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Best State Parks and Gorges in the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region holds some of New York's most dramatic landscapes — 19 waterfalls in a single gorge, a 215-foot free-falling cascade, and a canyon that drew comparisons to the Grand Canyon long before tourism boards got involved.

Cityscape at daytime beside body of water — Best State Parks and Gorges in the Finger Lakes
Photo by L N on Unsplash

Shaped by Ice and Water

The Finger Lakes themselves are the product of glacial carving — ice sheets a mile thick ground south through pre-existing river valleys during the last Ice Age, deepening them into the long, narrow lakes we see today. But the glaciers also left behind something else: hundreds of tributary streams that now plunge over layers of shale and limestone on their way to the lakes, creating gorges, waterfalls, and swimming holes that make this region one of the most geologically dramatic landscapes east of the Rockies.

New York State recognized this early. The state park system preserves many of the best gorges, and the variety is remarkable — from developed, heavily-visited parks with paved trails and visitor centers to semi-wild ravines where you wade through a streambed to reach a waterfall. Here is what you need to know about each one.

The Major Gorge Parks

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen is the crown jewel. The Gorge Trail covers 1.5 miles through a narrow canyon, passing 19 waterfalls and crossing 800 stone steps. The path tunnels behind cascading water at Cavern Cascade, passes through narrow passages where the rock walls close to arm’s width, and climbs through a series of pools and spillways that look like they belong in Iceland, not upstate New York. The park receives over a million visitors per year, making it the most-visited state park in the Finger Lakes.

The Gorge Trail enters from the village of Watkins Glen at the south end of Seneca Lake. The full hike from the main entrance to the upper entrance takes 45 minutes to an hour at a moderate pace. The trail involves significant stair-climbing and can be slippery when wet — wear shoes with good traction, not sandals. A shuttle bus runs from the upper parking area back to the main entrance.

  • Season: Gorge Trail open mid-May through early November, weather permitting. Rim trails open year-round.
  • Hours: 8:00 AM to sunset. Arrive before 9:00 AM in summer to avoid crowds and parking issues.
  • Fees: $10 vehicle parking fee in season.
  • Pets: Not permitted on the Gorge Trail. Allowed on rim trails on leash.
  • Swimming: Not permitted in the gorge. A public pool operates in the park during summer.
  • Camping: The park has tent and RV campsites; reserve through Reserve America. Sites fill months ahead for summer weekends.

Letchworth State Park

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” — a comparison that oversells the scale but captures the drama. The Genesee River cuts through a gorge up to 550 feet deep and 17 miles long on the western edge of the Finger Lakes region. Three major waterfalls punctuate the gorge: Upper Falls (70 feet), Middle Falls (107 feet), and Lower Falls (50 feet). Middle Falls, viewed from the Inspiration Point overlook, is one of the most photographed natural features in New York State.

Letchworth is a large park — 14,427 acres — with more than 66 miles of trails ranging from easy paved walks along the gorge rim to rugged descents to the river. The park also offers hot-air balloon rides over the gorge (Balloons Over Letchworth operates from May through October, weather permitting, $250-$325 per person) and whitewater rafting on the Genesee River in spring when flows are high.

  • Season: Open year-round. Peak foliage season (mid-October) is extraordinarily popular.
  • Hours: 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
  • Fees: $10 vehicle fee in season (May through October). Free in winter.
  • Pets: Allowed on most trails, on leash.
  • Swimming: Pool complex at the park. No swimming in the river.
  • Lodging: The Glen Iris Inn, a restored Victorian estate on the gorge rim near Middle Falls, operates as a seasonal hotel and restaurant. Book months ahead for October.

Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls drops 215 feet in a single free-falling cascade — taller than Niagara Falls by 33 feet. The falls plunge into a natural amphitheater of shale walls that rise 400 feet on either side. The Gorge Trail is a flat, three-quarter-mile walk from the parking area to the base of the falls — one of the easiest waterfall hikes in the region, accessible to nearly all fitness levels.

The park sits on the west shore of Cayuga Lake between Ithaca and Trumansburg. In addition to the gorge, the park has a swimming beach on the lake, a boat launch, and campgrounds. The Rim Trails (North and South) offer different perspectives of the falls from above.

  • Season: Gorge Trail open year-round (ice permitting in winter — the frozen falls are spectacular). Swimming beach open late June through Labor Day.
  • Hours: Dawn to dusk.
  • Fees: $10 vehicle fee in season.
  • Pets: Allowed on the Gorge Trail and Rim Trails, on leash. Not allowed on the beach.
  • Winter visit: The frozen waterfall in January and February, when ice forms a massive column in the amphitheater, is one of the most dramatic winter sights in the Finger Lakes.

Robert H. Treman State Park

Treman is the local favorite among Ithaca-area gorge parks. The trail follows Enfield Creek through a deep gorge to Lucifer Falls, a 115-foot multi-tiered cascade that fans over a series of rock ledges. The gorge is narrower and more intimate than Watkins Glen, and it receives a fraction of the visitors. The lower section of the park includes a natural swimming hole at the base of a smaller waterfall — one of the best swimming spots in the region on a hot day.

  • Season: Main gorge trail open mid-May through November. Lower park and swimming area open late June through Labor Day.
  • Fees: $10 vehicle fee in season.
  • Pets: Allowed on most trails, on leash. Not allowed in the swimming area.
  • Difficulty: The trail to Lucifer Falls is moderately strenuous with significant stairs. The lower park loop is easy.

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Adjacent to Ithaca on Route 13, Buttermilk Falls is the most accessible gorge park from town. The main cascade drops over a series of broad rock ledges, and a natural pool at the base serves as a popular swimming hole in summer. The Gorge Trail climbs alongside the falls through hemlock forest. Upper Buttermilk has a smaller, less-visited swimming area. The park connects to the Finger Lakes Trail system.

  • Season: Gorge Trail open mid-May through November. Swimming area open late June through Labor Day.
  • Fees: $10 vehicle fee in season.
  • Pets: Allowed on trails, on leash. Not allowed in swimming areas.

Fillmore Glen State Park

South of Moravia in Cayuga County, Fillmore Glen is named for President Millard Fillmore, who was born nearby. The gorge is smaller and less dramatic than Watkins Glen or Taughannock, but that means fewer crowds. Five waterfalls line the main trail, and the swimming pool at the park’s entrance is spring-fed and cold — bracing on a summer day. The Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park’s stone structures in the 1930s, and they remain in excellent condition.

  • Season: Open mid-May through October. Swimming pool operates in summer.
  • Fees: $10 vehicle fee in season.
  • Pets: Allowed on trails, on leash.

Lakeside State Parks

Beyond the gorges, several state parks provide direct lake access for swimming, boating, and picnicking:

A body of water with trees around it
Photo by Ladislav Stercell on Unsplash
  • Sampson State Park (Seneca Lake): Former naval station converted to a large campground and recreation area on the east shore. Swimming beach, marina, and 245 campsites. Good base for wine trail touring.
  • Cayuga Lake State Park (Seneca Falls): On the north end of Cayuga Lake. Swimming beach, playground, campground. Convenient to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls.
  • Keuka Lake State Park (Bluff Point): On the west branch of Keuka Lake. Swimming beach, hiking trails, campground. Less crowded than Seneca or Cayuga parks.
  • Canandaigua Lake: Onanda Park (town-operated) offers swimming and trails. Kershaw Park in the city of Canandaigua has a public pier and seasonal swimming.

Tips for Visiting

  • Footwear matters: Stone steps in the gorge parks are frequently wet and slippery. Wear hiking shoes or trail runners with good traction. Sandals and flip-flops lead to injuries.
  • Morning visits: Arrive at Watkins Glen before 9:00 AM to avoid the worst crowds and secure parking. Taughannock and Treman are less crowded at any hour.
  • Empire Pass: If you plan to visit multiple state parks, the Empire Pass ($80/year) covers vehicle entrance fees at all New York State parks and is worthwhile after four or five visits.
  • Rain enhances gorges: Waterfalls are most impressive after rainfall. The gorge parks are beautiful in the rain — bring a waterproof layer and enjoy the solitude, as many visitors leave when it drizzles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gorge in the Finger Lakes?
Watkins Glen State Park is widely considered the most spectacular, with 19 waterfalls compressed into a 2-mile gorge trail. Taughannock Falls offers the tallest single drop (215 feet) with an easy flat trail. Robert H. Treman has the best swimming hole and a wilder feel. Each offers a distinct experience.
Is Letchworth State Park in the Finger Lakes?
Letchworth sits on the western edge of the Finger Lakes region, about 35 miles southwest of Canandaigua. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, the Genesee River cuts through a gorge up to 550 feet deep with three major waterfalls. The park covers 14,427 acres with 66 miles of trails.
How much does it cost to visit Finger Lakes state parks?
Most Finger Lakes state parks charge a $10 vehicle parking fee from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Off-season entry is typically free. The Empire Pass ($80/year) covers vehicle entrance fees at all New York State parks and pays for itself after four or five visits.
Are Finger Lakes gorge trails open in winter?
Most gorge trails close from early November through mid-May due to ice hazards. The Taughannock Falls gorge trail stays open year-round, and the frozen 215-foot waterfall in January and February is one of the most dramatic winter sights in the state. Rim trails at most parks remain open.
Can you swim in Finger Lakes state parks?
Yes, at designated areas. Robert H. Treman State Park has a natural swimming hole at the lower falls. Buttermilk Falls has a pool at the base of the main cascade. Taughannock Falls and Cayuga Lake State Park have lakeside beaches. Swimming is not allowed in the gorges themselves at Watkins Glen.
What should I wear to hike Finger Lakes gorge trails?
Wear shoes with good traction, not sandals or flip-flops. The stone steps are frequently wet and slippery from waterfall spray. Bring a waterproof layer, as you will get misted on trails like Watkins Glen. At Grimes Glen near Naples, you need waterproof footwear since the creek is the trail.

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