Letchworth State Park follows a 17-mile stretch of the Genesee River gorge in the western Finger Lakes, where the river drops over three major waterfalls—Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls—through a canyon reaching depths of 550 feet. The scale is genuinely impressive and unlike anything else in the region; the comparison to a Grand Canyon, while obviously exaggerated, conveys the right idea about the park’s visual impact. The Middle Falls, at 107 feet, is the most photographed and the most accessible.

The park encompasses over 14,000 acres with 66 miles of hiking trails, plus options for whitewater rafting, kayaking, hot air ballooning, and horseback riding. The Glen Iris Inn, a historic lodge overlooking Middle Falls, offers dining and overnight stays. Letchworth is located near Castile, roughly an hour west of the central Finger Lakes wine country, making it more of a dedicated day trip than a quick addition to a lake-focused itinerary. But for visitors with time, it ranks among the finest state parks in the eastern United States.