab Wedding Photographer / Moab Elopement Packages / Moab Wedding Venues / Arches National Park Weddings / Arches National Park Elopements