Congratulations on your engagement! We love helping couples with their elopement weddings all over Vegas and out. It can be so stressful just figuring out how to PLAN an elopement, so we’re going to give you a head start. So, if you’re interested in a Red Rock Canyon elopement, here are the things you need to know.

Need-To-Knows For A Red Rock Canyon Elopement

Getting to share our experience with Red Rock Canyon elopements gives us so much joy. There are many things to know about having your elopement at Red Rock Canyon, starting with how close it is to Vegas.

Close Proximity To Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon is only a short drive from Vegas. In fact, it’s only about 20 minutes! What makes this so exciting is that you can get the best of both worlds, enjoying a Red Rock Canyon elopement while also experiencing the thrills of Vegas. 

The Weather And Time Of Year

Depending on the time of year, it can get incredibly hot out there in the desert, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough water for you and your guests. It’s also a good idea to provide parasols in areas that have no shade too.

Fall weddings tend to offer the best weather conditions for a Red Rock Canyon elopement as the temperature is cooler and there’s less wind. Also, sunrise and sunset weddings are great all year round but specifically during the summer season.

For a winter wedding, temperatures can change rapidly, so we strongly advise dressing warm and wearing layers.

The mountains can also attract storms, so you’ll also need to be flexible to accommodate any inclement weather conditions on the day.

Red Rock Canyon Rules

Red Rock, since it’s a conservation area, is very strict about what people can and can’t do there. For example, the Red Rock desert tortoise is an endangered animal, so there is a hefty fine if you get closer than 5 feet. Also, chairs are only allowed for the elderly, and people aren’t allowed to bring arches or large structures. 

For marriage ceremonies, you can only get married from sunrise to sunset.

Cell Service

You won’t have any in most places, so prepare for this ahead of time. When it comes to places like Red Rock Canyon, it’s always better to be more prepared than less, especially for an elopement or other marriage ceremony.

Wedding Permits

To have your elopement at Red Rock Canyon, you’ll need a special permit. We hold an annual permit, so we can and do apply on our clients’ behalf. We’ve been doing this for a while, so don’t worry about getting approved. We always make sure our clients are well taken care of. 

For more information about permits and area rules, take a look at the Bureau of Land Management’s guide.

3 Incredible Red Rock Canyon Elopement Locations

So you’ve done the hard part. You’ve researched where you want to have your elopement and decided a Red Rock Canyon elopement was the one for you. Great! Now, it’s time to decide where in Red Rock Canyon you want to have your elopement.

There are three spots for a Red Rock Canyon elopement. They are:

– The Overlook

– Red Springs Boardwalk

– Ash Springs

#1 – The Overlook

This gorgeous spot is less than two miles south of the 13-Mile Scenic Drive entrance on State Route 159. 50 guests are allowed for a ceremony here. It’s one of the more popular sites for a Red Rock Canyon elopement since it has a paved parking area, picnic area, and is close to hiking trails.

Plus, when choosing to exchange your vows here, you’ll have an incredible view of vast stretches of Red Rock Canyon. The mountains don’t hurt either, since they provide a nice backdrop for some amazing photos.

#2 – Red Springs Boardwalk

Another popular location for a Red Rock Canyon elopement is the Red Springs Boardwalk located in Calico Basin. It’s just one mile from the State 159 and Calico Road intersection and allows a max of 50 guests.

In comparison to the Overlook, the Red Springs Boardwalk has a bit of a Western, back-country vibe. It could be a lot of fun playing with that aesthetic, and the fact it has a boardwalk in the country is a unique addition you won’t find in many other locations.

#3 – Ash Springs

Last but not least is Ash Springs. It requires some walking to get there, and it only allows 15 guests, but this is a great area for the windy season since it’s shielded.

Plus, it’s got some beautiful foliage complemented by red rock formations Red Rock Canyon is known for. It might take a little more effort, but a Red Rock Canyon elopement here is worth it!

Red Rock Canyon Activities

For those of you who would like to add a little adventure to your Red Rock Canyon elopement, or just enjoy what Red Rock Canyon offers outside of elopements, the area has more than a few things for you to do. Here’s a quick look at some of the activities on tap:

– Rock climbing

– Hiking

– Checking out the Visitor Center

– Camping

– Biking (on-road and off-road)

– Off-roading

– Going on the Scenic Drive

– Going on a picnic

– Enjoying the wildlife

– Taking photos 

If you like being outdoors and want to experience an area that has something for everyone, Red Rock Canyon is a great choice. Although we’d like to dive deeper into all of these activities, we’re going to highlight just a few, starting with the Scenic Drive.

Going On The Scenic Drive

The Scenic Drive is a 13-mile drive through Red Rock Canyon. You can do it either on your bike or in your car, and there are SO many things to see along the way. Just know that reservations are only from October 1 through May 31.

Climbing

Red Rock Canyon is a great place to go rock climbing. Even if you’re totally new, a climbing guide is available. This guide includes directions, photos, and descriptions of the routes too. The rock is sandstone, so it’s recommended to wait one to two days after a rain or snow to climb it though.

Hiking

Hiking is incredibly popular in Red Rock Canyon thanks to its beauty and the variety of trails available. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

– Turtlehead Peak

– Calico Tanks

– Calico Hills

– Moenkopi Loop

– Willow Springs Loop

– Ice Box Canyon

– Pine Creek Canyon

– Oak Creek Canyon Trail

– Dale’s Trail

– Knoll Trail

– First Creek Canyon Trail

When it comes to Red Rock Canyon, it’s a take-your-pick kind of place. There are enough trails for an entire vacation!

Restaurants Close To Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon also has several nearby restaurants that would be great for a small get-together after your elopement. They’re all about 5-10 minutes from Red Rock Canyon. They are:

– John Cutter

– Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar

– BabyStacks Cafe

– True Food Kitchen

– Public School 702

– Vintner Grill

– Frank & Fina’s Cocina

You can also find a great selection of restaurants at The Red Rock Casino Resort And Spa, which is also only 5 minutes from Red Rock Canyon. These include:

– Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar

– Yard House

– Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

– Lucky Penny At Red Rock

– 8 Noodle Bar

– T-Bones

– Osteria Fiorella

– Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

– Gridiron Grill

– Side Piece Pizza

– Terra Rossa

– Lotus Of Siam

How We Can Help You Plan The Perfect Red Rock Canyon Elopement

At Elopement Las Vegas, we specialize in micro weddings and elopements, and we’ve helped many couples plan out their perfect ceremony. We know a thing or two about tying the knot, whether it’s a Red Rock Canyon elopement or somewhere else. 

So, if you’re considering a Red Rock Canyon elopement, we can help! We have several all-inclusive wedding packages available that we’re certain will make things easy for you, so take a look, let us know what you’re interested in, and we’ll get started right away!

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