We have been to the Grand Canyon before, and we we heard that this area is called "the Grand Canyon of the East", I scoffed. Really, I'm sure. But Hubby and I were so pleasantly surprised. What a beautiful and expansive park. The natural beauty can't be described in a Yelp Review. There are many many trails, but the ones that lie close to the canyon, river, and falls are the roads most traveled. And these are very built up and in some areas paved or with steps. You would need to do a long drive to get from one end of the park to the other. We went in from the Castile side (which is closed during the winter months). And you can drive all the way up to Mt. Morris. There are plenty of places to do an overnight--from campgrounds, to cabins, to a lodge and in inn. And a plethora of areas to picnic ( with grills) while taking in the GORGE-ous view ( pun intended). There are also snack bars and restaurants within the park as well. Come to see the beauty within the park. While it's not the Grand Canyon, it boasts its own breathtaking scenery ( and it's fabulously lush in season unlike dry Arizona)! Entrance fee of $10 was well worth it! read more

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Amazing place, great tor everyone. If you're a hiker or you just like scenic views, it awesome. read more

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When I received a proposed itinerary from the person I was flying cross country to visit the entry that excited me most was a visit to what she described as the "Grand Canyon of the East". I almost didn't care what else we did. The "Grand Canyon of the East" is Letchworth State Park, a 1.5 mile wide, 17 mile long park comprising 14,350 acres. There's so much here to be explored and I explored so little of it that I feel almost guilty in assigning 5 stars. What if the stuff I didn't see was utter crap? For much of my 7 mile hike past Upper (70 feet), Middle (107 feet), and Lower Falls (70 feet) I carried a water bottle with me, consumed in the course of hiking, and finally had to ask "don't they have any garbage cans in this park?" I hadn't seen a single can and later learned that Letchworth is a carry in-carry out park. That is, there's not a garbage can to be found anywhere and I don't know how they accomplish this but the park is immaculate. I saw not a single speck of trash during my visit. Just nature, cabins, waterfalls, and adequate parking spaces. Driving through any one of the park's entrances will cost you $10 but dining at the park's Glen Iris Inn and flashing that receipt will get that $10 refunded. By all means, go have a meal or a drink; you basically have a $10 credit. Upon park entrance you're handed a high quality, informative map which is easy to follow. It lays out the park's 29 hiking trails identifying their length, difficulty (all are "easy" or"moderate"), and whether they're also fit for biking, horseback riding, skiing, and/or snowmobiling. Yosemite could learn a thing or two from the maps provided at Letchworth. Leashed dogs are also welcome. I left very impressed with this park, impressed enough that I'd be interested in renting a cabin, campsite, or cottage if I lived where my friend does (near Rochester). Experiencing this immaculate park, which USA Today named "Best New York State Attraction" (2017), should be high on your list if you find yourself anywhere near the area. read more

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Such a beautiful park and it's quite expansive!! There's lots of different trails to hike on in addition to the very clear 'scenic' stops that are carved out. This park is accessible to family's who just want to drive through and take short stops to an all day extensive hike. Most of the terrain is flat esque, so it's mostly trail walking versus extensive uphill hiking. The scenery is beautiful, it never gets old no matter how many times I visit. read more

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Do not, I repeat do not sleep on Letchworth State Park, people! This is a great park with spectacular waterfalls and fun trails. The middle fall is the largest and the best thing about that one is that you can see it right from the park entrance so if you just want to experience a great waterfall but not hike, this place is a great idea. That is not to say that the hikes are not fun. We started hiking from the middle falls, went up to see the upper falls and then all the way down to the lower falls and it was great fun. Also, this place is called the Grand Canyon of the East because of the huge gorges between the falls. In terms of amenities, I went during the pandemic so the only thing open was the Glen Iris inn which is fine for a quick meal in the park but nothing extraordinary. read more

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Beautiful, will have to go back in the summer. Everything was still closed for the winter, but you could still enjoy nature and the hiking.

A gem in the Rochester Buffalo area. Three gorgeous falls and lots of paths for hiking. Excellent family picnic areas. Well taken care off. Very underrated and really not a long drive. One big tip! Very sparse cell phone coverage. Make sure you communicate well ahead of time if you're meeting someone! read more

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I wish I knew about Letchworth sooner. I've already been here twice this year. The views of the three waterfalls are stunning and the park is fun to explore. There are several different trails you can walk along. I've recommended this park to several friends and they all loved it. The park is quite long so if you enter from the north, give yourself time to drive south to where the waterfalls are. Parking is $10 but free with a senior on weekdays. read more

Beautiful park even if you're not a hiker. Two of the waterfalls are clustered in the South end, so if you enter in Portageville you can see them almost right away. If you park by the railroad bridge it's a longish climb down many stairs to get to the best view. If you go to the Middle Falls/Balloon Launch parking lot you can see both Middle (to the left/North) and Upper (to the right/South). I don't know about Upper or Lower, but Middle is lit up at night. Some of the drop offs are EPIC, so when it says stay behind the barrier, they mean it. Don't even kid by standing on the low stone walls, because a strong gust of wind could send you hundreds of feet into the gorge. read more

We've been to Letchworth on day trips many times, but camped here for the first time this past August. We stayed for 4 nights, which coincided with our daughter's 12th birthday. Home for our stay and our family celebration was electric site #318 on the 300-loop. Regarding the site, it was flat and shady, but small and right on top of the adjacent sites. We were actually scolded by nearby tent'ers for our rowdy midnight family Monopoly game. :-P It was a small, wedge-shaped site on a corner. But not all sites were like this. We definitely wouldn't select that particular site again, but did like our close proximity to the camp rec hall and store, just a short walk across a field. The 300-loop bathrooms were dated, but kept clean. I walked a few of the other campground loops, and the 100- and 200-loops have brand new bathroom facilities. They are nice and bright, and private. The store staff said the plan is to work their way across the loops to replace all of the bathroom buildings. There were no signs last summer of any other updated loops in the works just yet. While at Letchworth, we enjoyed some fishing, hiking, picnics, sports, scenic views of the canyon, and swimming at the pool. Letchworth is HUGE. From the campground, (which is closest to the Perry entrance in the NW part of the park), you definitely have to drive to most of the things to do. But the camp area does have basketball, rec hall games and crafts, a few hiking trails, and some scheduled activities. The swimming pool is so nostalgic, such a thing out of days gone by. It is HUGE, with two pools, a snack bar, a big grandstand, giant locker areas, a wood-panel lodge, and most of it is pretty run down and dated. But it's oddly comforting; it feel like you're at the Dirty Dancing resort, and Baby is going to walk by carrying a watermelon. ;-) It's an endearing glimpse into the past. Too bad the funds aren't there to revamp it all back to its former glory. We'll definitely be back to Letchworth again at some point to camp. There is so much nature still to explore, because as I mentioned, this place is HUGE. Our fam' had fun at the campground itself, and we are long time lovers of the rest of Letchworth. So we'll be back again to make a stay out of it, and make some more memories. read more

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This is a great State Park to camp, hike and explore. I've been coming to Letchworth for years and I cannot say that I've experienced even a single percent of what this park has to offer. It's large and has many trails for both beginners and moderate hikers. While Letchworth is promoted as "the grand canyon of the east," I wouldn't necessarily go that far, but I do think the views and valleys are beautiful. There are many waterfalls to find and discover in the park and it is beautiful around Fall time when the leaves change. While the park does have an admission fee of $10 (2017) and multiple entrances, there are camp sites and even a B&B right at the park (Glen Iris Inn). There are charcoal grills at various points as well making Letchworth an option for a get together. There's also some sort of rafting sign and while I've passed by it when entering the park, I have never gone rafting here and I'm not sure what sort of white water exists. They also offer hot air balloon rides in the park, although I'm pretty sure that is seasonal. Overall, it's a beautiful park that is open year round. Some wonderful nature to explore. read more

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I'd heard about the wonders of Letchworth essentially my entire life as my parents/grandparents/aunt and uncles all went to college just down the road from it. After seeing it firsthand I have to say it totally lives up to all the hype. We came during winter when many of the trails, including those down to the lower falls; however, we were able to follow a trail along the rim that travels down the closed roads to the top portion of the middle falls and the upper falls and trestle. It was absolutely beautiful trekking through the freshly fallen snow and I can't wait to come back in the summer to hit more of the gorge trails! read more

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It's such a beautiful place. There are many trails if you enjoying hike. Even if you don't, they're not too exhausting to walk thru. The waterfalls are probably my favorite part of this state park. I definitely recommend exploring here! read more

The most beautiful falls I've ever seen. It's amazing, quiet and just beautiful. Went on vacation not knowing what to expect at Niagra Falls. Went to Letchworth State Park just to check it out and ended up staying in a house right at the park. Couldn't ask for a more relaxing vacation. And if hiking is your thing there's no better place to visit you never know what you'll see on the trails. Beautiful Beautiful water falls. read more

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Letchworth is an absolutely stunning park! Despite wherever you hike or whatever sights you view it's never the same twice. There's a high middle and lower falls and all are equally amazing. Take your time and enjoy the day. You can grab lunch and the Glen Edith and there's also a lower falls restaurant and I'm sure other food places that I've never explored before. Service is limited but that's part of the best part. You're fully in nature! There are many entrances. Through the main entrances it's a $10 fee -- cash and credit are accepted. Also the emprie pass is accepted. Letchworth is one of the best local gems we have. Go for a full day and enjoy! read more

Letchworth State Park - Parks Near Me - Castile, New York

This state park was suggested to us while passing through the area and we are glad it was. It was a great park with quite a few options to explore it. They had different trails with difficulty levels for all types. We enjoyed a few short medium intensity hikes to see all 3 falls. The falls were beautiful and the park was well maintained. We spent about 3 hours here, but you could easily spend all day. We really enjoyed our visit and we would recommend it to anybody in the area. read more

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This is the prettiest hike I've been on in my entire life and I'm not even exaggerating when I say this. Parking is ten bucks and then you enter a fall wonderland. The foliage is gorgeous,there are so many cute dogs and happy people everywhere, and the water makes you feel so happy. There are the upper, middle, and lower falls which are all gorgeous. Upper falls is my favorite! There are also picnic table that overlook the falls for a great lunch and nice view. 100% recommend if you're in the Rochester area. read more

Letchworth State Park - Parks Near Me - Castile, New York

This park is the crown jewel of the New York state park system. It is a nature lover's paradise. There is a very wide variety of plant and animal life to be seen and enjoyed. It is a hiker's Paradise, with a seemingly endless number of trails to explore, all impeccably maintained. Soft trails that are relatively flat and level, steep trails that will challenge you, trails along gorges, trails in the middle of the woods, trails for horses, all throughout this magnificent park. There are benches at frequent intervals, even in the deep woods! Well mown, clean, well kept bathrooms and facilities. This park is very well run and maintained. You can stay in tents, or rent cabins or stay at the very comfortable Glen Iris Inn or the more private Pine Lodge in. There are children friendly playgrounds, a swimming pool, all kinds of nature centers and visitor centers and ice cream kiosks. If you check out the main nature center, you may be lucky enough to meet very impressive naturalist Conrad who seemed to know every plant and animal in the park by name! The park is very large and it will take you at least two weeks to get to know it all. Bring good quality hiking boots if you plan on doing the challenging trails. There are grills for barbecuing in the most unexpected places, and this is one park that does not disappoint. read more

Letchworth State Park - A view from the glen iris inn balcony - Parks Near Me - Castile, New York

Easily called the Grand Canyon of the east coast.There is so much to see, do and explore here.Make sure you see the upper,middle and lower falls.You can camp, swim, hike.If you get hungry make sure to visit the glen iris Inn located on the property. read more

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Such a beautiful and amazing park, now I know why it's called the grand canyon of the east. There's so much to see in the upper, middle or lower falls.You can go hiking, swimming, camping or just exploring around.There is also a restaurant called the Glen iris inn if you feel like grabbing a bite to eat. read more

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My absolute favorite spot to vacation in the summer (by vacation I mean camp). There's nothing I look forward to more than my annual stop here for a couple days. There's no reception deep in the park which is a welcome change. I've always stayed in cabins. They're clean. Most cabins come with bathrooms. Other cabin areas have public bathrooms and showers nearby. Heat, electricity and running water makes this glamping in my eyes. The Grand Canyon of the East has stunning views and perfect trails of all difficulties. read more

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GRAND CANYON OF NEW YORK That what this beautiful park is unofficially know as The hike to the upper middle and lower falls always the best. Looking at the different plots of the sediment was especially awesome. The entry was like 8 bucks and there is a restaurant but with all the beautiful natural surroundings we didn't even stop for a bite we just kept hiking and enjoying the views read more

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Beautiful park! If you have never been, make it a point to. You can see the bigger falls by walking a short path. Very accessible. If you're not into hiking you can see a lot of the canyon from your car or by walking a very short distance from the road. read more

It took way too long to get to Letchworth. Not distance, but years. I can't believe I waited 32 years to go to such a majestic place. It is enchanting and mesmerizing, and breathtaking. There are so many incredible sights to see and creatures to witness. I even had the privilege to view a young bald eagle in the wild. There are turkey vultures galore, and deer, and woodchucks, and people bring their dogs. It is a wonderful spot. I can't wait to go back and explore more. read more

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Incredible park! The visitor's center has a building with bathrooms and information/maps and some parking. However to start the hike might be better to drive to Inspiration Point and follow the trail to get to Lower Falls. I'd say if you walk comfortably it should take about an hour or so to get to the very bottom and back up to Middle Falls. To get to upper falls you'll need to drive to the area to get the amazing view of the falls with the bridge backdrop. Of course, I'm sure you can hike anywhere along the park, but if you wanna see everything in like 3-4 hours, would def recommend driving between to get to the start points. Overall amazing views, lots of doggos! Especially amazing in the fall with the foliage! read more

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My favorite state park in the Buffalo/Rochester area. Will never get tired of it. Great place to visit with significant other, friends, family, you name it. Admission is $10 and parking is not hard to find at all. You can either drive to other parts of the park, walk, or bike. Don't expect to have a cell phone signal for most of your time there though. Or garbage cans. read more

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Wow what a find! The three main falls are tremendous - even saw a train go over the new bridge. Hiking trails could use some CCC love, many of the first steps are quite tall. But the beauty of the surrounds trumps the drawbacks of not great maps showing the trail blazes & tips on getting to the hot-spot overlooks. Are prescribed burns used to control undergrowth? We had a lovely dinner at Glen Iris Inn, Caroline's Cottage with the closest table to Middle Falls - after about 30-minutes you really notice HOW loud rushing water is. We had a room just up the hill, " Jack Pine". The bed was much too soft, like sleeping on a pile of pillow-tops (or a marshmallow) & the "Leave the dehumidifier on" sounded an alarm at 2:45 a.m that it was full. Morning TV talking heads said it is SO hot, "oppressive" 77 is the predicted high today in Buffalo, that's the temp we wake up to in FL! read more

Just got back from a weekend trip to Letchworth; my first time going. When you first drive in from the Castille entrance, you're greeted with a spectacular view of the gorge. It's early November, so the trees and foliage are amazing. I like paved or easy to follow hiking. I'm not that rugged get dirty roughing it type, more of a beach type, but I do love outdoors and it's WNY in November so the beach is ruled out. Anyway, Letchworth's paths were easy, beautiful, and scenic. The waterfalls and gorge are definitely worth the 1hour20 minute drive. We stayed at Colonial Inn, a cute inn a few minutes from the Castile entrance. This could have easily been a day trip as well, but wanted to do something for the whole weekend. Will definitely be back next fall. read more

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So worth the hour drive(Rochester)to visit this place! Upon entering the park, we drove right by the check in booths....apparently after 530 you don't have to pay an admission price. At the first possible overlook opportunity I pulled over to view the gorge. Absolutely beautiful, I understand why its called the "The Grand Canyon of the East. Loved seeing all the baby deer throughout the park, so cute they still have their spots! Lots of wildlife here. I was here for a work presentation at the nature center with limited time to take in the views, hit the trails and visit the lower and upper falls. But with this first taste of how amazing this place is I will definitely be back for an entire day! read more

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As far as State Parks go this is one of the better ones that I have ever been too. Letchworth is located a little over an hour SE of Buffalo, NY. It the perfect park for a simple day visit for hiking or staying a few days to camp. You can stay here via cabin, tent, RV, or the Glen Iris Inn which is a small hotel on the grounds. We opted to simply day hike the 3 falls aptly named upper, middle and lower falls. All the falls are located on the Genesse River and easy to get to even if you are not a hiker. The Upper and Middle Falls are located near a parking lot so really minimal walking is required. The Lower falls requires you hike up a decent incline for a little over a mile (I think but it could have been longer) or you can drive to a parking lot much closer. You'll still have to walk some but not a crazy amount. The Lower Falls have a cool bridge that you can walk onto to get a decent pic of the falls from a decent level. All of the waterfalls are absolutely beautiful but I'd have to say Middle Falls were my favorite because I was able to get the closest to them. This park has a little something for everyone. There's a restaurant near the Lower Falls, a snack shack, and a restaurant in the Glen Iris. The have a cool hot air balloon ride for a cost in the mornings and evenings that seemed really awesome. Maybe next time, I will have to stay longer and give this a try. read more

The sights of Letchworth are absolutely breathtaking. If you haven't been, I highly recommend that you go for a visit. This park is so stunning that I remember taking a field trip in fourth grade and have wanted to return ever since. We decided to kick off a month of celebrating our anniversary with a visit to Letchworth. So let me preface this by saying that I generally squeal at the thought of bugs, so it goes without saying that I'm not a nature or outdoorsy person. With that being said, Letchworth was amazing, bugs and all. The bugs actually weren't that bad and we only encountered them in the St. Helena picnic area during our lunchtime, so you'll definitely want to bring bug repellent. Upon entering, you'll stop at a booth and pay the $8.00 per vehicle entrance fee. At that time you'll receive an entrance ticket and a map of the park. Letchworth is huge and I'd recommend that you request a map of the park so that you can fully partake in of the sights and activities. The park is very easy to navigate and there are several signs indicating historical sites along the main road. If you are doing a day trip, go early in the morning so that you can take photos and have time to walk a few trails. Some trails appear to be often traveled and are easy to follow, while others are steep and less often visited. I would recommend using discretion to determine what level of hiker you are in order to choose which trails are best to take. If you are a romantic at heart, this is an amazing and wonderful place to have a date. There are several area that you can have a lovely picnic. We brought a cooler with subs, snacks, wine and had a quiet picnic. It is also nice to enjoy the waterfalls and sights. We visited all three waterfalls and most of the sights including the museum. They have a nice gift shop with post cards and goods too. I would probably skip the museum next time and stick to the outdoors. It was small and overcrowded with aggressive tourists. I'm really excited to go back this fall for some romance and a little r&r. Would totally recommend to all in the Rochester or surrounding areas for a day trip. For your day trip, be sure to bring: -picnic basket / cooler with lunch -sneakers -off / bug repellant -camera -admission fee -GPS -plenty of water -hiking necessities Happy travels! read more

A beautiful park with great views of the three falls. Most people don't take full advantage of all this 17 mile long park has to offer - they hop out of their cars, walk over to see the falls and jump back in and go to the next vista. There are some nice hikes in this park, a swimming pool in summer, camp grounds and cabins, etc. And on the other side of the river near Mount Morris you can take a tour of the dam on weekends, for free, at 11am and 2pm. It is very interesting. With its recent designation as the #1 State Park in the US it is more crowded than I recall so I would suggest coming off-season or on a weekday. read more

Letchworth State Park - Parks Near Me - Castile, New York

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What an absolutely gorgeous place. One of the prettiest places I have ever been, and I can see why it was named America's favorite state park! I dont really have much to say, the pictures speak for themselves. Just GO. You wont be disappointed. Make sure you use the Castile entrance. And I tried using the GPS coordinates given on the park's website, which just appear to be a random spot past the actual signs that direct you to the park. Just follow the signs and you will be good. The drive through the country to the park is also beautiful. Just an all around great day trip. read more

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I have been several times to letchworth, almost once in every season. Fall and summer are the best times to visit. The campground is nice and clean. You need a two night minimum if you want a cabin. The best part about this park is that both the drive and the hike is equally pretty. Hikes- there are several lookouts and trails connecting each one of them. I usually park at the second lookout (where eddy's is) and hike to the upper Falls. It's a moderate hike, not too difficult not too easy and you have places to sit and relax if you want. Glen iris inn- this is a fabulous restaurant. Their drink selection is great. A nice White Russian after a 5 mile hike sounds good, doesn't it? Their food is pretty great too but I have only had appetizers every time. The place is quaint and rustic and beautifully maintained. You should definitely visit if you are around :)l read more

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I've been to Letchworth State Park a number of times, most recently during a short trip white water rafting with Adventure Calls Outfitters. I also went to undergrad at SUNY Geneseo and would frequently take day trips to Letchworth to enjoy the waterfalls, train tracks, and nature in general. Every time I visit, I feel relaxed in such a tranquil environment. With about 17 miles covering 14,350 acres of park, there is a lot to explore along the Genesee River. Considered the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth offers spectacular views in addition to countless activities. Activities range from 66 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Camping, kayaking, hot air balloons (!!!), and swimming are also available! Letchworth has what appears to be a fairly fancy restaurant, the Glen Iris Inn (near the Castile entrance) although I have never dined there. They do serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, have overnight accommodations, in addition to banquet and catering services. Don't forget that camping - not glamping - is also an option at this state park, too! There are several pavilions and picnic tables if you're looking to have a picnic or just need to sit down and take in all that surrounds you. I find it fascinating that William Letchworth offered all of his land to New York State so that commercial businesses and other development would not be a possibility but rather keep the gorge and all its beauty in tact. We are truly blessed to have this great destination in Western New York! read more

Letchworth State Park is some of the most fun I have ever had hiking. It's huge, and there is so much to see. I would HIGHLY advise camping here, or staying nearby so that you can devote a few days to truly exploring the beauty. We packed a map and picked a trail, with a few hours to wander, and the goal of finding a waterfall, and it was a success! But we definitely get lost along the way. A few times. We ended up making friends with a couple of others who were also lost, and hiking our way to the falls together. But it was so great. There was a whole lot of mist, and rainbows, a payphone, a bunch of selfies, some cabins, and a gift shop. Talk about memories! And we barely even touched the trails. Will definitely be going back to explore again soon! read more

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Well this was a major positive surprise. "Grand Canyon of the East" is an exaggeration. But it's a wonderful park with stunning and to us surprising views. Three beautiful waterfalls, all very different, none of them Niagara (otherwise you would not have to Yelp them!) but spectacular in their own ways. The family loved it. The best views are in the Southern Part of the park, so I suggest you start in the South or in the Western entrances and then head South. read more

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huge park and great views. there is a huge waterfall in the end of the park and the waterfall is abosolutly gorgeous. The are also many beautiful views throughout the park, and it's great for taking photos or family trips! read more

Letchworth State Park - Beautiful view - Parks Near Me - Castile, New York

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Letchworth is such a beautiful place to explore. Summers are a bit busy, fall and spring are the best times to visit and stay. During the fall, the leaves on the trees change throughout the entire park and the views are stunning, then colors are insanely vibrant. Lots of trails, lots of places to explore. I'd recommend St.Helena, where a town inside the canyon used to exist. It's usually not visited by that many people, and you have the place to yourself most of the time. The camp spots are neat and tidy, electric and water hookups for extra fees. I've stayed in the A and B cabins, both the same cabin looks wise, and both with running water, heat and electricity. Onsite showers in each of the cabin areas are convenient after a long day of hiking. There are also grills outside of each cabin, and a fire pit. You'll need to bring your own wood to burn in the fire pit, the nearby town Castile has a grocery store that sells wood, and multiple residences along the drive to the park have wood by the street for sale. You're in the middle of the woods, so you will see raccoons, skunks, snakes, rabbits, and possibly a bear or two. If you're camping or staying in a cabin, you should watch yourself at night, as raccoons (who aren't timid of humans) will walk right up to you or your food/drinks. Most of the spring time and winter, you can get into the park for free as there are no rangers in the small entrance stations. The park is patrolled by the State Park Police, who are real NYS Police officers, they're friendly and helpful, and really a blast to talk to. I will say that I have NEVER seen a park, national or state, that has more maintenance employees. They are everywhere! People of all ages will enjoy the views and adventures here, most of the views are easy to see without much effort. Lots of "pull over" spots throughout the park as well. read more

What a fun time I had hiking and rafting! I can't wait to return for a hot air balloon ride! read more

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