Arches National Park Elopement Wedding Photos - Moab, UT - Lauren + Brent

 

eloping in arches national park

Arches National Park was absolutely unforgettable! Arches gets its name from the land’s natural sandstone arches - there are over 2,000 within the park - which makes it the largest collection of natural arches in the world. If you’re planning an elopement or wedding in Utah, Arches National Park wedding would be an incredible adventure!

Whether you’re thinking about having your ceremony within the park, getting married nearby, or just planning an epic road trip through Southeastern Utah, this blog post will answer many frequently asked questions before you plan your visit!

Wait - before you dive in, grab my free elopement planning kit to make the most of this blog post!

 

Where is Arches National Park?

This National Park is one of five National Parks located in Southern Utah (known as the Mighty 5), just about 10 minutes away or 5 miles from the city of Moab. Arches is roughly 3.5 hours away or 230 miles from the state’s capitol, Salt Lake City, or 6.5 hours away or 454 miles from Las Vegas. 

What is The Mighty 5?

Arches is one of the National Parks that makes up “The Mighty Five.” The other four parks are: Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park. 

 

When to visit (or elope) in Arches National Park

Before setting out to plan your vacation or small wedding in Arches National Park, there are a few key factors to consider: seasonal weather and crowds! 

  1. Seasonal weather: the Southeastern corner of Utah is part of the Colorado Plateau, an area made up of 240,000 square miles at the intersection of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. As part of the Colorado Plateau, a “high desert” region much like that of eastern and southern portions of Joshua Tree National Park, experiences swift and intense shifts in temperature. Spring is short - just lasting April to May - but it’s one of the more popular times to visit. Expect highs between 60-80 degrees and lows between 30-50 degrees. Summer frequently brings temperatures of over 100 degrees and the threat of flash floods and late summer monsoons. My personal recommendation is to visit in Fall or Winter! Fall is the most popular time to visit, partially because of the moderate weather (highs: 60-80 degrees, lows: 30-50 degrees). Winter temperatures are typically under 48 degrees, and some visitors even get the chance to see this epic Mars-like area covered in snow! 

  2. Crowds:  Fall and Spring bring the bulk of Arches’ yearly visitors so prepare ahead of time! Between 10:30am and 2pm it’s common to see the “park full” sign with bumper-to-bumper traffic leading out onto the main road. Plan to visit in October, when the weather’s great but there are (slightly) less tourists. Aim for a weekday in either the early morning or late afternoon for a more private experience! For more tips see this page on Arches traffic tips.

If you’d like to take photos inside of Arches but are planning your ceremony somewhere outside of the park (like glamping resort Under Canvas: Moab, perhaps!), a few hours in Arches would be the perfect way to add variety + an adventurous spirit into your photos. This session with Lauren and Brent took place at sunset, but I have a feeling a sunrise first look here would be absolutely breathtaking - like this one at 7 Magic Mountains! 

Arches History 

In 1929, the land that makes up Arches became a national monument. In 1971, it was redesignated as a national park. However, this area has a history that stretches eons: before becoming a national monument, the land that has become Arches National Park was used by local and regional tribes as a ceremonial area and a major trade center along the Colorado River. These tribes included people from the following tribes: Pueblo of Zuni, the Hopi Tribe, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe-Uintah and Ouray, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Las Vegas Paiute, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians of the Moapa River Reservation, Navajo Nation, Rosebud Sioux, San Juan Southern Paiute, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe,  and the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. Tribal members describe the otherworldly sandstone arches as portals in space and time, rock spires as sentient beings, and the La Sal Mountains as a spiritual dwelling place. 

The best hikes in Arches National Park

A trip to a National Park might not be complete without hitting a trail or two! 

Check out Landscape Arch for a less strenuous hike with extraordinary views. The hike is less than 2 miles roundtrip. 

Delicate Arch, the feature prominently featured on Utah license plates, is a 3-mile round trip hike that’s the perfect introduction to this park for any first-time visitor to Arches! 

For something a little more challenging, check out Tower Arch Trail, a popular moderate trail that spans 2.4 miles out + back. 


Lodging + Campsites near Arches

If you’re visiting Arches, you may be interested in camping! While this approach is more common for sightseers than for eloping couples, it is definitely a fun option to consider either way.

No reservation? No problem! At Willow Springs Trail, a very basic campground close to the Arches entrance, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis (which may also mean you’ll have quite a few roomies sharing the area!) If you’re partial to flushing toilets + showers (yes please!) make a reservation for the less-crowded campground called Devils Garden. Reservations are released on a 6-month rolling basis.


Not into the idea of camping? 

Downtown Moab has several hotels available for travelers ranging in cost and amenities.

Hyatt Place is a dog-friendly hotel situated very close to the Arches park entrance, just 4 miles away. It’s fairly pricier than alternatives (expect to pay $400-$700 or more per night) but comes with extra luxuries like very spacious rooms, a nice modern pool and hot tub, workout facilities, a business center and free breakfast. After a long day hiking in the sun, I felt this hotel was definitely worth a splurge!

Another option to consider is the Holiday Inn Express + Suites Moab. Rooms here are more basic but still offer the amenities any traveler would enjoy, like a pool, free breakfast, fitness center, and kitchenette. Just 3 miles away from the park entrance, this spot is great for vacationers looking for a standard hotel that’s clean and quiet after a day out in the park!

Finally you may want to check out Hotel Moab Downtown. According to their website, this hotel is “budget-friendly,” “clean and comfortable,” with “friendly and accommodating staff.” Slightly more dated than the other two options, this park is great for travelers looking for convenience to hiking sights and attractions and a clean place to sleep! 

Restaurants close to Arches

There’s something about a day outdoors in the elements that makes me crave a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal at the end of the day. If that’s you as well, meet The Cowboy Grill restaurant! Located inside Red Cliffs Lodge, this American cuisine restaurant is known for fine dining classics like New York Strip and Filet Mignon, and their spectacular views of the Colorado River and Fisher Towers rock formations. Vegetarian + gluten-free options are also available!

For something more out-of-the-box, try Sultan Mediterranean Grill! Some reviewers say that this Middle Eastern food is the best they’ve ever had - especially the authentic baklava! Vegetarian, Vegan + gluten-free options available. 

Other attractions near Arches National Park

Hovenweep National Park - see multiple different structures in 6 different prehistoric villages, built between the 13th and 14th centuries. 

Mesa Verde National Park - See ecologically unique species and the ruins of ancestral Pueblo villages.

Dead Horse Point State Park - While National Parks are not as dog-friendly, Utah’s state parks allow leashed dogs, so Dead Horse Point is one of the places you can really enjoy traveling with your furry friend! Learn more about Dead Horse Point here. 

ready to plan your own arches elopement?

For more information on planning a wedding or elopement in Moab, Utah at Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park, contact me today or check this Moab Wedding Resource page for more!

Vendors from this shoot in Arches National Park:
Wedding Dress: Madison James, provided by Latter Day Bride
Suit: Friar Tux
Model Couple: Lauren + Brent Skrzypek
Planner + Floral Stylist: Talia Eliana Events

 
Elopements, PortfolioMorgan Pirklearches national park, national park, national park elopement, utah, moabComment