America's Oldest State Park Is Expanding In 2026. Here's What Visitors Need To Know.

Soon, there will be even more to love about the oldest state park in the United States: Niagara Falls State Park is currently expanding to include even more nearby sites, in an attempt to attract more visitors and encourage them to stay longer. This expansion will begin in the spring, and will continue gradually thereafter, with mostly signage updates rolling out first.

In all, the expansion will add 150 acres to one of the most iconic landmarks to visit in the United States, which already sees more than 8 million annual visitors. However, what many fail to realize is that there's a lot more to explore beyond the famous Horseshoe Falls previous travelers have focused on. Thanks to nearly 2 miles of newly constructed paths — part of a broader network totaling almost 5 miles of continuous shoreline — making those previously hard-to-reach areas will become more accessible to the public.

Specifically, the project will make it easier for guests to reach scenic overlooks, as well as sometimes missed educational attractions like the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and the Aquarium of Niagara. The expansion will also connect Whirlpool State Park and Devil's Hole State Park, two nearby parks that currently see far fewer annual visitors than Niagara Falls, even though they're just a short 2-mile walk away.

Two existing state parks will become part of Niagara Falls State Park as the expansion project proceeds: Whirlpool State Park and Devil's Hole State Park. Located along the Niagara River, they provide excellent vantage points that overlook the water's churning rapids. Pathways will make both locations accessible by foot from Niagara Falls and are expected to boost tourism to both.

As its name implies, Whirlpool State Park gives visitors access to views of the river's famous whirlpool formed within its rapids. The area offers two levels for viewing, a street level with access to the overlooks, and a lower level that accesses the riverbank at the bottom of the gorge. Whirlpool Park also connects to Devil's Hole Park, as pictured above, which offers overlooks of the river and the park's namesake rapids.

Currently, both Whirlpool and Devil's Hole receive fewer than 500,000 visitors annually — which is still more than the roughly 11,000 or so that explore Gates of the Arctic National Park, the United States' least-visited national park. But with the upcoming connecting trail system that will incorporate the sites into Niagara Falls State Park, those numbers could change dramatically and quickly. After the expansion is completed, Whirlpool and Devil's Hole will become "zones" within Niagara Falls State Park, with future plans that include improved amenities designed to enhance visitor convenience and comfort in the newly incorporated areas.

As work begins on the expansion of Niagara Falls State Park and the incorporation of two neighboring state parks, guests can expect to see crews working throughout the spring months. However, the park is scheduled to remain open throughout the process, which could lead to more amenities for visitors, including potential play areas and concession options.

Additionally, new overlooks and better transportation options are included in the expansion plans, and visitors to the park will begin seeing new signage as it rolls out in the spring. The hope is that guests who already visit Niagara Falls will spend even more time along the riverfront as they explore often-overlooked areas that will soon become part of the overall Niagara Falls State Park experience. If the improvements attract more visitors, additional upgrades could be on the horizon.

Want to plan your visit? The closest international airport to Niagara Falls State Park is Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Located about 25 miles away, it offers access to a number of underrated New York towns for a laid-back getaway. The airport also offers on-site rental car companies, shuttle services, and ride-share options, and is a tourism partner with Niagara Falls USA.