Though America’s National Parks system may get all the glory, a recent list named beautiful state parks that should be on every hiker’s radar, including one in Upstate New York.
Outside published a list of 14 best state parks for hiking in the United States and the first one to be listed was Letchworth State Park located in Castile, NY.
The publication wrote the park has “the expansive views typical of the West, but in Western New York,” with a golden sunrise over the canyon and the picturesque waterfalls.
Often called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is one of the most picturesque places in the state. It boasts nearly 600-foot cliff walls and three major waterfalls along 17 miles of the Genesee River. There are four entrances to the park, and its mass covers nearly 15,000 acres.
Though there are many trails, the writer suggested the best hike in at Letchworth to be the section of the Gorge Trail which offers views of the park’s three beautiful cascades along the Genesee River: Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. Though the full Gorge Trail is over 12 miles long, you can join in at Upper Falls and walk a four mile out-and-back section to the Lower Falls.
It is one of the most popular sections of the park however, so those looking for more peace and quiet should take the article’s advice and continue on the Gorge Trail to cross the stone bridge and connect to the Portage Trail and the Genesee Greenway trail.
The author writes that the park is great to visit year round whether you are looking for summer sun, colorful fall foliage, winter solitude and ice volcanoes, or raging spring rain waterfalls.
In addition to the amazing hikes, visitors can also check out recent updates to the park like the new recreation center at Lower Falls and the United States’ first autism nature trail filled with sensory stations, music spots and other kid-friendly activities.
Other state parks that made the list include Ricketts Glen State Park in…
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