50 Best Places to Elope in New York

1. Lake Placid

The village of Lake Placid is surrounded by mountain peaks, beautiful lakes, and Olympic complex areas. If you prefer to stay in town, you can find great elopement venues such as the Whiteface Club and Resort or hit some of the surrounding trails for a top-of-the-world feel as you say your vows!

     2. Mount Jo

Mount Jo offers panoramic views of the mountain peaks. An amazing payoff for such a short hike just 1.3 miles with an elevation gain of 700 feet.

     3. Heaven Hills

If your dream is to get married in an expansive clearing surrounded by trees, Heaven Hills is the place for you. The trails here are relatively flat and are good for all skill levels.

     4. Whiteface Mountain

A High Peak in the Adirondacks that you can drive up – the perfect scenario for someone who wants to stay close to the village and still get a jaw-dropping view of Lake Placid below.

     5. Lake George

Lake George is the gateway to the Southern part of the Adirondacks. It is frequently referred to as the “Queen of the American Lakes” because of its vast shoreline and abundance of islands. Many hikes surround the lake, and there’s no lack of things to see if you choose to elope in this paradise.

     6. The Pinnacle Trail

This trail is good for most skill levels and offers a great view of Lake George with its many islands. It is a short two miles long with an elevation gain of 482 feet.

     7. Keene Valley

There are a plethora of breathtaking hikes found in the Keene area, some of which are listed below.

     8. Marcy Field

If you want views of high peaks without having to hike at all, Marcy Field is a great option to consider. You can drive right up to this seemingly evergreen field that acts as a gateway to many of the high peak trails.

     9. Indian Head

Not for the faint of heart, the Indian Head trail is 11 miles long and has almost a 2000-foot elevation gain. The payoff is stunning, making the long hike well worth it. Upon reaching the end of the hike, Indian Head transports you to Norwegian fjords without even leaving NY state.

     10. Cascade Lakes

Split between Upper and Lower lakes, Cascade Lakes is a treasure found along Route 73 in the Keene Valley region. The water is often still, reflecting the surrounding hills and sky as if it was a mirror.

     11. Saranac Lake

Saranac Waterfront Lodge is a great venue for intimate weddings in the village. Especially for those who envision having a white winter elopement, Saranac Lake delivers. The village comes to life with winter activities once the lake freezes over, giving you a chance to skate, ski, snowshoe, and more during your elopement day.

     12. Baker Mountain

The top of Baker Mountain offers great views of the peaks surrounding Saranac Lake. The trail is almost 2 miles long, with an elevation gain of about 900 feet – it will give you an awesome burn as you hike to the top to say I do.

     13. Inlet

Just like the other villages in the Adirondacks, you can’t go wrong in Inlet. If you want to stay near town, The Woods Inn is a great option. It hosts intimate weddings throughout the year in Inlet, offering accommodations and a gorgeous lakeside ceremony spot. If you’d prefer to hit the trails, the summit of Rocky Mountain is right down the road, among other hiking trails.

     14. Rocky Mountain

The Rocky Mountain Summit trail is only one mile long, with an elevation gain of around 400 feet. You can take your time exploring as you hike along and enjoy the expansive view at the summit when you reach the end.

     15. Tupper Lake

At Tupper Lake, you’ll find some of the most amazing vistas of the Adirondack mountains during the day. After a calm and cozy day, the sun sets and ushers in a beautiful late evening sky before unveiling a spectacular nightscape perfect for stargazing at the end of your elopement day.

     16. Mount Arab

The Mount Arab trail is the epitome of finding joy in the journey – it offers a fantastic vista point at the end with beautiful wildflowers along the way. This two-mile hike has an elevation gain of about 700 feet and leads up to some of the most gorgeous views of New York foliage, especially during the autumn season.

     17. Coney Mountain

Coney Mountain boasts a 360-view of mountain peaks upon reaching the top with an incredible view of green rolling hills in the summer and some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the area. This trail is two miles long with an elevation gain of about 500 feet.

     18. Goodman Mountain

Goodman Mountain, like other Adirondack hikes, offers stunning mountain vistas that stretch on for miles. This 3-mile hike will get your heart racing without exasperating you too much by the time you reach the top of the 500-foot elevation gain.

     19. Old Forge

The hamlet of Old Forge is known as the “Adirondack Base Camp” for visitors entering into the Adirondack Mountain area of New York. Located in the central region of the Adirondacks, Old Forge is home to charming wedding venues such as the Water’s Edge Inn and Great Pines Resort that will take care of all you need for your elopement.

     20. Bald Mountain

Imagine reaching the summit of your hike, only to find that you can get higher – this is what the Bald Mountain trail offers. The Rondaxe Fire Tower has been restored so visitors can climb to the top for the best views of the surrounding scenery. Definitely not a scene to miss for your dream elopement.

     21. McCauley Mountain

McCauley Mountain allows you to take a lift to the top of the mountain, opening you up to a vista that goes on for miles. No hiking is required at this location, though there are hikes in the surrounding area that you can opt to go on for some amazing couples portraits!

     22. Catskill Mountains

700,000 acres of forested mountains for you to explore during your elopement day. From hiking to wintertime skiing, from lakes and rivers to mountain peaks and steep cliffs, the Catskill mountains are full of astonishing locations for you to choose for your elopement.

     23. Hunter Mountain

Why not get married where Rip Van Winkle fell asleep? The Hunter Mountain trail is a day-long adventure, featuring wildflowers and mountain vistas with a fire tower at the end of the 4.7-mile hike to top it all off. The elevation gain for this hike is almost 2,300 feet, and well worth the difficulty.

     24. Overlook Mountain

Rated as one of the best hikes near Woodstock, Overlook Mountain offers panoramic views of the Catskills. Make the 4.6-mile trek up, gaining almost 1,400 feet in elevation to see some awe-inspiring mountain peak vistas.

     25. Catskill Mountain House

Want some views without a ton of hiking? There’s a hike for that! Hiking to the Catskill Mountain House feels more like a walk and has an amazing view of the valley below. If you’re lucky, you could elope on a day with fog covering the valley, creating an other-worldly drop off effect. This hike is less than two miles long, with an elevation gain of only 300 feet. In addition to the Mountain House, the nearby North-South Lake, surrounded by a sprawling forest, provides a lovely contrast to the view of the valley with a shady trail along the shoreline.

     26. Balsam Lake Mountain

Balsam Lake Mountain, like all of the hikes in the Catskills, offers incredible views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Its trail is about four and a half miles long and has an elevation gain of almost 1,200 feet, making it a great workout for your elopement day ;).

     27. Sugarloaf Mountain

If you’re looking for a longer hike to spend your day on, Sugarloaf Mountain will provide. It is almost 9 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. It features wildflowers, grassy clearings, and more.

     28. Mount Tremper Fire Tower

Mount Tremper is another difficult hike that will really make you feel like you’re adventuring through the wilderness on your elopement day. It is 6 miles long and has an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. Another perk of this trail is that you can bring your pups so they can enjoy the day with you!

     29. Minnewaska State Park

Minnewaska State Park offers not only mountain vistas, but rocky cliffs overlooking the clear blue water and waterfalls surrounded by misty forests. This variation is great for couples that want a little bit of everything on their elopement day!

     30. Mohonk Preserve

Another great option for mountain vistas can be found at the Mohonk Preserve. The Shawangunk Ridge provides rocky ledges for you to stand on as you look across the panorama of mountain peaks far off in the distance.

     31. Black Creek Preserve

Black Creek Preserve has a trail that can be trekked by the whole family if you plan to bring guests to your elopement. It is two miles long and has an elevation gain of around 350 feet. This is a great hike for those wanting to have a lakeside ceremony.

     32. Little Stony Point

Little Stony Point is the shortest hike on this list, clocking in at 0.9 miles long with an elevation gain of only 82 feet. This hike has a lake nestled between hillsides, with a narrow beach you can walk along together after saying your vows together.

     33. High Falls Conservation Area

Explore along the river that leads up to an impressive waterfall at the High Falls Conservation Area. This hike is a mile and a half long and has an elevation gain of 170 feet.

     34. Madam Brett Park

Madam Brett Park has lakes, bridges, waterfalls, and extensive forest that you can walk through during your elopement day. At sunset the park seems to turn gold as the sun drops below the horizon.

     35. John Boyd Thacher State Park

John Boyd Thacher State Park offers hikes that overlook New York’s capitol city, Albany. If you want to see great vistas AND waterfalls on your wedding day, this location is perfect for you.

     36. Peebles Island State Park

Peebles Island provides stunning lakeside views for couples who love being on the water. You can stay on land or kayak around the lake on your elopement day when you choose this location.

     37. Moreau Lake State Park

Moreau Lake is a stunning blue-green lake surrounded by forests of hardwood trees. Along with its beautiful natural scenery, a perk of eloping here is that it has covered outdoor space to protect you when the weather decides to throw you a curveball on your elopement day.

     38. Delphi Falls

Delphi Falls County Park has two waterfalls, a house, barn, and surrounding forest for you to enjoy on your elopement day. While there are no hikes in this park, couples looking to elope at the base of a waterfall and pass the day with family in the house can achieve this at Delphi Falls.

     39. Lake Ontario

The shore of Lake Ontario at Chimney Bluffs State Park resembles a California coast at sunset. Here you can hike, boat, and kayak during your elopement day while enjoying the golden cliffs on the edge of the Great Lake.  

     40. Clarke Reservation

Clarke Reservation is located in Jamesville, New York, and is comprised of forest, rocky walking trails, and a beautiful blue lake with multiple overlooks. Little hiking is required here.

     41. Cazenovia

For couples looking to have wedding packages while still enjoying outdoor space during their elopement, Cazenovia has numerous options. One of these is the Lincklaen House, which takes great care of couples looking to elope or have small intimate weddings in beautiful Cazenovia.

     42. Highland Forest

Looking for a great overlook of the hills of Central New York? Highland Forest has got your back. This park has endless nature trails surrounded by tall trees as well as a beautiful overlook of the surrounding farms and forested hills.

     43. Oneida Lake

Oneida Lake is underrated because of its proximity to the finger lakes, but it really is stunning. The sun glints off of the light blue water, making it a beautiful spot for a sunset elopement.

     44. Taughannock Falls

Imagine having a 215-foot waterfall as the backdrop for your elopement. Well, dreams really do come true because Taughannock Falls forms a beautiful backdrop for small wedding ceremonies and elopements. A short walk from the Falls takes you to Cayuga Lake State Park, giving a 2-for-1 deal for couples that choose to elope here.

     45. Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen State Park boasts 19 waterfalls and 200-foot tall cliffs that you can explore through during your elopement day.

     46. Filmore Glen

Filmore Glen State Park allows visitors to hike through a cool gorge surrounded by trees. Summer elopements can find relief from the heat when they choose this location to elope.

     47. Cayuga Lake State Park

Cayuga Lake has a beautiful beach for couples to say their vows on before exploring around the finger lake and surrounding foliage.

     48. Niagara Falls

You deserve your Jim and Pam moment. I mean it. And you can have it! Book a trip with Maid of the Mist and say your vows at the base of one of the most iconic waterfalls in the United States. The mist from the falls will envelop you both as you pledge to spend the rest of your lives together.

     49. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Montezuma is a large expanse of land through which you can explore on your elopement day. It is practically guaranteed that you will find wildlife to observe here, and it’s easy to hop over to the north end of Cayuga Lake from this location, as well.

     50. Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East” and for good reason. It has 600-foot cliffs creating a gorge through which the Genessee River flows. If you choose to elope here, you can expect beautiful waterfalls and lush forests all around you, all while you overlook this magnificent gorge. On top of this, you can reserve the Glen Iris Inn for accommodations and other wedding arrangements at Letchworth State Park, making the process as seamless as possible.