5 WV Wedding Locations That Are Perfect for Elopements

Picture this: You and the love of your life, standing together, exchanging your vows in Almost Heaven. There are SO many gorgeous WV wedding locations to choose from with mountain views, cool overlooks, waterfalls, and even perfect sunset and stargazing spots. As a born and raised WV gal, this place has a special place in my heart, and I think you’ll fall for its beauty just as fast.

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New River Gorge National Park

Easily offers some of the most memorable mountain views in the entire State. There’s several must-see dramatic overlooks to add to your list, and you’re surrounded by experience in every corner to make your elopement day uniquely yours.

• There’s tons of outdoor activity, including white water rafting, hiking, rock climbing, chasing waterfalls, SXS tours, and the infamous Bridge Walk.
• The best views are caught in the fall when the mountains turn shades of vibrant red, orange and yellow.
• A permit to elope inside the park is $75, which opens you to many gorgeous views including:

Long Point Trail Overlook

A moderate 3 mile hike (1.5 miles there and back) takes about 2 hours to complete. This is a rocky outcrop view of the New River Gorge bridge. This trail is very popular, so it’s best to plan for a weekday and earlier in the day.

Endless Wall Trail

Voted “The Best National Park Hike” by USA Today, this 2.4 mile hike is a priceless view of the Gorge. This is a perfect spot for both sunrise and sunset photos.

Beauty Mountain

One of the very best views of New River Gorge, and since it’s outside of the park, there’s no permits required to elope here. A quick 1 mile hike brings you to dramatic cliff vistas overlooking theGorge. The sounds of the river below add a peaceful aura to the scene. Sunsets here are notably amazing.

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Dolly Sods Wilderness

Dolly Sods is one of my favorite places to visit and it’s easy to see why. Featuring some of the most jaw-dropping rocky overlooks and cascading cliffs with mountain views as far as the eye can see, there’s a lot of variety here for the perfect elopement day.

• You are totally surrounded by the most brilliant blue mountain scapes. How’s that for “something blue” on your wedding day?
• Do you love stargazing? The Sods is one of the darkest places in West Virginia for optimal stargazing conditions.
• There are no permits required to get married here, but always follow Leave No Trace principles.

Peak Seasons

If you’re dreaming of a fall mountain elopement, these colors are truly glorious. Imagine waves of vibrant red, orange and gold, rolling across the valleys and igniting the mountains around you. Fall foliage typically reaches peak here around mid September to early October due to elevation. Summertime is lovely as well. The entire area blooms with Mountain Laurels, azaleas and other pretty wildflowers.

I always recommend eloping here on a weekday to avoid crowds. The area can become very crowded with hikers and tourists on weekends and in peak seasons (early summer and fall color season). Couples can also avoid crowds by choosing to elope earlier in the morning.

Bear Rocks Loop Trail

This is one of the most amazing viewpoints in Dolly Sods. This 0.7 mile loop features an incredible view from a rocky outcropping (and it feels like you’re in the clouds for real). This overlook sees some of the most lovely sunrises in West Virginia, and I’ve seen some of the best sunsets of my life here, hands down.

• Bringing guests along to your elopement? This spot is accessible for beginner hikers, and its only a short distance from the road/parking area.

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Seneca Rocks

Truly a unique spot for your elopement, this beloved gem is one of the State’s most prominent landmarks. Seneca Rocks offers options for your wedding day, whether you’re ready to spend it with your favorite people or with an adventurous “just us” experience.

• The hike to the top of the towering 900 ft overlook is 1.3 miles and its moderately difficult. At the top, you’re in the middle of the most amazing panoramic view of the mountains. There’s an observation deck available to rent for $50.
• There’s options available at the bottom to host guests, including picnic areas and pavilions for rent with spectacular views and plenty of parking.
• If hiking isn’t on the menu, you can still experience the trail with a guided horseback ride at Yokum’s Seneca Rocks Stables. All skill levels are welcome!
• Sunset illuminates the rocks from the West face, creating an alpenglow scene for some dreamy photos.
• Spending the evenings here stargazing has been a core memory for me.

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Fred Long Centennial Park

Okay, maybe I’m a bit biased here because I eloped right here, but this little slice of Almost Heaven is one of the best places to elope in WV. If earth’s natural colors inspire you, this spot is a no-brainer: those sweeping views of the blue mountains will create a deeply romantic setting fro your day.

• This awesome spot is right along the road and doesn’t require any hiking. You can totally bring your favorite folks here with you. In fact, one of the reasons we chose to elope here was because we invited our grandmothers, and since they both walk with canes, we knew this was an accessible spot for both of them
• You’re only minutes away from Blackwater Falls State Park.
• Some of the best sunsets I’ve ever experienced in my life were right here. It sets the mood perfectly for a sunset ceremony, vows with tremendous intention, or even a picnic.
• There are no permits required to get married here, but be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles.

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Harpers Ferry National Park

This historic park nestled between the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers in the Eastern Panhandle is truly an underrated choice for a romantic and adventurous elopement in the mountains.

• There’s a lot of activities here to do on your elopement day, like visiting historical sites and strolling through the picturesque lower town (which has some phenomenal dining options).
• There’s 22 miles of hiking trails/ The views at the top of the infamous Maryland Heights trail are unmatched. The overlook faces the West for stunning sunset views.
• Yearning for sunrise instead? Check out the Jefferson Rock trail.

Peak Seasons

On weekends, Harpers Ferry can become very crowded. Parking is limited and often fills up very fast. Fall is by far the most romantic time of year to elope in Harpers Ferry. Up against the beautiful architecture in the lower town, the foliage is lovely around mid October to early November. The park experiences a major increase in crowds then, so I always recommend couples choose to elope on a weekday or early in the morning.

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Let’s get you married in the mountains

West Virginia is actually unmatched when it comes to beautiful places to elope. We’ve got views for days, amazing sunsets and so many iconic places to say “I do”. If you’re ready to make one of these spots a part of your story, I’ll guide you through the whole process. Let’s start planning the mountain wedding you’re dreaming about.