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Letchworth upper falls gorge summer cover

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.

Letchworth compared with Manhattan

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

Glen Iris Inn breakfast porch
Glen Iris Inn overlooking Middle Falls

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.

Letchworth Trail 1 Following Park Rd
Trail 1

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.

Letchworth State Park train bridge spanning Upper Falls
Upper Falls
Upper Falls
Upper Falls lot
letchworth state park
After heavy rains
train trestle
train trestle

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.

Letchworth Elder of Genesee Falls
Elder of Genesee Falls
Date Night in Rochester: Letchworth State Park waterfalls
middle falls
Letchworth middle falls
middle falls
sunrise over Letchworth Middle Falls
sunrise over middle falls

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.

William Pryor Letchworth Museum
Letchworth Museum

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.

Mary Jemison
Mary Jemison
Letchworth council grounds fall
Council Grounds
Letchworth Council Grounds
Council Grounds

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
Carolines Courtyard Glen Iris Inn Letchworth
Caroline’s Courtyard
Glen Iris Inn
Glen Iris
Glen Iris Inn breakfast
Glen Iris Inn
perfect picnic spot Letchworth cover
Letchworth

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.

Letchworth Ice Volcano
ice volcano

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.

Letchworth State Park Humphrey Nature Center
Humphrey Nature Center
Humphrey Nature Center building
Humphrey Nature Center
Tapped Maple Trees Letchworth
maple trees

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!

Autism Nature Trail entrance
Autism Nature Trail entrance
Autism Nature Trail winter
log rounds
Autism Nature Trail path
stone dust path
autism nature trail music circle
music circle
Autism Nature Trail instruments
music circle
Letchworth October Autism Nature Trail
cuddle cocoons
Autism Nature Trail swing
swing
autism nature trail meadow
meadow
autism nature trail winter meadow
meadow
Autism Nature Trail walking cover
Autism Nature Trail

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.”

Lower Falls stone foot bridge
Lower Falls stone footbridge
Letchworth-State-Park-lower-water-fall
lower falls
Letchworth-State-Park-lower-falls-area
lower falls
lower falls gorge Letchworth
lower falls gorge

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.

Letchworth State Park Wolf Creek bridge
Wolf Creek bridge
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek fall
Letchworth Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek

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

Letchworth October overlook
Tea Table Overlook

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.

Letchowrth pool
Harvey Pool
Pool Letchworth
pool building
letchworth pool
changing facilities
Letchworth Mount Morris Dam
Mount Morris Dam

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.

Mount Morris Dam interpretive sign
Visitor Center

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.

Zeppo’s Ice Cream Parlor
Zeppo’s Ice Cream Parlor flight

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

Letchworth upper falls winter cover
upper falls
Letchworth winter middle falls
middle falls
icy middle falls winter letchworth
middle falls
icy upper falls winter letchworth
upper falls
letchworth winter walk middle falls cover
middle falls
Humphrey Nature Center winter trail
nature center
Letchworth-Glen-Iris-Inn-winter-1
Glen Iris Inn
Letchworth Ice Volcano
ice volcano
Trailside Lodge Letchworth
Trailside Lodge

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.

hot air balloon launch
balloon launch
balloon launch upper falls park
upper falls field
Hot air Balloons over Letchworth
Balloons Over Letchworth
Photographing balloon launch
Balloon over middle falls

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.

This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

The Letchworth State Park Atlas: Exploring Its Nature, History, and Tourism through Maps
by Stephen J. Tulowiecki

Library | Bookshop | Amazon

Letchworth State Park
by Thomas A. Breslin, Thomas C. Richens, Thomas S. Cook, and Russell A. Judkins

Library | Bookshop | Amazon

Hiking Waterfalls in New York: A Guide to the State’s Best Waterfall Hikes
by Randi Minetor

Library | Bookshop | Amazon

200 Waterfalls in Central and Western New York – A Finders’ Guide
by Rich and Sue Freeman

Library | Bookshop | Amazon

Waterfalls and Gorges of the Finger Lakes
by Derek Doeffinger

Library | Amazon

Waterfalls of New York State
by Scott A. Ensminger, David J. Schryver, and Edward M. Smathers

Library | Bookshop | Amazon

New York Waterfalls: A Guide for Hikers & Photographers
by Scott E. Brown

Library | Amazon

W is for Waterfall: An Alphabet of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State
by Aileen Easterbrook and Johanna van der Sterre

Library | Bookshop | Amazon

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.

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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.

Debi Bower, Day Trips Around Rochester NY

Debi Bower is the founder and creative director of daytrippingroc.com and author of the award-winning book Day Trips Around Rochester, New York.

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People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.

I create and share this content because it brings me joy—and I hope it adds value to your adventures, too.

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Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.

Thank you!
Debi

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