If you want a wedding location near Moab that feels massive, cinematic, and undeniably Utah without getting swallowed by crowds of the National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park deserves serious consideration.
This is one of those places that makes people lose their train of thought. The canyon drops away. The Colorado River curls through the red rock thousands of feet below. The cliffs are wild, dramatic, and somehow still easier to navigate than a lot of the bigger-name parks nearby.
We photographed Janna and Samuel’s intimate wedding here, and it shifted something for us. Not just because the views were ridiculous, though they were. It was the whole experience. Getting ready in downtown Moab. A private first look on previously scouted BLM land. A small ceremony inside the park with their closest people. Family heading back into town while we stayed out in the desert light making the most of the canyon. Then dinner and dancing later that evening with wine, café lights, and the kind of energy that feels intimate without ever feeling small.
If you’re considering getting married at Dead Horse Point State Park, this guide is built to help you plan it like you actually mean it. And if you’re ready to make this happen, contact us now to plan your Dead Horse Point State Park wedding!
TL;DR: Quick facts about getting married at Dead Horse Point State Park
If you’re skimming, no shame. Here’s the fast version:
Dead Horse Point is a Utah State Park, not a national park.
All weddings require a Special Use Permit.
The park offers wedding ceremony sites for groups from less than 5 up to 100 people.
Weddings are allowed year-round, generally between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. with the permit.
Most sites are open to the public and not wheelchair accessible, except the Shade Shelter site, which is the park’s most accessible option.
It pairs extremely well with BLM land portraits, private vows, and day-after sessions in the surrounding Moab area.
Why couples choose Dead Horse Point instead of a National Park wedding
If you’re searching Moab wedding locations, it makes sense that Arches and Canyonlands get most of the attention. They are absolute icons. But they also come with more restrictions, and in many cases, less flexibility.
Dead Horse Point is the perfect alternative.It gives you the giant canyon-country views people want from Moab, while still offering designated wedding ceremony sites. The park’s wedding options includes multiple ceremony sites with capacities ranging from 5 to 100 guests, which is a huge reason this can work so well for intimate weddings that still include friends, family, and a badass photo and video team.
It is also open year-round, with weddings permitted from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the Special Use Permit process. That matters for flexibility, especially when you’re building a timeline around light, weather, guests, and reception plans in Moab afterward.
Why this park works so well for intimate weddings:
It has true ceremony infrastructure for peace of mind.
It is close enough to Moab to keep the day logistically solid.
It pairs beautifully with portraits and adventure sessions nearby.
It feels dramatic without needing a brutal hike.
It works for couples who want 15 to 30 guests without the day feeling staged.
Can you get married at Dead Horse Point State Park? Yes. Here’s how it works.
Yes, you can have your wedding ceremony in Dead Horse Point State Park, but not by just rolling in with a dress, a bouquet, and main-character energy.
Utah State Parks requires a Special Use Permit for weddings at Dead Horse Point State Park. The park’s wedding packet says couples should contact the park at least 30 days before their desired date to allow enough time for permitting. The permit fee listed in the current packet is $60 total, which includes a $10 application fee and a $50 permit fee, and site fees are charged hourly based on group size. Vehicles are also charged park entry fees unless guests arrive by bus.
✶ Current official wedding fee framework at Dead Horse Point
Special Use Permit: $60 total
Site fee for parties up to 50: $100 per hour
Site fee for parties 51 to 100: $150 per hour
Ceremony rehearsal reservation: $100
Picnic shelter reservation: $50
Day-of vehicle fee: $20 per vehicle covering up to 8 people
Bus-in attendees: $5 per person
✶ What the permit process means in real life:
This is not the kind of place where you want to wing it. Ceremony sites are assigned, access matters, guest movement matters, and the park has very specific rules around decor, lighting, music, dogs, and where people can walk. The cleaner your plan, the less likely your day gets derailed by someone with a clipboard.
Best ceremony sites at Dead Horse Point State Park
This small but mighty state park offers several ceremony site options with different capacities and tradeoffs.
Cliff Side Site
Capacity: around 20 people.
Why couples like it: more isolated, scenic, strong fit for truly intimate groups.
Things to know: uneven surface and exposure.
La Sal Site
Capacity: around 25 people.
Why couples like it: scenic, good for a small group without going ultra-minimal.
Things to know: uneven surface and sloping grade.
West Bench Site
Capacity: around 50 people.
Why couples like it: easy access and very scenic.
Things to know: this is also a favorite view area for visitors, so privacy is thinner.
Point Bench Site
Capacity: around 5 people.
Why couples like it: easy access and huge scenery for very small ceremonies.
Things to know: this is for tiny guest counts only.
Shade Shelter Site
Capacity: around 100 people.
Why couples like it: ADA accessible, chairs permitted, nearby shade cover.
Things to know: not available March through June or September through October, and it is also in a popular visitor area.
Here’s our take:
For couples who care most about scenery and intimacy, the sweet spot is usually one of the smaller canyon-side sites. For couples who need more accessibility or a larger guest count, the West Bech Site is one of our favorites and highlighted through images on this blog!
What a wedding at Dead Horse Point State Park actually looks like
A lot of location guides tell you what is technically allowed and then stop there, which is cute, but not very useful.
What matters is how the day will actually unfold.
For Janna and Samuel, the day started downtown at the hotel, the Gravity Haus Moab, where they got ready separately and Janna had a first look with her dad. From there, we took them separately out to a private area we had already scouted on BLM land. That gave them space for a first look and private portraits.
Then we headed into Dead Horse Point for the ceremony itself, where their group of around 20 gathered at their assigned site. Janna walked along the path as her aisle, they exchanged vows overlooking canyon country, and then we handled family photos right there before everyone headed back into town.
That sequence was the perfect experience for the two of them and their guests.
You do not have to force every meaningful part of the day into one park boundary. In fact, I usually think the best Moab wedding days breathe better when they don’t. A private vow location on BLM land, a legal ceremony in a permitted state park site, then portraits or a day-after session somewhere more open-ended? That’s the good shit.
Ready to soak in the desert warmth but not sure where to start? Welp, that’s our job.
→ Reach out hereand let’s talk through your options.
Accessibility, terrain, and what guests should expect
This is a real desert park, in the middle of the epic views.
It’s important to note that most sites are not wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Shade Shelter Site at Dead Horse Point, which is the most accessible ceremony option in the park. West Bench also has a paved pathway but it’s always reliable. Couples and their guests must use existing trails to access sites and park only in the agreed-upon areas.
That matters for a few reasons:
some guests may need extra support
certain formal shoes can be a terrible idea
your ceremony location should match your needs, not just your mood board
This is one of the reasons we love helping couples build timelines and choose ceremony spots that make sense for both vibe and logistics. When done right, Dead Horse Point surpasses all your expectations.
Best time of year to get married at Dead Horse Point
The park allows weddings year-round, but that does not mean every season is built the same.
Spring
One of the most popular times in Moab for obvious reasons. Better temperatures, random wildflower friends, strong travel demand, and a lot of competition for dates and lodging.
Fall
Another prime season. Great light, more comfortable conditions, and usually a strong fit for couples wanting that open-desert, layered-red-rock look without peak summer heat. We love October in Moab.
Summer
Possible, but you need to plan like it’s f&*cking Disney World. Heat can get aggressive around Moab, and midday ceremonies can feel brutal fast.
Winter
Underrated if you want moody skies, fewer crowds, and a little extra breathing room. Also worth knowing: the park’s drone rules shift seasonally, with drones prohibited March through October and only potentially allowed November through February for special use permit holders under a separate permit.
For most couples, I’d prioritize spring or fall, then build around sunrise, late afternoon, or sunset light depending on the site and overall itinerary. If you want to talk seasonality and find the perfect fit for you and your wedding, reach out here so we can talk through those details!
What to know about privacy, crowds, and expectations
All Dead Horse Point wedding sites are open to the public. You do not get exclusive use of the area just because you have a permit. But that’s not as scary as it sounds.
That means:
visitors may be nearby
popular overlooks can still attract traffic
your ceremony may feel intimate, but not completely private
timing and site selection matter a lot
This is exactly why we often recommend separating the day into pieces. Use the park for the ceremony and its big canyon impact, then use private or quieter BLM locations for first looks, private vows, first dance or adventurous portraits. That’s how you keep the day feeling personal instead of accidentally hosting your emotions in front of a crowd of hiking dads and tourists with binoculars.
Rules couples usually forget to consider
Here’s some important details that could affect your plans, but doesn't change how truly epic this location is.
live or cut flowers are allowed, but pampas grass and similar invasive-risk plants are strongly discouraged
dogs are allowed at wedding locations if park pet regulations are followed
amplified music is not permitted
artificial lighting is not permitted
open flames are not permitted
throwing seeds, rice, or confetti is prohibited
drones are prohibited March through October and require a separate permit in the winter months
existing trails must be used for access
your National Park Pass does not cover State Park entry fees
The park is also officially open for day use from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Utah State Parks notes that after-hours night sky access is generally reserved for campers, ranger-led activities, or permitted operators.
So if your Dead Horse Point vision board includes a bonfire ceremony, a loud speaker setup or a sparkler exit, the you may want to consider other locations in the great American West. Read our blog about it here!
Janna and Samuel
“From day one, Paige and Corey made our wedding journey stress free. We are beyond grateful!”
Where to get ready, celebrate, and eat damn good food
This is where Moab really earns its convenience badge.
Dead Horse Point is close enough to Moab that you can build a layered wedding day instead of forcing everything into one location. It keeps your day moving, provides unique experiences and opens up your day to new ideas and endless possibilities.
Getting ready before your ceremony
Make this a creative list of getting ready options from hotels, Airbnbs or roughing it and getting ready in a rental jeep
Using the privacy of BLM land
We can rely on the epic scenery for multiple privacy options, like a quiet place for a first look, hiking to a remote location for private vows, having your portraits somewhere truly unique or your first dance under the stars (sometimes even an aurora borealis).
Reception options after the ceremony
So many options from renting space at a local resturatunt, having a private dinner at your AirBnb or hiring an incredible catering team to host you at locations like the Moab Winery, in Spanish Valley, like Janna and Samuel did.
For Janna and Samuel, their custom timeline worked perfectly. Family returned to town, and the night became something softer and more communal: privately catered dinner, dancing under café lights, a cake dressed with florals from the bouquet, and enough structure to feel intentional without losing the soul of the day.
Why we love pairing Dead Horse Point with a day-after session
Hi. Here’s the little hill I would die on.A day-after session is one of the smartest ways to make a Moab wedding feel expansive without making the wedding day itself feel like a rushed event in formalwear.
The national parks around Moab are obviously part of the draw. Dead Horse Point is incredibly close to Canyonlands National Park, and Moab overall puts you near Arches, some of our favorite BLM land, and a ridiculous number of portrait-worthy desert locations. Dead Horse Point itself overlooks a dramatic section of canyon country near Canyonlands, which is a big part of why the scenery feels so massive.
For Janna and Samuel, their separate adventure session on another day gave us room to explore hidden gems on BLM land and chase sunset without trying to cram all of that into the ceremony timeline.
That’s the beauty of it.
Your wedding day gets to be about being present.
Your adventure session gets to be about stress-free experiences.
Not sure what kind of elopement day structure fits you?
Frequently asked questions about getting married at Dead Horse Point
✶ Is Dead Horse Point a good place for portraits even if you get married somewhere else?
Absolutely. It is one of the most overlooked locations in the Moab area for couples who want massive canyon views without a long hike. Surrounding area also offers some seriously cool off-road adventures.
✶ Do you need a permit to get married at Dead Horse Point State Park?
Yes. Utah State Parks requires a Special Use Permit for weddings at Dead Horse Point State Park.
✶ How many guests can a Dead Horse Point wedding have?
Depending on the ceremony site, official capacities range from fewer than 5 up to 100 guests.
✶ Can you bring dogs to a wedding at Dead Horse Point?
Yes, domestic dogs are allowed at wedding locations as long as park pet regulations are followed.
✶ Can you have chairs at the ceremony?
Chairs are permitted at the Shade Shelter Site. Other sites should be confirmed directly with the park as part of your permit planning.
✶ Can you play music at your ceremony?
Amplified music is not permitted.
✶ Can you use candles, sparklers, or a bonfire?
Open flames are not permitted for the ceremony in the park.
Remember to leave no trace.
How we help you plan a wedding like this:
Dead Horse Point gives you the setting.
We help you make it work.We guide you through the parts that shape the whole experience, not just how it looks. From choosing a ceremony site that fits your guest count and terrain needs, to building a timeline around the best light, and even scouting nearby BLM land for private vows or portraits scenery. You don’t need more ideas. You need clarity on what will actually work in Moab.
That’s the difference between a day that feels pieced together, and one that feels effortless.
Planning resources built for you
If you’re still figuring things out, no shame! Start here:
How to Elope in the American West
National Park Elopement Permits Explained (Without the Headache)
How Many Guests Can You Invite to an Elopement?
Day-After Sessions: Why They’re the Secret to Stress-Free Photos
Ready to plan your perfect wedding at Dead Horse Point State Park? No duh. Let’s do this thing!
→ Explore elopement planning + photography with Going Home Co.
→ Or start with our Hell Yeah Guide if you’re still figuring things out.