Letchworth State Park

The Genesee River cuts a gorge here up to about a hundred and eighty metres deep over roughly twenty-eight kilometres, with Upper, Middle and Lower Falls in the southern section. William Pryor Letchworth bought the land around Middle Falls in 1859 and expanded his holding over decades specifically to prevent a power company damming the river; he gave it to the state in 1907. A railway trestle crosses above Upper Falls - the original iron bridge stood from 1875 until it was replaced in 2017 by a steel arch, and the old piers remain. Hot air balloon flights operate over the gorge. Autumn colour here is the busiest period and the park is often listed among the best in the state system.

What you actually see

• A gorge up to 180 metres deep - over twenty-eight kilometres.
• Three major waterfalls - Upper, Middle and Lower.
• A rail bridge above Upper Falls - replaced in 2017, old piers still standing.
• Land bought to stop a dam - Letchworth's purpose from 1859.

When to go

May to October; autumn colour in October is the peak. A full day.

Honest expectations

The park is long and the ends are far apart by road. Autumn weekends fill the lots and the park road backs up. Gorge overlooks are fenced but the drops are severe. Winter closes much of the park road.

Nearby

Rochester is north; the Finger Lakes are east.