Bryce Canyon Elopement Locations

Please enjoy browsing my list of Bryce Canyon elopement locations to get inspired. When you decide to elope, the world becomes your oyster. Actually, it already was your oyster, and now you’ve chosen to explore it – together! You can truly choose to celebrate your commitment to each other anywhere on this earth, just the two of you proclaiming your love for one another in an intimate, private, unforgettable adventure. There are so many reasons to elope- I won’t even get into it here – but I do know that couples who choose to elope do so with conviction that this is your day, and it will be uniquely yours. I wrote this guide because I LOVE dramatic landscapes and I want to encourage more folks to enjoy them by choosing to elope in our National Parks.

Here is my Bryce Canyon Elopement locations map – now available for purchase!

This map is for photographers and couples alike! It’s a map-based virtual tour of Bryce Canyon and the surrounding highlights with color photos I’ve taken of each place. So you can see all the great spots without leaving your living room. If you’re planning from afar, this is a visual key to picking out the elopement spot that works for you. Details like what seasons and time of day are best for each location are included. It will help you plan your activities, accommodations, and your day’s itinerary. Lastly, it’s easy to have a great backup location picked out with this map in front of you. Having that Plan B in your back pocket will keep your planning stress-free!

Get the map & start planning your Bryce Canyon Elopement Photography with me!

Why Elope in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is hands-down the most beautiful place I’ve visited on this continent, and that’s saying something! And I’d say that even if it didn’t hold a special place in my heart – it’s where my husband proposed! The main attraction is the spectacular Bryce Amphitheater. Spires of red, white, and orange rock form hundreds of knobby structures called hoodoos. Some are up to 200 ft high. Exploring down the popular Queen’s Garden trail into the amphitheater is truly like being on another planet. The air is cooler, a red cast falls on everything and the clay-like rocks crunch beneath your feet. This adventurous loop is the most incredible at sunrise, and the photos almost don’t do it justice- you have to experience it for yourself while holding hands with your beloved. Just on the edge is one designated ceremony site that looks over the vast canyon below.

See a beautiful sunrise elopement in Bryce Canyon

See my recent elopement at Bryce Canyon here! Micaela & John-Michael planned to visit Bryce on their honeymoon. They graciously gave me the reins to design the most beautiful day for their adventure in the park. Since they had not visited before, I was able to show them around. Sharing the magic of this incredible landscape is one of my favorite things!

Waterfall Bryce Canyon Elopement Location

One of my favorite Bryce Canyon elopement locations in the park is a waterfall set in an incredible desert valley, with towering red rocks on either side. This hike is less than half a mile with very little elevation gain. While I usually love to photograph at sunrise and sunset, this area’s position in the canyon makes it a great spot during the day. Imagine exploring this stunning rock canyon beside the whispering stream. Picture choosing a spot that speaks to you both and saying your vows to each other with the waterfall at your backs. Eat a picnic lunch together on a rock and explore the nearby grotto. A shaded overhang so cold, there are often icicles. Return to your campsite for a campfire and smores and cuddle up together under the stars.

The Magic of Night in Bryce

The clear skies of the park make for incredible stargazing in any of the Bryce Canyon elopement locations. The park is amazing in the daylight, but at night it is just as magical. This dark -sky area (magnitude of 7.4, for you astro nerds) allows our eyes to see well over 7,000 stars after your eyes adjust, compared to a mere 2,000 in areas with more light pollution. As I shot this night sky at the Bryce Amphitheater, I was able to observe a pair of Ring Tailed Cats. Native to the desert southwest but seldom seen, Ring Tailed Cats are actually members of the raccoon family. They are somehow even cuter than their trashcan-diving urban friends. It was such a special encounter!

Many Scenic Vistas in Bryce Canyon

There are many different vistas to enjoy the views, with Inspiration Point and Bryce Point being obvious favorites. The southernmost point of the park is also the highest at over 9,000 feet, and on a clear day you can see into Arizona. The Bristlecone loop at the very edge of the park is a great place to explore in the shade. The closest town of Bryce is quaint and equipped with just the basics of what you’ll need before exploring the park. The NP is about 4.5 hours drive east of Las Vegas; west 4.5 hours from Moab and 1.5 hours northwest of Zion National Park. As Bryce Canyon is therefore quite remote; it’s best to plan several days to fully enjoy and explore the park’s many features. This natural arch is along the road beyond the amphitheater and is a must-see.

How to book your Bryce Canyon Elopement Locations

A special use permit is required to elope in Bryce Canyon National Park. The cost can vary slightly based on the exact scope of your plan, but generally plan on between $150-$300. Those fees are used towards the park staff’s time administrating the permit application and coordinating with you. Elopement ceremonies are allowed at Sunset Point and in other spots by special request. More info here, and I can help you out with getting the permit! Expect to apply for your permit 1 to 6 months before your planned elopement for processing.

For couples choosing to elope in Bryce Canyon, the seclusion and spectacular scenery of the area is a big draw, so choosing a less traveled spot within the amphitheater or in many of the other beautiful spots within the park is a great idea. When approving permits, park rangers want to confirm that your vows won’t have any impact on the park’s resources or the ability of other visitors to see the sights. Keeping this in mind, all Leave No Trace rules apply, and in addition, no amplified music, confetti of any kind, or arches/large props are permitted – but in this location, trust me, nothing is needed to make it a beautiful place to elope.

When to Elope in Bryce Canyon National Park

May  – October is the busiest and warmest season to elope in Bryce Canyon. July is the hottest, but also the most crowded month. In the summer, a free shuttle runs throughout the park during peak hours to reduce congestion. When planning your Bryce Canyon elopement, consider planning for a weekday ceremony in the early morning or sunset. This will also greatly increase your chances of being approved for your permit. Bryce Canyon is a high elevation desert climate, so temperatures are actually considerably cooler than you’d expect in a traditional flat desert landscape. There are some places to camp inside and outside the park, or two hotels in Bryce that book up quickly. In winter after snowfall, an incredible contrast of blue and white tones blanket the dramatic orange canyon.

Unique Landscape of Bryce

With such stunning landscape there’s no reason NOT to plan your elopement at Bryce Canyon National Park. Hopefully these images have inspired you to consider Bryce. If you’d like to get started planning your Bryce Canyon Elopement with incredible photography, the first step is to inquire and start the conversation. I would love to help guide you into having the adventure elopement of your dreams at Bryce Canyon – and photograph the intimate wedding you’re already planning!

I offer full day, 1.5 day and 2 day elopement photography in Bryce Canyon National Park. See my pricing and package details here. I would love to chat with you and help see if an elopement with me is what you’ve been dreaming of. Get in touch below!

Ready to start panning your Bryce Canyon elopement Photography? Contact me!

Check out my other Desert Elopement Guides:
– Zion Elopement Guide
– Grand Canyon Elopement Guide
– Valley of Fire Elopement Guide
– Snow Canyon State Park Elopement Park
– Moab Elopement Guide
– Horseshoe Bend Elopement Guide
– Saguaro National Park Elopement Guide
– New Mexico Elopement Guide
– Death Valley National Park Elopement Guide
– Joshua Tree National Park Elopement Guide