Your La Sal Mountains Viewpoint Elopement Guide

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La Sal Mountains Viewpoint is one of the best spots in Arches National Park to see the striking contrast between Utah’s rugged desert landscape and the alpine beauty of the La Sal Mountain range beyond it. With 360-degree views of iconic Utah landmarks like Courthouse Towers and the famed Windows Section, this is the perfect place to soak in the stunning nature of the park and take stock of everything it has to offer for your big adventure elopement!

I have photographed so many elopements and weddings in Arches National Park, and there are very few locations that offer the same kind of unparalleled panoramas you can find at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. It is truly something you have to experience for yourself, and I am excited to share some of my top tips with you on how to plan the perfect elopement so you can do just that!

Frequently asked questions about eloping at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint:

How do you elope at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint?

Not only is it one of the most accessible spots in the park, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint also offers unparalleled views of everything Arches has to offer. I have helped dozens of couples through the process of an Arches National Park elopement, especially at La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, so here is a breakdown of what you’ll need to know to plan your own:

Pick a Date

Arches National Park usually only allows one ceremony per day per designated site, which means slots can fill up pretty fast, so I suggest booking a year in advance in order to lock in your date!

Pro Tip: Applications for permits (see Step 3) open a year out from the date you want to book (i.e. if you want to get married March 14th in 2027, you can apply for your permit starting March 14th, 2026).

Finalize Your Guest Count

Ceremonies at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint have a 50-person cap and that number includes you, your photographer, your officiant, your guests, and any vendors. While there’s no maximum number of vehicles allowed per group, parking can be pretty limited at your ceremony site, so I recommend carpooling to make things easier!

Get a Permit & Marriage License

In order to get married in Arches National Park, you’ll need a Special Use Permit and a Utah marriage license.

To get the permit, you’ll need to visit the Arches National Park Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies webpage and download/fill in the application form (which I’ve linked here for your convenience!), then head over to Pay.gov where you’ll pay the $185 permit fee. Once you receive confirmation of your payment, just email that alongside your permit application to SEUG_CommercialServices@nps.gov, and you should be good to go!

As for the marriage license, you can get one from the county clerk’s office closest to the park, which would be the Grand County Clerk’s Office. You’ll need to download an application from their official website, then bring it to your in-person appointment at the Clerk’s Office. The license will cost you $50 and you do need to provide an authorized officiant along with your application. If you want someone who is not ordained, you can have them designated by the Clerk for your ceremony, they’ll just need to fill in the Single Ceremony Designee Form, and join your appointment at the Clerk’s Office.

Pro Tip: Permit applications can take weeks to process, so I strongly suggest applying sooner rather than later so there’s no concern about having a permit in time for your ceremony!

Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations

A great thing about the Special Use Permit is that it allows you to take photos anywhere in the park before & after your ceremony! A pro elopement photographer (like me!) who is familiar with the park can help you plan your day as well as guide you to the perfect spots with the best lighting and most stunning views for your ideal wedding portraits.

Get Married!

All that’s left is to exchange your vows at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint and enjoy every last second of it!

Pro Tip: Be sure to send everyone in your group copies of your permit, and bring a printed one to the ceremony, just to be safe!

When’s the best time to visit the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint?

Although Arches National Park is open year-round, spring and fall are the best seasons for experiencing the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. The temperatures are milder and the crowds are thinner, making it even easier to enjoy exploring the park no matter the activity!

Weekdays tend to be even less crowded than weekends, especially around sunrise or sunset. During those times, it’ll feel like you have the entire place to yourself which is even more striking at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint since it would make the surrounding desert landscape seem even more vast and endless. Whether the sun is rising over the distant La Sal Mountain peaks or setting in the west, the soft light illuminates every incredible feature of the park—from the formations of Courthouse Towers to the iconic arches of The Windows Section—and casts a fiery glow over all of it, transforming the entire area into something truly special for your big day!

How do you get to the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint?

To get to La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, you’ll enter Arches National Park through its main Entrance Station, which is located at 38°36’59.6″N 109°37’10.1″W. From there, just continue down Arches Nat’l Pk Rd (or Arches Scenic Dr on some navigation apps) for about 3 miles, then turn right onto La Sal Mountains Viewpoint. If you follow that road until its end, you’ll reach an open-air parking lot located at 38°37’34.2″N 109°35’28.1″W and you can access the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint from there!

How long is the walk to get to La Sal Mountains Viewpoint?

The beauty of La Sal Mountains Viewpoint is that there’s no actual walk or hike required to reach it as long as you park in the lot I mentioned above! Thanks to the sidewalk by the lot, this spot is easily accessible and offers stunning views no matter where you look, from the La Sal Mountains to the Windows Section of the park. If you want to venture farther into the desert or just step away from the parked cars so you can truly immerse yourself in this beautiful landscape, there is also a slickrock bench that leads to an overlook about 0.1 miles away from the lot (for more details on this trail, you can visit this webpage on the AllTrails website!).

How much does it cost to get married at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint?

Getting married at any of the wedding sites in Arches National Park will cost about $265. This includes the Special Use Permit fee ($185), the Utah marriage license from a local county clerk ($50), and the park’s Standard Entrance Pass for a vehicle ($30—if you have more cars, each one will have to pay the entrance fee). To make your life easier and avoid the day-of stress that comes with purchasing passes on-site, you can always purchase your pass online ahead of time on the park’s official website here.

Beyond those costs, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want it to be! It usually depends on your vendors, guest count, whether or not you’re having a reception etc., but most of the couples who hire me tend to prioritize the experience of having an adventure somewhere epic and capturing every memorable moment of it, which is why they often invest a lot of their budget in photography.

If you want more details, feel free to check out my full cost of eloping guide here!

Are dogs allowed at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint?

Leashed dogs are allowed in the parking lot but, unfortunately, you won’t be able to bring them onto the nearby slickrock bench that leads to the overlook I mentioned above.

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint Elopement & Wedding Photos

Ashley & Steven’s La Sal Mountains Viewpoint Fall Elopement

Ashley & Steven spent the first part of their elopement day exploring Arches National Park, including La Sal Mountains Viewpoint! This is a must-stop to me while you’re in the park. It’s not far in and staring up at these enormous vertical columns of red rock will genuinely leave you speechless.

There really isn’t a bad time of day to visit. I’m a big fan of the way sunset & sunrise look on the rocks, but even mid-day when Ashley & Steven went, you’ll get a great view.

Ashley wore a skirt that was perfectly red rock colored & Steven’s tie matched. So they looked fully in their element overlooking the sprawl of the park.

And that was just the start! This was quite literally their first stop after the first look. It’s the perfect way to kick off a day in Moab.

The rest of Ashley & Steven’s day included:

Hiking through arches
A scenic picnic with champagne & cake
A canyon-side ceremony with private vows
And hammock chairs with stargazing

There’s no shortage of beauty in this area, but a lot of it is looking out or down. La Sal Mountains Viewpoint is a great place to look up.

Two people stand facing each other on separate sandstone rock formations, overlooking a vast, rugged canyon landscape with layered cliffs and distant plateaus under a pale sky.

A person dressed in black walks alone on a grassy path surrounded by tall dry grass, with rocky cliffs and green trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A scenic view of a canyon with rugged, rocky cliffs on both sides, green shrubs and trees in the valley below, and dry grasses in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

A bride and groom stand together in a grassy field, facing distant mountains. The bride wears a flowing dress with a white top and long peach skirt, while the groom wears a dark suit. They look toward the scenic landscape.

A man in a suit and a woman in a white top with a flowing tan skirt stand in a sunlit field with tall grass, mountains, and a cloudy sky in the background, sharing a candid, happy moment.

A couple in formal attire walks through a grassy field surrounded by mountains. The woman’s long, flowing dress billows in the breeze, and both appear happy and relaxed in the natural, sunlit landscape.

A couple stands hand in hand in a grassy field, facing distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. The person on the left wears a dark suit, and the one on the right wears a white top and flowing peach skirt.

A towering red sandstone rock formation with rugged, vertical surfaces rises against a partly cloudy sky in a desert landscape. Thin horizontal layers are visible near the base of the formation.

Tall, narrow red rock formations rise from a desert landscape under a blue sky in Arches National Park, with layered cliffs and rocky terrain in the foreground and background.

A clear glass sphere on a stand reflects an upside-down image of a person standing in a desert landscape, with blurred brown rocks and blue sky in the background. The foreground is sharply focused on the sphere.

A couple dressed in wedding attire stands hand in hand, facing dramatic red rock formations and desert landscape in a national park under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple stands holding hands and smiling at each other in front of large red rock formations in a desert landscape, with warm sunlight and a clear sky.

A black and white photo of a couple holding hands in the foreground, with blurred focus, standing before tall rock formations in a dramatic desert landscape.

A couple dressed in formal attire stands on rocky terrain, facing away and looking at tall red rock formations in a scenic desert landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple dressed in formal attire stands holding hands in a desert landscape with red rock formations and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

A couple in wedding attire walks together on red rocky terrain, with a towering sandstone formation and a blue sky in the background. The bride wears a beige dress, and the groom is in a black suit.

A couple in wedding attire walks together on a rocky, desert landscape. The person on the left wears a long beige tulle skirt and white top, holding their skirt and flowers. The person on the right wears a black suit and striped tie.

Desert landscape with rocky formations and sparse vegetation in the foreground, layered reddish mesas in the middle, and snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky in the background.

A bride and groom stand in the foreground, slightly out of focus, overlooking a vast desert landscape with rocky terrain and distant snow-capped mountains under a blue sky.

A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky desert landscape; the bride in a white top and flowing tan skirt holds a bouquet, while the groom in a suit points into the distance, with mountains in the background.

A bride and groom walk together on rocky desert terrain with snow-capped mountains in the background. The bride wears a flowing dress and holds a bouquet, while the groom is dressed in a suit.

Large, towering red sandstone rock formations rise against a partly cloudy sky, with sparse green shrubs and desert vegetation at the base.

A couple dressed formally, with the woman in a long beige gown and the man in a black suit, walk together on sandy ground between tall, rugged red rock cliffs and desert vegetation.

A couple dressed in formal attire stands on rocky terrain amid towering red sandstone cliffs; the man helps the woman up onto a rock ledge, surrounded by rugged natural landscape.

A bride in a flowing dress and a groom in a suit walk up large, reddish sandstone rocks against a dramatic canyon wall.

A bride twirls her dress while standing with a groom in a sandy canyon surrounded by large rock formations and an arch, captured in black and white.

A couple dressed in formal attire stands together on a rocky ledge surrounded by large red rock formations and sparse greenery, with an overcast sky above.

A couple sits close together on a large rock. The person in front wears a white top and tan skirt, while the person behind wears a dark suit and boutonniere, gently resting their head on their partner’s. The background is rocky and earthy.

A couple stands close together, embracing intimately in a narrow canyon with tall, reddish-brown rock walls surrounding them. The woman wears a light top and long skirt; the man is in a suit.

A woman in a white dress laughs while riding on a man's shoulders; he wears a suit. They stand on red sand in a canyon with tall, rugged rock walls.

A man in a suit carries a woman in a long, light-colored dress on his shoulders. They are in a desert canyon with sandy ground and tall rock walls. The woman stretches her arms out and smiles.

Red sandstone rock formations rise from a grassy desert landscape under a partly cloudy blue sky, typical of the terrain found in the American Southwest.

A couple dressed in formal wedding attire walk hand in hand down a dirt path through grassy terrain, with dramatic red rock formations in the background under a clear sky.

A black-and-white photo of two people standing beneath a large natural rock arch in a desert landscape, with dramatic cliffs and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

A couple in wedding attire sits on a fallen tree branch, embracing as they look out over a scenic desert landscape with red rock formations and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

A person with a fair complexion and wearing a white shirt sleeve holds a small green cactus with spines, against a blurred, earthy outdoor background.

A bouquet of white and cream artificial flowers, including roses and foliage, is tied with a pale pink ribbon and set against a rustic stone background.

A couple dressed in formal attire enjoys a picnic on a large rock with scenic red rock canyons and mesas in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple sits on a blanket on rocky terrain, overlooking a vast desert canyon landscape under a cloudy sky. The woman wears a white top and tan skirt, and the man is in a dark suit. A picnic setup is beside them.

Two people holding plates with slices of cake topped with mini figurines, about to eat with forks, outdoors in a rocky, scenic setting. One cake is light, the other is dark chocolate.

A couple in wedding attire sits on a blanket atop a rocky cliff, feeding each other cake. Dessert plates and champagne are in front of them, with dramatic canyon scenery in the background.

A couple stands atop a large, sunlit red rock formation overlooking a vast canyon landscape with layered cliffs and distant plateaus under a lightly clouded sky.

A couple stands on a rocky cliff edge with a vast canyon landscape behind them. The woman in a flowing dress reads from a paper while the man in a suit smiles, both appearing to share a heartfelt moment.

A couple stands on a rocky cliff edge with a dramatic canyon landscape behind them. The woman wears a long tan skirt and white top, and the man wears a suit as they hold hands, appearing to exchange vows.

A couple stands outdoors facing each other as the man puts a ring on the woman's finger during a wedding ceremony, with mountains and a soft, natural landscape in the background.

A couple stands on a rocky cliff at sunset, holding hands with arms raised in celebration. The woman wears a long, flowing skirt and white top; the man wears a black suit. Vast canyons and mountains stretch in the background.

A couple sits close together on a rocky cliff at sunset, overlooking a vast, scenic landscape with distant mountains and a hazy sky.

A couple in wedding attire stands on rocky terrain near a puddle, overlooking a vast, scenic canyon landscape under a cloudy sky at sunset.

A bride and groom share a kiss on a rocky cliff at sunset, with mountains in the distance. The couple's reflection is visible in a calm pool of water in the foreground. The bride holds a bouquet of flowers.

A bride and groom walk hand-in-hand on a rocky cliff at sunset, overlooking a vast canyon landscape. The bride wears a long dress and holds a bouquet; the groom is in a suit. The scene is serene and romantic.

A couple embraces and kisses on a rocky cliff at sunset, overlooking a vast canyon landscape. The person being lifted wears a flowing peach skirt and boots, while the other is in a dark suit. A bouquet lies on the ground nearby.

A dramatic sunset sky with dark, heavy clouds and streaks of deep orange and red light near the horizon, silhouetting distant mountains and landscape.

A woman in a denim jacket writes “Just Married” with markers on the back window of a red car, while another person stands nearby holding orange markers. The scene is outdoors at dusk.

The rear window of a car is decorated with colorful writing that says “S.T. Married on Rock, VanAwesome.” A person is partially visible on the right edge of the image.

Silhouette of two people standing close together among large rocks at dusk, with a colorful sky and faint clouds in the background.

A couple stands embracing on top of rocky terrain at night, illuminated against a cloudy sky filled with stars.

Hey I’m Maddie Mae

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint Elopement Photographer

For over a decade I’ve designed, planned, & photographed adventure elopements around the world, so if you’re looking for someone with years of experience photographing adventure elopements in different cities and countries, 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 can have a wedding that feels 100% you.

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.

La Sal Mountains Viewpoint 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.

INQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY & MORE INFO

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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