Guest count: 25
Nearest entrance: 67th St. & 5th Ave.
Dene Summerhouse: Central Park Wedding Location:
For couples who want a quiet, romantic elopement or small ceremony in Central Park, the Dene Summerhouse (aka Treehouse for Dreaming) delivers. Tucked into a hilltop grove near 67th Street, this ivy-covered wooden gazebo offers a peaceful, storybook setting for vows and photos. Permits are required for ceremonies with larger groups, and because this is public space, advanced planning is essential.
About: This charming gazebo is the perfect alternative to Cop Cot. If you couldn’t get a permit for the Cop Cot, this is the perfect choice. It’s much smaller, and it sits on a hill, so if you have people in wheelchairs or strollers, this location might present some challenges. But if claiming up the stairs is not an issue for you, then you will love to be on Top of the world!
The Dene has seating for up to 12 people. It has 2 entrances: One is on 69th St. & 5th Ave. And the other one is on 67th St. I encourage you to watch my video to get a realistic idea of what this place looks like and what you can expect.
📍 Location & Layout
- Located on a hill on the east side near 67th Street and 5th Avenue.
- Rustic ivy-covered wood gazebo with some bench seating; great for ceremony + photos.
- Quiet and secluded compared to other Central Park spots.
📆 Permit & Rules
Important: Central Park permits are required for weddings if 20 or more people are involved.
- You must apply online through NYC Parks, at least 30 days in advance.
- Fee is $25 and processing takes weeks.
📸 Best Times & Photography Tips
- Best times for photos: early morning or weekday to avoid tourists.
- Lighting tips: natural filtered light through trees makes dreamy photos.
- Nearby photo spots: Bow Bridge, The Mall, Bethesda Terrace (great for portraits after ceremony).




















