Bisected by the Genesee River, the park offers both something for the leisurely visitor and the adventurous. The river gorge cuts to the valley yielding three major waterfalls within and multiple cascades emptying into the ravine as well is plenty of scenic magnificence and white-water thrills. Not only does the park offer excellent access to the major falls of the Genesee, with sheer cliffs up to 550 feet high and a watershed miles across, there are plenty of opportunities to find a spectacular ribbon falls, such as Inspiration Falls, the highest in the state.

The State Park office does an excellent job maintaining park, providing excellent trails, accommodations, activities and learning opportunities. Check out the Friends of Letchworth web site to get a heads-up on what activities are coming up.

The trails in Letchworth State Park are so numerous, it is recommended that you invest in a detailed trail guide, which can be found at the visitor center. You may also obtain a Finger Lakes Trail map from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. Trails range from a half-mile (the Portage Trail 6) to 24 miles in length (The Finger Lakes Trail -FLT).

Although one would expect the more mainstream trails to be safer than the lesser used ones, as a matter-of-fact even the most well-kept trails should be used with caution. In 2006, a portion of the gorge trail at the crest of middle falls fell over the edge due to erosion. This is well-kept, paved area, often used as an overlook to the middle falls. Luckily no one was hurt. If bringing small children, keep in mind that a lot of these trails are strenuous, involving slippery surfaces, steep slopes, and many stone steps not ideal for children.

Map: Official Park Map
Park maps with relative trail markings are available at every entrance.  Detailed maps and guides are available for sale at the Visitor Venter and at the Glen Iris Inn and the gift shops throughout the park.
Markings: Trails are generally marked with brown wooden signs at trailheads and colored paint markings on trees along the trail. Some of the lesser traversed trails may not have trailhead markings.

During the French & Indian War in 1758 the teenage Mary Jemison of a Pennsylvania colony was taken captive by Shawnee Indians. She was accepted and raised in the Seneca ways and was called by her new family Dehgewanus, "Two Falling Voices." Years later, she journeyed to Sehgahunda, losing her Delaware Indian husband to illness along the way. She took up residence with a related clan in the Gardeau Flats area. Over time the area shifted from Seneca Nation to frontier settlements. Mary Jemison, the "Old White Woman of the Genesee," witnesses the sale and misuse of Sehgahunda land and the demise of the native inhabitants.  She was eventually moved to a reservation in Buffalo where she passed. Now she is buried near the Glen Iris Inn and Middle Falls. A granite marker and statue mark the location.

Staring in the early 1800's, the area was developing rapidly, gaining railroad access and canals. Tourism boomed as word spread of the grand vistas of the Portage Gorge. Along with progress came environmental destruction. The land was stripped of trees and industrialization lined the falls with mills and factories. The Portage Wooden High Bridge (the tallest and longest wooden railroad bridge of its kind) wisped tourists over the Upper Falls offering one of the few spectacular views of the gorge left.

One of those tourists was William Pryor Letchworth, a successful iron tycoon from Buffalo, who was seeking an escape from the drudgery of business in the big city. Impressed by the remaining natural beauty of the Portage Gorge area and eager to preserve it as a paradise, he began purchasing land around the middle falls and build a small mansion, which he dubbed the Glen Iris. As it became available, he purchased adjacent land, began restoring the natural beauty and shared it with visitors.  His efforts help transform the area into the tranquil, yet accessible natural area it is today.

Mr. Letchworth also concentrated on preserving the native heritage of  his estate. He collected artifacts, documents and worked with surviving Native Americans to  preserve and present the area's history for visitors. To facilitate this he established the Council Grounds and Letchworth Museum. He also recognized Mary Jemison's importance to the area and arranged to have her remains moved from her threatened reservation gravesite to rest in piece, close to home at the Glen Iris Estate.

Mr. Letchworth was more than a nature lover. He was a philanthropist as heart. He spent the latter portion of his life traveling across the county and into Europe establishing and supporting children's charities. Although he wanted to donate the Glen Iris to an orphanage upon his death, industry was eyeing the Portage Gorge for hydroelectric power. The Genesee River Company had plans to dam the gorge just above the upper falls. Mr. Letchworth feared that what he dedicated his life to preserving would be in jeopardy. In a deal struck with the state of NY in 1906, the Glen Iris Estate would become a state park, and be afforded the protections against private development. It officially became Letchworth State Park in 1907. Mr. Letchworth died 3 years later.

Do not miss...
The Middle Falls is lit with white and colored lights at night.

Trail 7 from the Parade Grounds entrance towards High Falls offers spectacular views of the falls and a peaceful, less crowded environment than the other side of the gorge.

A popular place for weddings, the Glen Iris caters to the formal affair, but it is not uncommon to see couples in less formal, but highly romantic ceremonies in other location in the part, such as the Tea-Table overlook and Inspiration Point.