Pennsylvania is a huge state. With so many incredible options, choosing the perfect spot to elope in Pennsylvania can feel overwhelming. As a Pennsylvania elopement photographer, I’ve put together this guide of the best places to elope in Pennsylvania to help you find the ideal location for your big day. While I may be a bit biased as a local, I truly believe this state offers some of the most stunning and diverse settings for you to plan your celebration. (If you need help planning check out my Complete Guide for How to Elope in Pennsylvania here)
Let’s dive into some incredible places where you could choose to elope in Pennsylvania!
Where to Elope in Pennsylvania
Here’s a round up of my recommendations:
Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved state parks. It’s a stunning and accessible location for eloping in the Pocono Mountains where you can enjoy being fully immersed in nature.
This park features a historic chapel (where you can have your ceremony), SOD trail falls, a lake, waterfall, and so much more to offer you. Pro tip – plan your elopement here during the week for a more secluded and private experience.
Also, if you and your partner love hiking, be sure to bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots along with you. You can both can enjoy trekking through the forests of spruce, hickory, and hemlock, to access the falls. Be sure to also check out the iconic Boulder Field National Natural Landmark.
Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, also known as the Pine Creek Gorge, includes steep canyon walls and waterfalls and is a part of the Tioga State Forest. One of the most popular attractions you’ll find here is the Pine Creek Rail Trail. This trail happens to be a converted railroad bed that can be found along the Pine Creek Gorge at the floor of the canyon.
Several scenic spots throughout the park would be perfect for a wedding, such as the Overlook Trail at Leonard Harrison State Park, which has views of the PA Grand Canyon.
You can also find vista views on the scenic winding road from Route 6 out Forest Road to Colton Point State Park. If you and your partner are up for it, you could even hike the Turkey Path which has stunning views of the canyon and the Little Four Mile Waterfall.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park harbors Glens Natural Area, which is a National Natural Landmark. It boasts several free-flowing waterfalls, old-growth timber, and charming wooden bridges throughout.
This park is known as one of the most scenic spots in Pennsylvania. It has 22 named falls, the highest of which is the 94-foot Ganoga Falls. Over 20 miles of hiking trails and a beach are also available. Furthermore, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
World’s End State Park
World’s End State Park is surrounded by the Loyalsock State Forest. Here you’ll discover rugged natural beauty coursing through the heart of the Endless Mountains landscape.
A gorgeous spot for your ceremony is the Loyalslcok Canyon Vista. The vista is on a mountainside and has an incredible view of World’s End State Park. The park has more than 20 miles of hiking trails and is filled with waterfalls, scenic vistas, and covered bridges.
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park has acres and acres of rugged natural beauty. Also, it is the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. Passing through the park are the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny River Gorge.
From cascading waterfalls to hiking trails, this is a beautiful spot to say “I do.” Also, if you and your partner are adventure enthusiasts, you have to add in white water rafting as part of your elopement experience. Inside of Ohiopyle State Park you can experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River!
Cherry Springs State Park
Cherry Springs State Park got its name for the large stands of black cherry trees originally found in the area. This is an 82-acre Pennsylvania state park with several hiking trails.
One of the unique features of this park is that it’s consistently rated as one of the seven best places on the planet for stargazing. From the park you can get stunning views of the Milky Way, planets, and hard-to-see astronomical objects and phenomena.
Mt. Tammany
Mt. Tammany is co-located within both Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Worthington State Forest. If you and your partner are up for a hike on the red dot trail, you can access a fantastic overlook of the Delaware Water Gap and Mt. Minsi, which can serve as the backdrop for your ceremony.
However, if you don’t want to go all the way to the top, there are different beautiful overlooks you can stop at along the way! From start to finish, if you keep a good pace, it only takes about 30 minutes to get up to the first overlook on the trail.
The views you’ll find at different overlooks feature the Delaware River, mountains, woods, rolling foothills, and long trails of boulders creating an incredible picturesque setting for your day.
Pinnacle Overlook
The Pinnalcle Overlook can be found within the Susquehanna Riverlands, which offers panoramic views of the Susquehanna River. You’ll also view rocky outcroppings and hardwood forests. Plus, there are short hiking loops you and your partner can explore, and there are other overlooks in the area you can both enjoy as well.
Honorable Mentions: Additional Pennsylvania Elopement Locations
The great news about planning an elopement in Pennsylvania is that there are sooo many incredible options you could choose from!
Here are some other amazing elopement locations that I wanted to make sure didn’t get left out of this blog –
- Laurel Summit State Park
- Laurel Hill State Park
- Presque Isle State Park
- Cook Forest State Park
- Sinnamahoning State Park
- White Mountain Wild Area
- Wyomissing Park
- Promise Ridge
Securing your permits
For an elopement in Pennsylvania, ceremonies are typically permitted in the state parks, but they do require pre-approval from the park office. If you want to elope in one of the parks I’ve listed in this blog, you need to contact the state park where you are interested in having the ceremony and make sure you follow the rules and regulations they lay out for you.
By the way, if you don’t want to stress about securing permits, working with an elopement photographer/planner (like me) will make this process so much easier. As your elopement planner/photographer, I will help you secure your permits, scout the best locations, plan your timeline, and more so you can have the best elopement experience possible!
Ready to Elope in Pennsylvania?
I hope you found this overview on different elopement locations in Pennsylvania helpful. Pennsylvania has various types of backdrops you could choose from for your elopement, including mountains, fields, waterfalls, and more so you can find the perfect setting that matches your elopement vision.
And…if you’re still looking for the perfect elopement photographer, I’m here to capture every moment of your elopement with a lot of heart. You can contact me here or learn more about my elopement services here.
Read these next:
How to Write Personal Elopement Vows That Feel Like You
6 Unique Elopement Ceremony Ideas to Include in Your Celebration
