Generally known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth is not your common state park.
Mountaineering, whitewater rafting, horseback using and waterfalls galore are only a few of the options that made Letchworth State Park the highest decide of the USA As we speak Reader’s Selection Award for finest state park within the nation in 2015.
The park is about 45 minutes south of Rochester, and encompasses 14,350 acres and roughly 17 miles that spans Livingston and Wyoming counties. The Genesee River runs by way of a 550-foot-tall gorge that cuts by way of the park. In summer time months, the park’s lush forests are full of hikers, cyclists and guests wanting to view cascading waterfalls that dot the panorama.
Whether or not spending a number of hours or days within the park, there’s lots to do:
Mountaineering
Hikers have entry to roughly 66 miles of trails that modify in problem and size, from a half-mile to eight miles. The 20 primary trails, are marked and are accessible from the park’s primary street, which stretches from Mount Morris to Portageville. Whereas Letchworth’s trails aren’t essentially the most difficult, the park gives one thing for everybody. Irrespective of your age or health stage, you will discover a path to beat. Cease by the park’s Customer Heart for a free path map.
Decrease Falls
Stroll down 127 stone steps on a half-mile path to a stone footbridge the place you may view the park’s Decrease Falls. Don applicable footwear for this hike, as mist from the falls dampens some pathways and may make for a fairly muddy trek. Cross the footbridge and proceed down the soggy footpath for extra views of the falls and the river gorge. Whereas mountain climbing you may run your palms over the gorge’s partitions of Devonian shale, limestone and sandstone.
Autism Nature Path
The one-mile lengthy loop of the Autism Nature Path opened in 2021 because the nation’s first nature path particularly designed to deal with sensory wants for folks with autism and different developmental disabilities. The path of crushed stone, situated within the woods close to the Humphrey Nature Heart, consists of eight marked sensory stations together with a music circle with nature-inspired devices, a design zone the place hikers use sticks and branches to create forts and teepees, and the playful path, the place hikers observe loops with completely different surfaces together with sand, log rounds and river stones. The Humphrey Nature Heart is open from 10 a.m. to five p.m. day by day.
Glen Iris Inn
As soon as the house of William Pryor Letchworth, who gifted the park land to New York, the Glen Iris is now an inn and restaurant, an incredible spot for a noon meal. Sandwiches, salads and entrees are all accessible from the numerous lunch menu. Caroline’s Restaurant can be open for breakfast and dinner. Adirondack chairs line the entrance of the home for patrons to relaxation their toes, or sip a beverage. The Inn is situated atop a cliff close to Center Falls. Stroll about 30 toes from the entrance door to an overlook for a panoramic view. The inn gives in a single day lodging beginning at $140 per evening. Name (585) 493-2622 for extra data.
Tenting
Cabins, tent and trailer tenting are all accessible inside the park. Letchworth has greater than 250 campsites, although none are situated by the river. A number of the 81 cabins can be found year-round. Reserve cabins early, as they promote out in peak season. Not all cabins have electrical energy or loos. Nightly campsite charges begin at $29. Cabins vary from $52.50 to $142. To order a campsite or cabin, name 1-800-456-2267 or go to www.reserveamerica.com.
Center and Higher Falls
Steps away from the Glen Iris Inn, you can see Center Falls. The 107-foot waterfall is among the many busiest spots inside the park. Pathways by the falls provide quite a lot of views from overlooks. Preserve a watch out for rainbows, as you may usually discover one or two within the mist. Observe a flat riverside path a couple of half-mile south to achieve the Higher Falls. An lively practice trestle spans the gorge above the falls and carries trains over the newly rebuilt bridge. Hikers are usually not allowed on the bridge.
Swimming
Beat the warmth after an extended hike with a dip within the North Pool within the park’s Highbanks Recreation Space. The swimming pool is open by way of Labor Day, from 11 a.m. by way of 5:45 p.m. on weekdays and thru 6:45 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Swimming within the Genesee River isn’t allowed.
Grave of Mary Jemison
A brief stroll (or drive) from the Glen Iris Inn is the grave of Mary Jemison, also referred to as the White Girl of the Genesee. Born on a ship en path to America in 1743, as a younger teen she was taken captive and later adopted right into a Native American household that settled in New York. A statue of Jemison accompanies her stays, that are situated by her daughter’s cottage and a restored Seneca Council Home.
Adventures
Wish to trip on the wild aspect? Letchworth gives a number of choices, together with whitewater rafting and scorching air balloons. The Genesee is a Class II-III whitewater river and guided rafting or kayaking journeys span practically six miles and final about 2 1/2 hours on the water (4 hours fromstart to complete.) Rafting charges begin at $50 per particular person. Should you’d fairly take to the skies, you may ebook a scorching air balloon trip over the park at daybreak or nightfall. Rides final round an hour and value $425 per particular person in a shared trip or $1,950 for a non-public flight. Reservations are required for each outings. To raft, name Journey Calls Outfitters at (888) 270-2410. For warm air balloon journeys, name Balloons Over Letchworth at (585) 493-3340.
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