Watkins Glen State Park, NY

Watkins Glen State Park is one of the most famous Finger Lakes parks in upstate New York. Its Gorge trail is so unbelievably beautiful, that photos could not do it justice.

In 1794, the area was purchased by the Watkins family who built mills along Glen Creek and established the town of Jefferson, later renamed to Watkins Glen. In 1863, the gorge was developed as a privately owned resort that became an international tourist attraction. New York State purchased it in 1906 making it a public park. It suffered considerable damage in the flood of 1935. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) spent the next six years repairing and building the stunning stone walls, steps and paths we get to enjoy today as we explore the park.

We visited in late October 2023. It was a rainy, yet busy day. We parked at the main entrance and proceeded to walk the magnificent Gorge Trail. It meanders through the gorge featuring 19 waterfalls within just 2 miles. I noted a small lake on AllTrail and wanted to see it so I crossed the Mile Point Bridge and went up the steps to hike the Finger Lakes Country Trail (aka South Rim Trail) toward it. This trail goes through a forest along Glen Creek. It was magical this time of year, I watched the autumn leaves twirl and fall all around me. I had reached a picnic pavilion when I realize I was a bit off trail. Alltrail guided me back to the main path which was just a few feet back. As Gorge Trail was quite busy, I decided to return to the parking lot via the less popular Indian Trail (North Rim Trail) for a total of 4.2 miles. I very much enjoyed our day despite the rain and highly recommend a visit. The gorge is breathtakingly memorable for its unique beauty.

Before visiting, make sure to click on the park’s web site to verify that the trails are open as they close seasonally. Parking fee was $10 in October 2023. Note that the parking lot is not very large, and the park is very popular, I suggest arriving early in the day. I’d describe the hike as moderate due to many steps and the potential for muddy terrain especially after recent rain.

References Watkins Glen State Park Web Site, AllTrails – Indian, Finger Lakes, and Gorge Trail Loop