Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is one of the most spectacular parks in the eastern United States, famed as the ‘Grand Canyon of the East,’ where the Genesee River has carved a dramatic gorge up to 600 feet deep and roughly 17 miles long through the rolling country of western New York. Voted among the very best state parks in America, Letchworth is a landscape of towering cliffs, three major waterfalls, lush forests and sweeping overlooks, all strung along the winding river canyon.

The river plunges over three great waterfalls within the park — the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls — with the Middle Falls, over 100 feet high, the grandest, framed by the historic stone railroad arch bridge above. Named for the philanthropist William Pryor Letchworth, who donated his estate to the state, the park offers 66 miles of trails, scenic drives along the rim, overlooks into the gorge, whitewater rafting and kayaking on the river, hot-air balloon rides over the canyon, and a historic inn. Spectacular in every season but especially ablaze in autumn color, Letchworth State Park is a treasured natural icon of New York.

Letchworth State Park offers spectacular recreation along its great gorge — driving the scenic park road with its many overlooks into the canyon and over the three waterfalls, hiking the 66 miles of trails (the famous Gorge Trail past the falls, and the trails to the rim and through the forest), whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Genesee River, hot-air ballooning over the canyon, swimming in the park pool, camping, and visiting the historic Glen Iris Inn and the museum. Taking in the gorge and waterfalls from the overlooks and the Gorge Trail is the signature draw. The combination of the dramatic canyon, the three waterfalls and the abundant trails makes Letchworth a premier destination.

Autumn is legendary at Letchworth, when the vast forests of the gorge blaze with brilliant fall color framing the cliffs and waterfalls — one of the great fall-foliage spectacles in the East — while spring brings the fullest, most thunderous waterfalls and blooming dogwoods, summer the full range of activities (rafting, the pool, ballooning), and winter a quiet world of snow and ice. The waterfalls are fullest in spring; the foliage peaks in October. Fall for the legendary color and spring for the fullest falls are the highlights; come on a clear autumn day for the park at its most spectacular, and expect crowds at peak foliage.

The gorge of the Genesee was long significant to the Seneca people of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), whose history is deeply tied to the river valley (the Council Grounds and the story of Mary Jemison are preserved in the park). In the 19th century the philanthropist William Pryor Letchworth bought the land around the falls to protect it from industrial exploitation, built his Glen Iris estate overlooking the Middle Falls, and donated the land to New York State in 1907 to create the park. Letchworth State Park preserves the spectacular gorge, the waterfalls and this rich heritage, a treasured icon of western New York.

Letchworth’s great gorge was carved by the Genesee River, which — rerouted by the glaciers of the Ice Age — cut a new, deep canyon through the soft shales and sandstones of the region as the glaciers retreated some 12,000 years ago, exposing the layered rock in cliffs up to 600 feet high. The river plunges over harder rock layers to form the three waterfalls. The relatively young, glacially rerouted river and the soft, layered sedimentary rock allowed the river to carve the dramatic gorge quickly, creating the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’ and its three great falls.

The forests, cliffs and river of Letchworth State Park host white-tailed deer, black bears, foxes, and a rich community of birds, including the bald eagles and other raptors that soar over the gorge (hawk migrations pass through), wild turkeys, herons along the river, and the songbirds of the forest, while the Genesee River supports fish. The vast forested gorge and the river corridor support abundant wildlife. Letchworth is a fine place for wildlife watching and birding — the soaring raptors over the canyon and the forest wildlife among the highlights of this spectacular park.

Letchworth State Park protects a rich Appalachian-plateau ecosystem — the vast deciduous forests that cloak the gorge and rim (spectacular in fall color), the Genesee River and its riparian corridor, the cliffs and the waterfalls, supporting diverse plant and animal life across one of the largest parks in the Northeast. The deep, forested gorge creates varied habitats from rim to river. Protecting the forests, the river’s water quality, the cliffs and the waterfalls sustains both the ecology and the spectacular scenery of this treasured park, the ‘Grand Canyon of the East.’

Letchworth State Park, the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’ with its dramatic gorge, three great waterfalls and legendary autumn color, holds a treasured place among the natural icons of New York, repeatedly voted among the very best state parks in America and beloved for its spectacular scenery. Deeply tied to the history of the Seneca people and the conservation gift of William Pryor Letchworth, the park embodies both the grandeur of the Genesee gorge and a legacy of preservation. Letchworth is a cherished icon of western New York and one of the most spectacular parks in the eastern United States.

Letchworth State Park is in western New York, between Buffalo and Rochester (each about an hour away), with entrances near Castile, Mount Morris and Portageville, reached from Interstate 390 and area highways. A vehicle entrance fee applies. The park offers the scenic park road and overlooks, 66 miles of trails, the three waterfalls, camping, cabins, the historic Glen Iris Inn, a swimming pool, the Humphrey Nature Center and the museum. The park is large — allow time and use a park map. Check New York State Parks for hours, fees, the seasonal services and conditions before visiting.

New York State Parks protects Letchworth’s gorge, forests, river and waterfalls. Visitors help by staying on trails and behind the railings at the overlooks and along the gorge (the cliffs are high and dangerous), protecting the river’s water quality, respecting the wildlife and the Seneca historical sites, packing out everything, preventing wildfire, and following the rules. The park is itself a conservation legacy, the gift of William Pryor Letchworth. Protecting the gorge, the forests, the river and the waterfalls sustains both the ecology and the spectacular scenery of this treasured park, the ‘Grand Canyon of the East.’

At Letchworth, the gorge cliffs are high and dangerous — stay on trails and behind the railings at the overlooks and along the Gorge Trail, keep back from the edges and the tops of the waterfalls, and supervise children closely (falls into the gorge are fatal). The trails can be steep, wet and slippery near the falls; wear sturdy footwear. The Genesee River’s rapids are for guided rafting only. In winter, trails and overlooks are icy. Carry water on the longer trails, watch the weather, and respect the cliff edges, the waterfalls and the river.

A vehicle entrance fee applies. Stay on trails and behind railings; keep back from the cliff edges and waterfall brinks. Camp only in designated campgrounds/cabins (reservations recommended). Pets must be leashed. Swimming is only in the designated pool, not the river. Whitewater rafting is via licensed outfitters. Drones are restricted. Prevent wildfire; follow fire rules. Respect the historical and Seneca sites. Pack out all trash. Check New York State Parks for fees, reservations, the seasonal services and current rules before visiting.

The cities of Buffalo and Rochester (each about an hour) and the towns of Castile, Mount Morris and Geneseo lie near the park, with the Genesee River, the Finger Lakes region to the east, Niagara Falls to the northwest, and the rolling farm country of western New York in the region. The Genesee River and the Finger Lakes country define the region. Letchworth anchors a spectacular scenic region of western New York, a centerpiece of a gorge-and-waterfall adventure, easily combined with Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes or the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

Drive the scenic park road and stop at the overlooks — especially those over the Middle and Upper Falls and the historic railroad arch bridge — and hike the Gorge Trail past all three waterfalls for the classic Letchworth experience. Come in autumn for the legendary fall color framing the canyon (peak is October; expect crowds) or spring for the fullest, most thunderous falls. Allow plenty of time (the park is huge), stay behind the railings at the high cliffs, consider a hot-air balloon ride or guided raft trip, and base in Buffalo, Rochester or the historic Glen Iris Inn.