When to Elope in Moab, Utah
Moab is known for its red rock deserts, canyons, overlooks, and trails that feel like you’re on another planet. While the desert changes a lot from season to season, there’s always a perfect time to elope here if you know where (and when) to go. Whether you're dreaming of a golden sunrise ceremony in the summer or a peaceful November vow exchange, this guide will help you find the best time to elope in Moab, season by season.
First and foremost - Moab has many popular tourist areas, so I always recommend considering a weekday for your elopement. Many people do long weekend stints in the desert, so eloping Tuesday - Thursday typically makes it so we can beat crowds and have popular spaces to ourselves. I also highly recommend sunrise ceremonies when we’re venturing in to National Parks.
Spring and fall are the most popular seasons in Moab and bring the most crowds to National Parks, so November to March is my favorite time for a Moab elopement!
WINTER (December - January)
Moab in the winter is seriously underrated. The red rocks are just as stunning covered with snow, the light is soft all day, and the crowds are basically nonexistent. If you're the kind of couple who craves adventure but still wants a high-end, stress-free elopement experience, winter in Moab might be perfect! Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by epic desert views, then cozying up in an Airbnb or heading out for a private chef dinner.
Winter Elopement Activities: Winter Hiking, Skiing & Snowboarding (backcountry in the La Sals!), Mountain Biking, Jeep Tours, Stargazing, Slot Canyons
Winter Elopement Locations: Winter is the BEST and least crowded time if you’re hoping for a National Park Elopement. It’s easy to obtain permits, and you’ll have most spots to yourself.
Pro Tip: Winter is the off season for Moab - which means stays are cheaper, vendors have more availability, and even popular trails are less crowded. You may need to layer up and dress a little warmer, but escaping to the desert in winter is one of my favorite traditions and you’ll have so many more options for private and secluded areas for your vows. If your heart is set on a weekend elopement ceremony at sunset then winter is the best time for it!
SPRING
Spring in Moab is beautiful—wildflowers start blooming, the red rocks glow, and the weather is just about perfect. It’s one of the most beautiful times to elope here... and one of the most popular. Between spring break travelers and perfect hiking weather, Moab gets super busy super fast. But don’t worry— it's all about smart planning and choosing the right time of day (and a few hidden gem locations). I highly recommend sunrise elopements during weekdays especially during spring - we beat the crowds, get beautiful glowy morning light, and then we have all day to explore other locations and add in any activities.
Spring Elopement Activities: Hiking, Climbing, Jeep Tours, Helicopter Tours, Mountain Biking, Stargazing, Slot Canyons
Spring Elopement Locations: The National Parks (Arches specifically) get incredibly busy in spring - especially on spring break. So I love steering couples to less busy areas - State Parks, Campgrounds, and even my favorite lesser visited hidden gem - Capitol Reef National Park!
Pro Tip: We can visit the more popular areas at sunrise and then do less crowded spots at sunset! I love splitting up the timeline and including both. Avoid the days around Spring Breaks and Holiday Weekends.
SUMMER
Summer in Utah brings a lot of dry heat to the desert, like triple digit heat every day. But if you're up for a little adventure (and some smart planning), it can still be an amazing time to elope. Sunrise and sunset are your best friends this time of year—the light is dreamy, the temps are cooler, and the crowds haven’t quite rolled in yet at sunrise. I also love incorporating nighttime stargazing photos during summer elopements!
Summer Elopement Activities: Hiking, River Rafting, Jeep Tours, Helicopter Tours, Stargazing
Summer Elopement Locations: Sunrise in Arches and Canyonlands, Sunset at less popular hikes and state parks!
Pro Tip: We need to be conscious weather - dry hot heat and flash floods are both common all throughout the parks and areas in Moab. I always help my couples with planning a backup date and backup locations for weather concerns!
AUTUMN
Fall in Moab is dreamy. The weather starts to mellow out, the crowds thin toward the end of the season, and the desert feels peaceful. While early fall can still be busy, by late October things start to quiet down—and honestly, November might just be my favorite time to elope out here. It’s cooler and much calmer. If you're looking for a laid-back elopement with desert views and all the space to soak it in, late fall is where it’s at.
Fall Elopement Activities: Hiking, Climbing, Mountain Biking, Backpacking, Camping, Off Roading, River Rafting
Fall Elopement Locations: Many of my couples love to plan glamping elopements in the fall - we do their ceremony at one of the State or National Parks, and have a celebratory reception or dinner at their campsite/resort. See my blog post all about how to plan this here.
Pro Tip: There are many events taking place in the fall in Moab, so check schedules and avoid the dates that will bring the most people to the town.
As your Moab 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.
Choosing a season 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!