# Nelson Ghost Town vs. Eldorado Dry Lake Bed Elopements (2026 Out-the-Door Fee Comparison)

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> Two bucket-list photo locations 40 minutes south of the Strip—comparing vintage 1861 mining barns & rusted classic trucks against wide-open cracked desert playa.

## Side-by-Side 2026 Out-the-Door Cost & Policy Table

| Metric | Nelson Ghost Town (Eldorado Canyon Mine Tours) | Eldorado Dry Lake Bed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neighborhood | Red Rock / Desert | Red Rock / Desert |
| Google Rating | 4.7 (3925 ratings) | 4.3 (142 ratings) |
| Lowest Base Package | $850 | $1,499 |
| Cash Minister Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Venue Tax / Surcharge | 0% | 0% |
| Clark County Marriage License | $102.00 cash ($105.29 card) | $102.00 cash ($105.29 card) |
| **Estimated Legal Out-the-Door Lowest** | **$952** | **$1,601** |
| Outside (BYO) Photographer | BYO Photographer: +$50 | BYO Photographer: Fee Applies |
| Max Guest Capacity | 50 | 100 |
| Elvis Packages | Yes | Yes |
| Drive-Thru Option | No | No |
| Full Profile | https://lasvegasweddingchapel.com/chapels/nelson-ghost-town-eldorado-canyon | https://lasvegasweddingchapel.com/chapels/eldorado-dry-lake-bed |

## Choose Nelson Ghost Town (Eldorado Canyon Mine Tours) When:
- You want textured vintage wooden barns, antique gas pumps, desert cacti, and rusted classic cars (and indoor/covered backup structures).

## Choose Eldorado Dry Lake Bed When:
- You want minimalist editorial fashion photography with 360-degree cracked earth, mountain silhouettes, and golden dust clouds (plus vintage convertible props).

## Bottom-Line Verdict
They sit just 10 minutes apart near Boulder City—pick Nelson Ghost Town for rich vintage Americana texture, or Eldorado Dry Lake Bed for clean editorial minimalism (many photographers shoot both in one afternoon!).