Elope in Arkansas
Ozark plateaus, hot spring pools, and river valley terrain
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is the most unusual national park in the system. The park is built around a working spa town with thermal bathhouse architecture that dates to the early 1900s. Elopements here have a historic and theatrical quality that most national parks cannot replicate. Nearby Buffalo National River is the first federally designated national river in the country, with limestone bluffs, clear swimming holes, and low permit complexity for ceremonies along the corridor. Arkansas consistently surprises couples who do not expect much.
Elopement Locations in Arkansas
3 location guides covering Ozark plateaus, hot spring pools, and river valley terrain.
- Hot Springs National Park: National Park · Year round · Permit: Yes · Fee: Contact park for current fee
- Ozark National Forest: National Forest · Spring Fall · Permit: Varies · Fee: Free for groups of 8 or fewer · Special Use Permit fees apply for 9+
- Buffalo National River: National River · Spring Fall · Permit: Yes · Fee: $50 non refundable application fee. Cost recovery, insurance, and monitoring fees may apply for larger or more complex events.
Arkansas Marriage License
No waiting period and no witnesses required; one of the easiest elopement states. Both partners appear at any county clerk with valid photo ID. License is valid for a ceremony anywhere in Arkansas but must be returned to the issuing clerk within 60 days whether or not it was used.
- License fee: $60
- Wait period: None
- Witnesses required: None
- License valid for: 60 days