Lost Dutchman State Park Location Guide
Are you currently searching for a unique place to get married in Arizona? You can host a wedding or elope in Lost Dutchman State Park! Located in Pinal County, this 320-acre park is a part of the Sonoran Desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains. With its wide open landscapes and epic mountains lining the horizon, it makes for the perfect backdrop for photos! In this post, I’ve put together a brief Lost Dutchman State Park Location Guide to help you plan your wedding or elopement!
Lost Dutchman State Park Rules and Regulations for Weddings
In order to get married in Lost Dutchman State Park, there are a few details that need addressing so you can plan accordingly. Above all, we need to follow the Arizona State Parks Rules and Regulations!
Below are some important directly from the park rangers.
Important Wedding Planning Information for Lost Dutchman
Special Use Permits
To get married at Lost Dutchman State Park, a special use permit is required. It will define the rental space, what is included, what is excluded, any exceptions or variances from the standard policy, and what is required, such as damage or cleanup deposits, liability insurance, etc. One of the parks’ staff members will be designated as your primary contact to answer questions or provide assistance while planning and running the event.
In the case of weddings on Tonto National Forest, an additional special use permit must be requested and approved by their district ranger, then forwarded to the park staff email provided prior to the event.
Permit Cost
The total cost of the special use permit will depend on how many guests you have and whether or not you will need a rehearsal or reception. Fees include the cost of reserving one area, entrance fees for guests, and entrance fees for vendors.
All vendors (anyone you hire) must be pre-approved by the park and provide needed paperwork and insurance. It’s important to hire vendors who are familiar with the park because they may already have their information in the system and a relationship built with the rangers. For more information on fees HEAD HERE.
Ceremony Locations
There are 3-day use areas suitable for weddings: Cholla, Palo Verde, and Saguaro Ramadas.
The group campground is an option, but only if it is not being used on that date. These areas all include restroom buildings (modern restrooms cleaned and stocked daily). You can book your reservation up to one year in advance – do it as soon as you can because things book up!
Cholla
The Cholla Ramada at Lost Dutchman State Park is one of my favorite spots.
This shaded area offers a place to take a break and enjoy the natural beauty of the park. The ramada is surrounded by cholla cacti, which add to its uniqueness. It truly is one of the best spots for your elopement.
Palo Verde
Named after the Palo Verde trees that surround it, this ramada provides a peaceful spot to relax and take in the park’s stunning natural scenery. I usually tell my couples that this is one of those spots that really take intimacy to the next level.
Saguaro
The Saguaro Ramada at Lost Dutchman State Park is like a cozy spot in the Arizona desert.
It’s named after the tall and skinny saguaro cacti all around it. You can choose to have your ceremony, intimate picnic, or even experience the twinkling night sky there. This spot is one of the best locations that Lost Dutchman State Park has to offer.
Parking
The rental areas all have parking proportional to their capacity. Additional parking is available but may require a short walk or shuttle provided by the wedding party. Parking is not a guarantee and guests are not given priority access into the park.
Where to Get Ready
All of the park’s restroom facilities are ADA accessible, but you could also rent a cabin to get ready at. Cabins are limited to 6 people and 2 cars. You can check in at 3 PM and check out at 10 AM the following day.
Overnight Accommodations
The park has 138 total camping sites, 64 sites have water and power, and 6 cabins, all of which are available online.
HEAD HERE for more info from the Lost Dutchman State Park.
Weather
The weather is mostly sunny with seasonal winter rains coming from the Pacific Ocean. Summer months can be extremely hot with daytime temperatures soaring above 100 degrees! Hot weather in July and August can produce thunder, lightning, blowing dust, and occasionally heavy rain. This “monsoon” season normally ends by the latter half of September.
The park’s busy season is usually between October to April when temperatures are milder.
Lost Dutchman Elopement Photographer | Karen Castor Photography
Need a photographer for Lost Dutchman State Park? I offer all of my clients years of experience as an adventure photographer and know my way around the Arizona Desert therefore you will be in good hands with a local!
Sunrise Engagement Session at Lost Dutchman
Taylor and James booked a sunrise engagement session with me, and it was so fun! We paid for our permit at the visitors center and set off to catch those first rays of the Arizona sun! It was the perfect time to take photos as the sun had yet to heat up the desert, and he had the place to ourselves.
Lost Dutchman State Park Location Guide
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Such a very helpful post full of tips and beautiful photos