Romantic Waterfalls in Upstate NY to Propose At
Okayyyy, so you bought the ring—and now you’re envisioning a proposal that feels romantic, intentional, and completely you two. Let me just say, you’ve come to the right place. 👏🏼 If you love the outdoors, are up for a little adventure, and want a ridiculously stunning backdrop for the moment you officially become fiancés, might I suggest one of the MANY gorgeous waterfalls in Upstate NY?! 🤤🙌🏼
As an Upstate New York wedding and engagement photographer, I've photographed dozens of couples at waterfalls and gorges all across the Finger Lakes—and let me tell you, there is no shortage of beautiful places around here! From towering falls and dramatic stone gorges to quieter trails surrounded by greenery, the waterfalls in Upstate NY are without fail one of the most romantic places to propose on the East Coast.
Watkins Glen State Park | One of My Favorite Waterfalls in Upstate NY
If you've spent approximately five minutes on my website, you probably already know how much I LOVE the gorge in Watkins Glen. 😂
Watkins Glen State Park is one of those places that somehow feels more mindboggling every time I walk the trails and photograph a new couple there. The Gorge Trail winds through towering rock walls, stone staircases, moss-covered tunnels, and waterfall after waterfall—giving you SO many potential spots for a proposal and newly-engaged photos afterward.
If you're searching for waterfalls in Upstate NY that give you plenty of variety for photos, Watkins Glen is honestly hard to overlook. Instead of having just one waterfall as your backdrop, you have an entire gorge to explore together!
The biggest thing to keep in mind with Watkins Glen is that the Gorge Trail is seasonal, so this isn't necessarily a year-round proposal location. But if you're planning something during the warmer months or early fall? Put it HIGH on your list. ✅🫡
And if you'd like to see what this location looks like in wedding photos, you can also peek at Elena and Joseph's Watkins Glen State Park wedding photos!
Cascadilla Gorge | Ithaca, NY
For something that gives you the waterfall-without-a-hike experience (while staying right in the heart of Ithaca), Cascadilla Gorge is SUCH a good option.
The trail connects downtown Ithaca with Cornell's campus and passes multiple waterfalls along the way. Between the stone stairways, rushing water, and oasis of greenery in the warmer months, it has that quintessential Finger Lakes gorge look is just breathtaking.
I photographed Lindsey and Seth's spring engagement photos here, and spring brought everything back to life around us. It was the perfect backdrop for that newly-engaged, "WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!" kind of excitement. 🥹💍
And when you're comparing waterfalls in Upstate NY for your proposal, Cascadilla is especially fun if you have the sentimental tie-in of being either a Cornell Grad, close to your alma mater, or in your hometown!
Taughannock Falls State Park | Trumansburg, NY
Okkkkkkkk—Taughannock. Full stop.
If you want your proposal to have an EPIC landscape behind it, this is (hands down) one of the best options. The enormous waterfall and sheer enormity of the surrounding gorge make the two of you look teeny tiny in comparison—which, photographically speaking, I absolutely LOVE.
Of all the waterfalls in Upstate NY I've photographed, Taughannock is also a good example of why the season you choose matters so much.
I've photographed it during summer, when everything surrounding the gorge was insanely green and the falls were full—and during fall, when the foliage was gorgeous but the falls themselves were closer to a trickl—and also during winter when the falls were HUGE and POWERFUL, but it was also veryyyy cold and blustery. 😂🥶
So when you're planning a proposal at Taughannock, we're not just thinking about where you'll propose. We're also thinking about the season, weather, water levels, crowds, and what kind of overall look you're envisioning!
Havana Glen Park | Montour Falls, NY
If you'd rather have something a little more off-the-beaten-trail and tucked away, Havana Glen is a gorgeous option!
Eagle Cliff Falls is nestled inside the glen, with shale, moss-lined walls surrounding the waterfall. Compared with some of the larger and more popular waterfalls in Upstate NY, Havana Glen can feel a little more intimate—which can be perfect when you're trying to plan a proposal that doesn't feel like it's happening in front of 400 of your closest tourist friends. 😂
I actually photographed Noah and Danielle here wayyyy back in 2018, which means these photos are officially coming out of the Emilee Carpenter archives. 😜 But eight years later, I still think this spot deserves a place on the list!
Robert H. Treman State Park | Ithaca, NY
Last on my list of waterfalls in Upstate NY (but definitely not least!) is Robert H. Treman State Park.
This park is home to Enfield Glen, miles of hiking trails and multiple waterfalls! Basically—if you want something that feels wild and dramatic, you’re hitting the jackpot here!
I photographed Stephen and Danielle here way back in 2017 (another trip into the archives!! 😜), but this is absolutely a location I'd love to photograph again.
Buttermilk Falls State Park | Ithaca, NY
Buttermilk Falls is another Ithaca-area option with all the things I love so much about Upstate NY—waterfalls, wooded trails, gorge walls, rushing water, and sooo much lush greenery.
The Gorge Trail follows Buttermilk Creek past several waterfalls, pools, and sculpted rock, so there are plenty of opportunities to make the proposal itself only one part of the adventure.
And excitingly... I have my first shoot here coming up SOON!! 👀
So consider this section officially pending some brand-new Emilee Carpenter photos. 😉
Hi, I’m Emilee!
If you’re looking for joyful, emotion-rich imagery, then I maaaay be your gal!
I’m an Upstate NY Wedding Photographer who specializes in a laid-back photography approach, and I’d love to help tell your love story!
What Is It Like to Have Me Photograph Your Waterfall Proposal?
This is where the fun REALLY begins! 🥹💍 Once you inquire, we'll hop on a phone call and talk through your entire vision. Where are you proposing? How are you planning to do it? Does your girlfriend have absolutely NO idea, or is she already a little suspicious? 👀 Will your families be hiding nearby, or will it be just the two of you?
If you're still deciding between a few waterfalls in Upstate NY, we can talk through that, too! Having photographed at so many of these locations, I can help you think through what each one looks like, lighting, season, crowds, and the overall experience you're hoping to create.
We'll also talk through the exact location and where I can hide so that I'm close enough to capture the moment without ruining the surprise. And then we plan what happens after the YES!!!
Usually, I'll photograph the proposal itself completely from the sidelines—basically a little fly on the wall with a camera. 🪰📸 Once you've had a minute to hug, cry, stare at the ring approximately 700 times, and realize you're ACTUALLY ENGAGED, I'll come out of hiding!
From there, we'll transition into what basically feels like a mini engagement session. I'll guide you through natural poses and prompts—just like I normally would for an engagement session—so that in addition to having photos of the proposal itself, you have fun, beautiful photos of the two of you during your very first hour as FIANCÉS. 🥹 And if your family or friends are part of the surprise, we can absolutely include them into a couple of the photos before or afterward, too!
How I Help You Plan a Proposal at Waterfalls in Upstate NY
One of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a proposal photographer is that you simply tell me where you'll be and I magically appear in a bush somewhere. 😂 There's actually quite a bit of planning that happens beforehand—and I LOVE helping with it!
We'll talk about lighting and where the sun will be at your chosen location. We'll figure out which direction gives us the prettiest light and whether sunset actually makes sense for that particular waterfall.
We'll also think about crowds. If you're proposing somewhere public, is there a time or day when we'll have a better chance of finding a quieter spot? Is there somewhere sentimental to the two of you that would make the location even more meaningful?
And then... TIMELINE!!!
I typically arrive about 15–30 minutes before you do so I have time to get my gear situated, find my hiding place, and make sure everything is ready before your fiancée-to-be ever suspects a thing.
We'll map out when you should arrive, approximately when the proposal will happen, and what the following hour will look like so you don't have to figure any of that out while also trying to remember the most important four-word question of your life. 😂💍
What Should You Wear to Visit Waterfalls in Upstate NY?
This one depends SO much on your location! If we're hiking through a gorge to reach your proposal spot, athletic or athleisure clothes and comfortable shoes may genuinely make the most sense. There will more than likely be stairs, wet areas, uneven trails, and plenty of walking involved. (Because if you opt to wear nice close ON the hike, your girlfriend might start wondering why exactly you suggested wearing a sundress for your casual Saturday gorge hike. 😂)
So, if you really want those pretty, slightly dressier engagement-style photos afterward… we can do BOTH. 🙌🏼 Here me out: Hike in your normal clothes and change after the proposal! I can even bring a pop-up changing tent so you can switch outfits before we start your newly-engaged photos. 😊 Surprise protected. Cute photos acquired. Everyone wins.
Psst… in case you haven’t noticed, awkward photos aren’t really my vibe.
My goal is to get you feeling comfortable and yourself, so you can enjoy personality-driven imagery for years to come!
If you’re looking at this gallery, thinking, “YASSSSS!”, then we need to talk… like yesterday!
What Should You Bring?
Honestly? The ring. That pretty much covers it. 😂
When it comes to proposals, I'm a fan of keeping things simple. There's already a VERY good chance you're going to be nervous, and the fewer random things you have to remember, carry, hide, and keep track of, the better.
You can even consider taking the ring out of its larger box and keeping it securely in your pocket if the box creates an obvious square outline. Because nothing says "I definitely don't have an engagement ring in my pocket" like... a giant engagement-ring-box-shaped lump in your pants.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Waterfalls in Upstate NY for a Proposal?
This is one of those questions where my photographer answer is... it depends. 😅
Normally, I'm ALLLL about golden hour. Give me that glowy evening light any day. But waterfalls in Upstate NY and the gorges surrounding them play by a different set of rules.
When you're hundreds of feet down inside a gorge, direct sunlight can disappear much earlier than it would in an open field or at a normal engagement session location. Light filters through the trees and gorge walls differently throughout the day, which means morning or earlier afternoon can sometimes photograph better than traditional golden hour.
Crowds are another factor. Many of my couples travel out of town into the Finger Lakes for their proposal, which means Saturday is often the easiest day to plan their proposal. Unfortunately... everyone ELSE also likes visiting waterfalls on Saturdays. 😂🥲
If you can creatively plan a week day proposal, AMAZING. If not, we'll work together to choose the best timing and location we can and roll with whatever the day gives us!
And if you choose one of the non-waterfall state park locations below? Golden hour allllll the way. 🌅
How Do You Keep a Proposal a Surprise?
Okay, confession: I'm TERRIBLE at keeping secrets myself. 😂🤪 But luckily, photographing surprise proposals has taught me a thing or two!
The biggest thing is to make the day feel as normal as possible. If the two of you normally spend weekends hiking, a waterfall excursion isn't going to raise too many eyebrows. If you have literally never suggested hiking during your entire relationship and suddenly you're insisting she wear a cute outfit for a "random trip” to Watkins Glen... we may need a slightly stronger cover story. 😂
A few things that can help:
Create a believable reason for visiting the location.
Try to act normal (Read: Don't change your normal behavior the morning of the proposal. 😂)
Keep the ring somewhere she isn't likely to accidentally find it.
Avoid constantly checking your phone for messages from me—we'll have the details mapped out beforehand!
If family or friends are involved, make sure EVERYONE knows the plan and knows not to ruin it in the group chat. 👀
Give yourself extra travel time so traffic or parking doesn't turn into frantic texts.
Most importantly, let ME worry about the photo logistics. You just focus on your person and what you're going to say. 🥹
More Upstate NY Proposal Locations
Okay, while waterfalls in Upstate NY are definitely at the top of my list—they aren't the only gorgeous places to propose around here. There are sooo many Upstate New York state parks and outdoor locations that would make an incredible backdrop, and a few are VERY high on my photography bucket list. 👀
Letchworth State Park — If you want something GRAND, this is it. Huge gorge views, overlooks, and major waterfalls make Letchworth feel larger than life. And can we please talk about their annual hot air balloon festivities?! Photographing a proposal or engagement session with hot air balloons floating overhead has been on my bucket list for FOREVER. 🙌🏼
Chimney Bluffs State Park — Somebody please take me here!!! Instead of the wooded gorge vibe, Chimney Bluffs gives you dramatic bluffs overlooking Lake Ontario and an almost coastal feel. Sooooo different from most of the locations I photograph around the Finger Lakes, and absolutely gorgeous.
Green Lakes State Park — You already know I love this one! The blue-green glacial lakes surrounded by forest give you something completely different from a waterfall while still feeling outdoorsy and romantic. I've photographed Taylor and Dustin here in winter, but it's absolutely beautiful year-round!
Fair Haven Beach State Park — For my beach people! A sandy shoreline gives you a classic, timeless backdrop while still leaving plenty of room for playful, carefree photos afterward.
The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon — It's across the state line, but it's only about an hour from me AND it has a very special place in my heart because it's where Jon proposed to ME!!! 🥹💍 Between Barbour Rock at Colton Point State Park, Gillespie Point near Blackwell, and the surrounding overlooks, there are some seriously gorgeous options. So yes, I might be biased, but considering I personally said YES there... I'd say it has a pretty good track record. 😉🤍
Ready to Plan Your Proposal at One of These Waterfalls in Upstate NY?
Whether you've already picked your favorite from this list of waterfalls in Upstate NY or you're currently staring at all these options thinking, okay Emilee, HELP ME CHOOSE 😂—that's exactly what I'm here for!
We'll plan the location, lighting, timeline, hiding spot, and all those tiny logistics together so that when proposal day arrives, your only real job is to show up with the ring and ask your favorite person to marry you. 🥹
I'll be tucked away capturing the moment as it unfolds, and once the secret is officially OUT, we'll celebrate with photos of the two of you in your brand-new fiancé era!!! 💍🤍
Because the proposal itself might only last a few minutes—but I want you to have photographs that bring you right back to that day and that feeling for the rest of your lives.