Do you find yourself asking, "Where are the best waterfalls near me?" Well, you’d be hard-pressed to find a waterfall trip more worthwhile in New York than Letchworth State Park. The park’s series of main waterfalls — named Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls — flow down the Genesee River through Portage Canyon on the south sides of the park.
Not surprisingly, the park has been called "The Grand Canyon of the East" for its magnificent rock walls. Sixty-six miles of trails give adventurers access to the park’s gorgeous landscapes, with plenty of waterfalls along the way. A visit to Letchworth State Park will give you the opportunity go to on some of the best waterfall hikes in New York, hands down.
The 70-foot Upper Falls is the southern-most falls in the park and is marked by a railroad track that passes 200 feet above the waterfall.
And against the forest backdrop, it’s one of many marvelous views to soak in while you’re hitting the trail.
A little downstream from Upper Falls, Middle Falls towers at 107 feet and is the tallest of the three falls at Letchworth State Park. It’s an easy walk from the nearest parking lot, and viewers can take one of the trails to the top of the falls.
Lower Falls isn’t as tall as Upper and Middle Falls, but it’s no less worth the trip.
It’s about a two-mile hike from Upper Falls to Lower Falls, and you can also get a fantastic view of the falls from the bridge just downstream.
One of Letchworth State Park's best attributes is its numerous overlooks where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Genessee River.
There are plenty of other, smaller falls throughout the park for those willing to explore, but visitors also won’t want to miss out on Inspiration Point, where hikers are rewarded with what might be the best view in Letchworth State Park. Once you’ve made the hike, you’ll understand how it got its name. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of water for the journey.
As you can see, if you're looking for hiking trails with waterfalls in New York, then you're going to love this park. Head on out there today and you'll be glad that you did!
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