Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the best places in Utah to experience the state’s uniquely beautiful landscape. Known for the sheer-drop overlook from which the park gets its name, Dead Horse Point offers expansive desert views and dramatic canyon scenery that will make you feel like you have the world laying at your feet as you say, “I do.”
I have been photographing adventure elopements for over a decade and Dead Horse Point State Park is still one of my favorite spots to shoot in Utah. Not only does it have plenty of options when it comes to ceremony sites, but it also manages to perfectly blend grandeur and intimacy in a way very few places do. It is truly the perfect place for an epic desert wedding and I’m excited to share some of my top tips on how to plan one of your own!
Frequently asked questions about getting married at Dead Horse Point State Park:
How do you get married at Dead Horse Point State Park?
Accessible year-round, Dead Horse Point is one of Utah’s most popular state parks, thanks to its accessible nature and stunning panoramas of a landscape that once defined the American Southwest. I have photographed tons of elopements in the park and know all the ins and outs of planning one, so here is a general breakdown of what you need to know in order to do it yourself:
- Pick Your Ceremony Location
Before doing anything else, you’ll need to pick a site for your ceremony. There are plenty of incredible spots around the park to choose from, but here are the designated ceremony sites listed by the official park website—I’ve also included the guest limits for each one to help you make an informed decision:
- La Sal: 25-person limit
- Cliff Side: 20-person limit
- West Bench: 50-person limit
- Point Bench: 5-person limit
- Shade Shelter: 100-person limit
The park does recommend the Shade Shelter site primarily since it’s ADA accessible, offers shade cover, and permits the use of chairs for the ceremony. All of the offered locations are absolutely stunning though, each one providing the spectacular views this park is known for no matter which one you ultimately pick!
- Pick a Date
While there is no official cap on the amount of ceremonies allowed in the park on any given day, permits are in high demand, so I suggest applying for one as soon as you can (I’ve detailed the process in step #3 below). The park is open year-round, but keep in mind that summers can get really hot in this area and crowds are typically smaller during the milder shoulder seasons (spring & fall).
Logistically speaking, the only thing to really consider is that one of the ceremony sites offered (Shade Shelter) is unavailable March through June & September through October, so plan accordingly if you’re interested in that location specifically!
- Get Your Marriage License & Permit
For Dead Horse Point State Park, the best place to get your marriage license will be from the Grand County Clerk’s Office. You’ll need to download and fill in the license application from the Grand County Clerk’s Office website (I’ve also linked it here for your convenience!), then bring it to your in-person appointment at the office. Once there, you’ll sign the application, pay the $50 fee, and receive a copy of your license which will be valid for 32 days. Keep in mind that you also need to provide the name of your officiant at your appointment and that person will be responsible for signing and returning your license to the Grand County Clerk’s Office within 30 days of your ceremony!
The County Clerk’s Office website provides a list of local officiants authorized to solemnize marriages here, but if you want to be married by a friend/family member, they can also be designated by the Clerk to perform a single ceremony. All they have to do is fill out this form and bring it with them when they attend the in-person appointment at the Grand County Clerk’s Office with you.
As for the permit, you’ll need to apply for a Special Use Permit through the park’s official website (I’ve linked the specific application here for your convenience!). Be sure to complete it 30 days before your ceremony and submit it to Elizabeth Cappa at ecappa@utah.gov, then you’re all good to go!
- Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations
One of the best things about the Special Use Permit is that it lets you take photos not only at your chosen site for the ceremony, but also anywhere else in the park before or after! Hiring an experienced elopement photographer who is familiar with the park (like me!) means you’ll have access to some of the most beautiful spots with the most epic views for your portraits. I know where all the hidden gems are and can help you plan your day to make the whole experience as stress-free and memorable as possible!
- Get Married!
All that’s left is to say, “I do!” with the entire Utah desert at your feet and enjoy every last second of it!
When’s the best time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park?
The best time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park is during the spring or fall. That’s when you’ll find smaller crowds and milder temperatures, which means you can more comfortably explore the park and enjoy everything it has to offer including its famous mountain biking Intrepid Trail System!
Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends and I strongly suggest visiting at sunrise or sunset. Not only will you find less people in the park at both those times, but you’ll also have the perfect light for your wedding portraits! Trust me, when the sun hits those trademark red rocks and bathes the whole park in a golden light, you’ll lose your breath from the sheer beauty of it.
How do you get to Dead Horse Point State Park?
Dead Horse Point State Park is about a 45-minute drive from Moab and located at the end of UT-313 W. Coming from Moab, you’ll take US-191 N until you hit UT-313 W. Then, turn left and keep going for about 15 miles until you come to an intersection where you can either turn left again to continue on UT-313 or keep going straight toward Canyonlands National Park—turn left. After about 4 miles, you’ll find the entrance to Dead Horse Point State Park marked by a sign at 38°31’13.8″N 109°43’55.2″W and the Entrance Station just 0.3 miles further down the same road.
Depending on what you want to visit or do, there are plenty of parking options! The main one that gives you direct access to popular attractions like Dead Horse Point or the East and West Rim Loop, is located at 38°28’13.1″N 109°44’22.7″W, which is basically the end of UT-313. That’s also where you’ll find the Visitor Center and restrooms!
How much does it cost to get married at Dead Horse Point State Park?
The total cost of getting married at Dead Horse Point State Park varies depending on your guest count and how long you need to rent your selected ceremony site. No matter what, the total will include the Special Use Permit fee ($60), the marriage license ($50), and the park entrance fee for one vehicle ($20 or $5/person if there are more than 8 people in the vehicle), but the Site Fee varies based on group size ($100/hour for 50 people or less and $150/hour for 51–100 people). Assuming you’d like the space for an hour, your total could come out to about $230–$280 or $330–$430 for two hours!
Beyond those considerations, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want! It typically depends on what vendors you choose, travel costs, etc. The real focus with an elopement like this is the experience. Usually, the couples who hire me prioritize having an adventurous experience in an epic spot like Dead Horse Point State Park and capturing every second of it, which is why they spend a lot of their budget on photography. If you’d like more details, you can find my full cost of eloping guide here!
Are dogs allowed at Dead Horse Point State Park?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed at Dead Horse Point State Park, except for on the Intrepid Mountain Biking Trail System. Just be sure to pick up after your pup and practice Leave No Trace so the area remains as beautiful for future generations as it is for you!
Dead Horse Point State Park Elopement & Wedding Photos
Kelly & Kody’s Dead Horse Point State Park Fall Wedding
Kelly & Kody had an intimate wedding at Dead Horse Point State Park that involved portraits of just them at two different scenic overlooks (including one of my favorite off-the-beaten-path spots 🤫), and a beautiful ceremony with family & friends inside of the park!
They said their vows at sunset, officiated by one of their people, and the rocks lit up so perfectly behind them. It’s part of what I love so much about this area—at the right times of day, everything literally glows. And because they got married here in the fall it was a comfortable temperature for all of their guests.
And I mean, taking your wedding portraits overlooking layers and layers of striated colorful rock and wide canyons… it’d be pretty hard to beat that with any venue.
They snuck away for a few more portraits with just the two of them just as sunset was hitting its most golden, most colorful hours.This is also when the shimmer on Kelly’s dress really got to stand out and sparkle. They stayed out until the full moon popped up behind them and Kelly had to steal Kody’s jacket to ward off the desert chill.
Dead Horse Point State Park is a really great choice for intimate weddings like Kelly & Kody’s. This is a great way to access a combination of really striking features along with roads and paths that are easily accessible for guests.






































































Hey I’m Maddie Mae
Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding Photographer
If you’re looking for someone with years of elopement photography experience under her belt, then you’re in the right place! For over a decade, I have been designing, planning, & photographing elopements all around the world, so I can help you navigate the logistics of planning one for yourself and make sure it’s the most stress-free experience possible.

Dead Horse Point State Park Wedding Packages
Contact me here to check my availability and for a free planning consultation—I promise to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!
Always included:
8+ Hours of guided, fun photography coverage by Maddie Mae with relaxed sightseeing & exploring
The Adventure Instead Elopement Experience™
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.



























