Poets’ Walk Park: Elopement and Ceremony Location in Red Hook, NY

Couple walking hand in hand up a path toward the Poets' Walk gazebo with the sun behind it

Poets’ Walk Park

Address: 776 River Rd, Red Hook, NY 12571

Website: scenichudson.org

Poets’ Walk Park is a public park run by Scenic Hudson on River Road in Red Hook. A gravel path winds through the woods and opens into a clearing with a rustic gazebo, a long field and open views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. It is a small, quiet place, and it works best for small ceremonies.

  • Poets' Walk Park sign in front of leafy trees
  • Small ceremony in front of the Poets' Walk gazebo with the sun glowing behind its roof
  • Couple walking through a hayfield with the Hudson River in the distance
  • Couple walking across the lawn toward the gazebo with sunlight behind the trees

There is no venue to rent here and no building. The gazebo is the ceremony spot, and the field around it is where you take portraits. Parking is in the lot, and everyone walks in along the path, which makes the arrival part of the day: a gravel path, a clearing, and then the view. Scenic Hudson lists the gazebo and a pavilion among the park’s amenities, along with a seasonal restroom.

It is a public park, so other visitors can walk through during your ceremony. One couple I photographed here had a friend gently point passersby around the gazebo, which worked well. Small groups fit best. Chris and Tyler had 16 people, and it felt right.

Scenic Hudson requires that all special events at its parks be approved in advance, and a ceremony here goes through its special events request form. Admission, fees, group size limits and rules about decorations, alcohol and amplified music are not published, so ask before you plan. Questions can go to the Scenic Hudson Land Trust at (845) 473-4440, extension 247.

  • Couple signing the marriage license while the officiant holds the clipboard
  • Champagne being poured into glasses on a rustic wooden bench
  • Couple walking across the lawn at sunset with the Hudson River beyond
  • Couple walking hand in hand toward the Hudson River at dusk, seen from behind

The park has seasonal hours. The published schedule runs 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from October 30 to March 5, to 7:30 p.m. from March 6 to April 30, to 8:30 p.m. from May 1 to September 30, and to 7:30 p.m. from October 1 to October 29. Check Scenic Hudson’s page for current times, because a late golden-hour ceremony in winter will not fit.

Details as published by Scenic Hudson, October 2026. Confirm directly.

Plan for the walk. It takes a few minutes from the lot to the clearing, so leave time for it and for the group to settle before the ceremony. I have photographed ceremonies here at sunset, with the sun glowing through the gazebo, and at 11 in the morning when it was too hot for the afternoon, and both looked beautiful. Late light turns the field gold and gives the river a soft glow. In the morning, the light is cleaner and everyone has more energy. Either way, build in time for a loop around the park for portraits.

My elopement photos from Poets’ Walk Park

Here are the elopements I have photographed at Poets’ Walk Park. Tap any one to see the full day.

Ready to chat about your Poets’ Walk Park ceremony? I’d love to hear from you.

Contact Andrew ➞