Wow. You know when you've had a place on your list to visit for a while and then you start to wonder if you've built it up too much? If it can't possibly live up to your expectations after years of wanting to visit? That was not my experience at Watkins Glen State Park. I'd wanted to visit for years and finally made it about a week ago when I spent the Fourth of July in the Finger Lakes. It was everything I'd heard about it, everything I hoped it would be. Watkins Glen State Park has four trails, but the reason you're there (at least on a first visit) is the Gorge Trail. It's a paved trail along/in the Glen Creek gorge. I've only hiked one other gorge that felt like you walk in and through and along water in this way. It was stunning. Bridges, lookouts, waterfalls, rock cliffs... I was constantly stunned by the beauty of this trail. I took about a million pictures. This park and this trail are worth planning a trip around. And being anywhere near the Finger Lakes and not visiting this park would be a real shame. It's that incredible. So here are some details that you need to know now that I've totally convinced you of the need to visit. The Gorge Trail is not a loop. At one end of the trail is the Main Entrance, and at the other end of the trail is the Upper Entrance. Both entrances have parking. The park offers a shuttle that takes you from one entrance to another for $6, so you have a lot of options. (FYI: The maps says this shuttle service is available July-August, so if you want to use this service, make sure to visit in those summer months.) You can hike just the Gorge Trail (either way) and then take the shuttle back to the entrance where you parked. Or you can hike the Gorge Trail (either way) and then hike back to where you parked (repeating the Gorge Trail or hiking back on the North Rim Trail). You can do the Gorge Trail in either direction; the views are great either way. We parked and started at the Upper Entrance, which I may prefer as the Upper Entrance is a few minutes outside town, so I think the parking may not get as full as early in the day. We hiked the Gorge Trail from the Upper Entrance to the Main Entrance and then hiked back to the start on the North Rim Trail. I'd do this way again. The best advice I can give is to start as early as you want/can. We arrived at the parking around 7:45am on a Friday morning (it was the Fourth of July weekend so we worried about holiday and weekend crowds), and it wasn't too crowded when we started. That meant a less crowded Gorge Trail, better pictures, and cooler temps. When we were making our way back just an hour or so later, the trail was much more crowded. I also recommend you wear hiking boots, water shoes, or some other waterproof shoes, because you will be walking through wet areas, mud, etc. I saw some girls dressed up for cute photos under waterfalls; they looked adorable, but I was trudging around in the mud in my hiking boots and sweating sunscreen. Neither trail was very difficult, and I think most people can and should do at least the Gorge Trail. (The Upper Rim Trail is a little bit of a bummer after the gorgeous views on the Gorge Trail, but I appreciated that there was a way to hike back to our car without returning on the Gorge Trail, because then it would have been so crowded!) Watkins Glen State Park was one of the highlights of our four or so days in the Finger Lakes. It's really stunning. I look forward to hiking the Gorge Trail again the future. read more

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Beautiful campground and area. Made reservations in advance for a cabin. It is very rustic. The cabins do not have electric or water. They have bunk beds with very thin cushions. Bring your own sleeping bag, blankets, sheets, pillows, lantern, and water. There is a small shelf, no other shelves. Or table inside the cabin. There is a picnic table in the concrete slab outside the cabin. One fire ring, bring your own grill. The office closes early. We got to the campsite after 7pm and there was no way to check in and get the key. We had to wait until the next day. They sell ice and firewood at the office. Bring cash. You out the cash in the box grab the key go out and unlock the shed for wood. Same for ice but out of the cooler. The staff seemed friendly, bathrooms were clean, sites were tidy. You can hike to the gorge from the campground very well marked. They have a pool, however it was not open when I went so I cannot review that. Quick ride into town where there are restaurants, breweries, more falls, the lake, and much more. read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

I can't speak to camping here but the gorge trail is worth the visit! It is veey popular for good reason - the gorge and waterfalls are stunning and the hike is along stone steps and well-maintained paths. This is an easy hike and not very long. read more

Spent two nights camping in the state park. The bathrooms were well taken care of and the showers were nice and hot. The campsite was also in great shape with a perfect set up and plenty of space. We had a cool spot next to a trailhead that brought you down to the gorge. We hiked about 3.5 miles, including Jacob's ladder. Loved that we were able to grab a wine slushie along the way! Will be coming back as we are already planning our next trip! read more

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Who knew such a beautiful waterfall existed in New York! Most people only visit the city, and this beauty is kept to the locals. This is one of the most breathtaking hikes I've been on. The climb was brutal, but the view is worth it! read more

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The hike along the Watkins Glen gorge trail is one of the best in the area. Incredible views, beautiful waterfalls, and if you look closely, lots of wildlife. This review focuses more on the campgrounds. There are tons of campgrounds in the area, but this is a great option! The sites are large and spread apart. There are no tent pads but there is plenty of room to set up all your stuff. Each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring. There are no bear concerns so you don't have to take as many precautions. You can also head straight into the gorge from some of the campsites. The bathrooms have lights, water, flush toilets, and showers. They were very clean while we were there and spacious. There's also plenty of dumpsters for trash. You can purchase firewood at the registration office, where they also have maps, guides, and useful info. It's a great local camping option. read more

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Absolutely mind blowing for a state park! Usually I'm disappointed, but this place is like a great stair master workout with a photo shoot on the side. Just pay for parking and shuttle if you choose to ride. I will be returning for the changing leaves read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

Lovely trail with some amazing views of the various waterfalls throughout the park. I would suggest going earlier on an off-peak day to avoid crowds. It was quite crowded during my mid-day visit on Memorial Day (an expected busier day) but not to the point that the trail was backed up. The trail itself had lots of steps and uneven paths. It was also very muddy and wet throughout. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes with a good grip (preferably hiking shoes/boots). There are parts of the trail that were a bit slippery. For the photographers out there...I ended up using an unextended tripod which I sat along the ledges throughout the gorge trail. Those ledges are about 18" deep so they should hold most tabletop or unextended tripod. This avoids having to place the tripod feet on the ground...which can be tough in the mostly-narrow paths of this trail. Again...if possible...an early off-peak day would be great in avoiding crowds and not having people in your photos. Also...the lighting during a sunny day can be tough...often lighting one side or a portion of the gorge...so you'll end up with lots of unevenly lit photos. A cloudy day is your best bet in my opinion. A 24-70mm lens worked well for most of the trail...I didn't find the need to go wider often. Parked in this lot which is toward the middle/beginning of the Gorge Trail. Entry/parking is $10. I arrived at around 12pm on Memorial Day (Monday) and there were still lots of parking spaces available. Large lot with open grassy areas and a play area. Restrooms also at this location. No shop at this location. You can walk to one of the other parking areas and take $6 shuttle back to your car...this avoids the trek back through the park. Of the available lots, I would park at the East (Franklin) Avenue lot next time as it is closer to the town with nearby shops. There is also a visitor's center and gift shop there. read more

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I really liked visiting here. Although it was our third stop while sightseeing in FLX, really the hardest part is the beginning. For those who aren't in the best shape or older - look into the shuttle that picks you up in Watkins Glen, busses you to the top and you can walk DOWN rather than up and back down. Anyway - really hot day, some showers as well, but the sights were great. I won't let idiot tourists who are inconsiderate ruin things - though I voiced my concerns for an hour or so during the visit. Again - stop and ask about the shuttles. read more

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Came to visit this park with some friends in a day trip and it was absolutely amazing! The park is stunning and the views are just breathtaking. read more

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Parking at main entrance is impossibly crowded, drive to one of the other entrances. Upper trail very rough and little to see. Need to take the lower trail. Signage had been mostly vandalized as there is no evident park management visible. As a result, really hard to know where to go or what to expect. Took the shuttle back to our parking area. Driver said we would have to stand even though there was a large sign saying it wasn't allowed - and with good reason- absolutely nothing to hang onto on what turned out to be an unexpectedly long drive. Completely unsafe for all involved. Nice views on the lower trails if a little crowded and wet. read more

Breath taking beautiful water falls! Large crowd but I went on a holiday or weekend I believe. The trails were easy but there are a lot of steeps stairs , loose rocks , and wet floor. So be careful how you walk! Other than that a beautiful time was had at Watkins ! Truly a masterpiece and the history behind the falls is even more awesome! read more

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Loved this park. If I lived closer, I would go daily. The trail is wide enough for side-by-side passing. There are some wet areas, so wear good trail shoes. The falls are beautiful. Going down is the easy part, so see if the shuttle is running to take you back to the parking lot, or be prepared to hike back up, which I did. When I got back to the Jacob's ladder, I summoned all the strength from my ancestors and miraculously ran them up to the top( well, to the last flight)--received so many compliments, gosh (blushing). Go and enjoy the beauty of your other mother (nature); your quads will thank you. read more

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I love this park! Watkins Glen State Park is absolutely breathtaking! The Gorge trail is so gorgeous with its waterfalls, stone bridges, and scenery. It's well-maintained and easy to navigate. I recommend going early since it can get busy, and to wear hiking waterproof shoes or boots! Such a great place! read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

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This was the finest camping experience I can remember from years of camping along the east coast. STAFF: Friendly office staff at check-in. Helpful but not overbearing. Easy to follow signage and maps. FIREWOOD: Firewood is $10 - cash only - at the office. You will pass a dozen houses selling it for 1/2 that on your way to the park, fyi. I held out for the office firewood but will get local offerings for tomorrow night. TENT vs CAMPERS/ RVs: We are literally the only ones with tents in this loop (Cayuga) otherwise it's RVs all the way. Very quiet after 10pm. AMENITIES: Excellent picnic table, electric hookup box and fire pit grille provided. The picnic table is sturdy and well maintained. Water pumps are communal, occurring every few sites. BATHROOMS & SHOWER-HOUSE: Modern facilities with immaculately clean toilet stalls and spacious, sparklingly clean showers. The tile of floor & walls as well as shower hardware looks brand new. I'm not sure if they just do a religious job of removing gunk/ webs/ dead insects / debris or if the entire interior is brand new, but compared to other campgrounds I've been to, it looks like it was installed *yesterday* it's so clean. Nothing broken, nary a scratch or a dent to behold. GARBAGE (of lack there of):: Trash is not visible anywhere it shouldn't be. The dumpsters are well kept so there's no garbage or odor spilling out. No raccoons or other critters scavenging around bins or dumpsters. Just orderly trash containment and regular collection. ACTIVITIES & SIGHTS: There's a pool, trails, playground, all the fun attractions of the state park experience. We haven't done much exploring beyond our site but based on the 2k + photos others have uploaded, this is a natural paradise. Edit: maintenance responded to a tiny tear in the corner of screen door of the lady's room and within minutes of arriving on the scene, two workers have installed fresh screen . This attention to staying on top of little issues explains how everything is in excellent shape and why the bathroom is so spotless. read more

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There is an upper and lower parking lot. I recommend parking at the lower lot to get the best hike on the gorge trail and and easy walk back downhill. However there is also a shuttle that runs you between both lots for $6 a person. Parking is $9 per car in either lot. Watkins Glen State Park is absolutely stunning! The views of the waterfalls and gorges are breathtaking, and the hike itself provides a great workout with plenty of stairs and elevation changes. I highly recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes since there's a lot of mud and water along the trail, especially near the waterfalls. The only downside is the crowds. It can get pretty packed, as it seems there is no cap for how many people are allowed in at a time which seems a bit of a safety issue on the tighter areas. Some of the tighter sections of the trail make it tricky to navigate when people aren't paying attention. Overall, it's a beautiful experience, but be prepared for the crowds! There are ample places to stop and take photos but be mindful of the people coming behind and in front of you. read more

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A great place to do a little hiking. We did the gorge trail and the rim trail. A small section is close foe construction. We saw 17 waterfalls. Not that crowd for a weekday at this time of year. If you are into photography bring your camera. Some wonderful pictures! If you are in the area highly recommend you do the gorge trail. read more

Watkins Glen is a gorgeous park. I'm glad my friend and I decided to stop by on our drive home from Letchworth State Park. There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. The park has gorgeous views and it's pretty accessible. It's $10 to park your car but there's no fee to enter the park. It's nice that there are bathrooms right at the main entrance. The trails are easy to follow so you don't have to worry about getting lost. The most famous trail is the Gorge Trail. It's not too long at about 4 miles, but you'll want to take your time to snap some photos. It really is beautiful. There are plenty of stairs so if you've got bad knees you might want to sit this one out. I went on a rainy day so the trail was really muddy and slippery. If you've got waterproof hiking shoes you should wear them. I really enjoyed my time at Watkins Glen State Park, maybe I'll visit again someday. read more

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If you are visiting the Finger Lakes Region of New York, I highly recommend spending an afternoon hiking the Watkins Glen State Park. There is ample parking at the visitor center main location and across the street for $10 a vehicle. The gorge trail follows the inside path of the rock formation and has a slow and steady rock stepped path, sometimes wet, but with lots of beautifully waterfalls and scenery. The gorge rim upper trail follows the top of the park, with forest hiking and panoramic views. However, the steps leading to the visitor center are steep. read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

Everything about this place is amazing! The location, the views, the smells. We've been coming since we moved out East in 2020 and it's our favorite go-to spot to spend the day with our lil family. We've been here on a perfect sunny day, a beautiful snowy day, and today was our exciting thunderstorm day! We got caught in the rain but it was well worth it. read more

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So, Instagram, led me to this place a while back, and I added it to my ever expanding bucket list of places to visit. We should have known that a 65° sunny day in the fall, would have the park packed. The gorge trail that I wanted to see was wall to wall people. Everyone was pleasant, but holy smokes was it crowed while we were there. The natural beauty of this wonderful place overshadowed the crowds and I was able to enjoy the visit thoroughly. I hope we can plan better and come earlier or later to avoid some of the crowd next time. With patience, I was able to get a couple of pictures without people in them. We are all here for the same reason and I'm sure I was in several others pics! read more

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What can I say about this park that hasn't been said by so many others? The natural beauty is impressive, making for an amazing hike. I only got about a third of the way through the gorge, both due to wearing an ankle brace and being limited on time. We arrived in Watkins Glen around 12:30 on a Saturday, and my husband and I were going to go to the park right then. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a parking spot, so we decided to get up early on Sunday and go first thing. This was a great idea, as there were few people in the park in the 7am hour, and we had many areas to ourselves. Parking is paid and is close to the park entrance. This was a challenging climb for me as someone with an ankle issue - more athletic people might have no issue. It is slippery and uneven in many areas, so wear good walking shoes and use caution. It was totally worth it for the beautiful views and experience. read more

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Enjoyed walking the Gorge Trail in spite of the amount of people we had to dodge. The trek is about 2 miles long to and from. Some areas are slippery so beware. Other then this, walk is not strenuous. Just make sure you have the right shoes on. I encountered several people wearing slippers, go figure. read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

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An absolute must visit for anyone in the Finger Lakes! You get to see so many jaw-droppingly beautiful waterfalls within just a short walk. The best of what nature has to offer - for FREE. Walk the gorge trail to see the best view of the waterfalls. If you are getting dropped off, I recommend going to the back entrance of the park so that your walk is down instead of having to walk up! Your legs will thank you. You will probably get a like wet - certainly your shoes - so bring nonslip shoes. I did not get a chance to walk the rim trail, but would absolutely do that on my next visit. There is camping and swimming available at the park too. The park is situated within the town of Watkins Glen and you are not far away from civilization or any modern conveniences. read more

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It was extremely crowded. I hate to leave a negative review, but if you're looking for breathtaking views without the crowds, this is not the place. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of visiting on a Sunday. We hiked the Gorge Trail but couldn't fully enjoy the beauty of the falls because we had to stop constantly since people were trying to take pictures every few steps. At the most popular waterfall, we had to walk straight through because there was a long line of people waiting for their "epic" photo. Many visitors weren't wearing appropriate footwear for the stairs and rocky paths, which slowed down everyone behind them. The bathrooms were also overcrowded, with long lines. read more

It's not the easiest to find parking here, but there definitely is parking available. The hike is stunning and is on the easier side because there are man-made paths and stairs. I love going past the waterfall and it's a very tranquil place to visit. Depending on the time of year that you go, it tends to be busy. But definitely worth the visit! read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

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I'm not fit and found the gorge trail manageable and a must. If you can't do stairs then opt for the north trail above the gorge. We parked at south entrance which makes the most sense as it's technically in the middle and there is a pool waiting for your return dip. We opted to take the shuttle to the top entrance and walk the gorge trail going downhill. Much smarter! Along the way most people were walking up and we saw their stress, strain, and exhaustion as we happily continued down the path. You stop along the way to enjoy the sights and sounds of different waterfalls. Plus get a much needed splash especially when hot. Wear comfortable clothes, and shoes that can get wet and keeps you from slipping as there are some muddy spots. Take water, wear sunscreen, hat and get ready for a magical trail experience. read more

This was one of the most stunning hikes I have ever done! I highly recommend it being a short hike (about 1 hour), not too difficult (even kids were doing it), it is not confusing (there's really one main trail you're walking along), with stunning views (lots of canyons and falls to see). There were some parts of the hike that get very crowded, such as near the falls or stairs, but people are pretty good with keeping right and/or letting you pass. I recommend wearing hiking shoes or runners that you're not afraid to get dirty as the abundance of water meant lots of pools of water and muddy rocks. They're not insanely slippery so hazards are low, but you should definitely still be cautious. There's a ton of parking space allotted for the park - with multiple lots located at different points along the trail. If you do one leg of the walk and don't want to walk back, they actually had shuttle available for $6/person near the gift shop! I thought this was smart and thoughtful. A neat thing to check out at this gift shop are their "red cat wine slushies". read more

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Let's start out by saying, our family isn't super "outdoorsy" or into hiking BUT... my mother in law seemed to REALLY want us all to come here while we were in town so we all came. And let me tell you, we had a GREAT time here at Watkins Glenn State Park. There are a number of main trails and we picked the "George Trail." If I remember correctly, it was about a 1.5 mile hike. We didn't know what to expect prior to coming but be prepared for lots-o-stairs. The trail was also a lot more MUDDY than we anticipated. We finished the hike with Jacobs Ladder... or so we thought. We had heard about shuttle buses but didn't realize they were $6 per person. We decided to hike back down instead since we weren't too tired. Personally, the hike wasn't tough at all but for elderly or those with disabilities, even young kids, it would be more difficult. After the hike, we drove to another section for a picnic lunch. It was an area near a public pool. There was a playground for the kids as well. An old stone building contained restroom facilities. I believe parking was $10/car. We had WAY more fun than we anticipated. Would LOVE to return and try out more of the trails. read more

Watkins Glen State Park - Parks Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

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This was the best part of the drive from NJ to Niagara. Amazing views, natural rock formation, geological marvel. I would totally come back as horseshoe waterfall was closed on my visit. Try to be in decent shape: quite some elevation change, very moist air and plenty of narrow paths. read more

Super beautiful state park! So many trails to hike and sights to see. The waterfalls look great during all seasons read more

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Absolutely gorgeous hike lines this wonderful state park with a naturally carved gorge, plentiful waterfalls, and overall gorgeous hike. A lot of the hike during the mid day will be packed and I recommend to wear waterproof shoes as some parts of the hike are filled with water along the trail. read more

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GREAT hike! Not too difficult: there are some steeps and steps, but the paths are generally all flat. There are multiple waterfalls to view and various trails one can take, makes for less congestion on the trails. read more

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I had a wonderful time at Watkins Glen State Park. A group of 4 of us went on July 29, 2023. We parked near the main entrance and paid $10 for parking which expires at sunset. We wanted to beat the crowds so we arrived at 9:30am. Watkins Glen State Park is absolutely beautiful and enchanting. It is an almost two mile hike that will pass by 19 waterfalls and up over 800 stone steps. We spent about 2.5 hours walking from start to finish. There are restrooms and a store for refreshments or souvenirs in the beginning and end of the walk. We took the Gorge Trail there and North Rim Trail on the way back. Some of the paths on the Gorge Trail were a little wet because of the waterfalls. There is good signage during the trail, but when we reached the end, we had a little trouble finding which is the north rim trail. We took so many pictures during this breathtaking hike. This hike is not all flat, there are some inclines/declines and steps. I definitely want to go back to Watkins Glen State Park and I am glad we arrived early. It was more crowded as the time went by. read more

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What a magical place. The gorge trail is unlike anything you will see anywhere else. The steep cliff faces of the gorge and the variety of waterfalls make this trail so special! The infrastructure is in good condition and makes this hike do able for many ability levels. There are a lot of stairs so keep that in mind. I visited at 8am on a Sunday morning and was able to avoid the crowds that appear later in the day (especially on weekends I've heard), so plan accordingly. read more

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No doubt, this place is teeming with tourists, but I still think it's worth visiting. Thanks to another New Deal project, the waterfalls are readily accessible with stone stairs and pathways that allow you to get close up the waterfalls (to the point that you even can walk under 2 of the waterfalls). We went on a workday, and were surprised that there was still traffic slowing us as we walked the trail. (Yes, there were even tour buses.) The trail is 3 miles if you walk until the very end and then back, but most people turn around at the halfway point so they only need to walk about 2 miles roundtrip. I saw a sign for a shuttle bus that takes you down from the top of the trail you don't want to walk, but it was not running on the workday that I went, so make sure you check availability if you're planning to rely on that option. read more

I visited this park in October 2024 on a random Thursday by myself. Felt very safe as there were many people hiking. Beautiful Park but I got a little lost lol! Luckily I wasn't the only one and we were able to get back down (stairs stairs and more stairs). I would absolutely recommend I went on a decent weather day, on the colder side where you start out with a jacket and take it off after hiking a bit. Gorgeous scenery. I think you have to pay to park in the parking lot? I'd return. read more

Pretty big park, the views are absolutely stunning! Loved the waterfalls! If you're looking to do hiking I would definitely recommend coming here and I would also suggest wearing boots instead of runners as it can get really muddy. read more

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This place is really neat and the gorge is beautiful how all the structures formed thousands of years ago. NYS also has done a fantastic job in creating walk ways that complement the natural rock formations. If you are in the immediate area or within an hour of this place I'd highly encourage a visit but if you are coming from far away I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this place only because it's super short, only 1.5 miles long and while it's really pretty it's not pretty enough to encourage anyone to go out of their way to visit. If you visit from far I'd look into other hikes to do in the immediate area (within 30 mins drive). Parking isn't too terrible. I visited in September and was able to find parking even arriving at about 10:30am. When I left at 11:30am parking was almost full but folks were pulling out pretty regularly since the visit to this location is short. read more

Watkins Glen State Park was originally described to me as a "real-life Rivendell" & therefore an absolute must-visit. Alas, no Lord Elrond to be found, but still it felt like Middle Earth to me. I visited in the thick of the pandemic on a Sunday/Monday. On Sunday the trail was so crowded, so tight, & so loud that I had to leave for my own sanity. I was a bit heartbroken. I woke up at the crack of dawn on Monday morning to return to the trail, & the difference was astounding. I was the only person in the park. I walked the loop twice, dunked my head under waterfalls, basked in the dappled glow of the dawn, & laughed out loud. It was one of those solitary experiences that really humbles & envigors. I remember thinking "How could I have any hate in my heart when the world around me looks like THIS." The answer is: I can't. Certainly not there. Enchantingly beautiful, safe for solo campers, & well taken cared for, Watkins Glen is the real-life Rivendell. read more

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