Explore Letchworth State Park

Award-winning Letchworth State Park, a little over one hour south of Rochester, covers over 14,000 acres along the Genesee River in Livingston and Wyoming Counties. Rochester author Arch Merrill captures my feelings about Letchworth so beautifully in his 1943 book entitled A River Ramble: Saga of the Genesee Valley, that through Letchworth, “nature touches the river with a magic wand and like Cinderella, it throws off its drab, workaday garb and dons robes of splendor. The commonplace stream becomes spectacular, magnificent.”

Whenever anyone asks about my favorite places, “Have you been to Letchworth?” is my first response. Whether you want to picnic beside a waterfall, hike one of the park’s 29 trails, take a hot-air balloon ride, whitewater raft on the Genesee River, dine at the historic Glen Iris Inn, or enjoy a scenic drive through the park, Letchworth has something for you.

There are several entrances to the park from the north, south, and west, and it takes about 30 minutes to drive the length of Park Road, which stretches for 18 miles between Mount Morris and Portageville. And what a lovely drive it is! Take a moment at the scenic overlooks for breathtaking views of the Genesee River gorge. Cell service within the park may be limited, but you can download trail and park maps from the park website before your trip.

Fun fact: At 14,427 acres, Letchworth State Park is about the same size and shape as the island of Manhattan, but while 1.63 million people live in the city, only 975,000 people visited the park throughout 2023. The Genesee River is our Broadway, but there are no neon lights or celebrities here! Only the Milky Way with one hundred thousand million stars.

Plan Your Day Trip to Letchworth

Breakfast

Brian’s USA Diner in Mount Morris and Parkside Diner in Castile are great places to enjoy a hearty breakfast before entering the park. But if you’re looking to start the morning the way William Pryor Letchworth may have done, make a reservation for Caroline’s at the seasonal Glen Iris Inn, Letchworth’s country estate overlooking Middle Falls.

Morning

The park’s Castile entrance is the most direct route to the south end’s significant attractions.

Trail 1 is a seven-mile pathway that follows Park Road and the Genesee River, connecting multiple scenic overlooks and waterfalls. You can begin at any point to enjoy views that are only observable on foot. Some sections are paved or flat, while others require navigating stone steps and tree roots. There are sixty-six miles of trails through Letchworth.

You can easily see Upper Falls near the parking lot from your car or walk on a short, paved trail to its base. There is also a parking lot near the train bridge above the falls. A set of stone steps connects the upper and lower lots.

Middle Falls can be seen from the landing at the Glen Iris Inn. You also have the option to walk or drive to the lower parking lots, where you can stroll alongside the Genesee River.

Don’t miss the free William Pryor Letchworth Museum across from the Glen Iris Inn. This museum celebrates Letchworth’s life and legacy and his efforts in preserving the land and history of the Genesee Valley.

Follow the stone steps behind the museum or drive up the road to the Council Grounds to learn about the Seneca people who inhabited the land before European colonization.

The Council Fire was held on October 1, 1872. After the speeches and the rededication of the Council House, the Senecas held another ceremony, adopting Letchworth as Hai-wa-ye-is-tah—the Man who always Does Right. Before they left, the Iroquois and other guests, which included former President Millard Fillmore, planted memorial trees and signed their names in a special guest register.

Glimpses of the Past People, Places, and Things in Letchworth Park History

Here, you can learn about Mary Jemison, the White Woman of the Genesee, who was kidnapped as a teenager by the Seneca and chose to stay with them, serving as an interpreter and advocating for their rights to the land.

After the war, the Seneca, as allies of the defeated British, were forced to give up their lands to the victorious United States. During negotiations with the Holland Land Company held at Geneseo, New York, Mary Jemison proved to be an able negotiator for the Seneca tribe. She helped win more favorable terms for surrendering their rights to the land at the Treaty of Big Tree (1797).

Wikipedia

Lunch

Pack a picnic or purchase lunch from snack bars and gift shops throughout the park. You can also make reservations for lunch at the Glen Iris Inn, which is open from May through October and offers indoor and outdoor dining options.

While the Inn closes for winter, the spring-fed fountain outside flows year-round. When winter temperatures stay below freezing for a few days, an ice volcano begins to form. The sculpture becomes massive and quite the spectacle if it remains frigid for weeks.

But don’t let the cold stop you—you can easily see the ice volcano from your car. The Castile entrance is the only one open year-round.

Afternoon

Spend some time at the Humphrey Nature Center and walk along the Autism Nature Trail. The center is the hub of year-round activities, including guided hikes, maple sugaring, and stargazing. It’s also one of my favorite hidden gems!

The ANT’s one-mile flat, stone dust pathway, lined with carefully designed activity stations and alone zones, is an excellent way to experience the calming effects of connecting with nature. Designed specifically for those with ASD, all visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk along the ANT.

Watch the TEDxBuffalo talk on how this one-of-a-kind trail came to be and that “when we begin with the end in mind in providing opportunities for a group of under-served individuals, everybody wins.”

Then, drive to the Lower Falls, the most difficult to reach of Letchworth’s three major waterfalls. To see them up close, walk down 127 steps and follow the trail. Then, walk down 30 more steps to find the stone footbridge spanning the Genesee River. After viewing the falls, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Drive north on Park Road to find Wolf Creek as it plunges into the gorge.

While you’ve most assuredly stopped at every overlook you’ve come across, make time to appreciate Tea Table Overlook. Every scenic view into the Genesee River gorge is unique.

Continue driving toward the Mount Morris exit to enjoy the view from Mount Morris Dam Overlook and a refreshing swim in Letchworth State Park’s Harvey Pool. Alternatively, exit the park in Perry.

Alternatively, exit the park in Castile after visiting Wolf Creek and head to Perry.

To find the Mount Morris Dam Visitor Center, exit the park and drive through the village of Mount Morris to the east side of the river. You can learn about the dam’s history and take a ranger-led walking tour there. Keep in mind that the road leading to the top of the dam is steep and descends one hundred feet into the gorge.

To reach the Mount Morris Dam Visitor Center, exit the park using the Mount Morris exit and drive through the village of Mount Morris toward the east side of the river. You can learn about the dam’s history and participate in a seasonal ranger-led walking tour. Please note that the road leading to the top of the dam is steep, descending 100 feet into the gorge.

Dinner

Find a tasty meal in Mount Morris at High Banks Tavern or Questa Lasagna, followed by handcrafted ice cream at Zeppo’s Creekside Creamery. And in Perry, enjoy arcade games and miniature golf with your pizza and ice cream at the Charcoal Corral and Silver Lake Twin Drive-In. You can also enjoy delicious home-style cooking at John & Sarah’s.

Letchworth in Wintertime

The Castile entrance to Letchworth State Park is usually open all year to reach Middle and Upper Falls, but it may be closed in extreme weather; check the park’s website before you go. North of Castile, the park is ideal for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The Humphrey Nature Center is open year-round and has a restroom, Wi-Fi, and warmth. Though the Glen Iris Inn is closed during winter, you can still check out the ice volcano that forms in the fountain outside the inn after several days of freezing temperatures.

Plan a First Day walk at Letchworth on New Year’s Day.

More Information for Your Letchworth Day Trip

Borrow an Empire Pass from a Monroe County Library before you leave Rochester for free entry into the park.

• Trail Map North (pdf)
• Trail Map South (pdf)
• Letchworth – New York State Parks
• Explore Genesee Valley
• My Livingston Life
• Wyoming County

Hot Air Balloon Flights

A Note About Balloon Launches: Balloons Over Letchworth launches flights from the Upper Falls field from late May to mid-November. However, they may cancel flights if wind speeds exceed eight miles per hour. You can confirm a launch by calling their hotline at (585) 493-3340. Pilots typically make a go/no-go decision two to three hours before the launch. With limited cell service, you may need to drive to the launch field to check the status. Exact launch times may vary slightly depending on the season. Even if you don’t plan to ride in a balloon, seeing them floating over the Middle Falls just before sunrise and sunset is lovely.

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Google Map of Locations

View the map separately here.

Contrary to popular belief, the Genesee River is not one of the few rivers flowing north globally. At least five rivers in New York State alone flow north: Genesee, Niagara, Black, and Oswego, which drain into Lake Ontario and La Chute, connecting Lake George to Lake Champlain, ultimately draining into the St Lawrence.

What do you enjoy most about a day trip to Letchworth?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.