Lost Dutchman State Park sits at the base of the Superstition Mountains, surrounded by the vast landscape of the Sonoran Desert. It’s an incredibly scenic park, with views of the mountains, the Saguaro Cactuses and other plant life, and unique rock formations. It’s a gorgeous place to tie the knot, and conveniently located under an hour from Phoenix. For couples looking for a wild, colorful adventure, this Lost Dutchman State Park wedding guide will tell you how to plan your elopement or intimate wedding!
The Best Time for a Wedding at Lost Dutchman State Park
When you plan an elopement, choosing a date is one of the earlier steps! You can get married at Lost Dutchman State Park pretty much anytime, but some seasons may be more ideal for you than others.
Summers in Arizona are hot, hot, hot! Lost Dutchman State Park is in the desert, so temperatures can get into the triple digits – not ideal for an outdoor wedding, but it’s possible to get away from the heat by planning an adventure for sunrise or sunset.
On the other hand, winters are mild, with daytime temperatures in the high 60s! The weather is great for hikes and adventures outdoors, though it can get chilly at night, so you’ll want some layers with you.
Spring and fall are great times for a Lost Dutchman State Park wedding as well, with warm, sunny weather. In the spring, if there’s been enough rain that season, wildflowers bloom, covering the desert in a carpet of colors, which makes for a truly stunning backdrop for an elopement!
November through April is the best time to tie the knot in Lost Dutchman State Park for most couples, with good weather that isn’t too hot! No matter when you elope, I recommend opting for a weekday to avoid crowds, and planning your ceremony for sunrise or sunset for that same reason, and also to enjoy the golden hues of the desert.
Lost Dutchman State Park Wedding Permits
To get married at Lost Dutchman State Park, you’ll need to fill out a wedding application. This, along with the information about weddings in the park, can be found on the Arizona State Parks website.
Make sure to read the wedding packet so that you know what the rules are, and send the wedding application at least two weeks before the ceremony date – but I definitely recommend doing this more than two weeks beforehand to avoid any stress and to make sure that the rangers are able to get to your application in time. They accept applications up to a year in advance!
There is a $250 deposit with the application, but this will be refunded, as long as everything is cleaned up after the wedding.
Where Can You Have a Wedding in Lost Dutchman State Park?
For weddings at Lost Dutchman State Park, there are pre approved areas where you can get married. For elopements under 25 people, there are the Cholla and Saguaro day use areas. Both include a ramada, picnic tables, a grill, and a fire pit.
For bigger weddings, there’s Road Runner Group Camp and Quail Group Camp, which can host 100 and 150 people, respectively.
Though you’re limited in where you can have your ceremony, we can go take photos elsewhere in the park! Here are a few good locations around the park for photos, or for a fun adventure:
- Lost Dutchman Treasure Loop Trail – a 2.3 mile hike around the base of Flatiron Mountain.
- Siphon Draw Trail – one of the more challenging hikes. It’s 5.5 miles long and ascends to the peak of Flatiron.
- Discovery Trail – an easy, mile long trail that takes you through the desert flora and fauna.
Things to Do When You Get Married at Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman has so many things to do, and the best thing about eloping is that you get to create an adventure! Here are a few ideas for how to celebrate when you get married at Lost Dutchman State Park.
Hit the Trails
Hiking is a great way to explore the park and to enjoy the scenery! There are trails that offer gorgeous views of the mountains and the surrounding desert, whether you want to go for a short hike or a longer, more difficult one.
Rock Climb
Flatiron mountain offers some rock climbing, and there are plenty more routes to be found in the surrounding Superstition mountains. If the two of you are passionate about climbing, what better way to celebrate getting married?
Stargaze
The adventures don’t have to end when the sun sets! Because of the remote location of Lost Dutchman State Park, it’s a really incredible place to see the stars at night. You can end your elopement day under the stars, enjoying the clear desert skies.
Horseback Riding
Including horses in your elopement can be so special, and the park has some designated horseback riding trails, so you can experience the area from a different perspective!
Go Camping
To really immerse yourself in nature and in the scenery of Lost Dutchman State Park, you can go camping! There are options for both tent and RV camping right in the park, and they’re a great home base for exploring. If you prefer dispersed camping, there’s also national forest land outside of the park, where you can find more remote, private campsites!
Ready to Elope in Lost Dutchman State Park?
Your wedding shouldn’t be stressful, and planning shouldn’t be a chore. My job as an elopement photographer is to make sure the day you get married is full of joy, love, and epic views! Lost Dutchman State Park is an incredible place to tie the knot if you want stunning desert scenery, and I’ll help you plan your elopement, beginning to end. I’ll recommend ceremony locations and places to take photos, things to do, where to stay, vendors, and everything you need! We’re in this together, and I’m here to guide you to the wedding day of your dreams.
If you’re ready to tie the knot, contact me!
