Fillmore Glen ~ Moravia, NY

Fillmore Glen is one of those underrated parks that few people know about. In addition to nature and waterfalls, there is history in the park. This park is a great place to get back to nature and appreciate some of the most beautiful scenery in New York State.

Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn a small commission if you purchase products from our site, at no additional cost to you.

Just south of Owasco Lake is Fillmore Glen, a 941-acre State Park named after Millard Fillmore, 13th President of the United States. While the trails were opened in 1921, Fillmore Glen didn’t become a park until 1925.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive Early – As with any destination, if you want to have the park to yourself, get there early. We were able to hit the gorge trail before the park officially opened because we happened to be camping here.
• Visit during bad weather -It might not sound appealing, but it is another way to enjoy the park at low capacity. And not for nothing, the rain makes already beautiful waterfalls even more impressive.
• Always wear comfortable shoes. The mist from the waterfalls can make areas slippery, and there is a great deal of walking involved if you want to see the entire park. Some of the trails here can be muddy after it rains. NO FLIP FLOPS!
• If you want to camp at Fillmore Glen, I highly recommend making your reservation far in advance. This is a small campground, and it fills up quickly.

Trails

There are 3 trails in Fillmore Glen State Park; The North Rim Trail, The South Rim Trail, and the Gorge Trail. The trail systems at the far end of the park tend to be a little tougher than the trails near the front of the park, especially if you are climbing out of the gorge. The North Rim trail is especially steep. The Gorge Trail is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the earlier morning. We started our hike very early and had the whole place to ourselves. It was fantastic!

This is definitely one of the nicest gorge trails that we have hiked. While the scenery is not as dramatic as Watkins Glen State Park or Stony Brook State Park, the setting is undeniably more natural. There is also the matter of crowds. The crowds at those parks can be overwhelming, which is not the case at Fillmore Glen.

The gorge trail is honestly the most beautiful area in the entire park. The gorge twists and turns and the sunlight filters down through the trees creating spots of light and shadows. The trails are mostly gravel, and when it rains, exceptionally muddy. Proper footwear is a must because the trails can be very slippery. This is a no-flip flop zone.

Waterfalls

There are several waterfalls in the park. These are most sensational in the Spring or after heavy rain. However, even in the summer and dry weather, these waterfalls are magnificent with several drops. The easiest waterfall to view is Cowshed Falls. There is a short, flat trail from the swimming area. This is a stunning waterfall that is definitely worth a visit. There are several falls along the gorge trail. There another gorgeous waterfall that can only be seen from the end of the North Rim Trail.

Camping

There is a campground in Fillmore Glen located a the front of the park with 60 campsites and 3 cabins. The sites are fairly close together, but one of the nice features is the creek the runs through the campground (as well as the park.) Many of the campsites back up to the creek. We managed to get a site right along the creek, and my kids loved it.

Firewood can be purchased right across the street from the park at the Speedway Gas Station. Pets are permitted in the campground and the rest of the park (except in the buildings) with proof of rabies vaccination. No more than 2 dogs, and they must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet long.

Swimming

The is a swimming pool cut into the creek. Swimming isn’t always available due to inclement weather or no lifeguards on duty. There is a picnic pavilion with bathrooms right near the pool.

Millard Fillmore’s Cabin

The 13th President of the United States, Millard Fillmore, was born not far from the park. There is a replica of the cabin located in the big field near the swimming area. The cabin is furnished as it would have been back in Millard Fillmore’s day. It is a great piece of history and an unexpected little bonus that we weren’t anticipating.

Getting to Fillmore Glen

Address: 1686 NYS Route 38, Moravia, NY

Google Map Link

Other Places to Visit

Have you visited Fillmore Glen State Park? How do you think it compares to other New York State Parks? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment.