Watkins Glen State Park: 1st Time Visitor Guide
Watkins Glen State Park is one of the most iconic natural wonders in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Known for its stunning gorge trail featuring 19 waterfalls (and a secret 20th one as you’ll learn below), stone bridges, and dramatic cliffs, it’s a must-see destination for hikers, photographers, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature. If you’re planning your first visit to Watkins Glen, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the best hikes and hidden gems to where to stay and what to pack.
Overview
Watkins Glen State Park is located in the village of Watkins Glen, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The park is best known for its Gorge Trail, a 2-mile path that winds through the heart of the park, passing over and under waterfalls through a narrow, fern-filled canyon. With stone staircases, tunnels, and walkways carved into the gorge walls, the scenery is nothing short of magical.
Photos (more below):
Best Times to Visit
- Late Spring (May–June): Waterfalls are at their most powerful from spring runoff, and the park is lush and green.
- Summer (July–August): Peak visitation season. Great for swimming and camping, but expect crowds.
- Fall (Late Sept–Oct): Stunning fall foliage with fewer crowds. A favorite for photographers.
- Winter: Trails are closed due to ice and safety concerns.
Best Time of Day: Early morning or late afternoon!
5 Hidden Gems
- Suspension Bridge Over the Gorge: Just above the Gorge Trail, few visitors notice it.
- Frowning Cliff: A mysterious rock formation tucked away near the upper trails.
- Secret Pool at Mile Point Bridge: A small reflective pool with photo-worthy views.
- Glen Creek Tunnel: A quiet, moss-covered tunnel often overlooked by hikers in a rush.
- Back Entrance Serenity: Most people enter at the Main Entrance. Try starting at the Upper Entrance for a quieter, more gradual descent.
Bonus: Find The 20th Hidden Waterfall!
Did you know there’s a 20th, secret waterfall in Watkins Glen? It’s true and it’s actually further west of the main Gorge trail and 19 waterfalls. Here’s what you need to know:
Once the Gorge trail ends, there is actually another “add on” trail that continues and it is part of the Watkins Glen area. The best places to access it are from the campground or the western end of the park entrances. However to get to this trail and the hidden waterfall requires a more classic hike that is not for everyone but it does lead to another amazing waterfall with less crowds. I’ve created a map above (with an X) to show you where it is:
I have personally explored the Watkins Glen swimming hole and think it is incredible! It makes for an awesome add on hike after you explore Watkins Glen. I’ve also seen people swimming in the area there but don’t know if it’s allowed or not. Here is a photo of it:
Packing List
You can get a majority of these items on my Amazon gear store:
- Hiking shoes with good grip (many wet stone steps)
- Waterproof jacket or poncho
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks or packed lunch
- Camera or smartphone
- Daypack
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Headlamp or flashlight if staying late
- Swimsuit and towel (if using the pool)
- Map or downloaded trail guide
Where to Stay
Hotels closest to Watkins Glen (Finger Lakes area)
Things to Know Before You Go
- Gorge Trail is seasonal. Typically open from late May through late October depending on weather.
- Dogs are allowed on leash, but not on the Gorge Trail.
- Wear proper shoes. Trails can be wet and slippery.
- Shuttle available (seasonal, small fee) for point-to-point hikes.
- Arrive early in peak season to secure parking and avoid crowds.
- Restrooms and vending machines are located at trailheads.
- Cell service is spotty in the gorge, download maps in advance.
More Epic Watkins Glen Photos:
Related
Final Thoughts
Watkins Glen State Park is one of New York’s most breathtaking natural areas and a dream destination for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. With cascading waterfalls, hidden tunnels, and scenic views around every corner, it’s easy to see why this park captures the hearts of visitors. Whether you spend a day or an entire week exploring, Watkins Glen offers something special for every type of adventurer. Use this guide to plan your trip and uncover some of the park’s most beautiful hidden corners along the way.
There are soon many waterfalls in the fingerlakes, you could spend weeks here! Not too far away is also Letchworth Falls, and the of course, Niagara Falls on the Canadian border. Go to the east and explore the Adirondack mountains. Everyone thinks of NYC, but the rest of the state is fabulous for nature lovers!!!
Yeah most people who I show photos of that are from New York can’t believe that those areas (the ones I talk about and that you mentioned) exist in this state, and I completely agree with you too Cathy.
i’m glad you shared this. The epic scenery can pass for a movie location! The good thing is that it doesn’t look dangerous to trek, as what you have also mentioned.
I never knew that New York has a hidden paradise that is accessible and has a lot of accommodation option for families who wish to stay a bit longer or has little kids and pets to trek with. Exploring places should not be expensive but meaningful and I Glen State Park is a good example. Thanks for sharing!
New York State in general has spots like this if you know where to look and in this case, Watkins Glen is within the Finger Lakes area of New York, where areas like this are close by to one another. I included a link of the region and what else there is to see there, but yes, Watkins Glen is my favorite so far and it is safe to walk there for the most part.
Vitaliy, you are 100% right, this looks like an epic place to check out. Great photos, btw.
My fiancée and I are full-time RV Lifers, and even though we aren’t mobile yet, within the next year we hope to start our journey out into the US. We are constantly looking for cool places to add to our list of potential travel destinations, and it looks like The Nature Seeker just helped us to lock in a good one. Neither of us had ever even heard of Watkins Glen, but it’s going on the map of our other places now.
I’m curious, do you know if there are any good RV parks near the area?
Thank you for the informative article Vitaliy, we definitely appreciate it. I can tell you seriously enjoyed your time there, it shows through in your writing and the excellent photos you captured. I hope we will enjoy it just as much!
I wish you great success, and I hope you have an excellent day!
Bobby
Hi Bobby, thanks for the kind words. There’s actually a bunch of camping sites around all 5 areas in Finger Lakes, where Watkins Glen is. I do believe a lot of them contain RV spots as well. I’ll be doing a post on this soon, but a simple Google search shows these spots in the area.
Glad you added Watkins Glen to your list, and I would suggest exploring the greater Finger Lakes region because there’s much more to see besides this spot (which is still stunning on it’s own).