The Best Places to Elope in Moab, Utah
Moab truly is one of the most incredible places to elope for couples who want their wedding day to be an unforgettable adventure. With two national parks nearby, hiking trails, 4×4 excursions, and some of the most incredible red rock views, it’s a pretty spectacular place to say “I do!” In this guide, we’ll tell you about some of the best places to elope in Moab, to help you plan your one of a kind day.
The Best Places to Elope in Moab
Moab truly is an outdoor lover’s paradise – with deserts, mountain views, and endless adventures! Here are just a few of the best places to elope in Moab.
Arches National Park
One of the best places to elope in Moab is Arches National Park. Not only is it just 5 miles north of Moab, it’s also got some really unique views. The name comes from the dozens of natural arches all around the park – just imagine standing under one of them to say your vows! Arches is a really popular national park, requiring timed entry reservations for part of the year, but there are a couple of arches along the primitive Devil’s Garden trail that you can often get to yourself, if you’re prepared for a longer hike in the desert backcountry.
Canyonlands National Park
Another major attraction close to Moab (about 30 miles southwest) is Canyonlands National Park, where the Colorado River cuts through the desert landscape, creating red rock canyons, mesas that tower over the desert, and some of the most incredible views. It’s one of the best places to elope in Moab if you want to start your marriage in one of the national parks, with truly jaw dropping views.
The La Sal Mountains
Moab is surrounded by mountains, so if you want to switch up the scenery, get away from the desert and find yourself surrounded by forested peaks, the La Sal Mountains are one of the best places to elope in Moab. These are actually the second highest mountain range in Utah, offering truly spectacular views, and lots of hiking trails, lakes, campsites, and so much more.
Red Earth Venue
The Red Earth Venue is located right in Moab, and if you want to make sure that you get a totally private space to say your vows, this place is it. Situated on a private ranch surrounded by the La Sal Mountains and the Moab Rim, this venue has several indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from, whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a bigger event.
Under Canvas
Under Canvas is a unique glamping experience, where you can stay in a luxury tent, a tiny home, and other unique accommodations that set the scene for a one of a kind elopement! It can also be a great home base for other adventures, since it’s close to Arches National Park and other great spots.
Dead Horse Point State Park
There’s a vast landscape of desert canyons at Dead Horse State Park, with miles of trails, and stunning views, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the canyon walls seem to glow. This is an amazing place for stargazing as well, with thousands of stars visible in the sky at night. This place isn’t remote by any means, but it does tend to be less popular than the national parks!
Corona Arch
If you love the views in Arches National Park, but want to get away from the crowds, or want a dog friendly option, Corona Arch is another one of the best places to elope in Moab! This 3 mile out and back hike takes you to a huge arch, along with two smaller ones along the way. Get here at sunrise, and you’re likely to have the entire place to yourselves.
Fisher Towers
The Fisher Towers, a little bit east of Moab, are a really unique landscape, with a maze of fins, pinnacles, and spires that create gorgeous views all around. The hike is 5.2 miles roundtrip, taking you along canyons, cliffs, and red rock formations. There are plenty of vistas and viewpoints to choose from for your elopement ceremony!
Sand Flats Recreation Area
The Sand Flats Recreation Area is another, somewhat lesser known elopement location in Moab. It’s unique because of the expansive fields of smooth sandstone, with gorgeous backdrops of the La Sal Mountains and the surrounding canyons. The smooth, wavelike formations of slickrock, and countless ceremony options, make this an incredible place to tie the knot.
BLM Land
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land is a perfect option for small elopements. BLM land will typically have fewer restrictions than national parks do in terms of permits, so it can be an easy option. The views are often just as beautiful! There are 26 established campgrounds in the area, but on BLM land you can usually (there are always exceptions, but we’ll help you figure this out!) camp for free, anywhere, if you like dispersed camping. It’s important to keep in mind that these areas can get busy, so a reservation can ensure some peace of mind.
A few of the established campgrounds require reservations, while others are available on a first come, first serve basis. One of our favorites is the Ken’s Lake Campground, which does require a reservation, but has easy access to some hiking and off roading trails, as well as swimming, paddle boarding, and other water activities at the Ken’s Lake Recreation Area.
As a bonus, most places on BLM Land are dog friendly, so this is a great option for couples who want to include their pup in their elopement day!
Want to Find Your Best Place to Elope in Moab?
Marriage is an adventure, and the day you get married should be too! We’re all about couples doing things their own way, ditching all the ideas of what a wedding should be, and eloping somewhere beautiful! We’re a photography and videography team, but we’re also so much more than that – we’re here to help you create the elopement day of your dreams. That includes personalized location recommendations that include lesser known spots, recommendations for vendors, lodging, and everything you need, and so much more.
If you’re ready to tie the knot in Moab, contact us!