Watkins Glen State Park

I’m truly blessed to live only a three hour car ride from Watkins Glen State Park. I try to get here at least once every other year to explore the majestic falls and nature. The views are breathtaking and it’s astonishing that mother nature can create such beauty. You can actually stand behind a waterfall at one point in the hike.
I stayed in the campground last year and it got down to 30 degrees. Yes, my dad and I froze in our tent but it was such a great time… father/​daughter bonding time! I don’t know if we veered off the path but we found a very old cemetery and supposedly someone from the Titanic was buried there! There are a few Geocaches in the park which were nice to find as well.
Come here for the beautiful hike, stay to take breathtaking photographs.

Tge falls at watkins glen are an amazement of nature. You can either start at the top or the bottom. When you get to the end you can either turn around or take the shuttle. There is an ice cream stand at both ends a definite stop in the summer.

For all of the hype, Watkins Glen State Park really isn’t my favorite. Sure the views are great, but there are some really glaring issues that make the trip less than 5 stars.
Parking — 8 dollars. I continue to feel that this is an excessive amount to pay for parking at a state park. At least they don’t charge money for entrance to the park itself. Parking is plentiful, but I think they location of the booth (so close to the main road) makes for problems with traffic at peak times.
Bathrooms near the parking area. GROSS. They have that «state park smell» to them. (You know what i’m talking about… it’s the same smell as at Letchworth!) But these toilets are less well kept than others I’ve experienced.
Within the park… The Glen is beautiful. The gorge trail is FULL of people. TOO MANY PEOPLE. Old people. Tourists. Whole Bus loads of people from around the world. I don’t even know where they are coming from! And they are crazy too. Take for example one foreign man who walked on the edge of the first bridge to avoid a very shallow puddle. But not only did he stand on the edge, he reach down, picked up a child (about 6 years old) and walked on this slipper edge to keep her shoes from getting wet. I guess he would didn’t mind risking a 30 foot fall into the glen…
The trail in the gorge is wet. You have to take extreme care walking on the man-​made stairs. Slipping is highly likely. And there aren’t many railings. You can walk beneath a couple of small waterfalls, and that’s cool, but what will happen to the trail when the rocks crack and shift, and change the course of the path? I hope they have a plan in place.
I much preferred the trail along the top of the gorge. The views were not of the water so much as the trees and changing leaves. It was much more peaceful up there.
When I go hiking, I’m looking for a more remote-​get-​away kind of experience. If that’s what you’re looking for then, Watkins Glen may not be the place. It’s cool to check out, the rock formations are interesting. It’s really not bad. Just not the best I think New York has to offer.
Maybe even better than the park itself is the drive to get there. I really enjoyed the views of Seneca Lake heading south. Unobstructed views, wineries galore. What more could you really ask for?

Made by Mother Nature. I don’t know how she does it. Years and years of patience and nurturing pays off.
Whether you are looking to impress a certain someone, are looking to kill a couple of hours, or are a nature lover: Watkins Glen will not disappoint.
Be prepared with $ 8 in cash per carload, a solid pair of shoes (the trails are paved — but can get a bit slippery and wet from the falls), a camera and a water bottle for a great and memorable experience.
We began our descent not realizing that we were in for a BIG treat: I thought the waterfall ended in front of us– but as we hiked up we discovered that this was just the beginning. Up more stone cut stairs and around a few bends we found more information posted on how this magnificent scenery came to be– and of course, continued our journey.
Allow yourself plenty of time here. A minimum of 2 hours if you plan on doing just one mile up and down, but you couldn’t easily spend 4+ hours exploring! Have fun and enjoy nature’s most precious gift.

The way the water rushes thru the gorge is amazing. The structure of the gorge is mindblowing. It was a thrilling experience to walk through the trails on the steps near the gorge and the water. It is very safe and worth a visit, we visit many beauty natural place around the world and this beautiful and peaceful wonder has to be at top 10 in our own experiences

Otherworldly gorgeous! Watkins Glen is another hidden gem in Western, NY that everyone should visit at least once in life. The waterfall, gorge and views are breathtakingly gorgeous. Speaking of breathtaking… The hike uphill will also take your breath away. Let there be no mistake, you will need to be in very good physical condition to make this trek in its entirety. Be prepared to bring lots of water and your best hiking shoes because as soon as you start the trail you will encounter countless flights of stairs. There are dark, wet, slick areas along the trail, so proper footwear is a must. At times a flashlight would have been helpful also.
Watkins Glen is about a two hour drive from Rochester. It is most certainly worth the drive on a beautiful day. If you plan accordingly you can visit a few of the wineries along the way and grab a few bottles for your collection. I’d recommend doing this as an added bonus to your trip.
As other reviewers have stated, Watkins Glen can be very crowded on the weekends. During our visit it was almost impossible to get a solo photo near the falls or to walk the very narrow trail without bumping shoulders or sideswiping somebody. If you’re able, visit during the week to avoid the weekend rush or go during off peak season.
Parking will run you about $ 8.00 and it is good for any lot around the park if show them your ticket stub. There is a huge picnic area, playground and pool on park grounds available for visitors. We were able to picnic and relax after the long trek which was really nice after a long day, so bring food.
Great park to visit.

If you are coming to the Watkins Glen/​Seneca Lake area to go to the wineries, coming to Watkins Glen State Park should be a stop along the way for sure. This mile and a half gorge hike is stunning. You get to see 19 different waterfalls and some truly beautiful landscape. You do have to hike up many stairs so be prepared for that. Some people on the trail that we passed clearly were not. The formations in the rock from the water were really beautiful and amazing. My husband and I hiked along different trails on the way back and got a bit of a snapshot of the other parts of the park. Really a beautiful site.

We did a road trip up North to Niagara Falls this past weekend, and we thought we would stopped by Watkins Glen Park on our way back. And we are glad we did!
We parked on the North Loop for $ 8/​per car and hiked the Gorge trail and back. The place wasn’t too crowded but there were definitely people traffic.
Overall, the hike was fairly easy. Starting from North Loop, it was easier to start since you are going down the stairs, versus starting from the South loop/​Franklin street. Remember to bring camera, water and enjoy this beauty.

Great place to hike, take in the bad ass views of the carved rocks, winding stone steps, and the crazy waterways and pools.
I came during the week so I hear there werent as many people, but still more thab I care for. It was a bit humid, and I look forward to coming back during the fall when its not as warm. There were a variwty of people out here from the ovious tourist to the young, and even pretty old people which motivates me to do better as I feel like I struggled more than they did getting up these stairs. Lol
I was shocked pulling in the parking lot at how amazing the park looked from the parking lot. I have never seen anything like this place in person and couldnt wait to start the hike/​climb. We climb, climbed, and climbed some more. I consider myself to be a hiking enthusiast, but clearly need to step my game up because these stair here worked me over and I was out of breath after a good 30 minutes climbing these steep stairs. I got some bad ass pictures of this place and think anyone able to should check this place out.
Cheers to this park I easily deem one of the coolest I have ever been to!

There are 3 trails at Watkins Glen; Upper, Gorge and Lower. The Gorge trail is the main one that most people take. It really is more like a leisurely stroll through a park. There are some steps at the beginning but for the most part everything is paved and flat. The Upper Trail has 3 look out points and is mostly dirt. I would suggest doing the Gorge Trail for both to and from trips. The Upper Trail wasn’t very impressive. It took us about 2 hours to walk the Gorge Trail and Upper Trail back.
Watkins Glen really hits you with the best stuff at the beginning of the trail. There is a beautiful view of the waterfall and stone bridge. You may get a little wet when you walk behind the falls, but not really a big deal. You will be in wonder when you walk by the waterfalls and see the power they possess. Be sure to read the plaques! We saw a lot of people wading in the stream, but I think it’s actually illegal. The rangers should be more attentive and make sure people don’t do this.
Tip: There is a parking fee for the park but there is plenty of FREE street parking nearby.

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL and a MUST SEE in the finger lakes region. Even if you have to drive an extra 30 – 45 minutes, I would say this place is well worth it :)
It’s $ 8 for parking but free entrance afterwards. I came around 4pm so a lot of people were leaving already. I would say come early morning or late afternoon to avoid the rush. Places like these just aren’t as enjoyable when there’s a large crowd. Also, the soft lighting in the late afternoon makes this place PERFECT for pictures. It really felt like I was in Rivendell!
Be sure to wear sneakers if you’re scared of slipping and if you’re smart. But if you were not prepared, like I was. wearing flip flops. you may still safely enter the park. Just be careful of the slippery rocks. There are a bunch of different trails, but only the Gorge trail has a view of the. gorge (duh). So if you decide to wander off the beaten path onto the Indian trail or something, be prepared to see pretty much nothing.
Probably the highlight of my weekend at the Finger Lakes. Don’t miss this gem!

Easily one of my favorite places anywhere. Standing under rainbow falls is more beautiful than a picture can possibly show. For a fit person, this is a moderately easy hike on well-​maintained albeit slippery path.
Go at dawn on a weekday (or off-​season) to avoid hoards of iPad-​wielding tourists sporting inappropropriate footwear.

So gorgeous. Try to go when there aren’t a lot of people there because that got kind of annoying. I like exploring on my own (with my family, but no strangers please). The waterfalls and the history here is absolutely incredible. We went to the graveyard as well, which, nobody else was in. Such a beautiful place and I would definitely make it an annual visit. Don’t forget your camera. And wear good shoes to climb.
X’s and O’s!
J

Immediately upon pulling in the parking lot, you are greeted by sky high rock formations! My husband and I hummed the Jurassic park theme song as we entered. It is a grand entrance to say the least! We arrived on a Friday morning in August around 10:30am and had NO trouble finding parking. There was some foot traffic on the pathways but it was never a problem.
We were impressed with the cleanliness of the park including the restrooms (located at the entrance).
The pathways are wet so I wouldn’t recommend wearing flip flops. We also were splashed with water while walking under the falls so be prepared for a light sprinkle here and there.
The views are stunning! Pictures do no justice. This was the highlight of our trip to the finger lakes. A must see!

The below link was very helpful for directions and information about the park:
Parking at any of their locations is $ 8/​vehicle. We parked at the south entrance where the pool was. We arrived at about 11AM on Sunday and the lot was still pretty empty. There is a nice playground with lots of contraptions for kids and big kids like us. There are also places with bbq pits and benches.
We had a hard time being sure which trail was the Gorge Trail was. There were forks all over that could have used some signs. We ended up asking around and accidentally (in a good way) heading back towards the main entrance and made our way around like that.
Do not wear nice shoes! The floor is all wet with possibly rocks to help you step over big puddles. You will also get pretty wet at one of the waterfalls.
There is a certain section of the river/​stream (?) that you can get into — we think? There were a bunch of people in it.
There are a lot of steps up to the Upper Entrance from the Gorge Trail. We renamed it the great wall of China.
For a quicker, less crowded, more shaded route back to the main/​south entrance, take the Indian Trail. Or for $ 5/​person there is a shuttle bus to the main entrance.

As cliché as it might be, words can really not describe the beauty of this place. If you want to see the awesome power of nature, you need to check this park out at least once in your life. I was unable to see the gorge trail on my first trip here, but now I know I need to make it a priority to come back and actually get on that trail. I did however do the rim trail, and can tell you that even from the top of the slopes you get great views of the gorge, and it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Admission is eight dollars, which is slightly more expensive than most other state parks in the area. Don’t be daunted by the trails, none are really that difficult to traverse unless you hit muddy ground (which we did, but it’s easy to sidestep at most times). However, I would definitely suggest you be more prepared than I was, and wear hiking shoes for safety reasons. If you’re here to picnic, no problem! They have lots of pavilions in the parking areas for just this purpose, and a swimming pool in the south lot if you’re overheated.
Overall this is a great park, one of the best I’ve been to.

I really enjoy hiking although I am no expert. I remembered that I had stopped by Watkins Glen before and enjoyed the beautiful waterfalls, so I decided to drop by with my brother and some friends. Parking for your car is $ 8 to enter the park for the day. As I have become more and more used to hiking, I was a tad disappointed how short the hike actually is (less than 2 miles). It was not strenuous at all. This is great for those a little less athletic (including my brother who nearly gave up after 10 minutes). The views are incredible and well worth the trip.
We saw that there was a pool as part of the park, so we went to the South Entrance to check it out. Keep your receipt for the parking, so you don’t need to pay this again. The pool was a very clean and large pool with several diving boards. We were lucky to come across this surprise on a beautiful summer day.

Great waterfall views. Great sounds of rushing water. Did not encounter any mosquitoes during my June 29^th visit.
Tips for the Gorge Trail hike:
1. If approaching the signalized intersection for the main entrance from the south, note that the payment booth’s proximity to the main road encourages traffic back ups.
This leaves northbound left turn entries up to the generosity of those visitors making a right turn into the park. Instead, northbound visitors can avoid getting stuck in the middle of the high traffic volume intersection or waiting indefinitely at the traffic signal by driving beyond the entrance and turning around to approach the entrance from the south.
2. The trail starts at the (west) end of the parking lot furthest away from the park entrance. The restrooms are located at the opposite end of the parking lot closer to the entrance.
3. Bring drinking water. I brought my own water and was glad that I did when I noticed the drink machine near the restrooms had sold out of bottled water.
4. Wear hiking shoes. The walking surfaces are not only wet but potentially slippery. The harder soles of hiking shoes will prevent you from feeling the unlevel rocky surfaces pushing into the soles of your feet.
5. Wear a hat, if you would prefer not to feel random drops of water of various sizes landing on your head. A hat with a brim all the way around offers the best coverage and keeps water off of your face.
6. Don’t wear a jacket to keep dry, you will get over heated after climbing the many steps of the trail. Instead, wear a quick dry shirt and quick dry shorts for more comfort. Most of the water drops tend to land on the sholders and back. Do not open an umbrella while on this trail, you will put your fellow hiker’s eyes at risk and your umbrella may end up in the gorge.
7. Sunscreen is not essential. There are a few gaps in the canopy covering the trail, so little direct sunlight passes through.
8. If you have a nice camera, a plastic grocery bag will provide sufficient protection when passing through higher splash areas, though strategic hunching and covering your camera with your shirt will get you through.
9. Go early to avoid crowds. The path is narrow in many sections (preventing passing) and delays will be experienced while waiting for fellow hikers to snap photos.
10. Dogs are not permitted on the Gorge Trail for good reason. (I say this as a dog owner.) The path is narrow in several sections, crowding is a frequent occurence, and assuming every dog owner will clean up after their pet, stopping to do so will create further delays. And no one wants to step in or try to avoid a doggy deposit in an environment populated with puddles.
11. The Indian Trail and the South Rim Trail allow dogs. The park literature/​trail map provided at the payment booth states that a current rabies vaccination certificate is required and collar tags are not accepted as proof. However, when we arrived with our dog, no proof was requested.

Gorge Trail is great! There are 19 waterfalls just within the first mile to mile and a half! So many picturesque views, I can’t even get over how wonderful it was to visit this park! It’s $ 8 for parking, if you happen to be staying closeby or find parking elsewhere then entrance is free! Super close to the wineries around Seneca Lake (closer to the wineries on the west side) so we were able to hike around and take pictures for a few hours and then head to the wineries/​vineyards for lunch and tastings with our weekday pass! Highly recommended, you get up close to several of the waterfalls too (some you walk right under!), so be prepared for some splashes!

I happened to stumble upon pictures online. When I saw rainbow falls in the picture, I told myself, «I must go here.» And that I did. Getting here was a feat in itself! It took almost 2 hours of driving in the booney’s from Niagara Falls (Buffalo, NY) to get here.
This is the best tip you will ever get. DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT. There are state troopers literally hiding every 5 miles. And they show no mercy. My friend got a stop sign ticket, so I told her to step aside and let the master drive. Well, master got a speeding ticket 79 in a 65. (Which is normal to Californian standards). NO MERCY I’m telling you.
The actual hike is about 2 miles up or downhill depending where you start from. The path is paved and there are stairs and little tunnels you go through. It is absolutely spectacular! The park closed at 7, and we got there at 6. Having only an hour to hike this trail, I was a little in panic mode. However, there was literally less than 10 people on the entire hike! Very fortunate to have this entire hike to ourselves. You wont get lost if you start the hike late like we did.
If you are planning on coming here, do it. You will not regret it!