Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls

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Seasons / Hours / Fees

Seasons: Whirlpool State Park is open year-round. Sections of the gorge trail may not be accessible (or safe) during times of heavy rain or snow. The restrooms are open from mid-April through late October.

Best season to visit: Autumn for the foliage and fishing. Summer to get away from the tourist crowds at the Falls.

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Admission: Free.

Description

Whirlpool State Park is one of the more interesting parks that are strung along the Niagara River on the New York side. The park is located along the upper Whirlpool Rapids, a dangerously turbulent stretch of the Niagara River downstream from Niagara Falls. Here the gorge walls pinch the river, forcing massive amounts of water through a smaller space and creating dangerous Class V whitewater. The Whirlpool rapids generate exhilarating waves for sport-craft and highly oxygenated water for large sport fish. In fact, the fishing here (especially for trout and salmon) is so spectacular, major fishing journals and television shows have called this one of the premiere freshwater fishing locations in the country.

From the entrance off of the Robert Moses State Parkway the level lawns and scattered picnic tables overlook the tree-covered gorge, white water of the upper rapids, and the massive natural phenomenon known as the Niagara Whirlpool. A single stone stairway, in dreadful condition, leads 300 feet down into the Niagara Gorge. Intimidating? Only if you are out of shape. Take the journey. Whirlpool and neighboring Devil's Hole State Parks are filled with beautiful sights all the way down.

The Niagara Whirlpool, with its 125 ft (38 m) deep swirling waters is the result of the dramatic turn in the Niagara River's flow (nearly 90 degrees), as the river changes to follow and ancient debris-filled valley (St Davids Gorge). As the Niagara River formed, it crossed with this buried valley and abruptly turned to fill and follow it, quickly cutting away the soft dirt and stone filling. The collision point at which the Niagara met the old valley became the Whirlpool, and the jutting out of the pool is due to the erosion on the ancient river bed in the other direction. For more information on the formation of the Niagara Gorge and the Whirlpool, check our FAQ.

When standing next to the Whirlpool, the roar of its turbulent white water easily drowns out the rest of the world. During the day (specifically in summer), the flow is greatest as the power plants divert most of the water at night and during the tourist off-season. As water is pinched through the narrows of the gorge just upstream, it increases in speed and jets into the Whirlpool, mixing and swirling  in a seemingly circular direction around the contours of the gorge and eventually making its way out after a 90 degree turn. It seems that simple, but the flow is actually more complex, and even changes based on the time of day. See below for more information.

Although the white water present here looks great for sport, it is extremely dangerous. Personal craft is prohibited, and only the Whirlpool Jet Boats Tours  mix it up with close proximity to the swirling pool. The chaotic upper rapids, with its 11 ft standing waves, feed the Whirlpool and are most likely accessible one way...from upstream and not voluntarily. As the water exits the Whirlpool and flows into the wider reaches of the gorge near Devil's Hole, it begins to slow. Boats, Jet-skis, birds and fish have little problem navigating these lesser rapids.

Across from the New York park is the Canadian Niagara Glen-View Park, an equally amazing adventure in its own right. It features more Whirlpool-adjacent shoreline, as well as much better maintained facilities, including an elevator that takes visitors down to the "white Water Walk" boardwalk along the upper rapids. The Canadian side also features the Spanish Aero Car, operating since 1916, which takes passengers 250 feet (76 m) above the Whirlpool, from one side and back along its 6 inch-thick steel cables. You can't ride it from the American side, but you can see it, and it makes for great photos.

An old rail-bed, that seems dangerously close to the rapids, now serves as a trail that connects the Devil's Hole steps to Whirlpool State Park to the south, and creates an excellent looping trail. When hiking this trail, imagine the renaissance of  Niagara tourism in the 1920's when passengers would brave the dangers of the rockslides and deadly water, as they paid less than a dollar to ride this close on a steel trolley. (Not only did rockslides kill passengers and some crew on this line, but the resulting damage led to its demise).

Despite the intimidating name, and proximity to certain death, the park is harmless for those that play safe, and certainly should not be avoided. The small sense of danger, amazing sights and excellent hiking opportunities make this and the adjacent Devil's Hole State Park an excellent adventure for the family and a great getaway from the tourist-filled Niagara Falls Reservation Park. Bring your fishing pole, camera, and a picnic lunch and make a day of it.

What are all the helicopters and people in bright orange jump-suits doing around?

This section of the gorge, with its risky trails and constant rock slides is a dangerous one. Often people will slip, fall, or jump in and need rescue. The Whirlpool also acts as a natural trap for floating debris from upstream (yes, people can be debris too), and this is a crucial time to save them. The local governments, in cooperation with local helicopter tourism companies, and the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, run regular rescue drills to keep their skills and knowledge of the terrain sharp for when they are needed.

Hiking / Walking Trails

Difficulty: Easy to difficult. Walking along the Gorge Rim Nature Trail is easy. The trip down into the gorge is a rough one.

Markings: Trails are well established. Most segments are labeled with colored paint marks on trees or boulders.

Distance: A winding stone stairway heads 300 ft down into the gorge, which connects with the several mile long gorge trail. A loop from the Whirlpool State Park parking area, down into the gorge, back up at Devil's Hole State Park, and then back to Whirlpool Park is roughly 2.5 to 3 miles (marked in Blue on the map below). We have expanded the trail guide with optional extensions (to see more of the whirlpool) for this park with up to 5 miles of trails. These extensions are marked in Red and Orange. For the abbreviated trail, see the guide for Devil's Hole State Park.

Description: The Ongiara Trail is an excellent opportunity to experience Whirlpool and Devil's Hole State Parks and get a good workout at the same time.

1. Start at the parking area and head along the concrete pathway towards the Niagara Gorge. To get a great view of the upper rapids, Whirlpool and Aero Car, head to the left (south). You can proceed in this direction for another mile (or further if you want to head to Niagara Falls on foot, but it is not looping and you will have to turn back. To get down into the gorge, head right (north) along the rim trail about a quarter mile until you see the sign for the pathway down to the gorge. This winding stone stairway goes 300 ft down, but it may seem like a lot more. The steps are overgrown with weeds and rock slides have morphed and covered the trail over the years. Watch your step and be mindful of those making the climb up--their task is a bit more grueling. When descending the stairs take note of the different strata (rock layers) that make up the Niagara gorge.

2. At the bottom, you can head left (south) on the connecting trail. This will lead you to the boulder-covered shore along the Whirlpool and upper Whirlpool Rapids. At this point the difficulty level increases significantly. Assuming the trails are in good shape, you can proceed south in this direction for almost another mile, and get your fill of the powerful upper rapids. This end of the trail does not loop and you will have to turn around.

3. From the stairs, head right to proceed on the looping trail to Devil's Hole State Park. Many openings along the way make for good views of the lower Whirlpool Rapids and are often used by fishermen. Keep on this trail for 1.1 miles / 1.8 km. Sections of the trail are crumbling, muddy or may be covered in fallen rocks or downed trees. The State does little to maintain it. Be careful, carry a first aid kit, and be sure to hike with a partner. Stay clear of the water. The rapids here are extremely dangerous and the calm appearance of some sections of the river can be misleading. People have died here by slipping in.

3. Reach the stairs at Devil's Hole State Park and enjoy the 400 or so steps that get you back to the top of the gorge.

4. From the top of Devil's Hole State Park, you can enjoy the excellent views of the gorge and Robert Mosses Power Plant. You can follow the gorge rim trail back to Whirlpool State Park, or use the closed lane of the Robert Moses State Parkway. Follow this for roughly a mile back to the parking area.

Map: Click here.

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