Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding + Elopement Guide - moab, UT
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.
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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Below, I’ll get into the following details about weddings and elopements in Dead Horse Point State Park:
Dead Horse Point State Park 101
Utah is a land of stunning elopement locations, but Dead Horse Point is one of the best places around Moab for weddings and elopements. Dramatic overlooks, vast canyons, and the mighty Colorado River winding through it all create a backdrop unlike any other.
While nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks draw millions of visitors annually, Dead Horse Point sees a fraction of that. This translates to a more private and secluded atmosphere, perfect for focusing on your love and commitment.
Dead Horse has a $20 entry fee that is not covered by NPS passes.
Canyonlands National Park vs Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park as seen from Canyonlands National Park
Grandview Point in Canyonlands National Park - notice that the landscape is similar, but you can’t see the Colorado River.
Overlooking the Gooseneck at Dead Horse Point State Park
The landscape at Dead Horse Point State Park isn’t all together that different from Canyonlands National Park (you can see one park from the other) but the orientation of Dead Horse makes it beautiful for sunsets.
Dead Horse Point State Park overlooks the Colorado River, and you can usually see the river from most places in the park. The more popular vistas look out at The Gooseneck, a long bend in the river and fin of rock that adds a ton of river miles to Cataract Canyon trips.
Unlike Dead Horse, you usually can’t see the river from Canyonlands National Park unless you’re down on the White Rim Trail. You can see the Green River, though, from the Green River Overlook. The Green River Overlook is a very small space that packs a serious punch when it comes to sunsets and views of The Maze district of Canyonlands. It happens to be one of my favorite places in Canyonlands.
Dead Horse is more expensive for weddings, though - it has a $20 entrance fee that is different from NPS park passes and weddings cost quite a bit more there (which I’ll get into below). I wouldn’t say that it’s better than Canyonlands, necessarily, but if you’re comparing Dead Horse to Arches National Park or BLM sites for your wedding, I would strongly encourage you to choose Dead Horse.
Wedding Ceremony Sites at Dead Horse
Dead Horse has 5 wedding ceremony sites but I actually would not recommend the majority of them. This is one of those times when you should really think about hiring a local photographer - a travel photographer isn’t going to know the pros/cons of certain sites and you may end up with a big blue mine in the background.
1. Shade Shelter Site - 100 Person Limit
2. Cliffside Site - 20 Person Limit
3. Point Bench Site - 5 Person Limit
4. West Bench Site - 100 Person Limit
5. La Sal Site - 25 Person Limit
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.
Side note: your photographer also needs a permit to shoot at Dead Horse. Do not work with someone who does not have a permit - Dead Horse is a small park so it’s easy for a ranger to pop in and it could seriously screw up your wedding day!
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.
Time of Year
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.
Summer is scorching and you 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.
My recommendation is to choose a weekday if you want to avoid crowds. I honestly haven't had a huge issue with crowds on weekends at Dead Horse though - people tend to overlook it because it’s not a National Park, which is a big plus for weddings and elopements.
How to Get to Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park is about 32 miles from Moab. Take Highway 191 north outside of town, take a left on the scenic state route 313 and eventually one more left to stay on 313 which ends at Dead Horse Point.
I’ve read other guides to eloping at Dead Horse Point State Park that say that Dead Horse is “conveniently located just 45 minutes outside Moab” and nothing screams “written by AI” and “not a local” more than that. Nothing is convenient in Moab - it always takes my couples longer than 45 minutes to get to Dead Horse and it is not particularly close to any other site (except Marlboro Point, but you need high clearance and 4WD for that).
So, as a person who used to drive to Dead Horse and Canyonlands 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.
There are more adventurous ways 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.
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:
More Planning Tools
I also have a big, super-comprehensive guide to planning you elopement in Moab. Check out some of my galleries from Dead Horse Point State Park too to get a solid idea of what you’re in for if you choose to get married here.
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