National park · United States
Letchworth State Park
Drive the west-side Park Road from the Castile entrance to the falls cluster at Portageville in 1–2 h; walk Middle Falls to Upper Falls on the paved Gorge Trail; enter before 9:00 on fall weekends or skip the south end and use the east-side trails.Drive the west-side Park Road from the Castile entrance to the falls cluster at Portageville in 1–2 h; walk Middle Falls to Upper Falls on the paved Gorge Trail; enter before 9:00 AM on fall weekends or skip the south end and use the east-side trails.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
59 km²23 sq mi
approximate
Established
1906
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 59 km²23 sq mi
- About 14,350 acres (58 km²) of gorge and rim; the park runs roughly 17 miles (27 km) north to south (check).
- Established
- 1906
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Rochester, New York
Letchworth State Park protects a 17-mile stretch of the Genesee River gorge on the western edge of New York's Finger Lakes region, with three main waterfalls — Upper, Middle and Lower — plus roughly 66 miles of trails on both rims. It is a state park, not a national park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not cover entry; the New York State Parks Empire Pass does. Most facilities, the main Park Road and the admission fee are on the west side; the east side is largely undeveloped and free to enter on foot.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1906.
Size and age
59 km²23 sq mi · national park since 1906
About 14,350 acres (58 km²) of gorge and rim; the park runs roughly 17 miles (27 km) north to south (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Rochester, New York.
Why go
- Three big waterfalls within a short walk of each other at the south end, with the Genesee Arch Bridge above the Upper Falls.
- A 17-mile gorge drive with overlooks, plus trails on both rims that most visitors never reach.
- One of the Northeast's best fall-foliage sites; the gorge walls are forested, not bare rock.
- Year-round use: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the same trail network in winter.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold; ice on trails; some entrances closed
- FebSnow and lake-effect squalls
- MarMud and meltwater; quiet
- AprWater high; some facilities still closed
- MayFull flow, green gorge, few crowds
- JunLong days; pool opens late June
- JulWarm and busy; book camping early
- AugWarm; afternoon storms possible
- SepClear, mild; foliage starts late month
- OctPeak foliage and peak crowds; go early
- NovBare trees, open views, cold
- DecWinter closures; check entrance status
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawk, eagle and vulture migration over the gorge rimSep–Nov · Rim overlooks are the viewing spots; bring binoculars. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Fall foliage in the gorgeOct · Peak colour varies by year; early October is the usual window. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Spring wildflowers and high waterApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Winter tracks and bald eagles along open waterDec–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Rochester, NY
I-390 south to Exit 7 (Mount Morris) for the north end, or Exit 4/5 near Dansville then Route 436 west for Portageville; rental car needed.
45 min–1 h 15 min
Open the page →
From Buffalo
I-90 east then I-390 south, or Route 36 south through Mount Morris to the Main Entrance.
1.5–2 h
From New York City
I-80/I-380 or I-81 north to I-390; long drive, or fly to Rochester and rent a car.
5.5–6.5 h
From Western Finger Lakes region
Region guide for bases, drives and what else is nearby.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| South end (Portageville) | Upper, Middle and Lower Falls, Glen Iris Inn, visitors center, museum, Council Grounds. | Open with a ticket; best reached from the Castile or Portageville entrance. |
| North end (Mount Morris) | Mount Morris Dam and its visitor center, Highbanks recreation area and pool, camping. | Dam visitor center free; park road and pool need entry or a pass. |
| East side | Parade Grounds, east-rim trails and cabins, quieter gorge views. | No admission fee; Parade Grounds entrance closed in winter. |
| Gorge floor and river | The Genesee River, rafting put-in below Lower Falls, stone footbridge. | Only via marked trails and stairs; leaving trails is illegal. |
Sketch map
- 1Main Entrance (north) · Gate≈42.740, -77.890Map ↗
- 2Mount Morris Dam · Viewpoint≈42.733, -77.907Map ↗
- 3Highbanks Recreation Area · Sleep≈42.728, -77.920Map ↗
- 4Perry Entrance · Gate≈42.694, -77.958Map ↗
- 5Castile Entrance · Gate≈42.601, -78.037Map ↗
- 6Humphrey Nature Center · Headquarters≈42.593, -78.035Map ↗
- 7Middle Falls · Viewpoint≈42.583, -78.043Map ↗
- 8Upper Falls · Viewpoint≈42.578, -78.049Map ↗
- 9Lower Falls · Viewpoint≈42.585, -78.021Map ↗
- 10Parade Grounds Entrance (east) · Gate≈42.580, -78.029Map ↗
- 11Portageville Entrance (south) · Gate≈42.572, -78.052Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry (west-side entrances) | US$10 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; seasonal rates vary — check current NY State Parks fee. |
| Empire Pass (annual, all NY state parks) | US$80 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; pays off after about 8 visits — check. |
| East-side entrances (Parade Grounds, Mount Morris Dam) | Free | vehicle | No admission fee on the east side; Parade Grounds closed in winter. |
| White-water rafting, 5-mile gorge trip | US$45–52 | person | 2026 estimate; wetsuit rental extra in cold weather — check operator. |
| Balloon flight over the gorge | US$365 | person | 2026 estimate; sunrise and sunset flights, book early for fall. |
| Highbanks pool | US$1–2 | person | 2026 estimate; open late June to Labor Day — check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping or cabin reservation permit or guide
White-water rafting permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails and roads
- Leaving trails, including on foot or by snowmobile, is illegal; gorge rims are unstable.
- No crossing the river except the stone footbridge
- There is no vehicle crossing inside the park; to switch sides you must exit and re-enter.
- Drones
- Not allowed in New York state parks without a permit (check).check
- Pets
- Allowed on a leash on most trails but not in buildings or swimming areas; check posted signs.
- Fires and litter
- Fires only in provided rings; carry out rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Glen Iris Inn
Historic inn on the west rim beside Middle Falls; the only in-park hotel.
In the park
Park cabins and campsites
Cabins on both sides of the river plus tent and trailer sites; reserve well ahead.
Near the park
Mount Morris and Geneseo
Motels, inns and chain hotels 15–30 min from the entrances.
Near the park
Rochester
Full city hotel range, about 45 min from the north end.
Safety
Steep, unguarded gorge rim high
Stairs and wet rock at Lower Falls medium
Winter ice and closures medium
Heat and no shade on exposed rim sections low
Accessibility
- The visitors center, Glen Iris area and several overlooks are reachable by car with short paved walks.
- The paved Gorge Trail between Middle and Upper Falls suits wheelchairs and strollers.
- Lower Falls stairs and most east-rim trails are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the free east-side trails and shuttle-free entrances on busy fall weekends to spread load.
- Pack out everything; gorge bins overflow on foliage weekends.
- Buy the Empire Pass if you plan several New York state park visits instead of paying per entry.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Letchworth State Park?
West-side vehicle entry is about US$10 per car (2026 estimate) — check the current NY State Parks rate. The east-side entrances, including Parade Grounds and the Mount Morris Dam road, carry no admission fee. The America the Beautiful national parks pass does not cover state parks; the New York Empire Pass (about US$80 a year, 2026 estimate) does.
What are the best hikes in Letchworth State Park?
For most visitors the paved Gorge Trail between Middle Falls and Upper Falls is the best short walk, with the Lower Falls stairs and stone footbridge as the add-on. For something longer and quieter, use the east-rim trails from the Parade Grounds entrance, which give across-gorge views of the falls without the west-side crowds.
When is the best time to visit Letchworth State Park?
May, June and September give full water flow, green or clearing foliage and manageable crowds. October is the foliage peak and the busiest month — arrive before 9:00 and expect full lots at the south-end falls. Winter is quiet but some entrances close and trails ice over.
Can I see all three waterfalls in one visit?
Yes. Park at the south end near the Glen Iris area and walk: Middle Falls and Upper Falls are linked by a paved trail, and Lower Falls is a short drive or walk further downstream with a long staircase down to the best view.
Do I need a reservation to visit Letchworth State Park?
No reservation is needed for day entry. Camping, cabins and the Glen Iris Inn do need booking, and fall weekends fill months ahead.
Is Letchworth the same as the Grand Canyon?
No. The nickname 'Grand Canyon of the East' refers to the forested Genesee gorge, roughly 100–150 m deep. It is far smaller than the real Grand Canyon but has more vegetation and three waterfalls in a short stretch.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go