'The Grand Canyon Of The East' Is A Gorgeous, Waterfall-Rich State Park In New York

We spend endless hours on our devices, separated from the outdoors. However, taking some time to enjoy nature can help improve our mood and well-being, according to a 2020 report published by the American Psychological Association. Visiting state parks is the perfect way to stop doomscrolling and breathe in some actual fresh air. There is one you should check out in Upstate New York, often called "The Grand Canyon of the East" and located along the Genesee River, that has multiple waterfalls and views to astound you. Letchworth State Park in Castile, New York, was given to the state by William P. Letchworth and has everything you need for a restorative day trip or week-long vacation. There are 66 miles of hiking trails, powerful waterfalls, bike paths, spots for whitewater rafting, winter sports, nature programs, camping, a historic inn and restaurant, a trail specifically for those with sensory issues, and so much more. You can even go hot air ballooning right over the waterfalls. 

This lovely 14,350-acre park with gorge walls that rise up to 600 feet high is about 40 miles from Rochester, with its reinvented downtown area. It's about 60 miles from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which has some of the best customer satisfaction in the country. It's a good idea to rent a car to get there. The entry fee is $10 per vehicle at the time of this writing, but your fee includes the park's Olympic-sized swimming pool and the William Pryor Letchworth Museum that has exhibits on early Native American settlement in the area and a few preserved buildings.

Hiking to see the shimmering waterfalls in Letchworth State Park should be at the top of your list for your trip. The Upper Falls is 70 feet high and is the southernmost waterfall. Middle Falls is the largest and stands at 107 feet (and is lit up after dark from May through October), and the Lower Falls, like the Upper Falls, is 70 feet tall. You can access that one from the Lower Falls parking lot or by hiking the Gorge Trail. This popular, 13.9-mile out-and-back trail (meaning you don't have to do the entire hike) has a 2,234-foot elevation gain. You can also see the Middle Falls from this trail. The Lower Falls and Gorge Trail is shorter at 2.7 miles out and back with an 813-foot elevation gain. It boasts a great view of the towering gorge walls and a waterfall vista. Note that these trails can be muddy, so make sure you have the right hiking shoes.

Another waterfall-view hike is the Letchworth Gorge and Hemlock Trail, which is a 4.2-mile loop with a 639-foot elevation gain. From this hike, you can see the Middle and Upper Falls. Another short one if you're not up for hours of hiking is the 1.8-mile out-and-back Dam Overlook Trail, with a 104-foot gain, which takes you to a viewing spot for the Mount Morris Dam. In addition, the Autism Nature Trail in the park is an ADA-compliant 1-mile loop full of sensory stations and engagement spots. While you're hiking, keep your eyes open for animals like river otters, deer, beavers, eagles, and raccoons. In the winter, some of these trails are available for snowmobiling, snow tubing, and cross-country skiing.

One really unique way to see the waterfalls, the gorge, and the sunrise in Letchworth State Park is to do it from a hot air balloon. Balloons over Letchworth offers balloon flights right inside the park from May through October. There are regular rides, tethered rides, and private flights, though simply watching these balloons go up is a wonderful experience, too.

You can also enjoy the Genesee River by doing some whitewater rafting. You'll have to be experienced to do these Class II and III rapids alone, but first-timers can go with a group through Adventure Calls Outfitters, complete with a safety talk and even inflatable sit-on-top kayaks when the river is too low to raft. Make sure to stop by the Humphrey Nature Center to see its exhibitions about the park, a butterfly garden, a bird observation center, and an outdoor classroom.

If you want to stay overnight, you can camp in tents and cabins, though do note that there is some construction through mid-2027 on a number of campsites, so double-check availability. There are accessible campsites, cabins, pavilions, and showers. Families can rent the Parker's Hideaway cabin that sleeps up to six with air conditioning, a TV, and a breakfast nook. You can also stay at the restored Glen Iris Inn, which has pretty guest rooms and suites, along with an on-site restaurant, Caroline's. Expect dishes like pot roast, shrimp and crab cakes, pizza, New York strip steak, and pumpkin gingerbread trifle. Finally, if you're flying into the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and you decide to visit nearby Niagara Falls, you might want to try ziplining over the falls for a unique experience.