Watkins Glen State Park-Watkins Glen, NY

History of Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is a great example of why I feel so privileged to live in this state. Watkins Glen State Park is a place of unparalleled beauty. Once a privately run tourist resort, the New York State Parks Department purchased the park in 1906. This gorgeous spot is the result of glaciation. The Finger Lakes area itself was created by glaciation during the Pleistocene era, where the movement of the Laurentide and Wisconsin ice sheets shaped the entire region. Watkins Glen State Park is a collection of waterfalls and pools within a 2-mile glen.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive Early—If you want the park to yourself, get there early. The crowds grow as the day goes on, so you can enjoy the park without a big crowd if you arrive as soon as it opens. This is especially important at the height of summer when literal busloads of tourists arrive to experience this incredible park.
• 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. We dressed appropriately for the weather (rain jackets) and had a better time in the rain because of the lack of crowds. We more or less had the place to ourselves.
• This park is big, and you will probably do a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Also, the mist from the waterfalls can make areas slippery, which is another reason proper footwear is a must. NO FLIPS FLOPS or CROCS.
• If you want to camp at Watkins Glen, I highly recommend making your reservation far, FAR in advance. This is a popular state park to camp at, and reservations fill up quickly. (Especially on Race Weekends at Watkins Glen International Raceway.)
• There are three distinct entrances to Watkins Glen State Park. I would not recommend entering the park through the Main Entrance. This entrance is right along Franklin Street, and it tends to be crowded. Traffic can often drift out into the street, blocking off the road. The better entrances are the South Entrance and the Upper Entrance.
• The Gorge Trail is closed during the winter and usually open near the end of May. The Rim Trails, however, are typically open year-round.
• Dogs are not allowed on the Gorge Trail.
• There is a $250 fine for entering or swimming in the Gorge.

Exploring Watkins Glen

There are three trails-The Gorge Trail, The South Rim Trail, and The (North Rim) Indian Trail. The Gorge Trail is by far the most stunning of all the trails. The constantly changing scenery makes this both a beautiful and awe-inspiring hike. This hike is not for anyone who gets easily winded or has bad knees. There are 800 steps on The Gorge Trail. This may sound daunting, but when you realize that there are also 19 waterfalls, it makes all that effort well worth it.

The Indian Trail is interesting because while the trail is not as impressive as The Gorge Trail, it does have a cemetery with some old graves. I love cemeteries, and we really enjoyed exploring this one. If you need a break from the crowds, this is a good place to take it, as we hardly even see anyone else here when we visit. There is a large mausoleum that contains a memorial to a man who died on the RMS Titanic.

Watkins Glen State Park is a wonderful place to bring children, but it is not for young children unless you are using a frame pack. Additionally, small children who are walking can get worn out. The Glen can be slippery in some parts due to the constant moisture, so this can be dangerous for little feet that like to run. The Gorge Trail is always the most crowded trail, and it can get narrow at times due to 2-way traffic.

Just because the Gorge Trail is closed doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Watkins Glen. The Rim trails are open almost all year round and offer a great view of the Gorge from above and many of the larger waterfalls. These trails also tend to be less crowded.

Additional Information

Learn more about camping at Watkins Glen State Park Here

The Glen does not have bathrooms or water fountains along the trails; it is essential (especially with the abundance of steps) to carry water. There are playgrounds on both the Upper Entrance and South Entrance for the kids to play on (while the adults rest). There is also a pool area with two pools: a large Olympic-size pool and a small pool that is 1 foot deep.

Getting to Watkins Glen

Address: 1009 N Franklin St
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Google Map Link

Other Places to Visit in the Area

Do you think Watkins Glen is amazing? Do you have a favorite place? or a favorite park? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.