How to Elope at Dead Horse Point State Park
Moab, Utah, is one of those places you hear about but doesn’t really sink in until you’re there. I still remember the first drive into the area, hitting the downslope that leads into town with this epic view and thinking, “Oh, okay, I get it now.”
With endless red rock vistas leading up to dramatic snowy mountains, impressive arches everywhere, and an insane amount of public lands—this section of Utah is too amazing to skip. And one of the many beautiful places is Dead Horse Point State Park—maybe not the most romantically named park, but absolutely stunning to the eyes.
With room for elopements of all sizes, amazing views, pets, decor, and more—this Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is a perfect place to get married. Let’s get into it.
Wedding Permits for Dead Horse
All weddings in Dead Horse Point State Park require a Special Use Permit, which allows you to conduct the ceremony. You can apply 1-18 months ahead of your date—but they fill up fast, so don’t wait!
To apply, fill out the form on their site. Permits cost from $60-150 depending on how many guests are present. Affordable, straightforward, and easy!
Keep in mind—you and your guests will still need to pay a $20 entrance fee per car on the day of.
Marriage Licenses for Utah
To get married in Dead Horse Point State Park, you’ll need a marriage license from a county clerk’s office somewhere in the state of Utah.
Here are the quick and easy steps for how to get a Utah marriage license:
Search for the local county clerk’s office.
Apply online for a marriage license.
Make an appointment to pick it up together with your IDs—you likely have to pay a reasonable fee.
Bring it to your wedding ceremony to be signed by your wedding officiant (such as a minister) and two witnesses (at least 18 years old).
Deliver it back to the same county clerk’s office in person or via mail.
Pretty simple, right? If you need someone to officiate your wedding, my husband is an officiant who conducts weddings as part of my photography business. Alternatively, you can get a friend or family member ordained online to conduct the legal ceremony.
Where to Get Married in Dead Horse Point State Park
This Utah state park has designated spots for ceremonies, and they’re all beautiful!
La Sal Site: Room for 25 people with beautiful views into the canyon and of the La Sal Mountains. The ground is uneven here.
Cliff Side Site: Room for 20 people with the classic canyon views the park is known for. Be ready for uneven ground.
West Bench Site: Can accommodate up to 50 people! Beautiful classic canyon views with easy access, but it’s a popular spot with uneven ground.
Point Bench Site: A scenic and easily accessible spot, but only room for 5 people.
Shade Shelter Site: This spot is limited and only available in January, February, July, August, November, and December. This is the only ADA accessible location and can accommodate 100 people.
Bonus Spots
Arches NP: A nearby national park with amazing arches that can be very crowded at times.
Canyonlands NP: Another nearby national park with amazing canyon views.
Capitol Reef NP: Farther away but very similar to all the beautiful red rock of Moab.
Public Lands: The surrounding area is full of beautiful places to discover. Don’t sleep on public lands!
None of these fit your vibe? Reach out, and we can discuss your location needs!
Bring Your Dog to Your Dead Horse Elopement
Yes. Pets are allowed at Dead Horse Point State Park! One of the major pros of eloping in this park. Just make sure to bring a leash, baggies, treats, water, and anything else you may need for your pet.
Keep Utah Clean: Leave No Trace
Dead Horse and Moab are part of the Colorado Plateau, a place where delicate microorganisms call home. It’s important to travel on hard surfaces or stay on trails to avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soil. In addition, it’s vital to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) guidelines and protect the land.
Keep these guidelines in mind when visiting Dead Horse Point:
Pack it in, pack it out. Take trash with you, even orange peels
Dispose of waste in proper receptacles
Obey signs if they tell you to stay on the trail. Alpine areas can be delicate
Don’t disturb local flora and fauna, and don’t feed animals
Watch where you step—don’t crush the brush
Don’t set fires if there’s a ban
When to Get Married in Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse may be in the desert, but it does get cold here! There are pros and cons to every season, so let’s get into it. Here’s a quickie guide to season in the state park:
Spring: Weather tends to be mild in the spring, although it can be windy and there are sometimes storms.
Summer: The dead of summer is very warm. Surprisingly, this is a very popular time of year to visit, so expect crowds even in the warm summer months.
Winter: It can get very cold in the winter. And yes, it does snow! Roads can be difficult to drive on during this time, but the payoff is there’s less people around during this time. It can be an amazing time to elope if you’re prepared for the weather.
Fall: Weather tends to be mild in the fall. This is a great time to visit, especially if you avoid holidays.
TLDR: Elope in Moab, fall through spring
Lodging: Where to Stay in Dead Horse
Dead Horse is just 40 minutes from Moab, Utah. So not only are there plenty of places to stay, there are also many different types of options. Check Airbnb and VRBO, but don’t sleep on glamping and camping options!
Need some inspiration? Here are a few gorgeous stays:
Getting Around (Planes and Cars)
Moab’s beauty comes at a price—it’s remote! The best things in life take a long drive, so rent a car and buckle up.
Flying in? Here are the nearest airports:
Salt Lake City International Airport: 4 hours. A larger airport with more options.
Grand Junction Regional Airport: 2 hours. Much smaller, so expect fewer options and higher prices.
Fun Activities for Your Utah State Park Wedding
Stargazing: Dead Horse is an International Dark Sky Park! That means it’s a great spot for stargazing.
Mountain Biking: Grab your bikes and ride one of the many trails through the park.
Hiking: There are plenty of trails with beautiful views in the park.
Camping: You can camp in the park, either in a tent, yurt, or hookup site.
Jeep Tour: Explore off-roading options in and around the park. There are plenty of companies to rent from or get a tour.
Hiring Vendors in Dead Horse Point SP
This state park is right by Moab, so you have access to some vendors, restaurants, shops, and more. But be aware that this town is small, and you may need to search for vendors elsewhere. Expand your search to Salt Lake City and St. George in Utah, and Grand Junction in Colorado. Just be aware of potential travel fees.
Vendors We Love near Dead Horse Point
Tangled Sage | Farm Yard Moab | “I Do” Rentals | Moab Private Chef
Best Advice for Getting Married in Dead Horse
Skip the crowds: Avoid crowds by getting married on weekdays and definitely avoid holidays!
Add an activity: Moab is such an adventurous area. Make the day personal by adding some kind of activity to the day.
Work with local florists: Utah is delicate, so certain types of florals might be invasive to the environment. A local florist will know which items are allowed.
Be prepared for changing temperatures: Bring jackets, electrolytes, and anything else you’ll need to be comfortable in a changing environment.
Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding Examples
All Black Attire Elopement at Dead Horse Point | Capitol Reef Cabin Wedding | Intimate Dead Horse Point SP Elopement | Moab Public Lands Elopement | Climbing Elopement in Arches NP
Book Your Dead Horse Wedding Photographer
As a travel-loving photographer, Utah has really called to me. I remember driving into Moab in 2021 for the first time and thinking, “Wow, so this is Utah!” Now, I want to help you plan the ultimate red rocks wedding of your dreams!
Need a Utah wedding photographer to capture all of the magic? Book with Love & Latitudes Outdoor Wedding and Elopement Photography today!
Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding Photographer
+ 4-12+ hours of coverage
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images or purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Complimentary officiant services.
Meet Your Utah Wedding Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California-born adventurer with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 21 years and counting. In my free time you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. This unusual and otherworldly state has captured our hearts, and we’ve visited many times throughout the years.
How did I get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my own wedding and they showed me there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way.
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