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Snow Canyon, Utah Elopement Guide

A couple in wedding attire stand on the petrified sand dunes in Utah during their elopement.

HOW TO ELOPE IN UTAH | WHEN TO ELOPE IN UTAH | WHERE TO ELOPE IN UTAH

Utah has stunning natural landscapes that are a perfect backdrop for an elopement wedding.

I mean, we are talking about a DREAM location. If you’re an outdoorsy couple who craves adventure, you will find no shortage of awe-inspiring backdrops for your ceremony and portraits in a state that offers no shortage of opportunities to make your elopement an unforgettable experience.

Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah has so much variety to offer, from those gorgeous crimson rocks, to sand dunes that will make you feel like you’re in the Sahara. Located a short distance from Zion National Park, and a 15 minute drive from downtown St. George, UT, this is a great option if you’re looking to stay away from crowds, but still have epic views that will make everyone look at your wedding photos in absolute awe.

Whether you’re wanting to do a hiking elopement in Utah, or just walk to a beautiful private location that’s a short distance from the parking lot, Snow Canyon has several locations to choose from. Heck, take advantage of the rich landscape and do both!

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Jayson and Skyler look out across the petrified sand dunes in St. George. They're in wedding attire.
Bride and groom stand back to back on top of rocks with red rocks behind them.
Bride looks at the camera while resting her head on the groom's shoulder.
Groom dip kisses his bride in front of giant rock formations in the desert.

Snow Canyon Elopement Permit

Snow Canyon is a State Park and does require a permit for elopements and professional photography within the park. The cost is $150 for the wedding permit, and an additional $150 for professional photography. As a Snow Canyon elopement photographer, I would be more than happy to walk you through the process of obtaining your permit. I hold an annual professional photographer permit.

There is a group limit of 50 people for weddings. For Lower Galoot reservations (see below), the cost is $100 for up to 3 hours and $30/ea additional. You would also need to obtain a Snow Canyon State Park pass. There is an entrance fee of $10 (Utah residents), $15 (non-residents) for each vehicle.

How to plan a sustainable elopement

Boho bride and groom kiss during their elopement.
A groom picks up the bride and hold her while their foreheads touch.
Groom kisses the bride on the forehead as she tenderly touches his face.

Snow Canyon Elopement Locations

Depending on how many people you plan on inviting, there are several different locations within Snow Canyon that allow wedding ceremonies. Lower Galoot is the only location that you can reserve ahead of time, but there are restrictions. Reservations are only allowed from 8AM-10PM on Saturdays and Sundays from March-May and October-November, and may not be made during certain dates such as holidays and and special local events.

The other locations will remain open to the public at all times. When you elope in Snow Canyon, your elopement will be nothing short of freaking amazing, and gorgeous!

Parking is limited in Snow Canyon, as it’s not a very big park. It’s on a first come, first serve basis, with the exception of the Lower Galoot area, which is a great place to get married if you plan on having guests. They’ll reserve the gravel parking lot for you with your reservation. See what a wedding at this popular southern Utah location could look like.

Up to 25 people:

26-50 People:

Bride and groom laugh while looking at each other and running on sand dunes during their elopement.

Snow Canyon Hiking Trails

You can’t go wrong with any of the hikes in Snow Canyon. They’re all incredible! Any one of them would be sure to give you some freaking AMAZING photos of your elopement day. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

  • Petrified Sand Dunes | This 1.2 mile out-and-back trail is my personal favorite. Imagine walking on massive hills of Navajo sandstone with the most epic panoramic views in the park. The trail is well marked with half dome trail markers. Be sure to carry water with you though because there is little to no shade. Some areas are a little steep and uneven, but it’s totally worth the effort!
  • Jenny’s Canyon A quick .5 mile round trip to a short slot canyon. The red walls of the rock around you create not only a magical atmosphere, but also offer a cool escape from the desert sun. Since this is such a short hike, it also tends to be one of the busier hikes in Snow Canyon State Park.
  • Hidden Pinyon Trail It’s the silver green lush plants that line the side of the trail, combined with the black hardened lava pieces that make this desert trail so unique. I find myself hiking this one every single time that I’m in St. George. It’s a 1 mile loop rated as easy. 
  • Butterfly Trail Another gem in the park, this one can be a little more challenging to follow, but it’s full of unique rock formations and lava tubes that offer so many amazing photo ops. 1.1 mile out-and-back route with little elevation gain.

My number one tip for hiking in Snow Canyon State Park, or anywhere really, is to download the map of your hiking routes on the AllTrails app beforehand. Service can be pretty spotty in the park, but if you already have it on your phone, you can use it to guide you along the routes. Sometimes the half-dome trail markers are hard to see along the trail, and it’s easy to get off course.

Where to Stay For Your Snow Canyon Elopement

Depending on what you want to do for the duration of your visit, there are several options where to stay when eloping in Snow Canyon State Park. Of course, if you’re wanting to camp out, you can do so right inside of the park.

One important thing to think about when choosing where to stay for your elopement, is that the place you choose will forever be a part of your wedding photos. Make sure to look through all of the photos offered by the hotel or AirBnB and see if the aesthetic matches where you imagine yourself getting ready for your wedding day.

St. George is about a 15 minute drive to the park from the center of town. With a variety of hotels and AirBnBs, you’re sure to find the perfect place to recharge. This is a pretty good size town with lots of restaurant options. Go to Tia’s for the. best. papusas. ever.

Hurricane is another great option. It’s about a 30 minute drive between there and Snow Canyon. If you’re also planning on visiting Zion National Park while you’re in the area, Hurricane is the perfect base for your adventures since it’s also about a 30 minute drive from Hurricane to Zion National Park.

Santa Clara, a 20 minute drive from Snow Canyon, has a quaint historic atmosphere. It’s perfect for those seeing a cozy, small town feel. Along with AirBnbs, there are also a few bed and breakfasts in the area.

A boho bride and groom stand on sand dunes in the Utah desert.

Best Time of Year to Elope in Snow Canyon

The best time of year to elope in Utah is fall and spring. The summer will likely be too hot, and weather can be unpredictable in the winter. The pictures in this blog post are from March. To avoid the crowds, try to plan around popular times such as spring and fall breaks.

For even more information on eloping in Utah, including some fun activity ideas, take a look at my Utah Elopement Guide.

Airports Near Snow Canyon

  • SGU Regional Airport, St. George, Utah- 15 minutes
  • Cedar City Regional Airport, Cedar City, Utah- 1 hour
  • Harry Reid International, Las Vegas, Nevada- 2 hours

Movies Filmed in Snow Canyon

And if you’re still not sure about how beautiful Snow Canyon State Park is, don’t take my word for it. Watch one of these classic movies that were filmed in the park!

  • The King and Four Queens
  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
  • The Conqueror 
  • Jeremiah Johnson
  • The Electric Horseman

SNOW CANYON UTAH ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

As an elopement photographer, I am here for you throughout the entire wedding planning process. I am here to support you and include planning assistance. with all of my elopement packages. Your wedding day should be as stress free as possible, letting you focus on your partner and your love for each other.

Ready to take the next step in planning your Utah elopement?

Let’s Chat!
  • A bride and groom hold hands in front of the red rocks while standing on sand dunes.
  • A couple elopes on sand dunes in Utah while a storm rolls in behind them.
  • A couple elopes on a bohemian rug on sand dunes in Utah.
  • Closeup of a groom's hand on the bride's back.
  • A couple embraces during their boho elopement in the desert.
  • A groom picks up the bride and hold her while their foreheads touch.
  • Groom playfully spins around with the bride in his arms.
  • Groom lifts bride during their wedding ceremony on sand dunes.
  • A closeup of a dirty hem of a boho wedding dress.
  • Jason spins Skyler around during their elopement.
  • Bride and groom kiss on boho rug on sand dunes.
  • Closeup of the bride's hand on groom's chest during their wedding ceremony.
  • Bride and groom kiss passionately during their ceremony in the desert.
  • Groom touches bride's arm while she hold her bouquet to show off her wedding ring.
  • Bride and groom look out over sand dunes and a storm rolling in over red rocks.
  • A rose from the wedding decorations with a stormy desert in the background.
  • Bride and groom playfully run on the sand dunes in Utah.
  • Bride and groom walk on sand dunes in Utah with red rocks and a stormy sky in the background.
  • A lacy wedding gown hem on red sand.
  • Jayson and Skyler look out across the petrified sand dunes in St. George. They're in wedding attire.
  • Groom dip kisses his bride in front of giant rock formations in the desert.
  • A wide angle photo of Skyler and Jason during their Snow Canyon elopement.
  • Skyler looks down while Jayson looks at her during their Utah wedding.
  • A closeup of the bride and groom's boho wedding attire.
  • Jayson & Skyler smile into each others eyes during their elopement. The petrified sand dunes are in the background.
  • Bride and groom embrace while standing in the desert.
  • Closeup of a bride's boho lacy sleeve.
  • Bride and groom stand forehead to forehead in the desert during their elopement.
  • Bride and groom stand on top of petrified sand dunes during their elopement.
  • Groom kisses the bride on the forehead as she tenderly touches his face.
  • Bride and groom look at each other in front of red rocks.
  • Boho bride and groom kiss passionately on Utah red rocks.
  • Groom hold jacket over his shoulder as him and the bride look at each other with red rocks in the background.
  • Bride and groom pose editorially on top of petrified sand dunes.
  • Groom stands behind the bride with red rocks behind them.
  • A couple in wedding attire stand on the petrified sand dunes in Utah during their elopement.
  • Boho styled bride and groom pose for photo on top of red rocks in Utah desert.
  • Bride and groom stand back to back on top of rocks with red rocks behind them.
  • Bride and groom hold hands and look at each other during their elopement.
  • Groom dips bride for a kiss while they stand on Red Rocks in Utah.

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WARNING: May cause spontaneous elopement fantasies and an uncontrollable urge to buy hiking boots!

Your Epic Elopement Adventure: A Not So Serious Guide To Seriously Amazing Memories

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