Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park is called the “The Grand Canyon of the East” and was voted the best state park in America by USA Today readers http://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2015/04/01/top-state-parks-usa/70781988/
The park has multiple waterfalls, lots of cabins to rent, camping, a restaurant, and gift shops. There is a lot to do here, and the falls are stunning.
We started our trip from the southern entrance, the “Portageville” entrance. To view the upper fall, don’t park in the first parking area-instead continue to the second lot for the “Upper/Middle Falls.” This lot has a concession stand, and is the better place to park. The first parking lot is a hike down steps, and doesn’t give you a very good view of the fall.
If you leave the parking lot and keep traveling down the road maybe 1 min, you’ll see a sign for “Inspiration Point” on the right hand side. We found this was the best place to photograph the middle falls.
For the lower fall, continue on down the road, and just past the parking area for the gift shop take a right. Then just keep following signs for “Lower Falls,” or the restaurant, and park in thelot.
http://nysparks.com/parks/79/details.aspx
This park does have an Olympic swimming pool at the northern end, and another pool near the southern portion, but no official natural swimming. This is a “See” site, though we did observe people wading in some of the rivers, and even swimming near the falls. This is very dangerous though, and people have died here:
Location Details
- 0 min. to view falls from lookout.
- +42 34.672, -78 03.051
- Easy
- (585) 493-3600
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