Watkins Glen State Park

Amazing!!! A great trail for the whole family! Very beautiful and mesmerizing views. Light enough for many people. There are ups and downs, but everything is compensated by gorgeous views.
There are shuttles to return to the beginning of the route to the parking lot. I will definitely come back again!!!

It's funny when people here give lower ratings because parts of the park (or the whole park) are closed due to weather conditions for public safety 😊 Ignore those reviews - this state park is truly a must-visit. Just plan ahead for the weather. I'd visited after a heavy rain event, so all waterfalls had a higher than normal volume of water. Part of the trails were closed due to flooding, but even with that limitation, it was worth the trip. It was hard for me to believe that such a wonder of nature didn't require a plane trip to a remote area. I would love to go back in the autumn when the leaves are changing color.

A glen is a "deep, narrow valley, especially in the mountains". Well, Watkins Glen surely lives up to its name - breathtaking gorges boasting nineteen (19) waterfalls of various heights, widths and force cascading downhill. Jagged steep cliffs surround you at times, but the paths are well maintained. On our October 29th fall visit, many of the paths were wet, some with large puddles - so wear good water-resistant hiking shoes. The hike is moderate. Expect to climb or descend many stone steps. My group walked about 3.5 miles exploring the various trails. Thoroughly enjoyed this fairy tale setting.

This is the best of the best of the best! Bring good sturdy waterproof hiking shoes. It is a do-able hike for most. We are 68. We took the shuttle bus to the top and hiked down. With my trashed knees it would have been to hard to hike up. It is just an amazing beautiful place. I hope we can do it again, and again!

This is one of the nicest state parks I've ever been to. The Gorge trail is amazing. It's not quite 2 miles and the views are incredible. It is an easy hike for the most part, but there is a lot of stairs. It is a must see if you are in Watkins Glen.

Absolutely wonderful the views are beautiful the trail is nicely done and easy to walk on you might get a little wet especially your feet . You don't need full on hiking boots for this trail but shoes are highly recommended. Make sure you stop in and ask the gentleman at the help center for a map they are great and very knowledgeable they told us 4-8 other water falls to go to once we were done. Tons of info in there check it out worth the trip !! I recommend starting on the Gorge trail from the main entrance there are a few locations you can get off and turn back on the Indian trail that way and it's they best walk through for the falls. For those of you with fur babies they are aloud on the Indian trail but there was signs posted know dogs on the Gorge trail. So pet friendly there just isn't room on the Gorge trail for people and dogs accident waiting to happen. I would recommend this place to any nature lover !!

This trail has such a great view, and don’t worry, photography from all angles will look amazing!!! I love the fact that you can actually touch some waterfalls, which is pretty cool to me. Definitely coming here again.

Absolutely stunning.
We visited in early October, and it was perfect timing to see the leaves starting to change.
Hiking-wise, you definitely need some decent shoes. It is not a difficult hike, but there are a fair amount of stairs and a fair amount of water. It can get a little slippery.

Watkins Glen State Park

It is a breathtaking experience in the Finger Lakes region. The views throughout are mesmerizing. There are 3 main trails from which we can have views of the gorge. The Gorge Trail runs closest to the stream and has about 800 fairly well maintained stone steps with bridges that provide spectacular views of about 19 waterfalls. Ensure to wear comfortable footwear. The other 2 trails (Indian Trail and Southern Rim Trail) run along the wooded rim. Do check for weather conditions before making the trip. The car park has an entrance fee of US$10 per car for the day. The car parks do get full during the weekends so plan accordingly. They also have a shuttle ($6 per person) that runs from the main entrance and upper entrance and vice versa so you can walk one way and then take the shuttle on the return trip.

It is a very scenic park in the Finger Lakes region. There are 3 trails from which we can have views of the gorge. The Gorge Trail runs closest to the stream and has about 800 fairly well maintained stone steps with bridges that provide spectacular views of about 19 waterfalls. The steps do get very slippery after the rain, and sensible waterproof footwear is recommended. The other 2 trails (Indian Trail and Southern Rim Trail) run along the wooded rim. Do check for weather conditions before making the trip.

The car park has an entrance fee of US$10 per car for the day. The car parks do get full during the weekends.

This place is spectacular. 100% reco a stop. There are a lot of stairs and it is muddy in places so wear proper shoes and consider bringing a hiking stick. The waterfalls are just amazing. There is parking just outside the park, but you can also find parking in town for free if it’s not a busy day. Dogs are only allowed on the higher trails, so suggest leaving them at home if you want to see the best parts of the gorge!

This place is absolutely breathtaking! It made our trip to Ithaca to see waterfalls worth every Penny! Do NOT skip this place on a visit near the area! Park in the bottom parking lot though because the upper parking has you walk down a STEEP embankment and a bunch of stairs which is only good for hikers.

This park is like something out of a fantasy world, but it's very much a real place! One beautiful waterfall after another! Fairly easy 3 mile round trip hike. The path is walled in and floored with flat stone. There are stairs and bridges, so this trail may be difficult for individuals who have trouble getting around on foot. The trail is heavily shaded and nestled in rock, so even in warmer weather, the trail remains fairly cool. Warning, you may get wet, as some sections of the trail pass under or near waterfalls.

Brace yourself!
This place is magical, breathtaking, and beautiful.
For being a short trail, there is plenty to see. So take your time and enjoy.
Also, there are a lot of steps to up and down.
Please wear hiking boots. Some places can be very wet.
Dogs are welcomed but must be on a leash.
Unfortunately, they are not allowed in the gorge

We are locals, so this is something our family does yearly. There is nothing better. It does get quite slippery, especially after rain, so hiking boots are the best way to go! In the middle of summer it can get very crowded because of the tourists, but it's still enjoyable!! This time we visited, we spotted a fawn waiting for her mother on the south rim trail going towards Couch's staircase. There is a parking fee.

This was the main attraction for my birthday weekend in the Finger Lakes of New York State. You will need to get here early if you want to truly enjoy the area and be able to take pictures that aren't full of people. We started about 8am. All the brochures say there are 10 trails but the best route is to do the Gorge trail to the top and come back either the North or South Rim trail. You won't see much on the Rim trails other than woods and an occasional overlook when the leaves are still on the trees. There are 19 waterfalls, several bridges, and lots of water sculpted rock. Be prepared to do a lot of walking and even more steps to get to the top but it is worth it and your calf muscles can recover in the following days. This Trail would be very nice to walk in the fall with leaves changing or even no leaves on the trees.

Very easy hike with beautiful scenery. Definitely recommend coming peak foliage and if you want to avoid crowds, try getting there before 10am. The hike itself is only took an hour and a half to go there and back; 2 hours if you're taking your time and stopping to take pictures. Parking is $10 for the day.

Watkins Glen State Park is an absolute gem! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This park offers an enchanting journey through nature's wonders. The winding trails lead you through breathtaking gorges, past serene waterfalls, and alongside lush greenery. The sheer cliffs and unique rock formations make every step a visual delight.

The highlight is undoubtedly the mesmerizing Rainbow Falls, a true masterpiece of nature. The park's well-maintained paths and bridges ensure accessibility for all, making it perfect for families and adventurers alike.

Whether you're an avid hiker or just seeking a tranquil escape, Watkins Glen is a must-visit. Its natural beauty and serene ambiance make it a 5-star destination for anyone looking to reconnect with the wonders of the outdoors.

Beautiful park, especially during autumn foliage. The gorge trail is about 2 miles in and out. I recommend that you get there early. It gets really busy after 9 am. No dogs allowed on the gorge trail, which is a bummer, but I guess since it's so busy and some areas are narrow, it would be difficult for dogs to get through.

Absolutely amazing experience.

We parked at the upper entrance by Jacobs Ladder and worked our way down from there. We got there the last day, or second to last day before they closed the Gorge Trail for the season. Beyond worth the trip!