Letchworth State Park
A long river gorge opens into waterfall overlooks, wooded trails, and a landscape best read in sections rather than one stop.
Artwork inspired by Thomas Cole
Letchworth follows the Genesee River through a deep gorge, with three major waterfalls separated by overlooks and trails. Upper Falls sits below the Genesee Arch Bridge; Middle Falls forms a broad curtain, and Inspiration Point reveals the gorge's scale. These are distinct stops, not one short waterfall loop. Start south if falls are your priority, then travel north for changing cliff and river views.
The park is open year-round, but a vehicle fee is collected during warmer months. Roads and trails can change with weather, maintenance, or ice. The Gorge Trail is long; carry the official map and choose a segment rather than assuming every waterfall is a quick walk away. The Humphrey Nature Center adds geology context before a longer outing.
- River
- Genesee
- Falls sequence
- Upper, Middle, Lower
- Park hours
- 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
Quick guide
- Begin south
- Pair Upper and Middle Falls before driving toward broader gorge overlooks.
- Choose a trail segment
- The Gorge Trail is a long corridor, not a quick loop through all three falls.
Know before you go
- Read the map
- Choose an entrance and parking lot near your first planned viewpoint.
- Compare the falls
- Notice how ledge shape changes each waterfall's sound and spray.
- Look downstream
- Pause at Inspiration Point to understand the gorge beyond the close-up falls.
- Check conditions
- Ice, high water, and maintenance can close paths or viewpoints.
Good to know
Do not assume the falls are a continuous roadside walk. The park spans a long gorge; a car or a deliberately chosen trail segment makes a multi-stop visit realistic.
Notice these
- Upper Falls and bridge
- Middle Falls
- Inspiration Point