Snow Canyon, Utah Elopement Guide
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!
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
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:
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:
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.
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?
