Watkins Glen State Park is absolutely beautiful! ?? The nature, hiking trails, and waterfalls are amazing. There are so many beautiful views along the trail, and it’s definitely worth visiting if you love nature and hiking. ?? If you’re planning to hike, I highly recommend starting from the South Entrance. It’s much better for hiking because you’ll mostly be going down the stairs rather than climbing up, so it’s less tiring. If you start from the other entrance, be prepared for a lot more stairs going up! ? One thing that really needs improvement is the shuttle bus service. The service was honestly horrible. People were waiting for more than 2 hours just to get a shuttle from one entrance to another. There were too many people waiting and not enough buses, which made the experience very frustrating. Overall, the park itself is amazing and definitely worth visiting, but the shuttle service could be much better. If you’re visiting, plan your hiking route carefully and be prepared for a long wait for the shuttle.

I grew up near here but never camped or spent much time within the park. It was a beautiful state park, very clean and the campsites were very spacious. The bathrooms were very clean and well maintained. They had a nice playground near our site. The gorge is a beautiful place to hike and see some stunning waterfalls. There is a great pool within the park too. The bathrooms/changing area at the pool could definitely use some attention which is pretty surprising considering that every other aspect of the park is pristine.

A must-visit. We parked at the Upper Entrance parking lot, which was the perfect choice since it saved us from climbing the 870 steps—especially important with two young kids. We simply walked downhill through the gorge and took the shuttle back to the upper parking lot at the end of the hike (only $6 for adults and $1 for kids, with shuttles running every 30 minutes). The trail is absolutely stunning, with so much variety along the way. You’ll walk beside the stream, pass towering waterfalls that feel 10 stories high, go behind cascading falls, explore caves, and cross scenic bridges. Every section offers something unique, making the entire experience unforgettable. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beauty at a more relaxed pace. Highly recommended for families and nature lovers alike!

Just Wow… Watkins Glen State Park is truly one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited. The Gorge Trail is breathtaking, with stunning waterfalls, stone bridges, and scenic rock formations around every turn. The trail is well maintained, and every few minutes there’s another incredible view that’s worth stopping for. It was a wonderful family experience and definitely worth the drive from Canada. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature, photography, and hiking! My advice would be starting trail from upper level, walk downhill and grab shuttle from main entrance to go back to upper level parking (you have to pay for shuttle)

Watkins Glen State Park is absolutely stunning! I did the Gorge Trail with my parents, and it turned into such a memorable hike for all of us. The trail is beautiful throughout, with waterfalls, stone bridges, narrow gorge pathways, and scenic viewpoints at almost every turn. All the viewpoints are clearly marked, which makes it easy to follow and enjoy the hike without feeling lost. Some spots are definitely more picturesque than others, but each viewpoint has something unique to offer—whether it’s the sound of rushing water, a dramatic rock formation, or a peaceful view of the gorge. Overall, it’s a must-visit if you enjoy nature, waterfalls, and scenic hikes. A truly unforgettable experience!

Visited Watkins Glen State Park from Ontario and was absolutely amazed by its beauty. The gorge is truly spectacular, with scenic pathways winding through towering rock walls, stunning waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams. Every turn offers another fantastic view and a great photo opportunity. The trails are well maintained and allow you to experience the waterfalls up close, making the hike both enjoyable and memorable. It feels like stepping into a completely different world. This is definitely one of the most beautiful state parks I’ve visited and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Finger Lakes region. A must-see destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

This was one of the highlights of our trip. The Gorge Trail was absolutely beautiful, and we made it a point to visit all 10 of the stops marked on the map. Every section of the trail felt unique, with different rock formations, viewpoints, and details to appreciate along the way. The waterfalls were stunning, and there always seemed to be something new to discover around each turn. The trails were easy to follow and not overly strenuous, making for a relaxing and enjoyable walk while still offering incredible scenery. Overall, a wonderful state park that is well worth visiting if you enjoy nature, waterfalls, and scenic hikes.

An absolutely breathtaking combination of natural wonders that makes for the perfect day trip in the Finger Lakes region! Starting at Watkins Glen State Park is a magical experience. The Gorge Trail is a masterpiece of stonework, taking you past 19 incredible waterfalls compressed into less than two miles. Walking under and behind the cascading water feels like stepping into a fantasy world. It is a well-maintained, highly accessible hike, though there are plenty of stairs, so wearing shoes with good traction is a must. ?Just a short, scenic drive further north along the east side of Seneca Lake brings you to Hector Falls, which is an absolute must-see bonus stop. It is a massive, stunning cascade that drops right down beside the road. You can view the incredible upper sections easily from the Route 414 bridge. Pairing the deep, dramatic stone gorge of the state park with the wide, roadside majesty of Hector Falls gives you the absolute best of New York’s natural beauty in one afternoon!

Can’t say a negative thing about this place. Nice and easy trail. Only $10 to park and enjoy this beautiful trail. Not very private as there were good amount of people on a rainy day so I can only imagine on a good weather day. I would highly recommend and would definitely go back.

Very fun half day. It is about a 2.5 mile hike from bottom to top, and back. There are a ton of stairs, I think between 800-900, depending on which trails you take. I am fairly fit, walking the 2.5 miles with a little break at top was no problem, but my legs were sore for 2 days after because of stairs. It is very pretty, I really enjoyed the walk, but if you take the elevator to get to 5th floor rather than taking the stairs, this is probably not the walk for you. There is a visitor center at the bottom and maybe ways to see some of the falls with less stairs. I did see a wheelchair being pushed on the rim trail, but you really can't see much from the top. Also a raincoat and sturdy footwear would be hekpful. Path by falls, and under one fall, were very wet, some from rain the day before, but much is probably wet most days (with some deeper puddles that required jumping or boots to keep feet dry). It really was a fun walk, took us about 2 hours. Saw there was a campground, some camp stores/ gift shops, info centers. If I were not with 2 teenagers who wanted to hike, I probably could have spent a few extra hours walking slower, taking more pictures, visiting the visitor center, maybe even spending a night at the campground.