Letchworth State Park, New York: Waterfalls, Fall Colors & What to See
Letchworth State Park in western New York is known for its deep Genesee River gorge, three major waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. It’s also a beautiful place to visit in autumn, when the wooded slopes turn yellow, orange, and red.
We visited on November 3 with my mother, sister, and 2-year-old daughter. We explored by car, stopping to walk along scenic paths and see the waterfalls. The combination of the gorge, fall colors, and rushing water made this one of the most scenic stops on our New York trip.
Here’s what you can see at Letchworth State Park, how to plan a drive-and-walk visit, and what to consider when bringing a young child.
Is Letchworth State Park Worth Visiting?
Yes. Letchworth State Park is worth visiting for its three major waterfalls, deep river gorge, and overlooks. You can enjoy several of its best-known sights by driving between parking areas and walking to viewpoints. A full-day hike isn’t necessary to see the park’s main attractions.
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Letchworth State Park waterfalls: where they are and how to reach them
All three falls are in the southern part of the park along the Gorge Trail, which runs about 7 miles on the west rim from Upper Falls north to the St. Helena Overlook. Each waterfall has parking nearby, so you can drive between them and walk the short stretches to the overlooks.
Where to Park and Walk at Letchworth State Park
| Waterfall | Where to Park | What the Walk Involves |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Falls | Upper/Middle Falls parking area | Short walk on the Gorge Trail toward the railroad bridge, with stone stairs near the falls |
| Middle Falls | Same parking area as Upper Falls | Short walk from the lot to the overlook |
| Lower Falls | Lower Falls parking area, off Lower Falls Road | About 127 stone stairs down to the viewing area and the stone footbridge |
The Portageville entrance is the closest one to Upper and Middle Falls, and it closes for winter. Late in the season, check the park’s website before you drive in.
What we saw around Upper and Middle Falls
We stayed in the Upper and Middle Falls area, and everything below was a few minutes’ walk apart.
Upper Falls and the Genesee Arch Bridge
The Genesee Arch Bridge crosses the gorge directly above Upper Falls. It’s an active Norfolk Southern rail line, and the steel arch opened in 2017, replacing an 1875 railroad bridge.
From a stone-railed stretch of the Gorge Trail, we looked up at the arch with fall color on both sides of the gorge. A little farther on, we looked down over a stone wall at the whitewater below Upper Falls through yellow leaves.
Middle Falls
Middle Falls is the tallest of the three, and the Glen Iris Inn sits right beside it. The day we went, it threw up so much mist that it blurred the cliff behind it.
A gorge overlook above the river bend
Near the falls, a low stone wall and steps curve along the rim, with the river bending through the gorge far below.
A smaller cascade off the main gorge
We also passed a smaller cascade stepping down over flat rock ledges in a side ravine, with fallen leaves piled along the banks.
With more time: Lower Falls and Inspiration Point
We didn’t make it to Lower Falls, and next time we’d give the park more time. Lower Falls has the stone footbridge across the Genesee, reached by the stairs in the table above. Inspiration Point, on the park road between Middle and Lower Falls, looks back up the gorge toward Middle Falls, Upper Falls, and the arch bridge.
Letchworth State Park in fall: what early November looked like
There was still plenty of color the first week of November: reds, oranges, and yellows mixed with dark evergreens along the rim, while some trees down in the gorge had already dropped their leaves. It was a cold day, and we had the trail and overlooks almost entirely to ourselves. We’d go back in the fall again for the colors.
Peak timing shifts every year. In mid-October 2026, the weekly I LOVE NY foliage report listed Letchworth’s southern hardwoods at peak and its northern end near peak, so check it before you plan a trip around the leaves. For another fall-color stop, see our Cavanal Hill drive in Oklahoma.
Visiting Letchworth with a 2-year-old
She got around in a mix of riding in her stroller and walking on her own, bundled in thick jackets. At the stone stairs we carried the stroller, and on some stretches we left it with my mom and mostly carried her. With four of us, we could also split up: my mom stayed with her while my sister and I explored. At 2, she was mostly just enjoying the ride.
For bigger trips with a young child, here’s how we decide what’s doable.
Where to stay near Letchworth
We stayed in hotels along our route. Inside the park, the Glen Iris Inn is open through October 31 and the cabins through November 29 for 2026, and the campground closes October 12. Outside the park, the towns near its entrances, such as Castile, Perry, and Mount Morris, are the closest places to look. You can compare hotels near Letchworth on Booking.com.
If you’re flying into western New York instead of driving, you’ll need a car to get between the park’s entrances and overlooks. Compare rental cars on Discover Cars.
Is Letchworth State Park worth the trip?
Yes, Letchworth was worth working into our road trip. Upper and Middle Falls give you the most for the least walking, and about two hours is enough to see both with a toddler.
It’s an easy add for road-trippers passing through western New York, and for any traveler who wants big waterfalls without a long hike. If you’re planning more stops like this, our state park guides cover the others we’ve visited.
More Fall Foliage Trips
- Cavanal Hill, Oklahoma – A scenic drive to the summit with colorful mountain views.
- Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas – Fall colors, scenic hiking trails, and maple trees turning brilliant shades of red and orange.
