Stunning waterfalls and towering cliffs make Letchworth State Park a must-visit.
Think about the most stunningly beautiful places in the Northeast and you might think about the region’s mountain ranges, secluded forests or meandering coastline. You probably wouldn’t think of a canyon.
But you could.
New York’s Letchworth State Park is home to what is popularly known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” home to geological features that are sure to prove stunning to anyone unfamiliar with it.
It’s a place where cliffs standing nearly 600 feet high wall in the Genesee River; where a spectacular ribbon-thin waterfall drops an astounding 350 feet; and where the Seneca people believed (with good reason) that it was a place so wondrous that it made the sun stop and linger at midday.
Letchworth State Park is roughly 17 miles long, running along both sides of the Genesee River in western New York.
While the river passes through what is known as Portage Canyon — featuring steep rock walls standing hundreds of feet high — it tumbles over three major waterfalls, called the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls, creating breathtaking scenery with help from the lush forests surrounding the canyon.
Hiking, Biking, and Paddling in Letchworth State Park
For people who love the outdoors, the scenery is matched by great recreational opportunities. Hikers can explore up to 66 miles of hiking trails. Perhaps the best is the seven-mile Gorge Trail, which winds along the edge of the gorge and features stunning views of all three of the big waterfalls.
A number of trails are also available to mountain bikers. The park is home to a scenic section of the Finger Lakes trail that is open to bikes during the summer. (Most of the Finger Lakes trail is closed to bikes.)
Meanwhile, kayakers and whitewater rafters can enjoy Letchworth from the water. Adventure Calls Outfitters offers guided rafting trips through the area.
Food and Lodging at Letchworth Park
Visitors to Letchworth can stay at one of the park’s many tent and trailer campsites or a cabin. Several inns and lodges are also located within the park, including the Glen Iris Inn, a historic inn dating back to the early 1800s that is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
After working up an appetite exploring the park during the day, grab a meal at Caroline’s, the dining room at Glen Iris. The dining room features an extensive menu and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Another restaurant in the park is the Lower Falls Restaurant, which offers burgers and sandwiches.
Several other restaurants are located just outside the park, including the Charcoal Corral and Lumber Yard Restaurant.
Also nearby is the Silver Lake Brewing Project, a taproom and brewery offering a wide selection of craft beers. While they only have beer, the Country Kitchen restaurant is located next door.
