Utah Salt Flats
Elopement Guide
Let's elope on the Bonneville Salt Flats!
Utah's salt flats are one of the most unique landscapes in the world for an elopement! Just an hour and a half west of Salt Lake City, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a vast expanse of salt, shimmering in the sun.
The Salt Flats are definitely not a conventional wedding venue – so you might be wondering how you'd even get married there! In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about planning a Salt Flats elopement, from getting a permit to the best time of year to elope there.
Why should you elope on the Salt Flats?
01/
Absolutely Unreal Landscape
The Utah Salt Flats are a landscape like no other. The 30,000-acre salt plains are almost completely flat, so you can see for miles and miles to the mountains beyond.
The snowy white expanse shimmers with heat waves, and sometimes, floods to create incredible reflections. It's the kind of landscape you almost have to see to believe!
02/
Totally Private Ceremony
Because the Salt Flats are so huge, it's easy to get away from any other visitors for your elopement. There's not a designated "ceremony spot," so you can travel as far as you want out onto the flats to reach your ideal ceremony location.
03/
Close to a Big City
The Salt Flats are just 1.5 hours from Salt Lake City, which makes them easy to travel to. This is especially important if you're including guests in your elopement! Salt Lake City has a major airport, plus lots of hotels, restaurants, and venues for getting ready or receptions.
04/
Uniquely Accessible Venue
It can be rare to find an accessible venue way out in nature, but the Salt Flats are a great option! Depending on the time of year, you can drive directly out onto the salt plains. And they're almost perfectly flat, which makes them pretty easy to navigate even for those with mobility problems.
Plus, you're allowed to bring in furniture for your ceremony on the Salt Flats, including chairs for guests!
Not sure how to do this?
Howdy! I'm Sam, Your Salt Flats Elopement
Photographer & Planner
I know there are so many options and things to consider when planning an elopement. I absolutely adore helping couples through this process + reducing stress! The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of the many parts of Utah I know like the back of my hand.
Hiring your elopement photographer + planner is the perfect first step in planning your Salt Flats elopement – even if you aren't 100% sure of when or where yet! I’ll help you through every step of the process, from choosing a time of year/date for the perfect weather conditions, to picking a spot with amazing views, to securing any necessary permits, to finding other vendors and planning wedding outfits that are perfect for adventuring.
Hopefully the information below will help you decide if the Salt Flats are right for y'all! Let's go over everything you need to know about eloping here.
We're gonna chat about all of this:
Where to Elope on the Salt Flats
(and how to get there!)
Where can we elope on the Salt Flats?
Technically, you can elope on any part of the Salt Flats that isn't privately owned! Most of the Salt Flats is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – which is also the agency you'll get your ceremony permit from (more about permits below).
As long as you have a permit, any part of the Salt Flats managed by the BLM is fair game for your wedding ceremony. This makes it easy to get away from other visitors for more privacy!
You can check out this map of the BLM-controlled areas of the Salt Flats:
Can we have a reception on the Salt Flats?
Nope, only wedding and elopement ceremonies are allowed on the Salt Flats.
If you want to host a reception after your Salt Flats elopement ceremony, Above the Flats is a small venue in the hills that lives up to its name, with an incredible view of the Salt Flats. They have lodging on-site, plus ceremony and reception spaces for a microwedding.
Otherwise, your best bet is to plan a reception in Salt Lake City! There are tons of small venues and restaurants with private rooms that are perfect for an intimate microwedding reception.
And if you're worried about the logistics of shuttling guests to your ceremony and reception sites, consider renting a party bus for the crew, so everyone can relax, have a drink, and socialize during the 1.5-hour journey.
How do we get out onto the Salt Flats for our elopement?
The Bonneville Salt Flats straddle I-80 west of Salt Lake City, almost all the way to the Nevada border. However, there aren't many places along the interstate that you can safely pull off to access the flats.
There are two turnouts/exits that allow access to the Salt Flats for your elopement: the Westbound Rest Area, and the Bonneville Speedway.
Westbound Rest Area
The Westbound Rest Area is the first turnout you'll reach on the Salt Flats if you're traveling from Salt Lake City. To get here, route your GPS to "Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound."
This spot is a great option because it's easy to get to, with lots of parking and easy access to the Salt Flats for your elopement. From the rest area, you can walk out onto the flats and explore as much as you like! It's also the only place you'll find public restrooms in the area.
Don't miss your turn!
If you miss the Westbound Rest Area exit, there is not an easy way to get back to it. You'd have to exit at the speedway exit, and then get back on to I-80 East and drive 45+ minutes to the next place you can U-turn. So be careful! That is enough of a detour that you could miss sunrise or sunset.
Bonneville Speedway
About 5 miles further down I-80 from the rest area, you'll reach Exit 4 – you should see signs for Bonneville Speedway. Just follow the road until it ends in the middle of the Salt Flats.
This spot is ideal because you can drive out onto the Salt Flats from here (as long as they're not flooded – more on that below).
Can we drive onto the Salt Flats?
It depends! You can drive onto the Salt Flats for your elopement from the Bonneville Speedway exit – as long as they're not flooded. If the Salt Flats are wet or flooded, you're only allowed to venture on foot.
The Salt Flats are typically flooded on and off from November to May (I've got more info on the best timing for your Salt Flats elopement below).
Fortunately, it's super easy to check ahead of time if the flats are flooded! There's a live web cam and time lapse photos you can use to check current conditions. And there are typically signs posted on the Bonneville Speedway road when the flats aren't safe to drive on.
And finally, even if the Salt Flats are dry, you'll still want to be generally careful driving on them. It can be easy to get stuck in the mud – which would definitely put a damper on your elopement day!
Traveling to the Salt Flats
Especially if your Salt Flats elopement includes guests, figuring out how to get to your elopement destination (and where to stay) is an important piece of the puzzle!
The closest town to the Bonneville Salt Flats is Wendover, on the border between Utah and Nevada – but it's small and doesn't have great options for hotels and restaurants.
I'd recommend staying in Salt Lake City and traveling to the Salt Flats for your elopement ceremony. Salt Lake has tons of hotels and Airbnbs for getting ready, as well as restaurants and venues for a microwedding reception.
If you (or any of our guests) are coming from far away, Salt Lake City has an international airport. You could also make a road trip out of it – there's lots of other amazing things to see in Utah, from the national parks near Moab to the Rocky Mountains.
Learn more about some of my other favorite places in Utah to elope (and adventure):
Salt Flats
Elopement Permits
Do we need a permit for our Salt Flats elopement?
Any wedding or elopement ceremony on the Utah Salt Flats requires a permit from the BLM.
However, you don't need a permit if you're just taking photos on the Salt Flats. So if you're exchanging vows elsewhere but want to take bridal portraits on the flats, you good to go without a permit!
How do we apply for a Salt Flats ceremony permit?
You'll need to fill out two documents – a Special Recreation Permit and a Wedding Questionnaire – and email them to the BLM Salt Lake Field Office at [email protected].
The BLM recommends applying at least two months in advance of your ceremony date. Applications for simple ceremonies are sometimes processed quicker – but the more guests and longer the event, the more requirements and the longer it can take to approve your permit.
The initial cost for a ceremony permit is $130, but if you have more than 18 people in your ceremony (including the couple, guests, and any vendors), there's an additional fee of $7/person.
The Best Time to elope on the Salt Flats
When should we elope on the Salt Flats?
The best time for a Utah Salt Flats elopement depends on your priorities for your elopement day!
The Salt Flats can experience flooding and extreme temperatures depending on the time of year, so timing is definitely key to an ideal elopement here.
Whether you're seeking the most privacy, epic night skies, or pleasant temperatures, I can help you choose the right time to elope on the Salt Flats.
Fall
Personally, I think fall is the most ideal time for a Salt Flats elopement! Temperatures are pretty mild in September and October, with average highs in the 60s and 70s.
The Salt Flats are also typically dry during the fall, which means you can drive out onto them, and you don't need to worry as much about mud.
Spring
From March to May, the Salt Flats have pretty pleasant temperatures, with highs in the 60s on average.
However, the Salt Flats can be flooded during this time, so you'll definitely want to check conditions ahead of time. Spring isn't ideal if you're set on driving out onto the flats. But it is ideal if you are hoping for reflections!
You'll also want to prepare for the Salt Flats to be muddy in the spring, and plan your outfits and footwear accordingly!
Summer
Summer on the Salt Flats is beautiful but hot! From June to August, you can count on the flats to be dry and drive-able. The night sky is also stunning at night in the summer.
Average highs are typically in the 80s in June, but they jump into the 90s in July and August. During those months, the sun can be brutal because there's no shelter anywhere on the Salt Flats.
Sunrise is your best option during the hottest months – but honestly, I wouldn't recommend July or August for your Salt Flats elopement.
Winter
A winter elopement on the Bonneville Salt Flats is not for the faint of heart! Winter is cold, windy, and wet. From November to February, you can expect highs in the 30s and 40s, and lots of flooding.
If you're willing to brave the weather, winter is the most private time for a Salt Flats elopement, and you'll see snow dusting the mountains in the distance.
What's the deal with flooding on the Salt Flats?
From November to March, the Salt Flats often experience flooding. It's pretty cool to see – the flats turn into a shallow, reflective (and very salty) lake. You can still walk out on the Salt Flats when they're flooded and splash around!
Of course, all that flooding makes conditions very muddy. You're not allowed to drive on the Salt Flats when they're wet, because of the high chance of vehicles getting stuck in the mud.
You can check the live web cam and time lapse photos for current conditions, and plan for summer or fall if you don't want a muddy elopement.
How should we prepare for our Salt Flats elopement?
Elope on a weekday!
One of my biggest pieces of advice for couples choosing when to elope is to pick a weekday!
There are no designated ceremony sites on the Salt Flats, and your permit doesn't grant you exclusive use of any area. So if you're planning a Salt Flats elopement during peak season, choosing a weekday is the best way to guarantee some privacy for your ceremony.
Got a season in mind for
your elopement?
I'd love to chat about all the pros and cons and help you pick the perfect time of year for your Salt Flats elopement!
How to Plan Your
Salt Flats Elopement
If this guide has convinced you that a Utah Salt Flats elopement might be right for you, but you’re not quite sure where to start and feeling overwhelmed by the options, don’t panic! I’ll break down the steps to planning your dream elopement and do my best to make the process as stress-free as possible for you and your partner.
Step One:
Contact Me
First things first, fill out my contact form! No worries if you don’t have all the details figured out yet – I'm here to help. I pride myself on being not just an elopement photographer, but also a local expert, planner, and an overall support as you navigate the elopement planning process.
Step two:
Pick a Time & Place
This is where I come in as your on-the-ground local expert. If you're hoping to have a ceremony on the Salt Flats, I'll help you navigate getting the permit. And if your vision includes a reception, I can recommend personalized options – including some hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path ideas.
Step three:
Find Other Vendors
If your dream elopement includes florals, hair and makeup, transportation, or even a romantic dinner, I can provide tailored recommendations for vendors to make it all happen! I have great relationships with many local vendors and experience with many of the hotels, restaurants, and rental companies in the area.
I can also help you find accommodations for your Salt Flats elopement, whether it's a swanky hotel for getting-ready photos, or an Airbnb that'll fit all your family and friends.
Step four:
Get Your Marriage License
One key detail for planning a Salt Flats elopement is getting a Utah marriage license. To get a marriage license in Salt Lake City, you'll need to schedule an appointment, fill out the application, and then both you and your partner have to appear in person at the Salt Lake County Clerk's office. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so keep this in mind when booking travel for your elopement!
Utah is not a self-solemnization state, meaning an officiant is required to perform a marriage ceremony. If you want to keep your elopement ceremony as private as possible, I am an ordained officiant and I’m happy to conduct your ceremony – I can be as hands-off as you prefer to keep the focus completely on you and your personal, private vows to each other! Alternatively, it’s easy for a friend or family member to become ordained online for free through Universal Life Church.
If you're traveling from out-of-state for your Salt Flats elopement and stressed about getting a marriage license, you can also choose to apply for a marriage license in your home state, before or after your elopement. That way you can just focus on your partner, your vows, and your adventures together during your elopement day!
Step five:
Elope!
With all the planning out of the way (and me on your team to tackle any last-minute emergencies), all that's left to do is have the adventure of your lifetime with your person.
Fill out my contact form below to start chatting – no matter where you are in the planning process!
Let's chat!
