How to Elope at Capitol Reef National Park
If you’re dreaming of red rock views without the crowds, Capitol Reef National Park might just be the perfect elopement spot. Capitol Reef is the least visited NP in Utah that has the same red rock cliffs, canyons, and views without the busloads of tourists you’ll find at Zion or Arches.
One of the best parts of choosing Capitol Reef is the variety. From panoramic overlooks like Sunset Point to the backdrops along the Scenic Drive, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place. You can hike through a canyon just the two of you, exchange vows in the orchards in Fruita, or say “I do” on a red rock cliffside. And because the park is less trafficked, permits are easier to secure and your ceremony space will actually feel private—not like you’re competing for an Instagram photo.
Let’s chat about all of the details and inspiration for a Capitol Reef Elopement!
PERMITS & RULES
As with any National Park Wedding or Elopement, you will need a permit for Capitol Reef (and as your elopement photographer I will take care of securing the correct permits for you!)
The permit is $100 and can be booked up to a year in advance. You need your permit at least 7 days prior to your wedding date (most parks require much more time by the way!)
We must follow Leave No Trace principles - no tossing confetti or flowers, no decorations, and we can’t “bust the crust” aka no stepping off trail or off the slickrock.
Ceremonies are limited to 20 minutes, and exclusive use of an area is not allowed.
Some areas have a max number of cars allowed for ceremonies, so we may need to figure out transportation and shuttling to specific spots.
CEREMONY SITES
These are the pre-approved ceremony locations that the park has already designated for couples who want to get married in Capitol Reef. I always recommend choosing one of these sites as your ceremony location (especially if we’re including any guests), and then we can explore deeper into the park or hike to other areas for portraits and private vows! (*** are my favorites!)
Trails & Overlooks
These are my top favorite spots for Capitol Reef Elopement Ceremonies! All of these have incredible views and are along trails or off roading areas. There is limited parking at each of these and a max guest count of 20 people, so larger ceremonies or micro weddings are not possible here. But these are perfect for intimate elopements and even a few guests if we are able to shuttle/carpool.
Panorama Point
Goosenecks Overlook***
Sunset Point***
Temples of the Sun & Moon***
Orchards
Capitol Reef is super unique in the fact that there are multiple orchards inside the park! You can get married at a few of these spots. The Orchards all allow up to 30 guests, have sufficient parking (usually for up to 8 cars), and are flat and easily accessible in comparison to the trail and overlook spots. We have to schedule around Ranger programs at the Orchards, but I’ll happily take care of ironing out the details for you. Imagine eloping in the spring when the orchards are all blossoming against the red rock cliffs!
Adams Orchard
Merin Smith Orchard
Mulford Orchard
Campgrounds
I recommend using the campground areas only if you’re having a larger wedding in the park. The campgrounds need to be reserved differently, and you have to bring in your own restroom facilities. This is still an awesome option for a camping micro wedding and I’m happy to help with the details! But for simple elopements I recommend either a trail spot or an orchard spot. You can have up to 100 guests at the Campground Amphitheater and Campsite, and up to 50 at the Picnic Area.
Campground Amphitheater
Group Campsite
Picnic Area
Where to Stay for your Capitol Reef Elopement
Most couples stay in Torrey, Utah for their Capitol Reef elopement. The town is just outside the park and is really the hub for all things Capitol Reef! There are luxury hotels, stargazing domes, and tiny houses that are all perfect for the two of you and whatever guests you decide to bring with you.
Skyview Hotel
This is my top recommendation! This hotel has regular hotel rooms, but also private stargazing domes that you can stay in. The whole community is Dark Sky designated and they do guided experiences.
Red Sands Hotel and Spa
This hotel has a spa, restaurant, and coffee shop, and is a great one stop shop for your Capitol Reef elopement. Start the day with breakfast outside on the property, a couples massage in the spa, and then get ready together before heading in to the Park! They have a ton of rooms and this is a great spot if you want to lodge all of your guests at the same place.
Capitol Reef Resort
Capitol Reef Resort has hotel rooms and suites, private cabins, teepees, and wagons that you can stay in, all with incredible red cliff views. They have a great restaurant on the property and also really cool guided adventure options!
Airbnbs
Capitol Reef Elopement Activities
Hiking
Cassidy Arch
Hickman Bridge
Cohob Canyon - slot canyons
Horseback Riding
Llama Adventures
Spa Day
Scenic Drives & Jeep Tours
Orchard - fruit picking and pies in the park!
Want More Adventure? Add on Additional Locations
Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
Goblin Valley
Moab (Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, and Dead Horse Point)
Grand Staircase Escalante
CAPITOL REEF TIMELINE IDEAS
Full Day - Sunrise & Sunset Split
Sunrise - Horseback Riding Tour or Morning Hike
Coffee and Breakfast Together
Spa - massage/facial/hot tub
~ Photo Break ~
Get Ready together at your hotel, hair and makeup
First look on the property
Drive in to Capitol Reef National Park
Walk up to overlook spot
Ceremony
Sunset Portraits
Champagne pop + pie from the local bakery in the park
Drive 45 minutes to Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm for fine dining dinner
Full Day Adventure (with guests!)
Getready at hotel
First look
I’ll take the two of you and we’ll go in to the park early and do a hike/portraits where you can do private vows and have private time together
Meet up with guests at a second spot for a ceremony
Ceremony
Family portraits
Sunset Portraits at ceremony spot
Head back to airbnb or head to dinner - cake cutting/toasts/first dance/reception traditions
Multiday Elopement (one day for guests, one day for you two)
Day 1
Get ready at hotel/airbnb
First look + portraits in Capitol Reef
Ceremony at another spot in the park with guests
Family portraits
Sunset portraits at ceremony spot
Head back to airbnb or head to dinner - cake cutting/toasts/first dance/reception
Day 2
Adventure drive from Torrey to Moab - scenic byway 24 - with photo stops along the way
Portraits at additional spot in Capitol Reef
Explore Goblin Valley
Sunset photos at Arches NP or Canyonlands NP
~ stay in Moab and explore there for a few days for a Honeymoon ~
As your Utah Wedding & Elopement Photographer my goal is to give you photos that feel like you’re reliving your favorite day over and over again, but I also help plan your favorite day from the ground up - that includes helping you decide the perfect time of year to get married.
Navigating National Park permits is just one of the first steps, I’ll also help with
Timeline Planning
Vendor Recommendations - tailored towards you two as a couple and your desert location. No more google searching!
Custom Location Guides - all of my favorite scouted areas that aren’t listed on my site!
Permit + Licensing help
Adventure Planning - all the best options for hiking, horseback riding, climbing, or whatever else you’re dreaming of doing together!