17 Things to do in Letchworth State Park: The Complete Guide - PA on Pause (2024)

We’ve covered most corners of the park! These recommendations are tailored towards months when there isn’t much, if any, fluffy white snow on the ground. Typically, this is from late April through November.

Don’t hold us to these exact dates, though! We’ve been known to experience all 4 seasons in one day!

The park is open year-round, but many points of interest close during the winter due to safety and maintenance concerns.

Many of the best views in Letchworth are from the west rim, looking toward the east. This makes the park an absolutely fantastic spot to catch a sunrise over the gorge. There are plenty of spots along the west rim to choose from!

If you’re entering from the north, near the Mt. Morris Dam or Hogsback Overlook would be great options for you.

In the southern part of the park, the Great Bend and Archery Field Overlooks are very popular among amateur and professional nature photographers. Arrive early to secure a spot for those beautiful shots.

Letchworth is most well-known for its three main waterfalls, found at the southern end of the park. They’ve been creatively named Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls.

Looking at a map, though, the layout seems backward. Upper Falls is the southernmost waterfall. This is because the Genesee River actually flows north. After leaving Letchworth, the Genesee travels through Rochester, eventually ending in Lake Ontario.

Driving between these three waterfalls is 100% possible, but you will have to take a short hike down into the gorge to access the Lower Falls. Upper and Middle Falls are only separated by a short walk on sidewalks. They’re both very close to a large parking area and very accessible.

Alternatively, hike between these three falls on the Gorge Trail. This is one of our favorite and most popular hiking trails in the park. The views are magnificent!

There are so many waterfalls scattered throughout the park! Some are seasonal, hitting peak flow in the spring, while others can be seen all year round.

While exploring Upper Falls, continue to climb the stairs along the trail to the right side of the falls. This is still part of the Gorge Trail. As you’re headed up towards the railroad bridge, look to your right, away from the large Upper Falls. You’ll see the smaller, yet still beautiful tributary falls flowing into the Genesee River.

Some of our other favorites include Waterline Falls, seen on Trail 19, the ones near Wolf Creek Picnic Area, or viewed from a distance at the Tea Table Overlook.

This is certainly not an all-inclusive list. Get out there and explore, and you might find a hidden gem of your own!

The Glen Iris Inn is one of the most historic structures in the entire park. It was originally the estate home of William Pryor Letchworth. He built this estate as a getaway from the typical grind of his business endeavors.

A few years before his death, he gifted this 1,000-acre estate to the state of New York to share with the public as a park to protect and conserve.

His original home was converted into a small hotel where park visitors can now spend the night. Even if you’re not able to secure a room for an overnight, the restaurant inside is open for all three meals most days.

Book your stay with plenty of advanced notice, directly with the Glen Iris Inn.

Bonus: The Glen Iris Inn is right next to the Middle Falls. You’ll have beautiful views of the falls from the patio!

History lovers: you’ll love this stop! This building, next to the Glen Iris Inn, was originally a library for Mr. Letchworth.

These days, it houses historical artifacts from native people of the Seneca and Iroquois, as well as other natural and historical displays sourced both locally and around the world.

This is a seasonal stop. The museum is typically open during the day from May to October. Both the beautifully crafted stone structure and its contents are full of history.

With 60+ miles over 20+ trail options trails in Letchworth, the hiking options are varied for many ability levels. From easy to more difficult, explore a short trail for an hour or take a long day hike along the gorge.

While we’ve already mentioned the Gorge Trail, there are plenty of other options for hiking in Letchworth!

Be sure to take a side trip on the Footbridge Trail, the only way across the gorge in the whole park. The Highbanks Trail is a great spot in the northern end. You might be lucky and find a little solitude on the Highbanks Trail. Letchworth can get crowded, so take advantage when you can.

Here are some tips for things to keep in mind when planning your hike:

• Select an appropriate trail based on your fitness level, how much time you have, etc. There are plenty of trail options in the park!
• Bring water, snacks, or a packed lunch to enjoy at a beautiful overlook along the trail.
• Some of these trails can be extremely muddy, especially after rain storms. I had mud nearly to my knees (…not exaggerating) at the Lower Falls viewing area. Plan waterproof footwear or save the muddiest trails for a drier day.
• Make sure you have multiple layers – it can get chilly in various parts of the gorge!
• Check weather conditions ahead of time and plan accordingly. Some trails might only be accessible during certain times of the year, based on things like snow cover or water levels.

Just 5 minutes from the Castile entrance, the Humphrey Nature Center is a great spot to make a family pit stop. This is a great stop in any season.

The small, interactive display inside the nature center is a fun way to take cover in a rainstorm or escape from the heat in summer. Stop in the nature center first, and pick up a trail map.

Then, head outside to the Trailhead Pavilion, where the Autism Nature Trail begins.

A new addition to the park in September of 2021, the Autism Nature Trail provides opportunities for those of all abilities to experience the outdoors. Over one mile on this crushed stone ADA-compliant trail, there are various stations to help all ages become more familiar with the outdoors.

Even if you don’t have a child to accompany you on this trail, don’t be afraid to stop and explore. The creativity and variety of activities along the trail are completely one-of-a-kind. The easy stroll through the woods is also a nice way to break up more difficult hikes.

This is where you’ll get a beautiful birds-eye view of the Upper and Middle Falls, the Railroad Bridge, and the stunning gorge. It doesn’t get much better than this one!

Although this is a quick stop on your trip through the park, there are some interpretive signs along the walkway where you can learn about the history and geological makeup of the gorge.

This is also one of the better spots to stop and try to catch a sunset in Letchworth. While this park is better known for its sunrises, this is one spot where you can sometimes get sunset views.

The sun does not set directly behind the bridge or falls, but you will most likely be able to catch some of the beautiful colors in the backdrop sky.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better picnic area, that’s for sure! There are plenty of tables, but the best part is the location right next to Wolf Creek.

You’ll find a small parking area for Wolf Creek off of Park Road. There are shaded picnic tables next to the creek, where you can listen to the waterfall cascading down the gorge as you fill your stomach.

While you’re here, cross the bridge over Wolf Creek and walk along the trail to the other side of the hill, to get a different glimpse of the waterfall.

It can be tough to snag a parking spot here in the summer. If you see one, definitely snag it!

Great Bend is a nice, sometimes quieter, stop where you can appreciate how massive this gorge is!

Hogsback Overlook is also fantastic, and this one showcases the differences in water levels at different times of the year. Sometimes, the water levels are so low that it is hard to see the river from this viewpoint. Other times, you won’t even see the ridge in the horseshoe. It’ll be underwater!

These are quick stops along Park Road, but they’re all beautiful and unique. If you see a spot to pull off that looks like a parking area with a view, do it! Every. Single. Time! We’ve spent days driving along Park Road and stopping at each viewpoint.

At the northern end of the park, you’ll find this functioning dam, an engineering feat in itself. To this day, it helps protect from flooding through the Genesee Valley.

The Mount Morris Dam is 313 feet tall and was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1940s and 1950s. Another reason to be impressed? It’s the largest concrete gravity dam east of the Mississippi!

You can stop here and enjoy the view from the lookout point at any time of the day.

Seasonally, from spring through fall, you can take a guided tour to access the top of the dam. Tours are led by park staff and last about 45 minutes. Plan on walking 1/2 mile over steep terrain to reach the dam. Book 7 days in advance via Recreation.gov to ensure your space on a tour.

There is only one trail on the “other” side of the gorge: the Finger Lakes Trail. It stretches for 24 miles within the park and continues even further on each side.

There aren’t quite as many views on the east side, but especially earlier in the year, you can see views of Upper and Middle Falls.

Near the Parade Grounds entrance, you can enjoy a picnic lunch at the picnic grounds. Then, hike a couple of miles or explore the whole length of the trail.

Are you looking for an activity that will get your adrenaline pumping? Take a ride on a raft down the Genesee River. You’ll pass through Class I and II rapids through the deep gorge.

While we’ve been on bigger rapids in Ohiopyle and around the New River Gorge, this is still a fun summer raft adventure.

Trips typically last 2-3 hours floating down the river, but this is weather-dependent.

This is a great activity to do as part of a larger group, even for families, with the rapids being a little milder than others in the region.

Book in advance through Adventure Calls Outfitters. The rafting season typically lasts from April through October.

The most extravagant activity to partake in while visiting Letchworth is a Hot Air Balloon ride to see the bird’s eye views of the falls.

Tours depart from the Upper Falls parking area. These should absolutely be booked in advance, but they’re very weather-dependent. Conditions such as too much wind can be unsafe.

This is also not a cheap activity. Private tours just for couples are available but pricey. Small group tours are also available, splitting the cost to make it more reasonable. The most interesting part? You never know where you’re going to land at the end. It’s all in where the wind takes you!

Balloons Over Letchworth has some beautiful photos, which makes this adventure look like a dream. However, I’m just not brave enough to hop in one of those baskets, so we’ve never done this.

Letchworth State Park is a designated Bird Conservation Area (BCA). This makes it a great spot for both avid bird watchers and newbies.

Different species of birds can be spotted throughout the year, changing seasonally with migration and climate. Plenty of other species mate and nest within the boundaries of the park in the spring.

The various habitats throughout the park, including wetlands and hemlock forests, provide homes for so many other species of animals. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, turkeys, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibian species throughout the park.

The most developed area at the north end of the park, the Highbanks Recreation Area, is home to large picnic areas and group pavilions.

In the summer, visitors flock to the large Olympic-sized swimming pool to cool off, the only spot where swimming is permitted in the park. There is no additional cost to use the pool after you pay the park entrance fee.

This is a popular area for summer campers, especially, because no swimming is permitted in the gorge. The fast-moving and unpredictable waters in the river can be dangerous.

Use the large parking area as your home base, enjoying a day of swimming, hiking, and picnicking. This area is also home to the Park Police Headquarters.

This state park is home to a wide variety of camping opportunities, including cabins, RV, camper, and tent campsites.

Some of the cabins are very rustic, while others have more amenities. Several are ADA-accessible.

Some are very close to many of the attractions, while others are a little more secluded. There are options to suit just about any need in the park.

Have a campfire, roast some s’mores, and try to enjoy some stars while you’re here. Plan for minimal to no phone service while visiting and completely unplug.

Is Letchworth State Park worth visiting?

Absolutely!

Letchworth is affectionately known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” and has been voted the best state park in the United States by USA Today in their 10 Best Series in 2015.

2 years later, this park was named the best attraction in the entire state of New York.

There are waterfalls, hiking trails, history, and adventure activities – Letchworth has something exciting for any visitor! All of this makes Letchworth an absolute must-visit destination in the state of New York.

What should you pack for your trip to Letchworth?

You shouldn’t need anything too out of the ordinary from what you would normally pack for an outdoorsy adventure. Here are a few things we’d recommend that you absolutely make sure that you have when heading out to explore this park.

• Waterproof Hiking Shoes- those trails can be extremely muddy.
• Camera Lens Cloth– clean the mist from the waterfalls off of your lens.
• Lunch & Snacks- once you enter, you won’t want to leave until the day is over!
• Park Map- Free at entrances, visitor’s centers, and through the mail.

What’s the best entrance to Letchworth State Park?

Of the five entrances to the park, each is useful for visiting certain points in the park. Be prepared for more traffic and congestion at the southern entrance near the waterfalls.

• Mt. Morris (north): Mt. Morris Dam, Highbanks Recreation Area
• Perry (north-west): Highbanks Tent & Trailer Camp
• Castile (southwest): Great Bend & Archery Overlooks
• Portageville (south): Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls, Inspiration Point
• Parade Grounds (southeast): Finger Lakes Trail, East Rim