How Long Is The Hike At Watkins Glen State Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is a

1.5 mile (one-way)

trail along the Watkins Glen Gorge and is the best place to see the 19 waterfalls of the park. This trail has over 800 well-maintained stairs.

How difficult is the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail?

Difficulty:

Easy Steep Descents

Elevation Gain: 600 Feet (187.0 Meters) Length, One-way: 1.5 Miles (2.5 Kilometers) Point of Interest: Glens Creek Most people use this trail as a return route from Gorge Trail; following a west to east trek.

How long is the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park?

The park is best known for its most popular attraction, the Gorge Trail, which is about

1.5 miles

long and spans the length of the park. The gorge follows the path of Glen Creek at the base of the 400-foot-deep gorge and features 832 stone steps.

How long is North Rim trail Watkins Glen?

Head out on this

2.60 mile

, out and back trail near Watkins Glen, New York. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 26 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, walking, and other nature trips, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Is the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail open?

Update as of October 12, 2021:

The Watkins Glen State Park rim trails (north and south) are open and will remain open all year

. In addition, the parking areas will be maintained throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Do you need hiking boots for Watkins Glen State Park?

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes (

hiking boots are even better

) when tackling the Watkins Glen hiking trails.

Where do you park for the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail?


Park on a Side Street

There are no parking meters in town, so you can park on any side street within walking distance of the park. I’ve done this on a weekday, then walked to the entrance to hike the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail. However, it will be hard to find street parking on a busy day.

How many waterfalls are in Watkins Glen?

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating

19 waterfalls

along its course.

What is Watkins Glen known for?

Watkins Glen is noted for its role in

auto racing

, being the home of a street course used in road racing, a famous racetrack, Watkins Glen International, one of the premier automobile road racing tracks in the United States, which has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen, IndyCar Series Grand Prix at The …

How long is Cascadilla Gorge Trail?

The length of the gorge trail is relatively short. It’s a total of about

1.3 miles

to hike the entire trail. However, there are a lot of stairs throughout the trail. It’s an easy to navigate hike, as the trail is clear and the stairs are nice for easy ascents.

Where does Watkins Glen Gorge Trail start?

This is a seasonal trail, be sure to check in advance that the trail is open. Get there early to avoid the crowds. Directions from Watkins Glen, NY: Park entrance is off the junction of SRs 14 and 414. From the Main Entrance, the trail begins

at the rear of the large parking lot

.

What should I wear to Watkins Glen State Park?

Tip 2: Wear

waterproof clothes and shoes

to Watkins Glen State Park. Due to the nature of the park sometimes the falls come straight over the paths where you’ll be walking. What is this? There’s nothing less fun than walking a trail with wet socks and shoes – so make sure you’ve got the right kind of gear.

Can you swim in the waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park?


No you can’t swim in the watkin glen falls

, but just south of there, there is a park called Havanas Glen, where at the top, there is a high falls you can swim under..the water is kind of cold thought.

Where do you park for the Letchworth Gorge Trail?

The southern terminus or start/end of the Gorge Trail is located at

a small parking area off the main park road near the Portageville Entrance

(which is closed in the winter). If you are entering from the Portageville Entrance then the small parking area will be on your left just before going under the railroad bridge.

How much does it cost to get into Watkins Glen State Park?

The uniqueness of the Glen is worth the cost of parking. over a year ago. Yes. It is

$8 per car

.

Is Watkins Glen worth visiting?

Many Finger Lakes State Parks exist in Upstate New York, but

Watkins Glen State Park is probably the most well-known, and certainly one of the most beautiful

. It’s packed with waterfalls, gorges, rim trails, and tent and trailer campsites.

Are dogs allowed at Watkins Glen?


Leashed dogs are allowed on the outer rim trails but not on the Gorge Trail

. The entrance to the park is right on Main Street in Watkins Glen. You are never far from the conveniences of a town while being able to get away to the wonders that are the gorges and waterfalls of Watkins Glen State Park.

How do you see the waterfalls in Watkins Glen?

Directions: From the village of Watkins Glen, head south on State Route 14 toward the village of Montour Falls. Take a right on South Genesee Street. Come to a stop sign and the falls will be just ahead on the right. There is a small parking area with room for two cars, but there is additional parking on Main Street.

What falls are in Watkins Glen?

Within Watkins Glen, I noticed at least four named waterfalls –

Cavern Cascade, Central Cascade, Rainbow Falls, and Pluto Falls

. There were several more cascades along the Watkins Glen, including a loud and mostly hidden one by the Sentry Bridge by the Main Entrance at the far eastern end of the park.

Is Watkins Glen nice?

You will find friendly towns and magnificent views everywhere. Sitting between Niagara Falls and New York City is Watkins Glen, New York.

It is the perfect village to visit for activities in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.