Utah is one of the most popular and affordable states to get married in. This is due to its beautiful and diverse landscapes. Utah is full of State and National Parks that are absolutely stunning and magical but they require permits and can be busy. Luckily, there is also a ton of beautiful public land in Utah that is free to get married on that I will share with you in this post!
Hi there, I’m Bri! I have been photographing couples all over Utah for nearly 10 years in iconic spots like Moab, Zion, and the Salt Flats, but I also love taking couples to hidden gem locations in our mountains!
Alongside documenting love stories, I also help my couples plan intimate and intentional elopement days in nature. If you enjoy being outdoors and value living in the present – we should definitely chat. I would love to meet you and hear about your vision!
To get you started on planning – Here are 11 outdoor locations that you can get married at for free in Utah!
1. Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a quick 30 minute drive from Salt Lake City. It it full of hiking, biking, picnic spots, campsites, climbing and two ski resorts so you can fill your day with outdoor adventure! There are multiple spots in the canyon with great mountain views and patches of pine trees. An important thing to note is that no dogs are allowed in the canyon.
Jordan Pines Campground
This popular location known for its natural beauty is located about 20 minutes up Big Cottonwood. There is a large parking lot and a lot of space to explore! Jordan Pines is one of Salt Lake’s most well known photo locations, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself unless you rent a campsite.
Check out this micro wedding at Jordan Pines Campground for inspiration!
Storm Mountain
This is a great spot for picture perfect views, and best at sunset. There is a small parking lot and not a ton of space, so this is a good spot to stop for sunset photos on your elopement day, but not for a bunch of guests. See more from this mountain elopement at Storm Mountain.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake takes a bit longer to get to, as it is near the top of the canyon. This is an easily accessible lake with a lot of visitors and frequent wildlife encounters. There is a boardwalk around the lake that you must stay on. This is a good spot to explore for a private elopement or make a stop for photos!
2. Albion Basin
Albion Basin is located in Alta at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. There is lots of parking and the views are absolutely beautiful. You can also hike the 1.8 mile trail to Cecret Lake for a wedding day activity and more stunning backdrops. Albion Basin is the best place to see wildflowers in Utah so it is very busy from June-August. If you are wanting to get married in the summer, plan a weekday or sunrise ceremony. And ALWAYS BRING BUG SPRAY!!!
While there is no permit required to get married here at the moment, you will need to pay a $12 entrance fee per car to access the road.
3. Bonneville Salt Flats
The Salt Flats are a one of Utah’s most unique landscape about 2 hours east of Salt Lake City. It is one of the best locations to get married for free in Utah. If this location interests you, take a look at my full guide to eloping at the Salt Flats for more information!
4. Park City
Park City is full of beautiful land to get married on. My favorite spots are along Guardsman Pass. You will find spots along this road to hold a ceremony with anywhere from 2-20ish people. The mosquitos can be bad in the spring and summer, so I would always bring bug spray!
5. Emigration Canyon
Emigration Canyon is one of the closest canyons to Salt Lake City. The mountain peaks are much smaller than the Cottonwoods, but it is still beautiful, especially in the fall and winter! It is free and dog friendly.
Sample Timeline for a Mountain Elopement
Imagine this…
It’s the morning of your elopement day. You are getting ready together, listening to your favorite music, feeling relaxed but so excited to marry the love of your life. We head to one of these gorgeous mountain areas. Spot some wildlife and admire Utah’s natural beauty while getting those scenic photos that will help tell your love story. Then, we head to a stunning mountain overlook where you read your vows, say ‘I do’ and pop some champagne to celebrate this next chapter of your lives. Then you can keep the mountain adventure going with s’mores and brats around the campfire, or head to the city for pizza and beer!
Mountain weddings are the best, and this is only the start of what is possible. If you’re thinking about ditching the big wedding and eloping, I would love to help you make it happen in a place that’s way cooler than the courthouse!
6. Millcreek Canyon
Millcreek Canyon is one of the closer canyons to Salt Lake City. It is free to get married and take photos here but there is an entrance fee of $5/car. This canyon is dog friendly and has lots of picnic sites alongside the water. I do know a free spot that can accommodate groups of 10-30 people. Or there are two intimate wedding venues in the canyon as well – Millcreek Inn & Log Haven.
7. American Fork Canyon
American Fork Canyon is a beautiful canyon to drive and there are lots of free spots for a private elopement! But there isn’t much space for groups, as there are mainly small pull-offs in the road. However, I do know a couple affordable locations and cabins that can accommodate groups of 20-50 guests!
8. Moab
Moab is home to Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. Both beautiful and jaw-dropping locations if crowds and buying permits doesn’t bother you. However, Castle Valley is a great alternative if you want to be close to Moab but get away from the crowds.
Find more inspiration for your Moab Elopement or Intimate Wedding.
9. Little Sahara Recreation Area
The Little Sahara Sand Dunes are and hour and a half outside of Salt Lake City. This is a great spot to get married if you love neutrals and minimalism. And ff you are into 4 wheeling and camping you can make a weekend out of it and include 4 wheeling in your wedding day activities!
10. Tunnel Springs Park
Tunnel Springs is one of Salt Lake’s most popular photo locations as it is close to the city, easily accessible, dog friendly and free. So you will likely encounter other couples and families. If you are wanting to hold your ceremony here I would recommend planning on a weekday to avoid crowds.
11. White Dome Nature Preserve
If you’re into minimalistic beauty and warm weather, this location is for you. Located near the southern Utah border, lies this hidden gem. There is a lot of space to set up a ceremony with a group of 10-30 people.
Ready to Plan Your Elopement?!
These locations only scratch the surface of what Utah has to offer. There are plenty more outdoor locations in Utah that will give you much more privacy and cost as little as $0-150. As a Utah elopement photographer and planner, I’d love to help you find the perfect spot for your unique wedding vision and help you create a timeline that will make this a fun and memorable day for you!
