An absolutely stunning man-made reservoir, Lake Powell is where desert meets the sea. Bright blue waters stand out against red canyon walls that are typical of Arizona & Utah’s terrain, making the entire place seem almost otherworldly, offering a truly unique backdrop for your big day!
As an elopement photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to visit all 7 continents and more than 40 countries—and Lake Powell still stands out in my mind as a great place to get married. Every elopement I’ve photographed at the lake has been an unforgettable adventure, so I’m really excited to share all my top tips on how to make sure yours is one too!
Frequently asked questions about eloping at Lake Powell:
How do you elope at Lake Powell?
Open year-round, Lake Powell is a stunning location for an elopement no matter the season. While the process can seem complicated, I’ve helped tons of couples through it, so here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect Lake Powell elopement!
Pick a Ceremony Location
Picking a place to elope at Lake Powell ultimately comes down to what vibe you’re looking for and how many guests you ideally want at the ceremony. The lake is huge with plenty of gorgeous options for your big day from houseboats to beaches and slot canyons, so just focus on picking a spot that feels like you! Each location also has its own guest limit, so you’ll want to keep that in mind as you narrow down your options. Those details will be outlined in your permit guidelines, so let’s get into the process of obtaining one of those next!
Pro Tip: Having your ceremony on a houseboat is a great option for a smaller elopement. It’s private and gives you the chance to travel around the lake and see all the stunning sights without needing to commit to just one!
Get a Permit
To elope at Lake Powell, you will need a Special Use Permit. They are distributed by the Glen Canyon Permit Office and will cost you $100 (the application fee). Including the actual cost of the permit, that number can get up to $400, but you can reach out to the park service for a specific quote at GLCA_SUP@NPS.GOV (that would also be a good time to send any inquiries you may have about guest limits or other location-specific details). Applications need to be sent in at least 45 days in advance of your requested date to allow time for processing, so the sooner you submit one the better!
To get your permit, you can download the application for it from the official National Park Service website (I’ve also linked it here to make your life easier!). Once your application and payment has been accepted, you’ll receive an emailed copy of your Special Use Permit—I suggest printing out a copy and bringing it with you on the day, just so you have it handy!
Plan the Day & Pick Your Photo Locations
With your Special Use Permit, you’ll be able to take portraits not only at your location but also elsewhere in the park before or after your ceremony. There are so many gorgeous spots at Lake Powell that make for stunning backdrops, and an experienced destination elopement photographer (like me!) can help you plan the whole day so you not only have an unforgettable adventure, but also the most beautiful photos to remember it by.
Obtain Your Marriage License
Lake Powell actually sits along the Utah-Arizona border with elopement options on both sides, so just know that your choice of location for the ceremony will impact whether you need to get your marriage license from Utah or Arizona. I’ve included quick overviews of the processes for both states below:
Arizona
For Lake Powell on the Arizona side, the closest places to get your marriage license would be the Page Justice Court or the Clerk of the Superior Court office at the courthouse in Flagstaff. You’ll need to appear in person in order to get the license and it will cost $98. The license is valid for a year after it’s been issued—just be sure to sign and return it within 10 days after your ceremony.
Utah
For Lake Powell on the Utah side, the easiest way to apply for a marriage license will be online—you can do so on the state’s official county government website here. The license will cost $71.75 and expires 32 days after it’s been issued. Once you’ve completed the application and submitted your payment, you’ll receive an email with instructions for using your license as well as the digital license itself, which you’ll need to send to your officiant. If you don’t have an officiant, the website offers a list of options here—including whether or not they charge fees—but if you have someone in mind already, just follow the instructions listed on the official county government website here to get them designated for a $25 fee.
After performing the ceremony, your officiant will need to complete the online Officiant Submission and Affidavit form and return the signed marriage license to the Utah County Clerk’s office within 30 days of the ceremony.
Get Married!
That’s it! Just remember to bring a copy of your permit to the ceremony and soak in every magical moment of it.
When’s the best time to visit Lake Powell?
The best time to visit Lake Powell is just outside of peak season, so April/May or September/October. Those months offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds, which means you can not only engage in lake activities but also enjoy them in relative peace. While the days are cooler outside of summer, the waters remain warm, giving you the best of both worlds during these shoulder season months!
The best time of day to visit the lake would be sunrise. There are less people around, making it feel like you have the entire area to yourselves. The waters are still, the canyons are silent, and the rising sun brings the lake to life with a soft glow that is perfect for wedding portraits!
How do you get to Lake Powell?
First things first, if you’re not from Arizona or Utah, the best airports to fly into will be the Las Vegas or Phoenix airports. Both have connecting flights to Page, Arizona, which is located just outside of Lake Powell. Once you’ve arrived, I suggest renting a car since that will be the easiest way to get to Lake Powell.
The lake itself stretches across the Arizona-Utah border, taking up a large piece of land, which means there are multiple entrance stations that can give you access to various parts of the lake. For spots around the southern part of the lake, the Wahweap Entrance Station located at 36°56’35.0″N 111°29’36.6″W is the best option. Just take US Hwy 89 toward the Wahweap Recreation Area (which can be found on most regular navigation apps) and turn onto Lakeshore Dr—it will be about 3 miles down the road. If you want easier access to the northern spots of Lake Powell, I suggest using the Bullfrog Entrance Station located at 37°32’07.9″N 110°42’17.7″W. This one is on the Utah side of the lake and can be accessed via UT-276. If any of the entrance station fee booths are closed, you can also pay your entrance fee at the automated fee machine on-site!
How much does it cost to get married at Lake Powell?
On average, the cost of getting married at Lake Powell can be anywhere from about $187 to $528, but the specific numbers will vary based on the following factors: permit cost, where you get your marriage license, and the standard pass entrance fee for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
As of the writing of this guide in 2026, a standard pass costs $30 for one vehicle and $15 for entrance to the recreational area without a vehicle (no cash accepted). A Special Use Permit can cost anywhere from $100 (just the application fee) to $400 (the application plus $300 for the permit itself), while a marriage license will cost you $98 in Arizona and $71.75 in Utah (potentially $96.75 if you plan on paying for the $25 officiant registration).
Beyond those considerations, your total elopement/wedding budget can be whatever you want it to be! It will depend on how many guests you have, which vendors you choose, travel expenses, etc., but the couples who hire me prioritize having an adventurous experience in an incredible location, which is why they often invest most of their budget in photography to document it. You can find my full cost of eloping guide here!
Pro Tip: If you’re planning on eloping on the Utah side of the lake and are willing to pick up your license in person, you can get that done at the Kane County Clerk’s office (a little over an hour’s drive from Lake Powell) for $50 and save some money! Just go to the Kane County Clerk’s official website, fill out an application (linked here for your convenience!), and bring it with you to your in-person appointment.
Are dogs allowed at Lake Powell?
Yes, dogs are allowed in most areas of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, including Lake Powell. Just make sure they are leashed and you’re all good to go!
Lake Powell Elopement & Wedding Photos
Claire & PJ’s Lake Powell Spring Elopement
When Claire & PJ first reached out to me, one of the first things they said was that they wanted a really dynamic landscape with lots of variety. Their first plan was to elope in Hawaii in March of 2020… which we pivoted from due to the pandemic. When we rescheduled for March of 2021, I made sure that their new destination still had all of that dramatic flair that they were looking for!
The second I suggested Lake Powell, they fell in love with the option. I love shooting here, so I was able to tell them all about the crazy cool slot canyons, cliffs overlooking the water, rock formations, and scenic hikes. Just what they wanted from an elopement destination!
I showed them some elopements with houseboats, which was an option they were totally into. They rented a houseboat for a few days so that they could take their time exploring and really enjoy everything that Lake Powell has to offer! This is hands down one of my most favorite ways to see this area.
Their elopement kicked off on their rented houseboat, which was safely anchored at a beach. After they were ready to go, they took a speedboat (carrying a couple of kayaks as well as them) to one of the many incredibly cool canyons in the area.
They found a place to pull off and then hopped out, taking their kayaks for an up-close tour of the big red rock walls from the water before getting out to explore the slot canyon on foot. Claire & PJ actually got into their wedding attire (over their other clothes!) in the canyon! They wandered through the slot canyon together and I followed behind, taking portraits of them along the way.
For their ceremony, they let me know that they wanted it to be super private so that they could have space to experience all of their emotions, which was extra important given how long they’d been waiting to have their ceremony. They said their vows on a cliff overlooking the water and I stayed back, bringing great telephoto lenses along so that I could give them full privacy *and* great photos.
To wrap up their day, they did a champagne toast with their closest friends on the cliff before heading off to grab some photos with just them on the overlook. Then it was back to the houseboat for an intimate reception complete with macarons, sushi, champagne, and an incredible bonfire under the stars.
Hey I’m Maddie Mae
Lake Powell 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 the wedding you always wanted.
Lake Powell 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™
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.
