New York’s Letchworth State Park certainly lives up to its “Grand Canyon of the East” nickname.
This Genesee River gorge is breathtaking with three major waterfalls that cut through cliffs as high as 600 feet in places.
Things to see and do
Once you are inside the park, Letchworth makes it easy to fill an entire day—or several—without feeling rushed. Often called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” the park is famous for its three spectacular waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and scenic overlooks along the Genesee River. Letchworth offers 66 miles of hiking trails, plus horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
It also welcomes visitors with guided nature walks, history and performing arts programs, a summer lecture series, kayaking, whitewater rafting, a swimming pool, and unforgettable hot air balloon rides over the gorge. Whether you’re there for the scenery, outdoor adventure, or simply a peaceful picnic with a view, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy one of New York’s most beloved state parks.
And more…
The William Pryor Letchworth Museum sits right on park grounds and focuses on the story of William P. Letchworth and the Genesee Valley. You can also learn about the people who lived in the region, including Seneca history, Mary Jemison, and the Genesee Valley Canal, which is open from May through October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Humphrey Nature Center opened in 2016 and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here you will enjoy interactive exhibits on geology, wildlife, botany, and river ecology. There’s also an outdoor classroom, butterfly garden, bird observation station, and trail access to places like Trout Pond and Inspiration Point Overlook.
Nearby sights
There is also plenty to see in the general area when you want to branch out from Letchworth State Park itself. The Genesee Valley Greenway is a 90-mile trail that passes by Letchworth and includes Silver Lake State Park, Hamlin Beach State Park, Darien Lakes State Park, and Stony Brook State Park. All are worth a look!
You won’t need to drive very far to access the Conesus Lake Boat Launch or activities like Balloons Over Letchworth, Adventure Calls Outfitters, and the historic Glen Iris Inn.
A trip to Letchworth State Park means you can pair big-scenery time with lake time, trail time, and a little history, too!
Places to stay
For RV camping, three well-reviewed choices stand out in the Letchworth area:
- Letchworth State Park Campground offers RV, tent, cabin, and glamping sites.
- Jellystone Park™ of Western New York features full hookup RV sites, two water parks, and mini-golf—all with a big family-activity focus.
- Holiday Hill Campground in Dansville offers RV-friendly electric, water, and sewer hookups along with Wi-Fi. It’s a good choice for travelers who want a quieter private campground near the park.
Getting there
The park’s official address is 1 Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY. You can follow the GPS to this open-year-round park.
For tent and trailer campers, the park recommends entering through the Mt. Morris or Perry gates, while cabin guests are directed to the Castile gate and the visitor center on the south end.
If you are coming from Rochester or Albany, the official route points you to I-390 south and the Mt. Morris exit; from Buffalo, the park directions begin with I-90 to Route 400 South, then onward through 20A and the park gates. For RVers who want the falls, museum, and Glen Iris area first, the Portageville entrance is the most convenient choice.
You should go!
If your RV trip is heading through western New York, Letchworth State Park deserves a stop. Come for the gorge views, the waterfalls, and the museum. Then use the nearby campgrounds and surrounding attractions to turn one park visit into a full and memorable getaway.
Have you visited this part of New York? Tell us in the comments below.
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RVT1269
A hidden gem describes it perfectly. I grew up on Long Island and never heard of it until some friends decided to go up there for a few days. We stayed in the lodge in the park and totally enjoyed the hiking, the river rafting, and just the beautiful scenery. Not too far is also Corning New York where glassware is made. To see the things they can make with glass is a feast for the eyes.
We’ve enjoyed both of those! We also stumbled across the Glenn Curtiss air museum after visiting the Corning glassware museum, that was a really nice, unexpected discovery as well.
Shhhhh! We come here often. It was a well kept secret 😆
I grew up about half an hour away from Letchworth, so it was a frequent destination. I moved to the SW in my 30s, but Letchworth Gorge apparently put its stamp on me, because now Grand Canyon is at least an annual destination. Some may think each is a hole in the ground, but they are happy places for me.
The campground is lovely and the park is one of the best I have ever visited!
Thank you for the suggestion, Gail. Have a great week and safe travels!
Living 60 miles south of Letchworth so have been there a few times, also I live a 10 minute drive from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (Leonard Harrison State Park) which we locals also consider to be the grand canyon of east. Not totake anything away from Letchworh most all of western and upstate New York have many beautiful places to visit.