Step one: get the ring—done! Step two: book those engagement photos. Gotta show off that ring, of course! We covered what engagements are and how to choose a great photographer in this article with Kim Crook Photography; but how do you decide where to take them?

When in Utah, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different options for engagement photo locations across the state. And of course, we’re known for our incredible landscapes here, no matter the season. And that doesn’t even take into account all of the incredible indoor photo location options. 

So if you’re looking for some guidance on where to start, here are our top ten favorite locations for engagements across our favorite state. Utah engagement photo locations are simply the best in the west, and it’s no contest.

Oh, and we got your outfit inspo covered. Check out our Amazon storefront for ideas for what to wear to your engagements! And find your future wedding photographer here.

Utah’s Swoon-Worthy Natural Landscapes

With five whole national parks in Utah, and even more beautiful state parks than we can count, Utah is quite literally the dream place to take photos that will make your granny gasp and your bridesmaids squeal. Here are our favorite nature-centric engagement photo locations that make the perfect backdrop for your engagements. 

Here’s your sign to pack a picnic with you to your engagement session as you enjoy the great outdoors of our beautiful beehive state. 

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a 15-mile scenic stretch in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, and it’s only a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City! Not only is it known for its incredible alpine backdrops and winding trails, but it’s also home to the iconic Brighton and Solitude ski resorts. So no matter the season, Bog Cottonwood is a great option for stunning engagement photos.

It’s the perfect place for an outdoorsy-meets-romantic couple, or for anyone looking for a jaw-dropping fall color backdrop, or a galavant through a misty mountain flower field, or if you want a sparkling lakeshore and waterfall to complement your shining smiles. 

Seriously, there are endless possibilities in just this canyon alone. And you can even bring your hiking boots and hop on a trail after you snap those pictures—or just lean all the way in and take your engagement photos at the top of the trail!

Snow Canyon State Park

With its iconic rock formations, Snow Canyon is the perfect marriage of Southern Utah’s red rocks and towering mountain backdrops. Just imagine a desert sunset or sunrise framing the most movie-like moments of you and your future spouse, with a rusty cliff in the distance and a warm breeze blowing through your hair. 

Also known for its great hiking trails, Snow Canyon is one of the most unique and beautiful locations for engagements. There are so many different spots across the park to capture great snapshots full of rich colors, textures, and lighting that is just to die for. 

Bring your cowgirl boots, or a light lacey dress that blows in the wind, or use this as the excuse to finally visit St. George that you’ve been looking for.

If you want a desert-y, warm, and cinematic location for photos, move Snow Canyon to the top of your list. 

Antelope Island State Park

Salt Lake City gets its name from, of course, the Great Salt Lake, and Antelope Island is the best way to get those sweeping views and windblown magic that it’s known for. Not only is the wide-open space incredible for photos, but the sunset golden hour that settles across the water is nothing short of pure magic. 

It’s like taking engagements on the beach without having to drive all the way to the coast. Embrace the beautiful way the light hits the salt with the purple mountain majesty behind it in a billowing ballgown. 

Little Sahara Sand Dunes

Embrace a little more of the desert vibes at the sand dunes right in the middle of Utah at Little Sahara Sand Dunes. The sand dunes are a great option for engagement photos with a neutral backdrop, while still being breathtakingly beautiful and outdoors. 

The dunes are a great location for a boho or adventurous vibe: think barefoot, romantic, alone-together-on-a-deserted-island kind of thing. The dusky sky behind the rising and falling ever-moving orange hills is the perfect example of opposites attract, and it’s proof that a love like that is everlasting. 

Tibble Fork Reservoir & American Fork Canyon 

Tibble Fork is popular for a reason: a great location that isn’t too far away, stunning evergreens that meet a glassy lake, and a very intimate and cozy niche in the mountainside that feels like a secret cove. 

And the lighting is unbeatable, with the high canyon walls creating the perfect setting for timeless shots that will last for hours. Think of a serene walk along a beach in the morning, hand-in-hand with your lover, with golden leaves and golden sunrays to complement the happiness in your soul. 

The rest of American Fork Canyon and the Alpine Loop has some incredible spots for photos too, from the top of cliffs overlooking the valley to the ever-reaching, ever-dancing aspen trees towering over you.

These locations are great for couples looking for an intimate and casually romantic engagement photo session. 

Red Ledges in Spanish Fork

If you want that iconic Utah red rock scenery without having to drive too far, Spanish Fork Canyon will be your best friend. Red Ledges and Diamond Fork are perfect for the rusty backdrops, dramatic colors, and cliffsides.

And here’s a little extra tip: the red rocks here are even more stunning in the winter, with towering snowcapped stacks. Greatest snow on earth meets unbeatable iron-rich mountains in the best way.

Who knew you could have your dreamy red rock engagement photos without even leaving Utah County? Now, you do. 

Provo Canyon

Meeting Sundance Mountain Resort on the backside of the Alpine Loop, Provo Canyon is the most easily accessible of these locations. With multiple parks and recreational stops going up and a winding trail to connect them, there’s a reason so many people love spending time in this canyon.

Want a waterfall backdrop? Looking for an overlook at sunset with a lake behind you? What about the perfect wildflower field? Provo Canyon has it all. Plus, you can round out your photo session with walking, biking, or longboarding the trail on your way down. 

Provo Canyon is a great location for couples who want an easily-accessible spot with multiple different backdrop options without having to hike to them.

Utah’s Cities and Pretties

The natural rock formations and unique sand dunes or salt dunes aren’t the only things that make outdoor engagement photos in Utah so stunning. From downtown Salt Lake to the iconic Park City Main Street, the in-the-city photo locations are just as romantic as they are close. 

Here are some of UVB’s favorite Utah engagement photo locations that are right in the heart of the cities!

Utah State Capitol & Salt Lake City Urban

Who doesn’t love a good cityscape backdrop with a pink and orange sunset glistening off the glass buildings around you? And it’s even more magical when you’re twirling and dipping from the top of Capitol Hill with the entire Salt Lake Valley below you. 

Or even better—have you seen Memory Grove in the spring with the bright pink blossoms? It’s to die for, just further proof that Utah has the most incredible ecosystem for flora and fauna. And if you take photos at the Utah State Capitol, you get the added benefit of indoor-outdoor shots (just like many areas around downtown). Candid shots from a vintage elevator? Holding hands and running down the street with towering buildings on every side? Yes, please!

Not only is an urban engagement shoot absolutely everything that is chic, modern, and rom-com-esque, but there are also so many places around Salt Lake City that are rustic and historical. Check out the Thomas S. Monson Center for more indoor-outdoor photo ops right out of a twentieth-century drama, or visit the old Salt Lake City and County Building on 400 South for a backdrop that will make you feel like you took a trip to old London. 

Or just stroll around downtown, take a peek at local favorite bars and coffee shops for those intimate real-life moments, and don’t forget a classy look with heels and a silk skirt, or go full New York columnist in a trendy trench coat and smart glasses. 

Park City Main Street

Lean into that quaint downtown charm as you walk down Main Street in Park City hand-in-hand. The old buildings mixed with that cozy apres ski vibe are the perfect combination for anyone wanting to lean more western and rustic, or old money and elevated. 

Park City and its surrounding architecture and natural beauty lets you have it both ways, and your engagement photos will turn out gorgeous no matter the season. Warm summer wildflowers outside of an old-west-style tavern? Perfectly romantic. Fur-donned ear muffs and hot cocoa on a balcony overlooking the slopes? Romantically perfect!

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Last but certainly not least, embrace the year-round beauty of Thanksgiving Point’s acres upon acres of gardens that will make you swoon at how pretty it is (and it smells just as nice). From the Tulip Festival in the spring to summertime rose trellises and ponds lined with waterlilies and full of koi fish, every single angle at Thanksgiving Point is simply perfection.

They even have the largest man-made waterfall on their property, perfect for a secluded feel without even having to go far. And around every corner is a cute little nook with stones wrapped in vines and benches draped in lilacs. 

You will need a photography permit to shoot photos here, but once you take a look at what they have, you’ll see that it’s well worth it. This is a great option for couples looking for a romantic frolic through florals and European-looking village vibes, in a summer dress or linen pants. It’s the epitome of Utah engagement photos without having to drive all the way to the mountains. 

Tips for Any Utah Engagement Photo Location: Lighting Matters Most

No matter where you take your engagement photos, whether it’s at any of these stunning locations across the valley or up high on the peaks, lighting is going to be what really brings those photos to life. 

We all know the magic of golden hour, so plan your engagement session with your photographer for sunset, or if you’re brave, sunrise (it’s so worth it, we promise). 

Keep in mind that just because it’s cold, it doesn’t mean you can’t get the dreamiest, creamiest shots for your announcements and Instagram posts. 

Late spring and summer in Utah are perfect for lush greenery, insane wildflowers, and warm weather. Fall is, of course, going to be drop-dead perfect for the dropping orange and red leaves in the mountains with blankets of fog to keep you nice and cozy (hello, Tibble Fork and Alpine Loop)! And winter? Well, there’s a reason Utah is known for its incredible powder high up in the hills. 

Wherever you choose to take your engagement photos, you can find outfit inspo for any of these locations on our Amazon storefront here. Just don’t forget to send them to us so we can obsess over them with you! 

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Photography: Ashlyn French Photography