As a globetrotter, I feel lucky that I get the chance to explore the beautiful places, pristine nature, fascinating wildlife, and whatnot. Of those numerous attractions around the world, I personally love to explore those natural hiking trails. If you ask me what is the best hiking trail I’ve been to, well, I won’t go far. My own state, New York has more than NYC. It’s home to some of the most exquisite hiking trails in the world. Well, I’m talking about the Letchworth state park trails. It is indeed one of those trails that can take your breath away with its pristine nature, exotic views, lush forests, affluent wildlife, and gorgeous waterfalls. Often known as “Grand Canyon of the East”, Letchworth State Park Hiking is one of the most astonishing in the region of eastern U.S. Just to let you know, the Genesee River flows over three major waterfalls in the area. There is a total of 66 miles of hiking in the Letchworth state park trail map. However, you don’t need to explore them all.
Table of Contents
Best Time to Visit Letchworth State Park
Letchworth Park Map
Explore the Trails
Undoubtedly, Letchworth trail is one of the best places to explore and to go hiking in the United States. In total, there are more than 20 hiking trails. With so many options, indeed, you will have the best time here in upstate New York. The paths are divided according to experience levels and difficulties. Talking about Letchworth state park’s best hikes, there are both short hikes and long expeditions. For a short expedition, I would recommend you to cover Dam Overlook Trail. It is a 3 miles trail with astonishing views to savor en route. However, if you are looking for a longer trail, then there is Letchworth state park gorge trail. This Letchworth hiking trails is 7 miles and passes along the river and offers stunning views of the gorge, waterfalls, and cliffs.
Wildlife in Letchworth State Park
As I mentioned above, the trail is not only known for its beautiful nature but also affluent wildlife. Letchworth state park is the home to a variety of wildlife in New York. A major part of the area is certified as the bird conservation area. Here, you can expect to spot a number of wildlife animals like cerulean warbler, sharp-shinned hawk, eastern meadowlark, and more. There is also the Humphrey Nature Center that houses a good number of exhibits showcasing related to animals and plants of the park’s ecosystem.
Letchworth Trail Map
Hiking Trails in Letchworth State Park
Gorge Trail Letchworth State Park
Parallel to the main park road, the Gorge trail is one of the best trails of Letchworth state park. The trail is of around 7 miles and it passes through the river, waterfalls, cliffs, and gorges. The Inspiration Point is one of the key highlights of Gorge Trail.
Hemlock Trail
Hemlock Trail passes off another trail, known as the Mary Jemison trail, near the Council Grounds. It cuts through Trout Pond and Trailside Lodge It is one of the most scenic trails dotted with the gorgeous beauty of hemlock trees and a couple of ravines. Hemlock Trails is spread over a total area of 2.5 miles.
Mary Jemison Trail
This trail gives you the opportunity to walk along pleasant woods. Sprawling over an area of 2.5 miles, this trail is dedicated to Deh-ge-wan-us, also referred to as the White Woman of Genesee. Mary Jemison Trail has two entry points – one is located in a parking area close to the railroad bridge whereas the other at Council Grounds.
Birch Trail
Birch Trail trail (0.75 miles) revolves around cabin area B. If you want to indulge in Letchworth state park camping, then this is the trail you must look to explore as the trail also travels around the camping area.
Trout Pond
The trail includes a wide path which is also dotted with small sloped areas, grassy open detours, and wooded areas. The trail covers a distance of 0.75 miles.
Lee’s Landing Trail
The trail that was once mainly used for launching wood rafts. Though the walk down is quite easy to cover, but difficult to climb back. The trail’s access point is located near the Gorge Trail, past the cabin area B. Lee’s Landing Trail covers a total distance of 1 mile.
Portage Trail
Another trail that follows the edge of the gorge trail is a Portage trail that sprawls over an area of 0.5 miles. This is quite an easy trail to explore that includes several overlooks of the gorge. On this trail, you can also expect to capture the astonishing view of Lower Falls – one of the most popular Letchworth state park waterfalls. Portage Trail is the only trail of its kind that includes river crossing throughout the length of the trail.
Footbridge Trail
Footbridge Trail lures tourists with alluring beauty and connects them with Portage Trail along with the Lower Falls area. Covering a total area of 0.5 miles, Footbridge Trail is also known as the only hiking bridge over the river of Genesee. This trail connects the east side of the park with the west side.
Genesee Valley Greenway Trail
GVG is one of the easiest and most beautiful trails in Letchworth state park. This Letchworth hiking trail is moderate. Just to let you know, the trail follows the path of the Genesee Valley Canal that once was located along this path from the year 1836 to 1878. You can even explore this trail during the winter season, but it is considered to be dangerous to roam here on the snow and ice. The trail travels 5.75 miles. GVG trail is also known as coincides
A Blue Jay Trail
This is a short trail of 0.5 miles from Letchworth Trail to the eastern park road.
River Road Trail
More than a Letchworth hiking trail, River road trail (2.75 miles) is a dirt road. You can explore this trail through a bike ride.
Dishmill Creek Trail
Both the Dishmill Creek trail, Letchworth trail, and the Trillium trail intersect each other. It also includes a small waterfall that can be viewed en route. The trail also includes a rocky shore of the Genesee River
A Trillium Trail
The trail travels for 0.5 miles. However, there are no trilliums during the spring season in this short trail. For some distance, the trail passes through the edge of the gorge. However, it further descends into the valley including Dishmill Creek, and eventually ends at Genesee River.
Seneca Trail
Seneca Trail was the part of St Helena Road and it falls into the gorge to the banks of the river Genesee. The trail covers a distance of 1.25 miles.
Deer Run Trail
Off the main park, there is the Deer Run trail. The trail includes a total distance of 1.5 miles and it surrounds around the park boundary.
Gardeau Trail
Gardeau Trail (0.5 miles) begins from the main park road. The trail is known to offer scenic views This is the trail which you can explore via car.
Bear Hollow Trail
Spread over a total distance of 2 miles, Bear Hollow trail gives visitors access to Letchworth Trail. However, it is still a different trail from Letchworth as it branches out just before reaching the Letchworth trail in order to provide the visitor with some astonishing views.
Smokey Hollow Trail
This is another trail situated off the main park road. The 2.25 miles trails descend down into the gorge and provide visitors with scenic views of the Horsetail Falls – one of the most popular Letchworth state park waterfalls. You can also expect to capture the views of Cliff Cascade.
Big Flats Trail
From the Highbanks camping, Big Flats trail descends down to the Smokey Hollow. This travel covers a total distance of 1.25 miles.
Kisil Point Trail
Passing through Highbanks Campground, the trail reaches to Kisil Point – the place where the convergence of gorge of the Genesee River and the gorge of the Silver Lake Outlets happen. Kisil Point trail covers a total distance of 1.75 miles.
Gibsonville Trail
Gibsonville Trail (1.75 miles) takes you to the former village of Gibsonville situated along the banks of Silver Lake Outlet. There is a campsite as well which dates back to 1940.
Highbanks Trail
This 4.75 miles long trail passes through the west rim of the northern area of the Letchworth state park. The trail begins from the Mt. Morris Entrance and concludes at cabin area C. The trail offers the exotic view of Craspey Clay Falls.
Powerline Trail
The total distance of the Powerline trail is 0.75 miles and it passes through gorgeous gorges. On the way, the trail follows a power line to a point where both the gorge and lines cross each other.
Sycamore Trail
Sycamore trail is also an access trail for the Letchworth Trail. The total distance of this trail is 0.75 miles. From the River Road, the trail descends down toward the river and the route becomes rough and steep. Sycamore Trail is one of the most unexplored trails of Letchworth state park.
Letchworth Trail
Letchworth is probably the most sought-after trail amongst trails. It passes along the eastern rim of the gorge. On the route, you can expect to capture some picturesque views of the beautiful surroundings.
Undoubtedly, Letchworth State Park is one of the most popular and unique tourist attractions outside of New York City. It also includes educational and training programs at the Conference Center for professional and organizational retreats. The center is situated in the southwestern part of the park. The Conference Center also includes a lodge with spacious bedrooms dotted with attached bathrooms with showers and kitchens. The lodge has a unique architecture that is built to accommodate professional and organizational people who visit Letchworth state park. Organizations can rent it for the day or overnight. However, overnight camping facilities are not there.
If you are on a family vacation, I would recommend you to hire Maplewood Lodge. The lodge is located in the center of Letchworth state park right at the entry point of the Highlands Camping Area. For snowmobilers and Letchworth State Park Hiking, this is the best accommodation option as it connects them with the snowmobile train system of New York. It can accommodate up to 8 people and also includes a fully-furnished kitchen along with living room and a fireplace
How to Visit Letchworth State Park
Via Flight
The nearest airports to Letchworth state park are Rochester and Buffalo in the western part of New York state. These are the mid-sized airports that operate plenty of flights from all major destinations in the United States on a daily basis. Once you get down at the airport, hire a taxi to reach the Letchworth state park.
Via Car
You can even visit the Letchworth state park via car. You can choose to drive from major cities like New York City, Rochester, and Niagara Falls. The park can also be visited from the city of Toronto in Canada.
Park Entrances
If you want to travel like us, then it is important for you to know all the information about the park entrances. In total, the park has six entrances. Of all the entrances, Castile and Portageville offer the best access to the Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Middle Falls. Not just this, through these entrances, you also get to capture the astonishing views of the gorges. The main entrances can be accessed from the New York route 36 west.
Entry Fee of Letchworth State Park
Letchworth state park operates daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The per-vehicle entrance of the park is 10 USD. You can purchase the ticket between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Letchworth State Park Cabins
There are a total of 82 Letchworth state park cabins. Each cabin differs from others on the basis of the comfort level. The cabins are dotted with an oven, electric stove, beds, tables, grill, chairs, and a picnic table. The rates of cabins for a week range from 132 USD to 512 USD.
So, this is all about the Letchworth state park. I hope you have found the post informative. You now have everything to plan an indelible and hassle-free Letchworth State Park Hiking vacation.
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