Watkins Glen State Park, New York

Watkins Glen State Park is the jewel and the most famous of all Finger Lakes State Parks. It is magnificent and if you are only to visit one park then this is the one. It leaves visitors spellbound as the Glen Creek descends 400 feet past 200 foot cliffs generating a series of 19 spectacular waterfalls, 2 of the waterfalls you can actually walk behind. There are several trails that span the park but the ultimate trail to experience Watkins Glen is from the Gorge Trail. The hike along the 1.5 mile Gorge Trail will take roughly 2-3 hours. It is composed of paved walkways, steep staircases, chiseled tunnels, mortared bridges, and numerous waterfalls including cascades, dripping curtains, punchbowls, plunges and chutes.

This place is magnificent especially in the afternoon when the sun shines through casting light on the walls of the gorge. It is a magical place often looking at times like something out of the Lord of the Rings movie. While not very big in size, the park attracts many visitors who come to marvel at its beauty. It is said to be one of the most visited parks in New York State and it is easy to understand why.

You start at the bottom of the park in the parking lot and make your way up along The Gorge Trail to the top. There are over 800 steps that you must climb. You begin your journey into the Glen by walking through the Entrance Tunnel which was hand cut into the rock in the early 1900�s. You continue along the paved path with exceptional views at every corner. One of the most breathtaking views is the Cavern Cascade. This is one of the 2 waterfalls where you actually walk behind the curtain of the fall. From Cavern Cascade, the views looking down into the gorge are quite impressive. Once past Cavern Cascade, you eventually make your way through a Spiral Tunnel and under a Suspension Bridge which is 85 feet above the creek and then into a section of the gorge called The Narrows. The Narrows has its own micro-climate which is very similar to a rainforest, shady and very moist. Next stop of interest is Central Cascade and Glen of Pools.

Central Cascade and Glen of Pools is considered one of the highlights of the walk. Central Cascade is the highest waterfall in the park plunging more than 60 feet. The trail continues crossing the creek on a scenic bridge to Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls is the other waterfall that you can walk behind. In the late afternoon when the sun is out, you can see rainbows reflected off the falls. After Rainbow Falls, you enter a dark and narrow passage with dripping springs and another waterfall with a thin veil called Pluto Falls. The path continues further to Mile Point Bridge. After Mile Point Bridge, there really is not much more to see beyond that point. This is a good place to turn back and walk the gorge in reverse.

Watkins Glen SP is located in the village of Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake. The park entrance fee is $8 per car. Other areas of interest worth exploring around Watkins Glen are Montour Falls, Seneca Lake and Corning Museum of Glass.

Another beautiful state park which is nearby and worth a visit is Letchworth State Park.