My love of canyons is one that’s spanned a lifetime. Growing up, I was always super enchanted by spots like Black Canyon, Via Ferrata, and Glenwood Canyon in my home state of Colorado. Then, when I started exploring more of the American Southwest and discovered their slot canyons and giant redstone formations, I was hooked. And now I’ve been photographing elopements in and around all sorts of canyons for well over a decade!
The best canyon to elope in is Red Canyon Slot in Kanab, Utah. This is also known as Peekaboo Canyon, but there are two canyons called that, so make sure you get this one! It’s frequently referred to as a “mini Antelope Canyon” for a reason. You’ll get all of the views and way less crowds!
If you’re hoping, though, for a canyon in the northwest corner of America, in a different country altogether, or that has a bit more room to breathe, keep scrolling! I have a list of my favorite canyons that are waiting for you to have those cinematic moments on your elopement day.
But first, a quick safety note: As in any slot canyon, do not enter if there is the slightest chance of rainfall in the slot canyons catchment area. In these canyons, as little as .25 inch of rain can run off the slickrock landscape and turn the slots into inescapable death traps. Always stay informed about weather conditions, exit routes and each canyons individual characteristics.
Not into the idea of a canyon? You can take a shortcut to my searchable location map! Filter through more than 800 curated spots across the globe that are guaranteed to make any elopement day one to remember.
Lake Powell, Utah
Lake Powell’s hiding a secret. Well, several, actually. Tucked between those rust-red cliffs are hidden slot canyons you can only reach by water. Hop on a speedboat, paddle out on a SUP board, and you’ll wind your way into narrow sandstone corridors with glowing walls and absolute silence. It’s like slipping through a crack in the world. Getting married out here means starting your day on the water, exploring secret canyons, and maybe ending with a dip in that bright blue lake. A little effort to get to, but oh so worth it, and the photos will speak for themselves.
Best for: Canyon, Slot Canyon, Lake, Desert
Best months to get married here: March to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boat, Kayaking, Canoeing, SUP, Camping
Red Canyon Slot (aka Peekaboo), Kanab, Utah
Peekaboo Canyon near Kanab is your best bet for a low-key, wow-factor slot canyon elopement, and it’s often referred to as a “mini Antelope Canyon”, just without the permits! Here, you’ll find deep red walls, dramatic swirls, and way fewer people than the other Peekaboo Canyon, over in Escalante. You can drive most of the way in (a 4WD makes it smoother), then stroll into a sandstone playground that looks straight out of a movie set. It’s small enough to feel intimate. And with Kanab right nearby, you’ve got places to crash after the big “I do.”
Best for: Red rock slot canyon, Desert
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Jeep/4×4, Stargazing
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah
This is THE hike. You’re walking through a river, flanked by canyon walls that shoot hundreds of feet into the sky. The Narrows is one of the most epic slot canyons ever, perfect for an adventure elopement that’s full of the good kind of drama. Rent the right gear (hello, dry pants and river boots), bring your bouquet in a dry bag, and head into one of the most iconic backdrops in the Southwest.
Best for: Canyon, Slot Canyon, Wildflowers, River, Forest, Desert, Waterfalls
Best months to get married here: Year round (can be closed due to high water levels, most likely in April to June
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Waterholes Canyon, Arizona
Want all the wow of Antelope Canyon without the wall-to-wall tourists? Waterholes is your girl. This lesser-known gem near Page serves up winding sandstone curves, dramatic light shafts, and those signature glowing walls, all with way more breathing room. Tours are required (it’s on Navajo land), but that also means you get exclusive access and time to soak it all in. It’s totally unforgettable for a just-us elopement, and you’re right near Lake Powell if you want to add some paddleboarding or a boat ride to your big day.
Best for: Desert, Canyon, Slot Canyon
Best months to get married here: January to April and September to December
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon really does earn its hype. Light beams stream through narrow gaps in the rock, hitting those swirling orange walls just right and creating the most wow-worthy photo setting out there. The canyon’s split into two: Upper is wide, photogenic, and famous for those iconic light shafts; Lower is a little more rugged, with ladders and tighter turns. Both are unreal. You’ll need a Navajo guide to access it, but that just adds to the sense of ceremony.
Best for: Desert, Canyon, Slot Canyon
Best months to get married here: January to April, September to October, and December
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Oneonta Gorge, Oregon
Wading through a chilly creek with mossy walls rising above you might not sound like a wedding moment, but in Oneonta Gorge, it somehow works. This narrow slot canyon in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge is more adventure than stroll, and yes, you’ll get wet. But there’s something incredible about the light, the ferns, the hush of it all. The slot narrows dramatically before ending in a waterfall that feels like it was placed there just for you.
Best for: Waterfall, Forest, Canyon, Slot Canyon
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California
This slot canyon is all curves and contrast, with sleek marble walls that look hand-polished mixed with rougher, textured layers that catch the light just so. Mosaic Canyon is easy to access but feels like a hidden wonder, tucked into the edge of Death Valley’s wild landscape. The narrows are surprisingly smooth underfoot, the silence is unlike anything else you’ve experienced, and the colors shift from pale cream to gold as the sun moves overhead. It’s an elopement location that’s perfect for couples who want the wow-factor without the fuss.
Best for: Desert, Marble Slot Canyon
Best months to get married here: October to April
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Siq, Jordan
There’s nothing quite like the moment the Siq opens up to reveal Petra’s Treasury – it’s pure goosebumps! This narrow slot canyon winds for over half a mile between soaring rose-colored walls, some stretching 260 feet high. It’s quiet, and the sense of buildup with every twist and turn is unforgettable. The walk itself is a highlight, with hidden carvings, rock textures, and light patterns that shift by the minute. Elope here and you’re choosing a real stunner!
Best for: Slot Canyons, Petra, Desert
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Colored Canyon, Egypt
Hidden in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, the Colored Canyon is a natural sculpture garden, full of sunlit curves, sandy textures, and striated walls that shift from ochre to blush to lavender. The slot narrows into playful twists and turns, opening suddenly into wide chambers with sky views overhead. It’s quiet out here, and peaceful – a real off-grid gem that feels totally yours for your special day.
Best for: Desert, Slot Canyon, Canyon
Best months to get married here: Year Round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Arizona Hot Springs Trail, Arizona
This one’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re up for a hike with a serious payoff, the Arizona Hot Springs Trail is a stunner. Winding through volcanic rock and desert wildflowers, the trail drops you into a narrow canyon with rock scrambles and a backdrop of sheer canyon walls. At the end, you’re rewarded with natural hot springs tucked between the rocks. Soak under the sun, listen to the canyon echo, and feel like you’ve stumbled into a hidden spa carved by the earth itself!
Best for: Hot Springs, Wildflowers, Slot Canyon, Canyons, Desert
Best months to get married here: October to April (often closed in the summer due to extreme heat)
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada
Cathedral Gorge is a maze of slender slot canyons and towering clay spires that look like something out of a dream, or maybe a sci-fi film set. The soft, eroded rock forms tight passageways you can wander through, with sunlight filtering down in golden streaks, and it’s surprisingly easy to access. It’s also often quiet, which makes it feel like your own private slice of desert magic, perfect for saying your vows in peace!
Best for: Slot Canyons, Clay Spires
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
White Domes Loop, Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Short, sweet, and full of drama, the White Domes Loop delivers big views with very little effort. This 1.1-mile trail takes you past wild rock formations, bursts of color, and through a short but stunning slot canyon with striated walls that seem to glow at the right time of day! The loop is easy to follow, has a little bit of scrambling, and feels like a greatest hits of desert scenery. What’s more, Valley of Fire State Park is only a 45-minute drive from Vegas, perfect if you can’t choose whether you want to immerse yourself in nature or party on your elopement. Here, you can have both!
Best for: Slot Canyons, Desert
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Stargazing
Capitol Gorge Trail, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
This trail keeps things simple, and that’s its charm. A flat, easy walk through towering canyon walls, Capitol Gorge feels peaceful in a way that sneaks up on you. No scrambling, no stress, just wide-open sandstone corridors and the occasional carving from 1800s pioneers etched into the rock. It’s a great pick for couples who want the red rock feel without a hardcore hike, and who’d rather focus on each other than catching their breath.
Best for: Desert, Canyons, Bentonite Hills
Best months to get married here: April to October
My favorite activities to do here: Jeep/4×4, Hiking, Stargazing, Camping
Little Wild Horse Canyon, Utah
Little Wild Horse Canyon is fun! You’ll duck, twist, and wind through some of the most playful slot canyon terrain in the state. The narrows go on and on, curving like waves and offering new surprises around every bend. You can choose how far you go, but even a short section is packed with personality. If you want movement, color, and just the right amount of adventure in your elopement, this place nails the vibe.
Best for: Colorful Slot Canyon
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Weano Gorge, Australia
Karijini National Park’s Weano Gorge brings the drama. Deep red rock walls, narrow passageways, and a trail that leads to a hidden pool surrounded by sheer cliffs – it’s the kind of place that feels remote, and that’s because it’s over 800 miles away from the nearest major city! You’ll climb down into the gorge, wade through shallow water, and feel the temperature drop as the walls close in. It’s not for everyone, but that’s what makes it special. Plus, the stargazing here is out-of-this-world, truly!
Best for: Slot Canyon, Pool
Best months to get married here: Year round (the water is very cold April to September)
My favorite activities to do here: Swimming, Hiking
Canyons are as varied and different as the scenery that they’re a part of, which makes them a great option for so many different couples, no matter where they’re eloping! The cliffs, the dappled light, and the striking formations always make wedding portraits feel super special. If you’re not sold on a specific area yet though, I can help you narrow it down! Pop over to my interactive location map with hundreds of spots around the world perfect for a wedding day and use the filters to see custom results, just for you.
And if you aren’t really sure of anything at this point, you can always reach out to me! I’ve photographed over 300+ elopements in 42+ countries, so you can come to me for expert recommendations on what spots might fit everything you want in a wedding day! No matter how vague your ideas are right now. I’ll refine your list, provide bespoke itinerary options, and keep refining until we get it just right! On top of that, you’ll also get custom packing lists, personalized vendor recommendations, activity connections, permit and travel help, and so much more.
I’m your one-stop shop to get started on having the wedding day you actually want. Not only am I prepared to make every step of the way smooth and stress-free, I’m also a huge believer that you should have exactly what you want as a couple. No less.
Get in touch with me here and let’s get planning together!
