Watkins Glen State Park
Nineteen waterfalls in 1.5 miles of shale canyon that took ten thousand years to earn its current shape.
The Watkins Glen gorge trail runs 1.5 miles through canyon walls that reach 200 feet, past 19 named waterfalls. Glen Creek drops 400 feet in that distance. The stone staircases, bridges, and tunnels cut through the cliff face were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. The park was first opened to tourists in 1863, when a hotel operated at the top and the gorge was called Glen Alpha. New York State acquired it in 1906 for $28,500. The stone infrastructure the CCC built is still what you walk on.
The main tunnel entrance and Sentry Bridge were closed for construction effective July 2025, with full reopening anticipated for summer 2026. The gorge trail remains accessible via the North Rim Trail from the Main, South, or North Entrances during construction. Check current conditions at parks.ny.gov/parks/watkinsglen before arriving. The gorge trail is seasonal (mid-May through late October); the rim trails are open year-round. Arrive early: by 10am in summer the parking fills and the trail pace changes.
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