Allie and Charlie’s Canyonlands National Park elopement was an adventure to remember. I absolutely loved getting to spend the day with this super kind couple, who came to Moab from Boulder, Colorado for their adventurous elopement in Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. I met up with Allie and Charlie at their hotel in Moab before we made the 45 minute drive to the Island in the Sky Portion of the national park. We hiked the really short path to Mesa Arch, which is supposedly one of the best places for sunrise in all of Moab for part one of their day. We spent some time here taking photos of the gorgeous arch and the incredible vistas surrounding it before we took off to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset photos. While Mesa Arch is known for its sunrise, Dead Horse is known for its sunset. It’s one of my absolute favorite places in the world to take photos. It’s where I took these boho Moab engagement photos.

How to Elope in Canyonlands National Park

Mesa Arch is one of four places that you’re allowed to have a wedding ceremony in at Island in the Sky. To have a wedding ceremony in the national park, you’re required to obtain a special use permit, which you can acquire here.

The couple getting married must be the ones to apply for the special use permit. According to the national park’s website in 2023, the permit fee is $185 (way cheaper than a wedding venue) and you must pay the $30 entrance fee per vehicle. There are 6 locations that you’re permitted to have a ceremony (4 at Island in the Sky and 2 at the Needles).

You must submit your permit at least 4 weeks in advance to allow the park time to process it. I highly recommend avoiding holidays and weekends as Canyonlands can get super busy during those times. It’s important also that we all follow the rules and regulations posted by the park officials listed on their website so that we can continue to have elopements in epic locations like Canyonlands National Park.

Looking to elope in Moab? I got you covered! I made this guide for all things Moab that you can check out here 🙂