Hike to Watkins Glen's Waterfalls
Details
Distance
4 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Timothy Behuniak
This easy hike features beautiful scenery and several great photographic opportunities.
Nestled right off the main road in the small village of Watkins Glen in Upstate New York, Watkins Glen State Park is a beautiful area with plenty to see. Although it is a bit touristy and right off of the road, you'll forget how close to society you are when you see these beautiful waterfalls.
With three different entrances, parking is fairly easy, but arriving later in the day or earlier in the morning is still the best time to come to avoid large crowds and to catch the best light for pictures.
Start at the Upper Entrance to hike down alongside the falls. Start at the Main Entrance to see the very beginning of the falls and to hike up along side them. Start at the South Entrance to get the best vantage point and less-used parking area.
If you start at the South Entrance, you can skip the bigger crowds that generally form around the Upper and Main entrances. Also, you're placed right near the start of the falls, so you don't miss much in terms of sightseeing.
From the South Entrance, take the trail down towards the falls and head over the Suspension Bridge for the best sight seeing and photo ops. Follow Lover's Lane and stick with it as it merges into the Gorge Trail. Definitely stay 'til the end if you and your group are feeling up to it. The trail is relatively easy, with built in steps and sidewalls to prevent falling. It's about 2 miles from the South Entrance all the way to the end. Once at the end, you can easily loop back around to hike the way you came up, or bypass the crowds and most of the views and take the Indian Trail, if you're feeling anxious to get back to your car or a picnic area near the parking lot to refuel.
Watkins Glen is open year round and is beautiful in any season, but you definitely will not regret making your first time in late Fall.
Know for
Nearby
🌎
Local adventures
Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Watkins Glen.
🏕
Nearby lodging
Search campgrounds, glamping, and hotels near Watkins Glen.
Reviews
Leave a Review
Beautiful Falls
This is one of the most popular areas in the Finger Lakes and for good reason. The path is well paved for the most part but there are quite a bit of steps so be prepared for that.
4.0
Awesome Hike, but Be Prepared for Crowds
Yes, this is a beautiful hike, but it's just too crowded to be enjoyable on most days. If possible, visit when it's raining so that you have more time to enjoy the falls without feeling like you're in a parade. The hike is fabulous and the falls are amazing.
4.0
Still beautiful in the winter
If you visit in the winter, the main gorge trail will be closed. However, the rim trail will still give you some great views into the gorge!
5.0
Beautiful Waterfalls
Grew up in the area, so have visited most of the waterfalls and parks. But this one is spectacular because of its unique tunnels and paths that go behind the waterfalls. Epic !
5.0
Great To Camp Nearby
We camped at the nearby campgrounds, so I made many trips to the falls and walked it up and down several times. In the early morning sun there's almost no one there and the mist from the falls creates beams of light everywhere. That was probably my favorite time to go. Some trips I took photos, others I smoked a pipe and contemplated life in the dreamy Lord of the Rings' Rivendell-like environment. If you're sneaky, you can walk up the stream as the river is only knee-deep at most, but you're technically not allowed to do so. Park security does walk to trail from time to time, so be aware. Do be aware mid-day to early evening it is often slammed with people, so plan accordingly. Great falls, great photos, great vibes.
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
