So, you’re looking to plan your dream Zion National Park elopement but aren’t quite sure where to start? Well, I’ve got you covered. Zion is an incredible place to tie the knot and has so many incredible views and activities to do during your elopement.
As an elopement photographer, I love going to Zion for elopements and it creates such a beautiful atmosphere for your special day. But, there are definitely some things that you should know before you are ready to jump into your wedding day.
So, let’s get started!
How to Elope in Zion National Park
Getting Your Permits
In order to get married inside the park, you will need to get a Special Use Permit (SUP). This is your ticket to tying the knot and allows you to use the land inside of the park for your ceremony.
To get the SUP, you have to apply for it at least three weeks in advance of your elopement day, but I would definitely suggest applying for this sooner rather than later. The permit does also have a $100 fee so be sure you plan on that as well!
Entering the Park
While the SUP does allow you to have your ceremony in the park itself, you still need to pay the entrance fee to get into the park. Each person entering the park on foot or in a car will need to pay their own entrance fee.
These fees range from $20 per person if you are walking into the park or $35 per car if you are driving in. If you are an avid National Park visitor, you can also use your annual pass to get in as well!
Picking Your Ceremony Spot
When it comes to picking your ceremony spot, there are a few different options that you can choose from. You will have to request a specific spot in your application so be sure to take a look through the options before filling out your application.
For your ceremony, you can choose from the Temple of Sinawava (with a max of 35 people), Menu Falls (with a max of 10 people), Zion Lodge Lawn (with a max of 75 people), Nature Center North Lawn (with a max of 50 people), and the Timber Creek Overlook in the Kolob Canyon Area (with a max of 20 people).
Some of these areas may also be closed or very crowded during certain times of the year so you definitely want to do your research or talk to someone familiar with the park to pick the best spot!
Getting Around the Park
Now, if you have ever been to Zion, you know that for a good portion of the year, one of the main roads through the park is closed to vehicles and you can only get to those parts by the shuttle.
Honestly, as odd as it may sound, that shuttle is going to be your best friend and really is the easiest way to get around the park for your elopement. During these busier months when you can’t drive through the park, it is consistent and takes you everywhere you need to be for free!
Plus you can just hop on and hop off the shuttle all day long, choosing where you want to hike or explore. Plus, they have water stations throughout to fill up which is always a plus.
Tips for a Zion National Park Elopement
Best Time to Elope in Zion
The million dollar question: when is the best time to elope in Zion? Zion is one of the most visited parks in the National Park system and if you have ever visited yourself, you know how crowded it can get during parts of the year.
While you can get married here any time, there are a few seasons that may be a bit more your speed and you may be able to get a little more privacy for your ceremony.
Spring
Spring is going to be a great option for some cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. This is especially true if you go a bit earlier in the spring before vacation season starts to kick in. However, you can run into some rainy weather during this time and since you are in a canyon, there is the potential for flooding so be sure to watch the weather leading up to your elopement day!
Fall
Similar to spring, you’re going to find that fall is going to be a bit less busy in the park (minus the time around Thanksgiving). The colors are absolutely beautiful during this time and most of the park is still going to be open for you to explore.
Winter
Winter is definitely going to be the quietest season for the park, but it does have some difficulties of its own. This is the only time that the shuttle won’t be running so you will have to drive through the park yourself to get to each location.
It does also snow in Zion so you can find that some areas or trails are closed or really icy. But, with the privacy you get from being alone, making plans to work around this may be the perfect option for you!
Summer
Summer by far is going to be the busiest time in Zion. In recent years, May, June, and July have seen over half a million visitors each month so it is not necessarily the most intimate place during these peak times.
However, since the days are longer, you can opt for a sunrise or sunset elopement and may be able to beat some of the crowds (and the heat).
One thing to keep in mind is that the permit that you get to have your wedding here does not block off the area to other visitors. This means other people may be around the area or visiting the same parts you are during your ceremony.
So, finding a time when things are a bit less busy or crowded can be a great way to get a more private and intimate moment while still being where you want to be!
What to Bring
Since you are going to be in a National Park, you definitely want to bring some hiking boots. Even if you do want to have nicer shoes on for your actual ceremony, I would definitely suggest walking/hiking in one pair of shoes and then swapping them out when you get to each location.
You also want to make sure that you are bringing plenty of water, especially during the warmer months. There are parts of the park where you are very exposed and you want to make sure you aren’t risking dehydration on your big day.
You’ll also find free water fill-ups at the shuttle stops so even if you do run out, you can just grab a reusable water bottle and top off. Or you can head into the gift shop and grab and new one and maybe even some stickers, magnets, or keychains to start your National Park collection.
Similarly, if you are eloping in the cooler months, be sure to bring some layers that you can throw on if it gets a bit too cold. Just like hiking boots, you can always take them off for your ceremony or pictures, but they will let you stay comfortable and warm in between.
Leave No Trace
Using the park for your elopement and being able to explore all of the beauty that is has to offer is a privilege and we need to do our part to make sure we are keeping it clean and beautiful. This means leaving no trace.
Whatever you bring for your elopement, you want to make sure you are packing out what you packed in. Whether that is any food or drinks you have, any props or small items you bring for photos or anything else you bring for your elopement.
We want to leave the park exactly as we found it and it is our job to make sure that happens.
Activities Around the Park
Zion is full of incredible activities that you can do throughout the year. Now, there are going to be some things that are seasonal, but here are a few things that you can do during your elopement or as a way to turn your wedding day into an entire weekend adventure:
- Hiking: this is definitely an obvious one, but Zion has so many incredible trails that fit almost any difficulty level.
- Biking: when the main canyon road is closed, you can bike along it instead of taking the shuttle which gives you an even more personal look at the area.
- Horseback riding: there are actually horseback riding trails and guided rides that you can book which is a great way to see this area in a new way.
- Stargazing: what better way to end your wedding day than stargazing with your new spouse?
The best thing about elopements is that you can make it an all day adventure elopement. You get to take all of the best parts of exploring new places and doing new things together and combine it with marrying your best friend.
Plus, we can work out the whole timeline so that we are able to go to all of the places you want to go and do everything you want to do, while also giving you space to just let those organic moments happen. This isn’t a day where you are just going from one thing to the next, but instead get to do things at your pace without rushing and really just live in the moment.
Other Areas to Explore
While Zion itself is incredible, there are also some great places to explore right around the park. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is one of these. Just under 40 minutes from the park, you get to explore a completely different landscape with the sand dunes.
Kolob Canyon is another part of Zion National Park that is often overlooked. You can take the scenic drive through the canyon giving you incredible views and there are even some hikes you can do here. This is a great way to see parts of the canyon without all of the crowds.
Springdale is the town right on the outskirts of the park and while it isn’t a big town, it is a great place to walk around and see some of the local stores and restaurants. There are also lots in Springdale that you can park in and ride into the park instead of actually parking in Zion (because that can be a battle of its own sometimes).
Final Thoughts on a Zion Elopement
Hopefully, this guide helps you as you start to plan your own Zion National Park elopement. It truly is an incredible place to get married and you will have the most stunning backdrops for all of your photos.
If this sounds like the perfect spot for you and now you just need the right photographer to capture this day with you, I’d love to chat. You can click the link here to check out my elopement photography services or head over here to get in touch!
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