Hudson Valley, Hudson Highlands State Park

Permit Information

NY State Parks Special Event Permit required for formal ceremonies. Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve itself has limited ceremony support; Bannerman Island (accessed via ferry, part of the park system) is a popular pre approved ceremony site managed by the Bannerman Castle Trust. Contact the park at 845 265 3175 or 845 225 7207 for permit details. Scenic Hudson sites in the broader Hudson Valley require 4 6 weeks advance notice.

Planning Your Day at Hudson Valley, Hudson Highlands State Park

One-Spot Day

Hudson Valley one spot days work best at Little Stony Point for the riverside cove or the Cornish Estate ruins for the forested architecture feel. Both are short walks from parking, so you keep the day simple and the ceremony and portraits in the same 90 minute window.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

Hudson Highlands locations sit within 15 minutes of each other. A Little Stony Point ceremony in the morning and a Cornish Estate portrait walk in the afternoon is doable in one day, and the two landscapes could not feel more different, open river cove versus ivy covered stone ruins.

A Note on Light

Little Stony Point faces roughly west northwest, so late afternoon backlights Storm King across the river. Anthony's Nose overlook also runs west, which makes it a late afternoon and sunset location. The Cornish ruins actually prefer overcast, direct sun through the roofless structures blows the highlights. May and June give you lush fern and ivy growth, October gives you filtered gold through the mansion walls.

Ceremony Spots at Hudson Valley, Hudson Highlands State Park

• Little Stony Point — Intimate riverside ceremonies with mountain backdrops and quick beach access
• Anthony's Nose Summit — Adventurous couples wanting a bird's eye view of the Bear Mountain Bridge and Hudson River
• Cornish Estate Ruins — Couples drawn to Gilded Age romance, ivy covered stonework, and a forested cathedral feel