Fillmore Glen State Park lies just south of Moravia in the Owasco Lake region, protecting a narrow gorge carved by Dry Creek through layers of shale and limestone. The park takes its name from President Millard Fillmore, who was born in a log cabin about five miles away in 1800. A replica of the cabin stands near the park entrance. The gorge trail passes five waterfalls over roughly a mile, ascending through a ravine that feels more intimate and enclosed than the wider gorges at Watkins Glen or Taughannock.

A natural swimming pool at the base of the gorge is open in summer and is the park’s most popular feature with families. The trails are well-maintained but involve some stairs and uneven surfaces. Fillmore Glen sees far fewer visitors than the more famous Finger Lakes gorge parks, which is a significant part of its appeal—on a weekday, you may have the gorge trail largely to yourself. The campground is clean and reasonably priced. For visitors exploring the eastern Finger Lakes beyond Cayuga and Seneca, Fillmore Glen is worth the detour.