Letchworth State Park Travel Guide
Flood control dam at Mt Morris
by mtncorg
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Flood control dam at Mt Morris
by mtncorg
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No waters in September behind the dam
by mtncorg
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Hoodoos in the river on the trail to...
by mtncorg
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Deepest part of the canyon at Big Bend
by mtncorg
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Middle Falls of the Genesee
by mtncorg
Explore Letchworth State Park
Take a walk up river to see Falls and Viaduct
ranger49 Says:
The park has good camping facilities and is an ideal place for outdoor, active holidays with numerous trails.As we were there for only a short time we spent our first afternoon following the river to the Lower Falls. The walk to the Council Grounds and Mary Jemison's...
A remarkable young woman
ranger49 Says:
This sign post was my first introduction to the story of Mary Jemison. It told very little about her other than that the flats on which I was looking down had been her home for 50 years and she had been known as the white woman of the Genesee; a statue of her stood in "the...
Letchworth Gorge Trail
Tom_Fields Says:
This trail takes you past Letchworth's three waterfalls, around the Big Bend, and downstream from there. It's a long hike, but you don't have to follow all of it. Just pick out the parts you really want to see.
Lower Falls Trail
Tom_Fields Says:
This is a side trip off of the main trail, which takes you all the way down into the depths of the gorge. Down here, one gets a different perspective. The climb in and out is fairly steep, but not too long. It's well worth it, if you have an hour to spare.
Wolf Creek
Tom_Fields Says:
Another nice little side trip is to Wolf Creek. This is a pleasant place with a creek and picnic grounds. From here, one can see the top of Wolf Creek Falls. A better view can be seen from one of the nearby overlooks.
The Museum
Tom_Fields Says:
Near the Visitors Center is a small museum. It's only about the size of a modest house, but has an impressive collection of historical memorabilia from the area. This is an excellent way to learn about this park, and the man who set this land aside for future generations.
The North End
Tom_Fields Says:
The Genesee River winds its way northward toward Lake Ontario. At the northern end of the gorge, the walls begin to recede, and Mount Morris Dam looms ahead. This is the northern end of the park.
MARY JEMISON’S GRAVE
mtncorg Says:
Set on the hill above the Glen Iris Hotel is a Seneca Indian council House and the grave of Mary Jemison. She had been abducted by Seneca Indians as a child and raised as a Seneca with the name of Dehweganus. She lived out her life as a Seneca. Her grave was moved here after...
PORTAGE BRIDGE
mtncorg Says:
Standing high above the Genesee River just upstream of the Upper Falls is the Potage Bridge. The present trestle replaced an earlier wooden structure which when built in 1852 was the World’s tallest wooden structure. The current bridge is actively used by the Norfolk &...
UPPER FALLS
mtncorg Says:
Roughly a half mile further upstream from the Middle Falls, the 70 foot high horseshoe-shaped Upper Falls starts out the cascading fun along the Genesee River. Trails lead to nice vantage points of the falls and the towering rail bridge high above.
MIDDLE FALLS
mtncorg Says:
This is the main waterfall of the Park. Conveniently located directly opposite the Glen Iris Hotel, trails take you right to the rim of the falls letting you watch as waters leap out over the brink, some 107 feet above the next stop. There is a large parking lot from which...
INSPIRATION POINT
mtncorg Says:
Being the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’, Letchworth has its own Inspiration Point, just like the real Grand Canyon. The view from here reminds me more of the view from Inspiration Point in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You do have a superb view from here over the...
BIG BEND
mtncorg Says:
The canyon deepens south from the Lower Falls and narrows. Overlooks allow the car-bound to get out and gaze at the vertical wall of Big Bend, a horseshoe turn of the Genesee River.
LOWER FALLS
mtncorg Says:
Proceeding south along Park Road from Letchworth Dam, Lower falls is the first of the three main falls found along the Genesee River. There is every evidence that the Lower Falls area is a big center of visitor activity before Labor Day in early September - large swimming...
MOUNT MORRIS DAM
mtncorg Says:
The State Park extends for about ten miles north from the Portage Gorge - waterfall center for the Park. A trail extends above the east rim of the canyon - composing of a section of the 562 mile long Finger Lake Trail - while on the west rim, motorists roll along the Park...
A magic park
skeyboard Says:
This park was a special find, and at the hight of the summer season, we seemed to be almost the only ones who had found it! It combined a mini- royal gorge, grand canyon, with a private mini Niagara falls- not one falls, but 3! Make sure to take the full "tour" and see all...
Hot Air Balloon Rides
cathyleens Says:
Letchworth offers Hot Air Balloon rides!!! The ride is actually very intimate, taking only about 4-6 people at a time, Your up for about an hour, and they take you over all the beautiful acres of the park. They offer this only from about May- September. If your there, you...
Scenic Paths
cathyleens Says:
When you get to the Park, Make sure you ask for a Trail Map. The best trails for beginners is trail number 1. It is the most scenic and takes you right around the gorge. Best to start at the upper falls, walk the wooded bridge and work your way down to the white water...
NIGHT ILLUMINATION
Middle Falls is pretty impressive in the day, but powerful spotlights increase the drama of the roaring nights at night. One more reason to check into the Glen Iris for at least one overnight.
Written Oct 1, 2008
Website: http://www.nyfalls.com/letchworth-main.html
- Related to:
- Historical Travel
- Water Sports
- National/State Park
Wildlife
Helpfulness
Tom_Fields 2352 reviews
Keep a sharp eye out for the wildlife. I nearly stepped on this snake here. And, as in all parks, do NOT feed, touch, or chase the animals. After all, this is their home. Let the wild things stay wild.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Phone: (585) 493-3600
- Related to:
- Hiking and Walking
- National/State Park
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