There are SO many great ceremony spots in Shenandoah National Park. From hikes like Stonyman to overlooks like Hazel Mountain. But after visiting those beautiful spots for sharing your vows, don’t you want a few more incredible places for breathtaking portraits to commemorate this time? Of course you do. 🙂

This is my little list of the 10 best spots for your post-ceremony portraits. You know, those first few moments after your intimate ceremony where you can just breathe and really take in this special time. This list is split into two, for those who don’t mind a little hike and for those who want to just jump out of the car and be right there for portraits. We’ll start with my go-to hiking spots.

I’ll start out this part of the list by saying that hiking to a spot for post-ceremony portraits (especially if you love getting outside and hiking) can really be the best. Not only do you get amazing portraits at the destination point of the hike but you can also get stunning portraits along the way of just the two of you on the trail and these can turn out really, really enchanting.

The Hikes

Blackrock, mile marker 84.4

Blackrock Summit is somewhat underrated, but this hike is PERFECT because it’s a shorter hike (1.1 circuit) with highly rewarding views. The rocks at the top of this summit are like no other in Shenandoah National Park, it’s very unique. The sights on the way up to the summit are also extraordinary giving magical, enchanting, old forest vibes which are phenomenal for portraits. This trail also allows pets (with a leash) and is not as steep as most summit hikes in Shenandoah. To have the whole place to yourselves, plan to go on a weekday in the Winter or Spring OR go just after sunrise 🙂

Dark Hollow Falls, mile marker 50.7

Dark Hollow Falls gets VERY busy at pretty much any time of the year except Winter. If you want portraits on this hike in the Summer, Fall, or Spring, I recommend going just after sunrise on a weekday. That being said, this hike is simply stunning (even in the Winter!). Not only do you get the pretty stream and small waterfalls along the way to Dark Hollow Falls but, the forest here is really splendid as well. If you’d like to include your pup, you’ll have to find another hike because this one does not allow pets.

Hawksbill Summit, mile marker 45.5

Hawksbill Summit is a little bit of a steeper and longer hike (1.9 out and back) than Blackrock, but the views at the top are equally as stunning. Hawksbill has many different rock outcroppings at the top with just incredible mountain views for your portraits. Hawksbill, like the other hikes on this list, will have those enchanting, old forest views on the way up to the summit. This one also allows pets (on a leash) so you can bring your pup along! But keep in mind that this hike can get VERY busy during the Summer, Spring, and Fall so plan accordingly and stick to a sunrise timeframe (and/or weekdays) to have the place to yourselves.

Rose River Falls, mile marker 49.4

Rose River Falls has a special place in my heart. I’ve done this hike SO many times and have had really great times hiking this one with friends. This is a hike that I’ve also had incredible chances to see black bears and barred owls on and it’s such a special experience (remember to ALWAYS give wildlife respect by keeping your distance from them when you see them!). It’s about a 4 mile circuit with just astonishing, captivating, old forest backdrops with streams and small waterfalls that follow most of the way. Rose River Falls is about half way through the hike and is an absolutely beautiful 67 foot waterfall with a blue plunge pool at the bottom. This hike can get moderately busy so if you plan to visit Shenandoah in the Summer, Spring, or Fall, plan for a weekday or immediately after sunrise 🙂

The Overlooks

If you’re not a hiker or prefer to just step right out of your car and immediately be at your post-ceremony portrait spot, these overlooks are some exceptional options.

The Point Overlook, mile marker 55.5

This overlook is gorgeous, the mountain layers here are the some of the best in Shenandoah for overlooks. You can jump right out of your car, get some picture perfect portraits with stunning mountain views and then head out. If you want to get even more of the extraordinary views, you can hike down a VERY short but slightly steep distance to a small rock outcropping. This overlook doesn’t have much parking and can get very busy at sunset (West facing overlook) so plan for a weekday or Winter time!

Spitler Knoll Overlook, mile marker 48

This West facing overlook is a great alternative to (or addition to) The Point Overlook because it’s much less busy and still has incredible mountain layers. I truly love this overlook and it has one of my favorite trees in the park (yeah, that’s right, I do have favorite trees in Shenandoah and the other two happen to be in Big Meadows ☺️). This overlook has a slightly bigger parking area than The Point Overlook and, although it is less busy than The Point, I still recommend planning for a weekday or just after sunrise.

Brown Mountain Overlook, mile marker 76.9

This is also a West facing overlook so it’s great for sunset. Remember that overlooks in Shenandoah do get very busy at sunset so make sure to plan for a weekday! Brown Mountain Overlook has gorgeous mountain layers and it so stunning at sunset. The parking area here is pretty large as well. If you’re planning for winter portraits, this is a great spot because the snow is so beautiful on the mountains here.

Ivy Creek Overlook, mile marker 77.5

This one is an East facing overlook and the mountain layers here are SO BEAUTIFUL at sunrise. It’s actually one of the lesser known spots for sunrises in Shenandoah so it’s usually pretty empty. A great thing about this overlook is that it intersects with the Appalachian Trail so you can get some of those enchanting forest backdrops for your portraits as well.

The Range Overlook & North Marshall, mile markers 17 & 16

The Range Overlook is an East facing overlook so it’s perfect for sunrise as well and the sunrise colors are unbelievable. The mountain layers here are also so, so pretty. The Range is close to the North Marshall area of Shenandoah where the trees are just stunning any time of year. These two spots get VERY popular during peak times in the Fall so if you don’t want the crowds, be sure to go early in the morning or on the weekdays.

BONUS: Big Meadows, mile marker 51.2

Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park is a spot that I’ve personally been visiting since I was a small child and is really, really special. Big Meadows is unique because it’s literally a meadow high up on the mountaintop surrounded by forests of trees. It’s really perfect for some post-ceremony portraits because it has so many great spots that include the vast meadow, beautiful forests, amazing wildflowers, and those stunning blue mountain layers. You cannot go wrong here.

Shenandoah National Park is not only an incredible place for your ceremony but has so many amazing options for your post-ceremony portraits. Which is your favorite spot on this list?

Are you planning an elopement in Shenandoah? Let’s talk! I would love to help you plan the most incredible elopement in Shenandoah National Park ❤️