Beautiful Elopement in Captiol Reef National Park, Utah
Unlike most other National Parks there's no designated list of approved locations.The park will approve permits for small weddings in locations around picnic areas, campgrounds, and other locations that doesn't disrupt guests or the environment. Capitol Reef is also the fastest National Park in Utah to approve a permit for a wedding. They can usually approve permits within 1 week!
Elopement Location Ideas in Capitol Reef National Park:
Chimney Rock trailhead
Hickman Bridge Arch
Sunset Point
Grand Wash
Capitol Reef describes weddings in the park as "Simple, rustic and No-Frills" so if your dream wedding includes any of the above - this might not be a great fit for you.
Mike and Jen started their day with a first look at their hotel where I documented every moment. It was short and sweet, but this way the couple was able to drive into the park together enjoying the views along the way. Below is some information about their hotel:
TORREY SCHOOLHOUSE - A Seasonal B&B Open from April 1 - October 31
Built 1914-1916
The Torrey Schoolhouse operated as a school and cultural center from 1917 through 1954. Pioneer settlers began quarrying the huge red sandstone blocks measuring 36” deep by 18” high by 26” wide on average from an area just southeast of Torrey in 1914. They transported each stone by mule-drawn wagons to the site at the center of town. It took over two years to complete the stately schoolhouse building.
From Community Center to SchoolhouseThe structure was first utilized as a community center and dance hall. By the Autumn of 1917 it opened as a school with three large classrooms on the first floor housing grades One through Eight. Its second story remained a dance hall and recreation hall for plays, boxing matches and basketball games.
Butch Cassidy and His GangThe Saturday night dances and sporting events held there drew crowds from all over the county and beyond. During its early years, these events were attended by Leroy Parker (AKA Butch Cassidy) and his “gang”. In fact the town of Torrey was nicknamed “Robber’s Roost” because local outlaws frequently took refuge in the rugged terrain of the area and in the homes of accommodating local hosts.
Descendants of the early settlers are still repeating stories of how Butch always left their ancestors’ family a gold coin under the dinner plate when he left. He was often seen at the Saturday night dances. One alumnus of the school now in her late eighties remembers the night when she was only 7 years old attending a dance at the schoolhouse because her mother was playing in the band that night. When a hush came over the crowd and there was a slight pause in the band music, she ran over to ask her mother what was happening. Her mother replied, “It’s alright, just go play, it’s Leroy Parker and his friends just come here to dance”.
Planner + Officiant: Pop Up I Do
Florist: Salty Dog Farmer
Pie: Gifford Homestead
Location: Captiol Reef National Park
Check out these cute details below! You can see we went to the vistor center and used their day / time stamp to stamp the Park Map with their wedding date. If you're looking for more ideas to include on your Elopement day you can get some ideas here:
Interested in learning more about eloping in Capitol Reef? You can read my guide here:
After the couples ceremony they had a beautiful dessert table set up by Pop Up I Do and flowers by Salty Dog Farmer, featuring pies from the Gifford Homestead. One of my number one recommendations when getting married in Capitol Reef National Park is getting pie from the Gifford Homestead. The homestead is located right inside the park and sells over 70K pies each year! I love that they are personalized sized so you wont feel guilty if you get more than one!
You can learn more about the Homestead here: Pie from the Gifford Homestead
They have 5 flavors to choose from:
Apple
Triple Berry
Strawberry Rubarb
Peach
Cherry
And be sure to get there early in the day before they sale out! While you're there you can grab a cinnamon roll as big as your face, homemade salsas, and jams!
We asked Mike and Jen which two flavors they would like displayed on their dessert table, and they replied "Can we have them all?" They wanted to try all of the flavors and rate them! How could we say no to that!
Capitol Reef National Park Elopement Packages
I'll let you in on a little secret... Capitol Reef is a real hidden gem! When it comes to national parks in Utah we're pretty spoiled and although Capitol Reef is often over looked it's one of my personal favorites. If you agree I would love to chat more about your elopement!