Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
Watkins Glen State Park in Watkins Glen, NY is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. The park is minutes from the historic Watkins Glen International Race track (a.k.a. The Glen).
The hike up the glen is only about 1.5 miles but ascends (from the main entrance) 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. You will climb up over 800 steps.
The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade and under Rainbow Falls. Rim trails overlook the gorge with the South Rim Trail joining the Finger Lakes Trail (part of the North Country Trail) taking you past the Suspension bridge and Lily Pond.
In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, and won third place!
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Watkins Glen State Park in Watkins Glen, NY is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. The park is minutes from the historic Watkins Glen International Race track (a.k.a. The Glen).
The hike up the glen is only about 1.5 miles but ascends (from the main entrance) 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. You will climb up over 800 steps.
The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade and under Rainbow Falls. Rim trails overlook the gorge with the South Rim Trail joining the Finger Lakes Trail (part of the North Country Trail) taking you past the Suspension bridge and Lily Pond.
In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, and won third place!
—
Facebook: facebook.com/outsidechronicles
Instagram: instagram.com/outsidechronicles
Website: outsidechronicles.com
