Lake Powell Elopement Packages
Lake Powell is an extraordinary place that is unlike anywhere else. With its red deserts, vast fossil findings (yes, there were dinosaurs near Lake Powell!), shorelines, and cascading cliffsides and plateaus, an elopement in Lake Powell incorporates a whimsical desert feel with a vast and diverse depth of color and scenery. This guide will discuss Lake Powell, eloping in Lake Powell, and options for couples looking to tie the knot beneath desert skies.
How big is Lake Powell?
Lake Powell stretches about 186 miles long across two states. The average depth of the reservoir is 132 feet but can reach depths upwards of 583 feet.
How was Lake Powell made?
The US Bureau of Reclamation built Glen Canyon Dam as part of the Colorado River Storage Project in the 1960s to generate hydroelectric power and water storage for citizens. The creation of Lake Powell was controversial, as it required the flooding of Glen Canyon, which was widely considered one of the most beautiful canyons in the world. Today, Lake Powell provides power to over 5.8 million businesses and households across Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. In addition, over 2 million people visit for recreation every year.
Is Lake Powell a National Park?
While not considered a National Park, Lake Powell is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans 1.25 million acres and offers water-based and backcountry recreational activities. The area itself, however, is managed by the National Park Service.
Where is Lake Powell?
Lake Powell spans parts of Garfield, Kane, and San Juan counties in southern Utah, including a small portion of Coconino County in northern Arizona.
Can you get married at Lake Powell?
Yes! Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas offers a range of ceremony sites that can accommodate parties sizes of 2 to 200. Couples can exchange vows on the Escalante Lawn overlooking Wahweap Bay, rent a luxury houseboat, or elope on one of Lake Powell's many picturesque shorelines surrounded by red plateaus towering 3000 feet high.
Love the look of Lake Powell but want to see more options nearby? Check out my full How to Elope in Page Guide for additional overlooks, slot canyons, and Horseshoe Bend locations perfect for your elopement day.
How to Elope at Lake Powell
Eloping at Lake Powell is the perfect blend of desert cliffs, glowing blue water, secluded shorelines, and iconic canyon walls. Whether you dream of exchanging vows on a cliffside overlook, at the water’s edge, or even aboard a boat surrounded by towering red rock, Lake Powell offers endless possibilities for an unforgettable and intimate elopement experience. Here’s everything you need to know to legally and logistically plan your ceremony within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Get Your Marriage License Near Lake Powell
If you are getting married on the Arizona side near Page (Wahweap Marina, Antelope Canyon, Alstrom Point, etc.), you’ll need a marriage license through Coconino County.
Here’s how it works:
Where to apply: Coconino County Clerk of the Superior Court
Do both partners need to be present? Yes
What you need: Valid government-issued photo ID
Cost: Typically around $83 (Arizona marriage license fee)
Waiting period: None — you can marry the same day
Expiration: License is valid for one year
Officiant requirements: Arizona allows ordained ministers, judges, or any legally recognized officiant
Witnesses: Arizona requires two witnesses to sign the marriage license
For couples eloping in very remote spots, I always recommend planning where your witnesses will come from (your photographer and guide often count!).
2. Choose How to Get Married at Lake Powell
One of the biggest perks of choosing Lake Powell for your elopement is the variety of breathtaking ceremony locations and adventurous ways to experience the area. Here are the most popular options:
Cliffside or Canyon Overlooks
From Wahweap Overlook to lesser-known vista points, couples can exchange vows high above the water with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mesas. These locations offer dramatic scenery, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Shoreline Ceremonies
If you want your feet in the sand or to say your vows right at the water’s edge, Lake Powell’s shoreline is a beautiful and peaceful choice. Sandy beaches, quiet coves, and red rock alcoves create the perfect setting for an intimate, nature-focused ceremony.
Get Married on a Houseboat
Houseboat elopements are uniquely “Lake Powell.” You can begin the day cruising the lake, tie up in a secluded cove, and exchange vows surrounded by canyon walls. Many couples choose this option for multi-day elopements or private celebrations with a small group of loved ones.
Boat Charter or Water Taxi Ceremony
If you want to reach remote or dramatic scenery—like Cathedral Canyon, Labyrinth Canyon, or the protected coves deep inside the lake—you can hire a licensed captain or guide. Some couples hold their ceremony directly on the boat deck or stop at a quiet shoreline mid-cruise.
Guided Adventure Ceremony Spots
Want something off the beaten path? Hiring a local guide can open access to paddleboarding elopements, secluded narrow canyons, unique sandstone formations, or even backcountry desert viewpoints only reachable with high-clearance vehicles or licensed tour operators.
Kayak or Paddleboard Elopements
For couples who want a full adventure day, consider kayaking through narrow canyons and landing on hidden beaches to exchange vows. Lower Antelope Canyon is a popular kayak route for this type of elopement.
3. Apply for A Special Use Permit (SUP) for Lake Powell
Because Lake Powell is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, all weddings and structured events require a Special Use Permit (SUP) issued by the NPS. A SUP is needed anytime a private event benefits an individual or group rather than the general public — which includes wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, and organized gatherings.
To apply, complete the Glen Canyon NRA Special Use Permit application and submit it via email or mail to the Special Park Use Office in Page, AZ. Glen Canyon requests that couples apply at least 45 business days before their ceremony date to ensure proper processing. Depending on your plans, you may also be asked to provide liability insurance and follow specific location or group-size guidelines. Your ceremony is only considered authorized once the NPS issues your permit and you’ve returned the signed copy.
Lake Powell Elopement Locations
What is a Lake Powell elopement like?
Lake Powell is ideal for getting married if couples want a romantic and adventurous experience under the desert skies. Whether you elope on a houseboat at sunset, at the foot of ancient plateaus, or along the lake shoreline with red cascading cliffsides in the background, an elopement in Lake Powell is a unique and memorable experience to cherish forever.
If Lake Powell isn’t quite the vibe you’re envisioning, Arizona is full of equally breathtaking places to elope. Explore my Arizona Elopement Guide to discover more locations, tips, and inspiration for your desert elopement.
Lake Powell Elopement Timelines
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10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Getting Ready at Airbnb (details, vows, quiet moments)
12:00 – 12:30 pm: First Look at Airbnb or Lakeshore Location
12:30 – 1:00 pm: Drive to Wahweap Overlook
1:00 – 1:45 pm: Ceremony at Wahweap Overlook
– Sweeping lake + red rock views
– Family FaceTime or personal vows
– Champagne toast + celebratory portraits1:45 – 2:15 pm: Couples Portraits at Wahweap + Shoreline Pull-Offs
2:15 – 2:30 pm: Drive to Wahweap Marina
2:30 – 3:00 pm: Meet Your Captain / Tour Guide + Board Boat
3:00 – 5:30 pm: Lake Powell Boat Tour Toward Rainbow Bridge
– Iconic canyon walls + hidden coves
– Drone footage if allowed + conditions permit
– Swimming stops or cliffside exploring
– Documentary-style storytelling on the water5:30 – 6:30 pm: Arrive at Rainbow Bridge + Portraits
– Short walk to the bridge overlook
– Explore designated viewpoints
– Epic red rock + canyon scenery6:30 – 6:45 pm: Board Boat for Sunset Return
6:45 – 8:00 pm: Sunset Cruise Back Toward Wahweap Marina
– Warm golden light across canyon walls
– Blue hour portraits on the deck
– Shared quiet moments + celebratory champagne
(Sunset ~7:45 pm in summer)8:00 – 8:30 pm: Arrive Back at Marina + Final Dockside Photos
8:30 – 10:00 pm: Private Dinner at Airbnb or Lakeside Picnic
– Chef-prepared meal or cozy homemade dinner
– First dance under desert stars
– Slow, intimate ending to the day -
On Day 1:
2:00 – 2:00 pm: Getting Ready at Airbnb in Page
– Detail photos, vow writing, slow moments
– Optional first look at the Airbnb or nearby scenic spot2:00 – 4:30 pm: Drive to Alstrom Point (2.5 hours with scenic stops)
– Stop at scenic overlooks for portraits
– Take your time on the dirt road
– Documentary-style storytelling of the journey4:30 – 5:00 pm: Scout Ceremony Spot + Set Up Champagne Picnic + Cake
– Choose a cliffside viewpoint overlooking Lake Powell
– Set out picnic blanket, florals, champagne, and cake5:00 – 5:45 pm: Ceremony at Alstrom Point
5:45 – 6:30 pm: Champagne Picnic + Cake Cutting
6:30 – 7:45 pm: Golden Hour + Sunset Adventure Portraits
7:45 – 9:15 pm: Drive Back to Page (1.5 hours with dusk scenery)
– Soft blue hour driving coverage
– Desert silhouettes + peaceful transitions9:15 – 10:00 pm: Cozy Evening at Airbnb
– First dance under string lights, wine, stargazingOn Day 2:
6:00 – 6:30 am: Depart Airbnb for the Marina
6:30 – 7:00 am: Meet Kayak Guide, Gear Up, Safety Instructions
7:00 – 10:00 am: Kayak Lake Powell Toward Lower Antelope Canyon
10:00 – 11:00 am: Explore Lower Antelope Canyon by Kayak
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Paddle Back Toward Marina
12:00 – 12:30 pm: Dock + Return to Airbnb
Get Inspired by Arizona Galleries
What animals are in Lake Powell?
Lake Powell is an incredibly diverse ecosystem, home to many fish species, such as striped bass, catfish, carp, walleye, and crappie. The lake is also home to rare species such as razorback suckers, Colorado pikeminnows, humpback chubs, and bonytail chubs. Over 315 bird species can also be spotted here, including bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, gulls, terns, ducks, and geese. In the surrounding area, you can see lizards, snakes, turtles, and frogs such as collared lizards, whiptail lizards, chuckwallas, gopher snakes, rattlesnakes, desert tortoises, and canyon tree frogs. Larger mammals such as bobcats, coyotes, foxes, beavers, muskrats, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions can also be found in the surrounding canyons and plateaus, but many animals remain elusive from humans.
What fossils have been found near Lake Powell?
Several essential fossil discoveries have occurred near Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. Some include:
Tritylodontid mammaliaforms:
These are early mammal relatives from the Early Jurassic period, about 180 million years ago. They were herbivorous and are considered to have been very rare. The fossils were discovered in the Navajo Sandstone within the Glen Canyon Group, full of bone impressions and fragments.
Swim traces of large amphibians:
These are traces of the forefeet of giant amphibians that swam in slow-moving streams during the Early Triassic period, around 251 million years ago. The traces are preserved in the oldest formation of the Triassic Period in the Glen Canyon area, the reddish-brown Moenkopi Formation.
Petrified wood:
These are fossils of giant coniferous trees that grew over 150 feet in height during the Late Triassic period, about 200 million years ago. They are found in the Chinle Formation, which contains fossils of fish, reptiles, and dinosaurs.
Footprints of meat-eating dinosaurs:
These are fossils of the tracks of theropod dinosaurs that lived during the Early Jurassic period, around 180 million years ago. They are the most famous and abundant fossils in the canyon and are found in the Glen Canyon Group, consisting of sandstone, shale, and limestone layers.
Current Specials for Lake Powell Bookings
Lake Powell Elopement Packages
All elopement packages include my travel to anywhere in the United States (no hidden or extra fees!), customized location scouting and research, permit assistance, personalized vendor recommendations, unique-to-you + your location activity suggestions, and a customized elopement timeline for your one of a kind day. Every elopement gallery also includes high-resolution digital images with printing rights and a private online gallery to view, print, download, and share your gallery with your family + friends to relive the day with you!
4 Hour ~ $3500
Perfect for the couples who are wanting to take a more simplistic approach to their elopement day. Typically this package is ideal for capturing getting ready, a short hike to ceremony location, and couples portraits.
8 Hour ~ $5500
Perfect for couples wanting a day of adventure like a long hike, off-roading, or traveling to multiple locations. This package is best for telling the complete story of your elopement day. Typically couple’s who are eloping just the two of them will select this package to document their day for the friends + family who are not in attendance to have that opportunity to experience the day. Also ideal for couples bringing friends + family and would like to have their reception captured as well. Your reception could look like pizza at your airbnb around a fire with your parents + siblings or a private chef serving you a 3 course meal on a table decorated in florals.
12 Hour ~ $7500
Perfect for couples looking for complete coverage of their elopement story. This package offers the ultimate storytelling experience. From waking up and having coffee with your partner to roasting marshmallows on a fire after dawn. Couple’s who are eloping just the two of them will select this package to document their day for the friends + family who are not in attendance to have that opportunity to experience the day. Also ideal for couples bringing friends + family and would like to have their full day with their guests documented.
Multi-Day ~ $9500
Perfect for couples wanting a multi-day experience with a lot of adventure. This package is best if you’re wanting to elope in one epic location and also experience another epic location the following day. An example of this would be eloping on a houseboat in the middle of lake powell and spending the afternoon exploring the beautiful rock formations throughout the lake or take on one of many unpaved roads in a 4x4 to a beautiful overlook!
What to do at Lake Powell
Can you swim in Lake Powell?
Yes! Swimming is popular at Lake Powell, particularly during summer when the water temperature reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is important to note that there are no lifeguards or designated swim beaches at Lake Powell or on the Colorado River, so swimming with high discretion for safety is recommended.
What boat ramps are open at Lake Powell?
The National Park Service has confirmed that at least one boat ramp is available for launching and retrieving motorized vessels in both South Lake Powell and North Lake Powell. However, circumstances can sometimes change, and it’s important to call National Park services before your visit to verify current information.
Visit the Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center
The Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center is built 700 feet above the Colorado River, providing a stunning view of the Glen Canyon Dam with a viewing area and glass walls inside. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, watch audio-visual programs, attend ranger presentations, and shop at the gift store or educational bookstore.
Walk Along the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge
Walking across the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge is a unique experience that offers breathtaking views of the Colorado River and the surrounding landscape. The bridge is accessible to pedestrians and is separated from traffic by a concrete barrier that provides a safe walking experience. Please note that those who fear heights may find this … interesting.
Visit Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend, located near Lake Powell, is a famous horseshoe-shaped Colorado River bend found in Glen Canyon. The overlook can be accessed through the town of Page, Arizona, and is especially popular during sunset when fiery red cliffsides accent the turquoise waters. The walk to the overlook point is approximately 3/4 of a mile long and is considered easy. If you plan to visit during peak season, bringing water and sun protection is highly advised. There is also a $10 entrance/parking fee.
Where to stay at Lake Powell
Camping:
Lees Ferry Campground
Lone Rock Beach Primitive Camping Area
Stanton Creek Primitive Camping Area
Beehives Campground
Wahweap Campground & RV Park
Bullfrog RV & Campground
Halls Crossing RV & Campground
Antelope Point RV Park
Primitive/Backcountry Camping:
Lake Powell Shoreline Camping
Camping on Lake Powell's shorelines is free except in developed marinas. However, entrance and vessel use fees still apply. Portable toilets are required as burying waste on the beach is forbidden. If you plan to camp on the shoreline, avoid doing so beneath under overhanging rocks. Campfires are allowed below the high water line, and fireworks are illegal.
Colorado River Primitive Camping
There are six primitive camping options available along the Colorado River, between Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. To access these designated areas, you must travel by boat, and spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The designated areas are marked with signs, and the upriver campsites are equipped with toilets and fire pits for your convenience.
Dispersed Camping throughout Glen Canyon’s Backcountry
Dispersed camping is allowed throughout Glen Canyon's backcountry, except in developed recreation areas. Here are some guidelines:
Leave No Trace
Only light campfires in designated areas
All campsites require a portable toilet
Buy a map beforehand and anchor your boat on a beach at night
No motor vehicles, off-road vehicles, or bicycles in Glen Canyon's roadless areas
It is important to note that fire is restricted to designated areas, and ground fires are prohibited. All burned charcoal from fires must be removed from the area if you choose to use a portable fire pan. It is strictly forbidden to collect wood from the area. All litter and garbage must be appropriately disposed of to maintain the environment's natural beauty.
Given that there is no regular garbage collection, it is the responsibility of visitors to carry out all litter and garbage. Plastic litter bags are free at the ranger station, and garbage disposal dumpsters can be found at the launch ramps.
Resorts:
Getting married in Lake Powell can be a unique and exciting experience for adventurers and nature lovers. With lake-side beaches, sunset plateaus, and luxury houseboats atop turquoise water, couples will likely find something perfect to make their day one of a kind.
Ready to Start Planning Your Lake Powell Elopement?
As a passionate elopement photographer, I am committed to capturing your love story and perfecting your Lake Powell elopement experience. I can assist in finding picturesque locations and curating a timeline that aligns with your vision, ensuring that every moment is documented beautifully for you to cherish for a lifetime. Your dream Lake Powell elopement is within reach, and I'm here to help you make it a truly unforgettable experience.
