If you’re dreaming of an elopement surrounded by red rock deserts, sweeping canyons, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, Moab is hard to beat..

This is the place most people picture when they think “Moab”. I mean, it's on the majority of Utah license plates for a reason! Massive arches and towering red rock formations. Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural arches and offers a diverse range of landscapes with easy accessibility, all in a short drive. You could literally stop at any pull-off in Moab and find a breathtaking view for your Moab elopement. But since you are a planner like me, here are some things to help choose your perfect red rock spot:

Here to compete as the best place to elope near Moab, one of the “mighty 5” national parks in Utah, is Canyonlands! If Arches feels intimate and sculpted, Canyonlands is here to make you feel limitless and wild and in my opinion one of the most underrated elopement destinations in Utah. Remember when I mentioned standing on the edge of the earth? If you want your elopement to feel like you’re literally standing on the edge of the Earth, Canyonlands might be for you. Canyonlands are known for their massive and dramatic vistas and have a significantly less crowded feel than other national parks. Here are some important points to know about this national park:

Moab is one of those places that instantly takes your breath away. Whether it's your first visit or your one thousandth. As a native Utahn, I’ve spent countless years exploring and getting to know the incredible landscapes of Moab. The red rock walls rise up like ancient cathedrals, outshining any traditional venue you could rent for your wedding day. This little desert town is the perfect blend of adventure, intimacy, and jaw-dropping scenery. Every time I come back to Moab, the experience feels entirely new. I’m honestly a little jealous I didn’t choose to elope here myself!

Moab is overflowing with possibilities and, in my opinion, it’s the ultimate place to elope. But it can be pretty overwhelming choosing the best place to elope when there are literally countless places to choose from. As an Utah elopement photographer, I am here to help break down the differences between the two most popular places to elope in the Moab area: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Each area has its own vibe, its own rules, and its own kind of magic.

Arches National Park 

Canyonlands national park

Size of your guest list 

Privacy concerns

Did you pack your hiking boots?

The legal stuff

Ceremony sites

What’s in a name?

Are we there yet?

More legal stuff

So, which is better?

Are you envisioning just the two of you standing on the edge of forever? Or do you want your closest friends and family to witness you leap into your next chapter? (only metaphorically leap, that would be quite the fall, okay, I will stop talking about edges and leaping) Here are the guest size limits for pre-designated locations in Arches:

Park Avenue: Group Size 15
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint: Group Size 50
Double Arch: Group Size 25
The Windows: Group Size 25
Panorama Point: Group Size 50
Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater: 80

Just like Arches, there are designated wedding locations you can choose from that are recognized by the park. The park is split between two different locations, Island of the Sky which is about 45 minutes to an hour from Moab and Needles which is about 1.5 hours from Moab. Guest list size listed below:

One big difference between Arches and Canyonlands is that there are fewer “famous features” like arches by the side of the road. Canyonlands was named perfectly, as it is known for just that: CANYONS. This national park is full of grand, sweeping vistas with 1,000-foot cliffs and river-carved canyons. But being less famous has its perks, you will often have overlooks to yourselves depending on the time of day and time of year, which is perfect for intimate ceremonies.

Canyonlands has the same requirements as Arches. You will need to request your desired location at the designated spots in Canyonland to hold your ceremony. National Parks have strict elopement requirements to make sure we preserve the beautiful land and have it for years to come. Less strict policies can be found on BLM land or national forest land. Permits are not required if only photo sessions are taking place.

This is ultimately up to you and what you want your day to look like! Here is a recap of options to weigh:

Arches National Park-
Crowds can be more intense depending on the season of the year.
Scenery style includes arches, fins, sand dunes, and red rock close-ups
Easy accessibility available for many iconic spots
Photo variety includes lots of short trails and dramatic formations in short drives

Canyonlands National Park-
Crowds are fewer and easy to manage
Scenery style includes big canyon overlooks and expansive deserts
More driving required between desired locations
Photo variety includes massive landscapes, quiet viewpoints, and less shaded areas.

Both National Parks are stunning and give different vibes for your elopement day. If you want the iconic arches, easy accessibility, and a variety of locations; Arches wins. If you want more intimacy, breathtaking views, and remote locations; Canyonlands is the one.

Still unsure? I help curate the perfect day with personalized timelines with all of my elopement packages. Want to learn more about my elopement packages? Let’s chat!

Compared to Arches the ceremony sites are more limited and can require a bit of a drive. This can potentially be a downside to Canyonlands as there are larger distances between viewpoints.
However, this also results in less crowds and having that feeling of intimate solitude.

Island of the Sky locations require little to no hiking for all three ceremony spots and is a shorter drive from Moab’s downtown area. Needles is a lot quieter than most of the spots you can find in Moab.

The Needles locations are best for the couples that want a bit of an adventure, interested in backpacking during the day, or exploring longer hikes looking for a spot for just the two of them.

Island of the Sky Elopement Locations:
Shafer Canyon Overlook : Group Size 25
Green River Overlook: Group Size 25
Grand View Point: Group Size 25

Needles Elopement Locations:
Pothole Point: Group Size 15
Needles Group Campsites: Group Size 15-50
Dutch Oven Group Site: 50
Wooden Shoe Group Site: 25
Split Top Group Site: 15

As I mentioned before, this is a VERY popular national park. Many spots will also include tourists with countless “congratulations!” Expect crowds, especially during sunset and peak tourist season. If you are hoping to avoid those strangers' glances and cheers, there are different factors you can play with:

Choosing the time of year. Avoiding mid-May through mid-September will significantly reduce the number of daily park visitors and potential uninvited guests at your vow ceremony.
Day of the week. Tuesday through Thursday are the least busiest days of the week for Arches National Park.
Pick less-visited ceremony locations. Places like the Windows area on the north side, the Sand Dune Arch area, and Panorama Point can be more intimate and peaceful.

Some locations in Arches can require some huffing and puffing to get to the designated spots. They say the journey is worth the view at the end, but if you aren't into the hiking scene, here are some places you can take a shortcut from that long journey.

Park Avenue - no hiking required, short walk from the parking lot. The ceremony area is right at the viewpoint.

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint - no hiking required, large open space available from the parking lot

Panorama Point - no hiking required, very spacious, and rarely crowded

The windows section - minimal to moderate, depending on your desired location. Mostly stone steps and a little uphill walking.

North Window → 0.25 miles
South Window → 0.5 miles
Turret Arch → short walk

Permits are required and can book out early. You will need to acquire a Special Use Permit if you are planning to hold your legal ceremony in the National Park. The fee is $185 and can be applied for up to a year in advance or up to a month before the desired date. You will also need to acquire a marriage license through the state of Utah. Sounds overwhelming, but don't stress, I can help you through the permit process! Your ceremony also has a time limit. The wedding ceremony is typically for one hour, but high traffic areas will have stricter limits (as short as 10 minutes). So if you want it short and sweet, that might be perfect for you! If you plan to write a long monologue for your future spouse, you can always hold your ceremony in a less restrictive place and save Arches just for exploring and portraits as a newlywed couple.


To sum up, Arches will provide an EPIC elopement spot with stunning views that are easily accessible for your own unique adventure. If planned properly, this could be the perfect place for you to elope!

Have more questions about Arches? Ask away! Contact me here.