Discover Watkins Glen State Park in New York's Finger Lakes

Nineteen Waterfalls, Finger Lakes Wine Country, and Seneca Lake Views

Few state parks in the Northeast can match the geological drama packed into Watkins Glen State Park’s 778 acres at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Within two miles, Glen Creek descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 named waterfalls along a gorge trail that winds over and under cascades, through hand-carved tunnels, and across arched stone bridges built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The result is a trail that feels like it belongs to another era entirely, and explains why, among more than 6,000 state parks across the country, Watkins Glen earned third place in a USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States.

The Gorge Trail, open seasonally from approximately mid-May through early November, is the centerpiece of every visit. Highlights include Cavern Cascade, where the path passes directly behind the falling water; Rainbow Falls, the park’s most-photographed feature; and the Suspension Bridge, which hangs 85 feet above Glen Creek. More than 800 stone steps carry hikers through the gorge, making the route a moderate but deeply rewarding effort. The North and South Rim Trails run along the canyon’s upper edges and offer a broader, quieter view of the gorge landscape without the crowds of the main trail. Beyond the gorge, the park offers an Olympic-size pool open through summer, tent and trailer campsites, rustic cabins, picnic facilities, and guided gorge tours offered free to the public through the Finger Lakes Environmental Education Department. Anglers find excellent fishing at nearby Seneca Lake and at Catherine Creek, renowned for its spring rainbow trout run.

Watkins Glen is well suited to families with children who are ready for a short, dramatic hike and to older travelers who want to pair a morning in the gorge with an afternoon on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which includes dozens of wineries along the lake’s shores. Multi-generational groups can pace the gorge at their own speed, then spread out across the surrounding Finger Lakes region for wine tasting, lake cruises, and scenic drives. Pet-first travelers should plan ahead: leashed dogs are welcome on the North and South Rim Trails and the Indian Trail, but are not permitted on the Gorge Trail itself. Always check current pet rules at parks.ny.gov before your visit.

The Finger Lakes region surrounding the park offers a wide range of vacation rentals that suit families and groups especially well. Lakeside vacation homes and cozy cabins along Seneca Lake give guests beautiful waterfront views, with many properties offering fire pits, BBQ grills, and kayaks and paddleboards right at the water’s edge. Multi-bedroom homes with full kitchens let groups cook together and relax comfortably after a day in the gorge. Some waterfront properties include hot tubs with views over the lake, and pet-friendly rentals near the park welcome dogs on the same trip. With Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, the Corning Museum of Glass, and the Watkins Glen International racetrack all within easy reach, a well-located vacation home can anchor a full week of Finger Lakes exploration.

Reserve campsites through newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com, as no walk-up camping is permitted and sites book out months in advance for summer and fall weekends. The Gorge Trail closes annually around early November for falling rock safety and typically reopens in mid to late May. Check parks.ny.gov for current trail and construction updates before planning your gorge visit. A paid shuttle bus connects the park’s three entrances and makes point-to-point hiking straightforward. Book your accommodations near Watkins Glen State Park through Lake.com.