The perfect place to elope and a photographer’s dream landscape, Denali National Park has a plethora of magnificent backdrops for anyone’s wedding. On a clear day, the tallest mountain in North America can be seen all the way from Anchorage. Denali’s snowy peak high amongst the Alaska Range is a breathtaking sight to behold, but the park also incorporates fabulous fall colors, crystal clear glacier waters, majestic lakes, and furry friends. This captivating terrain absolutely is one to consider for your elopement. Most of the National Parks allow elopements and ceremonies to take place within their boundaries, but many of them have rules/suggestions when it comes to getting married in their specific park.

Famous for its turquoise lakes, inspiring mountains, and an array of breathtaking scenery and wildlife, Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique places to elope. Canada’s first national park, Banff captivates the imagination with miles and miles of hiking trails, trees, and relaxing hot springs to create a stunning place to say I do. Most of the National Parks allow elopements and ceremonies to take place within their boundaries, but many of them have rules/suggestions when it comes to getting married in their specific park. 

Utah is a vastly beautiful state with so many different backdrops and charming places to consider for your elopement. It’s one of my favorite places to travel and vacation to—not to mention capture in a photo. Utah is a great place to elope or to renew vows. Here are my top five places to elope in Utah.

To start, Arches National Park is one of Utah’s most popular national parks and a stunning area to elope. Delicate Arch is the most famous feature, and looks spectacular during sunset. Located in southern Utah, Arches National Park isn’t far from the cute town of Moab, which has the hookups for hair, makeup, and floral arrangements for your elopement.

Bryce Canyon National Park provides a phenomenal backdrop for any elopement. From the captivating calcareous rock, to the famous Bryce Amphitheater, this National Park is a staple of Utah, and will definitely make your elopement seem right out of a fairytale. Most of the National Parks allow elopements and ceremonies to take place within their boundaries, but many of them have rules/suggestions when it comes to getting married in their specific park.

To elope in Bryce Canyon National Park, a special use permit must be secured first.

The majestic landscape of Olympic National Park encompasses not only a breathtaking coastline, but a beautiful backdrop of trees and mountains as well. Beaches dotting the Pacific coastline make the most astonishing destination to make your wedding day even more magical. Most of the National Parks allow elopements and ceremonies to take place within their boundaries, but many of them have rules/suggestions when it comes to getting married in their specific park.

To elope in Olympic National Park, a special use permit must be secured first. The permit itself is $50, and the application for the permit can be found here.

The other-worldly red rock playground that is Arches National Park has captivated millions of people around the world. The slickrock and gravity-defying arches make for a most beautiful backdrop, one that’s sure to make your wedding day even more stunning. Most of the National Parks allow elopements and ceremonies to take place within their boundaries, but many of them have rules/suggestions when it comes to getting married in their specific park.

To elope in Arches National Park, a special use permit must be secured first. The permit itself is $185, and the application for the permit can be found here.

There are some places in this amazing country of ours that are so beautiful, they bring tears to our eyes. They’re so captivating, we’re moved to silence, just standing in awe of the incredible vista before us. Zion National Park absolutely fits into that category, which is why so many people are inspired to elope there. Surrounded by its towering red rock walls, or standing on top of a mesa looking down on the Virgin River, there are so many possible places to elope and start the next chapter of your love story. Most of the National Parks allow elopements and ceremonies to take place within their boundaries, but many of them have rules/suggestions when it comes to getting married in their specific park.