Canyonlands Wedding and Elopement Guide - Moab, UT
Hey! I’m Danielle, a wedding and elopement photographer in Moab, UT. I lived in Moab for several years and guided hiking and archaeology trips in the area. I also hiked 800 miles from Arches National Park to Zion National Park, so it’s safe to say I know this place better than most.
I’m not saying you should pick the coolest photographer you find…but 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, check out my Moab wedding and elopement packages.
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This is a guide to eloping in Canyonlands National Park specifically. For a step-by-step guide to eloping in Moab in general, check out this page.
In this guide to eloping in Canyonlands National Park, I’ll get into the following details:
Canyonlands vs Dead Horse Point State Park
Eloping in Canyonlands National Park: Tips for a Magical Wedding with Your Moab Wedding Photographer
If I had to describe Canyonlands, it would be like the cool step brother that was 20 years old and never lived with you because he was off doing his own thing. With its huge vistas, towering red rock formations, and unique geological features, Canyonlands National Park is an epic location for a elopement ceremony. It’s also my personal favorite park :)
If you're planning an elopement in Canyonlands National Park and want to make your day truly unforgettable, consider working with a Moab wedding photographer instead of a travel photographer. You’ll get the benefit of someone who knows the magical spots and lighting, as well as vendors, places to stay in Moab, and more.
Read on for tips on how to plan your Canyonlands National Park elopement and make the most of your experience with the help of a local Moab wedding photographer.
Book a Moab Local Wedding Photographer
Canyonlands National Park offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country, and you'll want to capture every moment of your special day. Consider hiring a local Moab wedding photographer who knows the park well and can help you find the perfect locations for your photos. A Moab photographer will also be familiar with the park's lighting conditions and terrain so you can focus on each other and leave the rest to me.
This doesn’t have to be your first step, but a local photographer is going have a ton of useful insight. I provide vendor resources, location planning, permit assistance, and more, so booking your photographer early will be a big help.
Choose Your Ceremony Location
Canyonlands National Park offers several stunning locations for your elopement ceremony, especially in the nearby Island in the Sky district. Consider what kind of scenery you want as the backdrop for your ceremony and choose a location that fits your vision.
Or, tell me more about yourself and your ideas and let me help pick the perfect spot.
Permit Information
All elopements in Canyonlands National Park require a $185 special use permit, which can be obtained through the park's website. This can be found here, and it is the same permit for Arches National Park weddings. I also have a copy of the permit and information in my Client folder.
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.
Only specific locations and group sizes will be approved for Canyonlands weddings:
Grand View Point - 25 people
Green River Overlook - 25 people
Mesa Arch - 25 people
Shafer Canyon Overlook - 25 people
Pothole Point and the Needles Group Campsites are allowed for visitors looking to get married in The Needles.
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 Mesa Arch and Shafer Canyon Overlook due to the congested nature of those locations.
Permit Application
Once you’ve decided on your location and guest count, apply for that permit with the following steps:
Fill out the 10-930 Special Use Permit Form.
Pay the $185 application fee at pay.gov.
Search “CANY” in the pay.gov search bar.
Payment will be made at: Canyonlands and Arches NP & Natural Bridges and Hovenweep NM Special Use Permit – click on “Continue."
Check which park your Special Use Permit is for. Under Permit Fee click on Permit and select Wedding.
Enter a total dollar amount $185 for the type of Special Use Permit you are requesting.
Follow the instructions and fill out the forms.
Save your payment confirmation; you will submit this with your application.
Email seug_commercialservices@nps.gov with your permit form and payment confirmation.
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.
Arrange for Transportation
Guests will still be responsible for the entrance fee, so it’s best to coordinate carpooling ahead of time to save costs.
Plan Your Reception
If you want to celebrate with a reception after the ceremony, consider booking a nearby hotel or restaurant for an intimate reception with your closest family and friends. I have a list in my client guide of local vendors who can help you plan your reception.
Get Your Marriage License
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.
Next, find an ordainer (I provide a list of vendors in my client guide), if a friend or family won’t be officiating. During the application process, you'll need to provide their name.
Visit the local County Clerk/Auditor's Office at 125 E Center St. in Moab, on a weekday between 8 am and 4:30 pm. Both applicants must be present in person and provide the following information:
Full names, addresses, dates, and places of birth.
Social security numbers (unless an applicant doesn't have one).
Names and birthplaces of parents, including the mother's maiden name.
Formal identification (such as a driver's license or passport) and, if applicable, divorce decrees or death certificates of any past spouses.
Don't forget to bring $40 for the license fee. Consider ordering additional certified copies if you plan to change your name. These can be requested in person, by mail, or by phone.
Dress Appropriately + Bring the Gear
Canyonlands National Park can be unpredictable in terms of weather - not going to lie, Island in the Sky gets windy! So be sure to dress in layers if you’re getting married in the spring or fall and wear appropriate footwear. Your Moab wedding photographer can also provide recommendations for clothing that will photograph well in the park's unique lighting conditions.
Bring headlamps, water, sunscreen, and anything else you might need! I usually carry a backpack to hold onto extra layers and items so they don’t get in the way of our photos.
Read my guide on what to wear for your elopement here.
Have an Amazing Day!
Eloping in Canyonlands 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 to capture every moment of your special day. With the stunning scenery of Canyonlands National Park as your backdrop, your elopement is sure to be a day you'll cherish for years to come.
Other Venues in Moab
If you’re just getting started on your Moab elopement journey, check out my guides to some of the other wedding locations in Moab:
