Letchworth State Park - Camping and Hiking

Letchworth State Park, AKA, The Grand Canyon Of The East, won the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Award for Best State Park in the United States in 2015, and the Best Attraction in New York State in 2017 - NYS Parks - Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is a big park, spanning roughly 17 miles following the course of the Genesee River as it flows north through a deep gorge and over several large waterfalls.  Park entrances are located near Mount Morris, Perry, Castile and Portageville.  

The park features 3 large waterfalls - the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls - the main attractions of the park.  It also has a campground and lots of interconnecting hiking trails.  The Gorge Trail (7 miles), is the most popular trail.  It is an easy hike following the western side of the Genesse River, passing all the 3 main waterfalls.

I went to Letchworth Park after Watkins Glen, part of my camp-and-hike adventure on this road trip.  I got a same-day one night camping reservation at the park, and planned to hike the Gorge Trail to see the 3 main falls.  Forecast was rain, with some thunderstorms on the day of my arrival and the next.  Still,  it was just a cloudy sky when I reached the park entrance at Portageville.  

Serendipity.  My GPS guided me to this park entrance at Portageville.  The campground is still 12 miles away from the entrance!  However, the Upper Falls is in this section of the park. I studied the park map at the entrance and realized I would pass the 3 falls as I drive to the campground, with short hikes, including some viewpoints!

With very little hiking, I saw the 3 main waterfalls the park has to offer.  I reached the campground happy because I did not have to worry about the weather going foul later and tomorrow.  

Upper Falls

Middle Falls

Lower Falls

At the camp, I gathered some sticks and dead woods for the camp fire.  Decided not to pitch tent and sleep in the car tonight, because of the impending rain.  My Outback is fitted for car camping so I sleep in it comfortably.

Firewood - $0.00

I feel like having tom-yum noodles

My cabin for the night

I woke up the next day with the sound of rain.  I stayed inside my Outback and enjoyed the moment, absorbing the beautiful sound when the rain hits the roof of my Outback.   

Now, where will serendipity take me next?  Lake Erie? or Lake Ontario?

Happy Camper

My Reviews.

Disclaimer.  These reviews are based on my preferences and capabilities, which may be different from yours.  These are just for references and guidance.

I didn't get a chance to explore the park's campground.  It looks like a big camp as I drove to my site, seeing signs to different loops.  There is a store for camp supplies and next to it is a separate structure for fresh groceries.

Fresh groceries

The park itself is big, with lots of activities to do.  There are parking spots and picnic areas where visitors can do short walks to the viewpoints.  There are several interconnected hiking trails to explore.  For families with kids, and kids-at-heart, the Gorge Trail is a fun and easy trail to explore.  (You don't need to do the full 7 miles to see and enjoy the 3 main falls).  Even without camping, a day's visit to this park is worth it.

There is also a popular experience in Letchworth Park, which I didn't know before - Balloons Over Letchworth.  This would be a good reason to go back to the park.