The winding creek creates both small wonders in the hidden corners of the park to large cathedrals of rock along the gorge trail. Despite its heavy traffic, Watkins Glen is a breathtakingly peaceful experience. A world-class destination, kept secret in upstate NY. If you can only see one of the many beautiful places features here, make it this one.

A work out. Glen Creek descends about 400 feet in less than 2 miles and the Gorge trail goes up-stream. At the end of the trip steps will lead you to the top of the 300 feet high cliffs. Then it's a mad dash the sole drinking fountain.

Catharine Valley Trail, when completed, will extend 12 miles from Watkins Glen State Park to Mark Twain State Park in Horseheads, NY, passing through Montour Falls along the way. The trail follows the old Northern Central Railroad and the Chemung Canal towpaths with multiple historic sties along the way.  Friends of the Catherine Valley Trail website.

History
Converted to a state park in 1906, Watkins Glen was previously a happening mill site, then private tourist resorts (Glen Mountain House and Swiss Chalet). Formally known as Jefferson, NY as dubbed by the founder Dr. Samuel Watkins, a prominent land owner in the area. Portions of the trails you walk were once used by native Americans to traverse the glen. They have been developed by the state with natural stone masonry and enhanced with tunnels in the early half of the 1900's.

The town's name was changed in honor of the founder shortly after his death in 1852. Due to the notoriety of the Glen, another change took place when the Postal Service changed it in the registry as people commonly addressed letters to Watkins Glen instead.

From the East, just prior to the Cavern Cascade, you'll see electronic components cut into the rock cliffs. This was from the now defunct laser light show which ran from the 1980s to 2002.