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Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Camping near Watkins Glen allows you to enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.
From I-90 exit 42 to Rt 14 South or from I86 exit 52A to Rt 14 North. Main entrance is located in downtown Watkins Glen on Rt 14
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.
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.
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 !!
