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Other
Letchworth Pages
Letchworth Waterfall Locations
- GPS locations, viewing areas, height information and
waterfall types.
Letchworth Lodging
Options
- Descriptions of the camping and lodging options available
in the park. |
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Location -
35 miles south/west
of
Rochester. In-between
Mt Morris,
Perry,
Castile and
Nunda
across Wyoming
and Livingston
counties.
Maps -
Google Map,
Bird's eye,
Multi (Topo)
GPS/Locations -
Click here for waterfall and viewing locations.
Directions - There are numerous entrances into
the park. Click the following links to obtain Google
driving directions from your location to that particular
entrance.
Mt. Morris (north entrance, open all year, vehicle fee):
Directions
Perry (north-west entrance, open all year, vehicle
fee):
Directions
Castile (south-west entrance, open all year, vehicle
fee):
Directions
Portageville (south entrance, closed winters, vehicle
fee):
Directions
Parade Grounds (south-east entrance, closed winters):
Directions |
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Information
Letchworth Waterfall Locations
- GPS locations, viewing areas, height information and
waterfall types.
Letchworth Lodging Options
- Descriptions of the camping and lodging options available
in the park.
Papermill
Falls, Gibsonville
- Information on Papermill Falls on the Gibsonville Trail.
Number of falls:
3 popular falls (Lower, Middle and Upper Genesee Falls),
several larger drops into the canyon and numerous smaller ledges.
Contains the state's highest plunging waterfall:
Inspiration Falls.
Size/Types: Click
here for waterfall height/type information.
Best time to visit: All year. Gets
crowded during summer and fall weekends. Spectacular in fall.
Flow: Fluctuates. Some tributaries dry up during
summer months. Some waterfalls are only flowing during or
shortly after high rainfall. The Genesee River may back up
behind the dam and flood some falls.
Waterway: The Genesee River (and tributaries)
Time: Letchworth can take from 4 hours (to drive
through stopping at the major points) to multiple days to
see everything. |
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Accessibility
Seasons/Hours:
Park open all year. 6 am to 11 pm. Some entrances and trails will close for winter.
Water levels may flood some trails.
Parking: Plenty of parking and pullover areas throughout
the park.
Admission: $8 vehicle fee at Mt. Morris, Perry,
Portageville and Castile entrances.
Free at other entrances.
Handicap accessibility: Yes. Most trails are not, but
viewing and picnic areas are.
Pets: Allowed on leash (6' or less). Proof of
inoculation required. Prohibited in park buildings, pools
and cabin areas.
Accommodations: Restrooms, 270 campsites, 82 cabins,
bed and breakfast at the historic Glen Iris Inn, 2 pools,
numerous benches, picnic tables, trails, museum, conference
center, snack bars,
gift shops, playgrounds, showers, nature and history tours,
workshops, lectures, river rafting, hot air ballooning and
horseback riding are available through 3rd parties (see
links below). This park is a Carry-in Carry-out park; be
sure to bring trash bags for your refuse. |
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Description...
Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the
East,” Letchworth State Park spans more than 14,000 acres,
containing spectacular vistas, more than 30 waterfalls, a
major dam, campsites, historic buildings, museums and plenty
of things to do. Over 50 miles of hiking trails spread
throughout the park offer visitors a new experience every
time they visit.
Bisected by the
Genesee River, the park offers both something for the
leisurely visitor and the adventurous. The river gorge cuts
through the valley yielding three major waterfalls within
and multiple cascades emptying into the ravine as well as
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 Parks
department does an excellent job maintaining park, providing
well-groomed trails, first-class accommodations, exciting
activities and interesting educational
opportunities. Check out the
Park Event Calendar to get a heads-up on what
activities are coming up.
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Trails
Difficulty: Variable.
There are two types of trails in Letchworth State Park. The
majority of the trails are wide, lined with stone or
sufficiently cleared. Steps are generally stonework and
well-kept. Some trails are even paved. The less beaten
pathways are narrow, lined with dirt, rocks and branches.
Many trails traverse down into the gorge and you must know
the water levels and weather forecast (ask any park ranger
or police, or in the visitor center) before hiking down into
the gorge.
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 a 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 Center, the Glen Iris Inn as well as
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. |
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History...
The Seneca Indians called the area
Sehgahunda, meaning the "Vale of Three Falls," forming
several villages within what are now the park boundaries.
Many of the trails in the park today are based on actual
Seneca trails, which were used for river access.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) whisked 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 built 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 helped to 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 peace, close to home at the
Glen Iris Estate.
Mr. Letchworth
was more than a nature lover. He was a philanthropist at
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.
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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 locations in the part, such as
the Tea-Table overlook and Inspiration Point. |
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Contact
Letchworth State Park
1 Letchworth
State Park
Castile, NY 14427
Visitor Center: (585)
493-3600
NYS Park Police: (585)
658-4692
The
Glen Iris Inn: (585)
493-2622
Campground: (585)
237-3303
Adventure Calls Outfitters River Rafting: (585) 343-4700
Balloons Over Letchworth: (585) 493-3340
Wolcott Farms Horseback Riding: (585) 493-3340 |
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Photography Tips
▪ Get
to the park early to get shots without park visitors in
frame.
▪ The west end of the park will offer many photo
opportunities with less crowds.
▪ See the Articles section for
more waterfall photography tips. |
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Area Events
Fire On The
Genesee (mid May) - Letchworth Park
Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival (late May) -
Letchworth Park
Blues, Bikes and BBQ (late July) - Letchworth Park
Stone Tool Technology Show (late August) - Letchworth
Park
Summer Farewell Festival (early September) - Letchworth
Park
Native American Heritage Days (mid September) -
Letchworth Park
Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show & Sale (early October) -
Letchworth Park
List all
Letchworth events
Mt. Morris Italian Festival (mid August) - Mount Morris,
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Area Attractions
Other Waterfalls
Warsaw Falls -
Warsaw, NY
Stonybrook State Park -
Dansville, NY
Sugar Creek Glen Campground -
Dansville, NY
Other Parks
Silver Lake State Park - Silver Springs, NY
Lodging (see our
lodging page stays in the park).
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson - Mount Morris, NY
The Inn at Houghton Creek - Houghton, NY
Big
Tree Inn - Geneseo, NY
The
Historic Avon Inn - Avon, NY
Wiscoy Creek Lodge - Portageville, NY
Bed & Breakfast
The Allegiance - Mount Morris, NY
Allan's Hill - Mount Morris, NY
Eastlake Bed and Breakfast - Conesus, NY
A Bit of Olde England at Woods End - Portageville, NY
Maple Walnut Farm - Castile, NY
Little Bit of Heaven - Silver Springs, NY
Perry Bed and Breakfast - Perry, NY
The
Annabel Lee - Geneseo, NY
Charlton Bed & Breakfast Inn - Avon, NY
White
Oak Bed & Breakfast - Avon, NY
East
Lake Bed & Breakfast - Conesus, NY
Big
Tree Inn - Geneseo, NY
The
Annabel Lee - Geneseo, NY
Museums
The Strong Museum of Play - Rochester, NY
Memorial
Art Gallery - Rochester, NY
George
Eastman House - Rochester, NY
Rochester
Museum & Science Ctr. - Rochester, NY
Susan B. Anthony House - Rochester, NY
Genesee
Country Village & Museum - Mumford, NY
Wineries
Deer
Run Winery - Geneseo, NY
Eagle Crest Vineyards, Inc. - Conesus, NY
Restaurants
Silver Lake Drive-in & Charcoal Corral - Castile, NY
(Drive-in, Karaoke, Grill, Pizza, Ice cream, mini-golf)
The
Historic Avon Inn - Avon, NY
Genesee River Restaurant - Mount Morris, NY
Villa on the Green Restaurant - Geneseo, NY
Letchworth Pines - Portageville, NY
Shopping
Kelly's
Jellies - Perry, NY
Entertainment/Other
Letchworth Pines - Portageville, NY
(Restaurant, bowling, billiards, volleyball)
Silver Lake Drive-in & Charcoal Corral - Castile, NY
(Drive-in, Karaoke, Grill, Pizza, Ice cream, mini-golf)
Sea
Serpent Balloon Festival - Perry, NY (Annual,
Late July) |
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Links
Letchworth Park
Book a campsite at this park
NY State Park Web Page for Letchworth
Friends of LetchworthHistory
Exploring Letchworth History
History of Mt. Morris, NY
History of Perry, NY
History of Nunda, NY
Livingston County Historical Society
Geology / Natural History
Essay on
Letchworth Geology
Engineering
Mount Morris Dam (Army Corps of Engineers)
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Weather


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