The Genesee River gorge cuts through sedimentary rock layers dating back to the Devonian period, approximately 360 million years ago.
The Middle Falls, the largest of the park's main cascades, drops 107 feet.
The park was voted the best state park in the United States in the 2015 USA Today Readers' Choice poll.
The Mary Jemison statue commemorates a historical figure who lived among the Seneca people after being captured as a child in 1758.
Letchworth contains the only known preserved Council Grounds of the Seneca Nation, relocated here from their original site.
The park hosts active hot air ballooning operations, utilizing the unique thermal currents generated within the deep gorge.
The 1875 Erie Railroad bridge, a massive steel trestle, still spans the gorge near the Portageville entrance.
The park's geology reveals a transition from the Appalachian Plateau to the Ontario Lowlands.
The park remains open for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing during winter months.
Over 25,000 acres of surrounding forest serve as a protected watershed and habitat for diverse avian species.
Letchworth State Park is a 14,350-acre preserve centered on the 17-mile-long Genesee River gorge. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, the gorge features rock walls reaching up to 550 feet in height. Three major waterfalls, known as the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls, define the landscape along the river. The park contains over 66 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty. The Humphrey Nature Center provides exhibits on the geological history and ecosystem of the region. William Pryor Letchworth bequeathed the land to New York State in 1906. The park grounds include a stone mansion, now the Glen Iris Inn, overlooking the Middle Falls. Visitors can access various lookouts via the Park Road, which traverses the canyon rim.
The stone bridge overlook of the Middle Falls at sunrise.
Visit during a weekday to avoid significant parking congestion at the primary waterfall overlooks.
Bring binoculars, as the park is a designated Important Bird Area for migratory species.
Check the park's official trail maps before heading out, as some gorge-side paths are subject to seasonal erosion closures.
Attempting to swim in the Genesee River, which is strictly prohibited due to dangerous currents and underwater hazards.
Year-round access to the park; certain secondary roads and recreational facilities may close due to snow accumulation in winter.
Stay on marked trails to protect fragile shale cliff edges; follow 'leave no trace' principles; keep pets on a six-foot leash at all times.
