Park Avenue Up to 15 people
Paved walk, then dirt and gravel
Arches National Park
Dreaming of saying ‘I do’ at Arches?
Compare ceremony sites, group size limits and permit requirements.
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Quick answer
| Permit required? | Yes — a Special Use Permit is required for wedding ceremonies. |
| Application fee | $185, non-refundable View costs |
| How far ahead | Up to 1 year. Ask the coordinator how much time to allow. Application steps |
| Permit length | One hour |
| Group size | 15–80 people, depending on the site Ceremony sites |
| Exclusive use | No — ceremony areas remain open to other visitors. |
Check what your one-hour permit includes. Does guest arrival count toward the hour? What about approved setup and cleanup?
The couple and ceremony participants can take photos just like other park visitors. No photography permit application is needed.
Entry & alerts
- Check current alerts, conditions and the entrance webcam before you go. Your permit does not guarantee access to every route or site.
- Full parking areas can lead to temporary entrance or site-access restrictions. These delays may last three to five hours. Do not park or wait along the entrance road.
Entrance webcam · Traffic guidance · Official alerts & conditions
- Flash floods: can occur even when sunny. Do not cross flooded washes.
- Heat: July–August highs often exceed 100°F. Shade is limited. Bring water.
- Footing: sandstone can be slippery when wet or sandy.
- Winter: Ice after snowfall can make roads and trails hazardous. Roads may close for plowing.
- Reception: spotty. Download offline NPS maps.
Park-wide guidance, not site-specific · Source: Arches safety guidance · Arches weather guidance
Wedding & elopement locations
Compare your group size
Enter a valid whole number of 1 or more.
Open full-size map Getting therePaved walking path from the viewpoint parking area on the main park road to the ceremony spot near the end of the viewpoint. Ceremony areaDisturbed dirt and gravel, to the left of the trail near the end of the viewpoint. Facilities & accessibilityPaved route to the viewpoint; the ceremony area itself is unpaved. Restroom location not confirmed — check with the park. View official location guide (PDF, page 2)
Double Arch Up to 25 people
Hard-packed sand and packed dirt
Typical grade 5%, max 14%.
View site details
Open full-size map Getting therePark at the trailhead loop in the Windows section. It is 12 miles (19 km) from the park entrance. A connector trail with stairs links to the Windows lot. The trail is hard-packed and sandy near the end. It is 0.6 mi (1 km) round trip. Ceremony areaPacked dirt and sand in the rock-bordered area to the right of the trail. Facilities & accessibilityVault toilets at the Windows section parking area, open year-round; not at the ceremony site. View official location guide (PDF, page 5) The Windows Up to 25 people
Bedrock with steps; dirt, gravel and rock
View site details
Open full-size map Getting thereWindows section parking lot, 12 miles (19 km) from the park entrance; a connector trail with stairs links to the Double Arch lot. The first 100 yards are barrier-free; beyond that, uneven stone steps. Ceremony areaDisturbed dirt, gravel and rock in the middle of the one-mile loop. Facilities & accessibilityVault toilets at the parking lot, open year-round; not at the ceremony site inside the loop. View official location guide (PDF, page 6) La Sal Mountains Viewpoint Up to 50 people
Uneven slickrock, dirt and gravel
View site details
Open full-size map Getting thereViewpoint parking area on the main park road; uneven slickrock route to the ceremony spot. Ceremony areaSlickrock and disturbed dirt or gravel. Facilities & accessibilityRestroom location not confirmed — check with the park. View official location guide (PDF, page 3) Panorama Point Up to 50 people
Paved path and paved seating
View site details
Open full-size map Getting thereViewpoint parking area on the main park road; paved paths to the amphitheater. Ceremony areaPaved amphitheater with fixed bench seating. Facilities & accessibilityVault toilets at the parking and picnic area, not inside the amphitheater. NPS notes the picnic area has paved sections. View official location guide (PDF, page 7) Devils Garden Campground Amphitheater Up to 80 people
Paved path; gravel seating area
View site details
Open full-size map Getting thereDesignated parking area for the amphitheater; Devils Garden is 18 miles (29 km) from the park entrance. Paved sidewalk to the amphitheater. Ceremony areaGravel amphitheater with bench seating. Facilities & accessibilityFlush toilets are available in the campground; NPS states that campground toilets are wheelchair accessible. Water is available year-round in the campground and seasonally at the Devils Garden trailhead. Campground rulesOnly registered campers and vehicles may enter the campground from 10 pm to 6 am. Quiet hours are 10 pm to 8 am. Picnicking is not allowed in the campground where posted. Store food in vehicles or closed hard-sided containers. The amphitheater fire pit is for NPS staff only unless the superintendent approves other use in advance. Ask the coordinator whether guests need a campsite and whether vehicle limits apply. View official location guide (PDF, page 8) Maps are for reference; follow posted signs, closures and your permit’s area limits.
- Accessibility: Paved access does not guarantee an accessible ceremony area. Confirm the route and setup with the park if anyone has mobility needs.
- Parking: The wedding page requires a parking plan for groups over 25 participants. The application form asks for a parking plan if you use any vehicles. Ask the coordinator which applies to you.
- Other locations: Considered case-by-case. Review the permitted-surface rules before choosing your ceremony area.
What's allowed, what's not
Keep the ceremony on permitted surfaces
- Wedding activities must stay on slickrock, dry washes or maintained areas. This protects biological soil crust and plant life.
- Keep the ceremony within the permitted area. Check the official ceremony-location map.
- Permission to use a dry wash does not mean it is safe during storm or flood conditions.
Photography & drones
Not allowed
- Operating drones
- Climbing or walking on any arch with an opening greater than 3 ft, including for photos
- Using artificial light to light up landscapes, rock formations or other park features
Conditional
- Hired photographers, officiants or planners — ask the coordinator whether they need a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)
- Sunrise, sunset or after-dark ceremonies and lighting for people — not addressed in the wedding rules. Ask the coordinator.
Allowed
- Ceremony participants may take photos at park locations beyond the ceremony site
- No separate filming or photography permit is needed for photos and video of your permitted wedding
Decorations & flowers
Not allowed
- Balloons, decorative arches, or other decorations
- Tents, tables, or other furniture that blocks sidewalks, trails, or parking areas
- Dried plants in bouquets, due to invasive-species risk
- Releases of any kind, including butterflies, birdseed, and rice
Conditional
- The park reviews folding chairs case by case
Required
- Clean up the ceremony site
Sound, food & alcohol
Sound
Public-address (PA) systems are not allowed. Keep noise at normal speaking volume.
Food & non-alcoholic drinks
Caterers and food-service setups are not allowed. Ask the coordinator about personal snacks or non-alcoholic drinks.
Alcohol
Alcohol rules for ceremonies are not confirmed. Ask the coordinator before bringing alcohol.
After the ceremony
VenueFAQ advice, not a park rule: Plan any reception or meal separately from the ceremony. Confirm the arrangements before booking.
Public access & parking
Not allowed
- Exclusive use — the ceremony site stays open to other visitors, and you may not ask visitors to alter their visit
Required
- Park in designated areas only — carpooling may be required at some sites
Conditional
- Pets — typically not allowed at ceremony sites, especially off pavement or in other undeveloped areas. Ask the coordinator about your site.
Costs
Application and entrance fees are listed below. The park quotes the monitoring fee.
| Application fee | $185. Non-refundable once the permit office receives your application. Requested dates may not be available or approved. official source |
| Park entrance | $30 per private, non-commercial vehicle (15 seats or fewer). Covers everyone in the vehicle. Card only (credit or debit) at the entrance station. Not included in the wedding permit. official source |
| Ranger monitoring | Required. Based on staff pay, time on site and travel. The park quotes it when issuing your permit. The calculator includes it only if you enter a quote. official source |
| Entrance passes | An eligible entrance pass may cover a private vehicle under its terms. Check current pass eligibility and coverage; this calculator does not include buying a pass. official source |
Liability insurance
Your permit may require proof of liability insurance naming the United States of America as an additional insured. The required amount is not published. Ask the coordinator.
Application form (PDF)Calculator
Enter a valid whole number of 0 or more.
Count vehicles, not passes. Enter a valid whole number of 0 or more. Covered vehicles cannot exceed total vehicles.
Leave blank until quoted. Enter a valid amount of 0 or more, with at most two decimal places. You entered $0. The park states that a monitoring fee will be charged; confirm this amount with the coordinator.
Application fee$185
Entrance fees—
Pass coverage—
Application + entrance subtotal—
Monitoring feeQuote needed
Required — quoted by the park. Not included in the subtotal above.
Subtotal including your entered monitoring fee—
Enter vehicle counts to calculate a subtotal.
This is not your total wedding cost. See Costs for details and confirm fees with the park.
Permit Checklist
Review sites, rules and costs first. The couple must submit the application themselves.
0 of 6 checked
- Check date availabilityEmail the coordinator. Include your preferred and alternate dates.Email the coordinatorFill in the blanks before sending. If no email app opens, use the address below.SEUG_CommercialServices@nps.gov
- Wait for confirmationWait for the coordinator’s reply. Do not pay or submit before then.
- Complete the applicationDownload NPS Form 10-930. Complete the form.
- Pay the feeOn Pay.gov, search “ARCH”. Choose “Canyonlands and Arches NP & Natural Bridges and Hovenweep NM Special Use Permit”, then “Wedding”. Pay the fee and save your payment confirmation.
- Submit documentsEmail the coordinator. Attach your application and payment confirmation.
- Review the park’s decisionThe park may ask for more details or deny the application. If approved, sign the permit and return it to the park. The superintendent gives final approval before your ceremony can take place. Your date is not confirmed until then.
VenueFAQ advice: Before booking non-refundable services, ask the coordinator about cancellations, date changes and park closures.
Before you commit
Changes & refunds
- Ask the coordinator how cancellations, date or site changes, park closures and lost access affect fees and your options.
- Do not assume refunds, rescheduling or a replacement site are available.
Parking plan
- Ask the coordinator whether you need a parking plan, its format and when to submit it. See Ceremony sites.
- Parking is not guaranteed. See Public access & parking for parking and carpooling rules.
Day-of disruption VenueFAQ advice
- Choose someone to check official alerts that day and tell guests if plans change.
- Pick a backup meeting spot in advance. Reception is spotty, so do not rely on last-minute texts.
Backup location VenueFAQ advice
- Confirm the backup site and its permit requirements with the agency that manages it.
- Do not assume your Arches permit covers it.
For progress tracking only—not an application or reservation.
Checklist complete
Official permit page on NPS.gov
Park permit ≠ Marriage license
A park wedding permit authorizes your ceremony in the park. It does not replace the marriage license needed for a legal marriage.
Utah marriage license
You can get your marriage license from any Utah county—it does not have to be the county where you marry.
Option 1: Online via Utah County
- No office visit required. Complete the application, identity verification, and payment online.
- Share the digital license with your officiant before the ceremony.
- Allow a few business days if manual identity verification is needed.
Option 2: In person via Grand County (Moab)
- Apply in person at the County Clerk/Auditor’s Office in Moab.
- Check Grand County’s official instructions for office hours, fees, and required documents.
Legal requirements
- Expiration: Use the license within 32 days of issuance.
- Waiting period: Utah has no waiting period. You can marry the same day your license is issued.
- Witnesses: You need two witnesses aged 18 or older.
- Officiant: Your officiant must be legally authorized to solemnize marriages and physically present in Utah during the ceremony.
- After the ceremony: Your officiant must submit the completed marriage record to the issuing county within 30 days. For Utah County’s digital licenses, the officiant must complete, digitally sign, and submit the online form.
Applying online does not mean you are married. You still need a legally valid ceremony and a separate park wedding permit to hold your ceremony in Arches.
Official updates
Feb 18, 2026 · No timed-entry reservation required for 2026. Official source
Nov 25, 2025 · America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, $250 for non-U.S. residents, from Jan 1, 2026. Official source · Current Arches fees
FAQ
Can we elope at Arches National Park?
Yes. The official wedding page lists no exemption for small ceremonies, so plan on the same Special Use Permit process and confirm with the coordinator. Park Avenue (up to 15) and Double Arch or The Windows (up to 25) suit smaller groups. See Ceremony sites.
Can we marry at Delicate Arch or another location?
Delicate Arch is not one of the six designated sites. Requests for other locations are considered case-by-case. Ask the coordinator before applying.
How long does approval take?
The park does not publish a fixed processing time. Contact the coordinator early. Complex events may take longer.
How much does it cost to get married at Arches National Park?
The $185 application fee and park entrance fees are only part of the cost. The park also charges a monitoring fee, quoted when the permit is issued. It is not included in the calculator subtotal. See Costs.
When should we apply?
Weddings may be scheduled up to one year in advance. The official wedding page does not state a minimum lead time. Contact the coordinator with your preferred and alternate dates before applying. See Checklist.
Can we bring chairs, an arch or decorations?
Decorative arches and other decorations are not authorized. Folding chairs are considered on a case-by-case basis. Review Decorations & flowers before planning your setup.
Is the ceremony site private?
No. The area stays open to other visitors. You may not ask them to change their visit. See Public access & parking.
Can someone apply on our behalf?
No. The couple must request the permit themselves. See Checklist.
Can we keep taking photos at the ceremony site after our hour?
Yes. Once your ceremony ends and any approved setup is cleared, you may continue taking photos at the same site or elsewhere in the park, subject to your permit conditions and park rules. Photography is separate from the permitted ceremony, but you do not have exclusive use of the space.
VenueFAQ advice: If another ceremony is about to begin, move your portraits elsewhere to avoid disrupting it.
Can we apply for our marriage license online instead of visiting Moab?
Yes. Utah County offers a fully online marriage license application, and a license issued by any Utah county can be used for a ceremony in Arches. Complete identity verification and payment, then share the digital license with your officiant. The license must be used within 32 days of issuance. This does not replace your Arches wedding permit. See Utah marriage license for requirements and official links.
Sources & review
Official sources (25)
- Official NPS permit page
- Official fees page
- Application form (PDF)
- Ceremony location maps (PDF)
- Official park safety guidance
- Official park weather guidance
- Official accessibility details
- Official Double Arch trail details
- Official Windows section trail details
- Official Panorama Point area details
- Official parking lot details
- Official maps & entrance mileages
- Official eating & picnic areas
- Conditions page and its official dynamic alert feed
- Traffic & travel tips
- Announcement: 2026 park entry does not require a timed-entry reservation
- Announcement: 2026 America the Beautiful Annual Pass prices: $80 for U.S. citizens and residents / $250 for non-U.S. residents
- Superintendent’s Compendium
- Filming & still photography
- NPS filming and photography policy
- Commercial use authorizations (Do Business With Us)
- Grand County marriage licenses
- Utah County online marriage license application
- Utah County officiant responsibilities
- Utah Code: solemnization of marriage (Title 81, Ch. 2, Part 3)
This review covers the ceremony locations and group limits, wedding rules, listed fees, application instructions, conditional insurance wording, selected park-wide safety guidance, and the entry-policy announcements shown on this page. The park’s conditions page and official alert feed were also checked at the recorded review time.
This was a review of official documents, not an on-site visit. We did not review a final issued permit or independently test access, mobile reception, or conditions at each ceremony location. The absence of a closure notice in the sources checked is not a guarantee that a location will be open or accessible on your date.
Our editorial process & standards
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