How to Plan an Epic Bryce Canyon National Park Elopement

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Though it’s the smallest of Utah’s five national parks, Bryce Canyon National Park is no less stunning than its neighbors. Located about halfway between Las Vegas and Moab, this park is known for its 20-mile-long scenic drive that offers unparalleled views of the Utah desert and its unique stone architecture. From towering canyon walls to 200-ft. spires of red-orange rock known as hoodoos, this park seems carved straight out of the earth, offering a setting for your elopement that feels immense in both its silence and majesty.

As an adventure elopement photographer with years of experience under my belt, I’ve walked countless couples through the elopement process and can’t wait to share my top tips for planning your own epic Bryce Canyon National Park elopement!

Two people stand on the edge of a rocky cliff at sunrise, overlooking a vast canyon with towering orange rock formations and a clear sky above. The dramatic landscape is bathed in warm, golden light.

Frequently asked questions about eloping in Bryce Canyon National Park:

How do you elope in Bryce Canyon National Park?

After photographing elopements for over a decade, Bryce Canyon National Park has always delivered on its promise of adventure, with each elopement being more unforgettable than the last. Here is a crash course on how to plan your own:

Pick a Ceremony Location & Finalize Your Guest Count

There are two designated ceremony sites you can choose from at Bryce Canyon National Park, both near Sunset Point: the Silent City overlook & the Main Amphitheater overlook. Both are paved and easily accessible, with stunning views of the park and its famous hoodoos, but Silent City offers a more enclosed, intimate setting while the Main Amphitheater gives you uninterrupted sweeping panoramas of the entire area. Both sites can accommodate up to 30 guests, but keep in mind that you won’t be allowed to bring chairs (you can find the full list of regulations and prohibited items on the official National Park Service website).

Pick Your Date

Luckily, the park is open year-round, so it’s really up to you what kind of vibe you want for the ceremony! I go into more detail in my “When’s the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park” section below but, in general, I suggest avoiding summer and winter because of the extreme temperatures. Fall and spring are best for smaller crowds and more temperate weather that lets you really enjoy the park!

Get Your Permit & Marriage License

In order to get married at one of the two designated sites in Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit. You can apply for one 2 weeks to 6 months ahead of the ceremony, but it might take some time to process the application, so I recommend applying sooner rather than later!

You can download your application from the official National Park Service website—there is a long form one for more detailed requests and a short form one for simpler requests. Once you’ve filled out your chosen application, email it to brca_sup@nps.gov with the subject line, “Getting Married at Bryce Canyon.” Before the application can be processed, you’ll need to pay the $100 fee which can be done online here. In addition to covering the permit and administrative costs, this fee also waives the cost of park admission for the both of you and your officiant (your guests will still need to pay the $35 entrance fee if they arrive with a vehicle—$20 if they arrive on foot—and they should know that the entrance station does not accept cash). When your application is accepted, you’ll receive a copy of your Special Use Permit. Make sure you are sharing it with your entire group and bringing a hard copy day-of!

Regarding the marriage license, you’ll want to get one from the county clerk’s office closest to the park which would be the Garfield County Clerk’s office. You can download the application from the Garfield County Clerk’s office website (I’ve also linked it here!). Once you’ve completed it, you’ll need to pick up your license at the county clerk’s office in person—you can pay the $40 license fee when you’re there. It will be valid for up to 32 days, and must be signed by your officiant and two witnesses, then returned within 30 days of your ceremony. The good news is that if you plan on not having guests at your wedding, your officiant and photographer can serve as witnesses as well!

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

The beauty of getting married in Bryce Canyon National Park is that, while your ceremony needs to be at one of the designated sites, you can take photos anywhere you like as long as there are less than 8 people. A pro elopement photographer (like me!) who is familiar with the park can help you plan your day and guide you to the perfect spots with the best lighting and most epic views for your ideal wedding portraits.

Get Married!

All that’s left is to say your vows and enjoy your epic adventure in Bryce Canyon National Park!

When’s the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park?

The best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park is during the fall (though spring is a close second!). Those months offer more temperate weather and smaller crowds, giving you more opportunities to explore the park and its epic sites in peace. Fall mainly gets the edge over spring because of the potential for rain between March and May. I do want to mention that while the winter season can get pretty cold thanks to the high elevation of this desert park, those temperatures also bring a blanket of snow that clashes beautifully with the red rocks, making for some incredible photo opportunities if that’s the vibe you’re going for!

Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends and I strongly suggest visiting at sunrise or sunset—not only because there are less people but for the gorgeous light that bathes the park in a golden glow.

How do you get to Bryce Canyon National Park?

Whether you’re coming from the east or west, you’ll need to take UT-12 to US-63 S, which you’ll follow for about 4 miles before reaching the North Entrance Station (located at 37°38’26.2″N 112°10’08.1″W) where guests can pay for entrance to the park. To get to Sunset Point from there—which is where both designated ceremony sites are—you’ll keep going down the same road for a little over a mile, then turn right onto Sunset Pt Rd. Take that road to the end and you’ll find yourself in a Park Loop with plenty of parking. In the center of the loop, there are restrooms as well as a picnic area. Regardless of which site you’ve chosen for your ceremony, both are accessible via a short, paved walk from the loop!

How much does it cost to get married in Bryce Canyon National Park?

Getting married at Bryce Canyon National Park will cost you about $140. That includes the $100 Special Use Permit and the $40 marriage license from a local clerk. While your guests will still have to pay a $35 park entrance fee when they arrive (if in a private vehicle), your permit fee waives that charge for you and your officiant.

Beyond those considerations, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want! It usually depends on how many guests you have, what vendors you choose, travel costs, etc. (I have tons of recommendations for nearby accommodations, caterers, and anything else you may need!). The focus with an elopement like this is the experience. The couples who hire me typically prioritize having an adventure in a gorgeous location like Bryce Canyon National Park and capturing every magical moment, which is why they spend most of their budget on photography. If you want more details, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!

Are dogs allowed in Bryce National Park?

Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they’re leashed. However, they are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation, on any trails—except for the Rim Trail—or on any unpaved viewpoints like Piracy Point.

Bryce Canyon National Park Elopement & Wedding Photos

Robin & Dillon’s Bryce Canyon National Park Fall Engagement

When Robin & Dillon got engaged, they knew no standard engagement session would do it for them. Instead, they decided to embark on an epic 3-day road trip across the state of Utah and see all of the sights for themselves!

I wanted to take them to Bryce Canyon because it has so much of what makes Utah’s rock features so iconic without feeling as congested as Arches does. I knew that even though Arches hosts less visitors as a park, it feels a lot more crowded due to how centralized everything is. Bryce Canyon lets you spread out and explore a lot more, which was perfect for Robin & Dillon.

I also took them during a shoulder season (we went in October), which is always better for big attractions. I knew that in the fall on a weekday, we had a much better chance at them getting these massive stone arches allllllll to themselves.

This was only one day of their 3-day experience, and we had a blast the entire time. It was such a joy to watch these two light up and run through the landscape together!

A scenic view of Bryce Canyon’s orange and red rock formations, featuring tall, jagged hoodoos under a clear sky, with sunlight casting shadows across the canyon.

Bryce Canyon at sunset, showcasing dramatic orange and red rock formations and hoodoos under a clear sky, with layered cliffs and sparse trees in the distance.

A couple embraces on a rocky cliff edge at sunset, overlooking dramatic orange rock formations and canyons. The woman wears a flowing brown dress, and the man wears a patterned jacket. The scene is warm and romantic.

A couple stands on a rocky ledge, embracing each other, with dramatic orange canyon formations in the background under warm, golden light.

A couple stands embracing on a rocky ledge at Bryce Canyon, surrounded by dramatic red and orange rock formations under a clear sky.

A couple embraces on a rocky cliff overlooking dramatic orange and red canyon formations at sunset, surrounded by rugged natural scenery.

A couple warmly embraces outdoors, both wearing cozy jackets. They look peaceful and content, standing against a blurred backdrop of reddish, rocky cliffs.

A couple stands on a rocky cliff edge, embracing and looking out over the dramatic, orange rock formations of a canyon at sunset. The sky is clear, and the landscape stretches into the distance.

A couple stands outdoors, the man hugging the woman from behind. Both appear relaxed and content, surrounded by a blurred, natural landscape in the background. The image is in black and white.

A couple stands outdoors in front of red rock formations, embracing and smiling warmly. The woman wears a light coat, and the man wears a colorful patterned sweater. The scene appears cozy and joyful.

A couple stands on a cliff edge at sunset, overlooking a vast canyon with orange rock formations. The woman rests her head on the man's shoulder as they face the scenic view, bathed in warm sunlight.

A couple holding hands stands on a rocky cliff, overlooking a canyon with orange rock formations at sunset. The sun glows near the horizon, casting warm light across the dramatic landscape.

A couple holding hands looks at each other, standing on a rocky cliff overlooking Bryce Canyon at sunset, with warm sunlight illuminating the red rock formations.

A woman smiles up at a man, both standing close together outdoors at sunset. Warm sunlight highlights her face and long hair, while he wears a patterned jacket. The atmosphere is intimate and joyful.

A black and white photo of a couple gazing into each other’s eyes and smiling, outdoors at sunset with sunlight softly illuminating their faces.

A couple faces each other closely at sunset, smiling lovingly. The woman gently holds the man's face with her hand, and warm sunlight bathes them in a golden glow.

A close-up of a smiling couple touching foreheads and holding each other lovingly, bathed in warm, golden sunlight. The woman’s hand gently cradles the man’s face. Both appear happy and content.

A couple stands close together at sunset, smiling with their foreheads touching. The woman gently holds the man's face, both wearing cozy, light-colored jackets in warm, golden sunlight.

A couple stands close together at sunset, smiling lovingly with their faces almost touching. The woman gently holds the man's face, and warm sunlight shines behind them, creating a glowing atmosphere.

A smiling couple embraces closely at sunset, touching noses and gazing into each other's eyes. The warm sunlight creates a soft, golden glow around them, highlighting their joyful expressions and affection.

A couple sits close together on a rocky ledge at sunset, overlooking dramatic orange and white rock formations and cliffs, with pine trees visible along the horizon in the background.

A couple sits closely together on a rocky slope, overlooking dramatic orange and white canyon cliffs at sunset, surrounded by natural rock formations and pine trees on the ridge above.

A couple sits together on a rocky ledge at sunset, wrapped in cozy blankets, with large orange and white canyon cliffs in the background. The scene feels peaceful and intimate.

A couple holding hands stands on a rocky ledge at sunset, with dramatic orange and white rock formations and pine trees in the background, likely in a national park.

A couple holding hands and smiling at each other while standing on a rocky cliff at sunset, with dramatic rock formations and a canyon landscape in the background. They are dressed warmly in coats.

A couple stands hand-in-hand, out of focus in the foreground, overlooking a sunlit canyon with striking orange rock formations and cliffs at sunset.

A couple holding hands stands on a rocky cliff edge overlooking a canyon at sunset. The image is in black and white, with soft sunlight casting long shadows across the dramatic landscape.

A couple embraces and kisses on a rocky cliff at sunset, overlooking the dramatic red rock formations of a canyon. The sunlight creates a warm, golden glow over the landscape.

A couple stands embracing on a rocky cliff at sunset, with vibrant orange canyon formations in the background. They gaze lovingly into each other's eyes, bathed in warm, golden light.

A couple holds hands and smiles at each other while walking on a rocky landscape at sunset, surrounded by trees and distant mountains, with warm sunlight illuminating the scene.

Sunlight illuminates the jagged, red rock formations of Bryce Canyon, casting deep shadows and highlighting the dramatic spires and cliffs under a clear sky.

A couple stands on the edge of a rocky cliff at sunset, overlooking a dramatic canyon landscape. The woman’s dress flows in the wind as they hold hands, bathed in warm golden light.

Two people stand on a rocky cliff at sunset, next to a tent and a tree, overlooking dramatic reddish rock formations and a scenic canyon below. The sun is low in the sky, creating a warm glow.

A couple stands on the edge of a rocky cliff; the woman’s long dress flows dramatically in the wind as they hold hands and look at each other, with vast canyons and mountains in the background. Black and white photo.

A couple stands on the edge of a rocky cliff at sunset. The woman’s brown dress billows dramatically as she holds it out. The background features layered canyons and soft, hazy mountains.

A couple stands on the edge of a rocky cliff at sunset; the woman’s long, flowing dress billows in the wind. Red rock formations and distant mountains create a dramatic landscape in the background.

Orange and red rock formations rise sharply in the sunlight at Bryce Canyon National Park, with layered cliffs and spires creating dramatic shadows and depth in the rugged landscape.

A couple stands close together on a sunlit, rocky slope with dramatic orange canyon walls and green trees in the background, in a scenic mountainous landscape at sunset.

A couple embraces on a rocky ledge overlooking dramatic orange hoodoos and cliffs at Bryce Canyon National Park, with sunlight casting warm tones across the landscape.

A couple poses on a rocky ledge overlooking a dramatic, sunlit canyon with red rock formations and green trees in the background. The woman sits while the man stands, both surrounded by natural beauty.

A couple stands on the edge of a rocky cliff at sunset, embracing tenderly with a sweeping view of dramatic red rock formations and distant mountains behind them. The woman wears a flowing brown dress.

A couple stands on the edge of a cliff overlooking the red rock hoodoos and dramatic landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park under a clear sky, with mountains in the distance.

A couple stands on a cliff at the edge of Bryce Canyon, surrounded by striking orange rock formations and hoodoos, with expansive mountain views in the background under clear skies.

A couple stands on a cliff edge in front of dramatic red rock formations. The woman wears a long, flowing brown dress, and the man stands behind her, gently holding her waist. The sunset casts a warm glow.

A couple stands embracing on a rocky ledge with dramatic orange rock formations and cliffs in the background, likely at Bryce Canyon. The woman’s long dress flows in the wind. The scenery looks warm and sunlit.

A couple stands on a rocky cliff, embracing each other. The woman wears a flowing dress, and the man stands behind her. Rock formations are visible in the blurred background. The image is in black and white.

Hikers walk along a winding dirt trail surrounded by towering red and orange rock formations in a scenic canyon with distant forested hills under a clear blue sky.

Black and white photo of a rugged canyon landscape with jagged rock formations, steep cliffs, and a winding trail. Sunlight shines from the upper left, casting dramatic shadows across the scene.

Sunlight illuminates orange and tan rock formations and hoodoos in a dramatic desert landscape, with layers of cliffs and distant plateaus under a hazy sky at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Black and white photo of a rugged rock formation with two large holes, standing against a clear sky and distant mountain ridges, likely taken at sunrise or sunset.

A couple walks hand in hand along a winding trail surrounded by towering orange rock formations in a sunlit canyon, likely Bryce Canyon National Park.

A man in a white shirt kisses the hand of a woman in a flowing brown dress as they walk along a rocky cliff surrounded by red rock formations.

A couple stands together on a narrow trail, surrounded by towering orange rock formations in a sunlit canyon, likely in a desert or national park setting.

A couple stands on a rocky ledge in a red canyon. The man embraces the woman, who wears a flowing orange dress, as she gently holds her skirt. Sunlight highlights the rugged, scenic landscape around them.

A couple stands closely together on a narrow ledge surrounded by large, orange rock formations in a canyon, with sunlight highlighting the rugged landscape.

A couple sits closely together on a rock ledge in a sunlit desert canyon. The man wears a white shirt and pants, while the woman wears a long, flowing bronze dress. They gaze at each other, surrounded by red rock formations.

A couple sits close together, smiling and enjoying each other's company on a rocky ledge surrounded by dramatic red-orange canyon walls and a small green shrub. The woman wears a flowing brown dress; the man wears a white shirt.

A couple walks hand in hand along a winding path surrounded by tall, orange rock formations in a canyon under a clear blue sky.

A couple, one in a white shirt and the other in a long dark dress, walks along a rocky trail surrounded by tall orange hoodoos in a sunlit desert canyon.

A couple stands on a sunlit trail surrounded by striking orange rock formations in a vast canyon, with forests and mountains visible in the background under a clear sky.

A couple walks hand in hand on a sunny trail surrounded by tall, orange rock formations in a desert canyon landscape. The woman wears a long dress and the man is in light-colored clothing and a hat.

A couple embraces on a sunlit, dusty trail in front of large orange rock formations in a canyon. The woman wears a flowing brown dress, and the man wears a white shirt and pants. Dramatic shadows stretch across the rocky landscape.

A couple stands on a sunlit rocky ledge in front of dramatic orange hoodoos in a canyon landscape, with the man reaching out to help the woman, who is wearing a flowing brown dress.

A couple walks along a sunlit trail surrounded by tall, orange rock formations in a canyon landscape, likely Bryce Canyon, under a clear blue sky.

A couple walks hand in hand along a rocky, orange canyon landscape with tall, jagged formations. The woman wears a flowing brown dress, and the man wears a white shirt and green pants. Sunlight casts long shadows.

Orange and red rock hoodoos rise dramatically from a canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with forested slopes and distant mountains visible under a hazy blue sky.

Tall, orange rock formation with layered spires and a balanced rock on top, surrounded by similar formations and pine trees in the background, likely in a canyon landscape.

Tall, jagged orange rock formations called hoodoos rise above a canyon floor, surrounded by scattered green trees in a rugged, sunlit landscape.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

Bryce Canyon National Park Elopement Photographer

I’ve been designing, planning, & photographing adventure elopements around the world for over a decade, so if you’re looking for someone with years of experience, then you’re in the right place! I can help you navigate the logistics of planning a destination elopement and make sure it’s as stress-free as possible so you have the wedding you always wanted.

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She wears a black blazer, a black top, and a pendant necklace. The background is a plain light gray wall.

Bryce Canyon National Park Elopement Packages

To check my availability, just contact me here for a free planning consultation and we can get started!

Always included:

8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring

The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™

Unique & secluded locations, bespoke activity ideas with pre-vetted guides, fun & luxurious lodging options, an experience-focused timeline, mood board & personalized styling suggestions, travel advice, VIP Planning Guide, and customized packing checklists

Free initial planning consultation call, direct access to Maddie Mae via text & email, unlimited planning consultations, unlimited collaboration & revisions, pre-vetted local vendor recommendations, and advice &and help with permits & marriage licenses

Guided + FUN photography experience, empathetic posing & directing, creative GIFS &and drone photography, hand-crafted editing, full-resolution image files with printing rights, digital gallery to view, download, & print, complementary album design, and convenient print ordering

My travel costs are covered and included to anywhere in the U.S.A (including Alaska & Hawaii)

$9,800 for all of the above including 8-hours of photography

Full-day, multi-day, and custom packages available.

No added travel costs. No hidden fees of any kind.

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Hey there!

I’m Maddie Mae

Your Elopement Photographer, Experience Designer & Planning Consultant  

For the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 40 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements all over the world.

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