When you think of fall travel destinations for leaf peeping, New England undoubtedly springs to mind. But I think you should make a beeline for Letchworth State Park in New York state. Nestled between Buffalo and Rochester, Letchworth is one of the most beautiful state parks in the US. And it’s even more spectacular come October when the rushing waters of the Genessee River are framed by a sea of reds, oranges and golds.
Called the Grand Canyon of the East, the Genessee River roars through the nearly 600 feet deep snaking gorge for 17 miles and over three main waterfalls named the Middle Falls, Upper Falls and Lower Falls. About equivalent in size to the island of Manhattan, the 14,500 acre state park has more than 60 miles of hiking trails.
The combination of a dog-friendly state park, eruption of autumn colors every October, and accessible viewpoints overlooking all three major waterfalls truly makes Letchworth State Park one of the most bucket list worthy leaf peeping destination in the US.
Things to Do in Letchworth State Park
The main attraction of Letchworth State Park is the park itself. And it is truly accessible to everyone, with a wide variety of activities for the adventurous from hiking to white water rafting to scenic drives for a more relaxed visit.
Hiking in Letchworth State Park
The highlight of Letchworth State Park is its three waterfalls: the Lower Falls, Middle Falls and Upper Falls. And more than 60 miles of trails provide plenty of viewpoints to take in not only Letchworth’s star attractions, but around 50 more smaller waterfalls, wildlife and birds.
The Gorge Trail (Trail #1) is 7 miles one-way, well maintained and open year round. The incredible scenic trail passes by both the Upper Falls and the Middle Falls. You can hike all of it out and back, park another car as a shuttle at the opposite end for a one-way hike, or hike only sections of the Gorge Trail with various parking points available throughout the park. The Gorge Trail is dog-friendly as long as dogs remain on a leash.
If you’re able, the Lower Falls Trail (Trail #6A) is well worth it for the views over the Lower Falls, River Flume and stone foot bridge . It’s accessible from the Gorge Trail (Trail #1) from the Lower Falls Area, and does require going down and back up 127 steps. The Lower Falls Trail is dog-friendly as long as dogs remain on a leash.
A number of other hiking trails are available throughout Letchworth State Park. Stop by the Visitors Center near Inspiration Point or download the interactive trail map online in advance. Leashed dogs are welcome on all trails in Letchworth State Park so long as your dog is under your control at all times and on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length.
No matter which hiking trail or trails you choose, you’ll definitely want to carry a travel tripod with you for long exposure photos of the waterfalls, and at the very least water for both you and your dog.
Seeing Letchworth State Park’s Best Views Without Hiking
For those with limited mobility or even limited time, you can practically drive right up to both the Middle Falls and Upper Falls. There is parking available steps away and the overlooks are all accessible.
For a beautiful view of the Upper Falls, head to the Upper Falls Scenic Viewpoint near the Portageville Entrance. Park at the Letchworth Upper Falls parking and follow the flat and paved pathway to the viewpoint.
The Middle Falls Lookout brings you steps away from the nearly 300 foot span of rushing water as the Middle Falls drops and impressive 107 feet. This lookout can be accessed easily from two parking areas. Wheelchair users should park at the Letchworth Upper Falls parking and follow the path to the lookout. Alternatively, the Middle Falls Lookout can also be accessed by parking at the Glen Iris Inn and walking down a short flight of stone steps to the lookout.
The view of both the Middle and Upper Falls with the railroad bridge from Inspiration Point lookout is a must, and arguably one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Letchworth State Park. Follow the signs to Inspiration Point on Park Road, and there is a small parking lot with accessibility.
The Archery Field Overlook is located close to the Castile Entrance and provides a panoramic view over the Great Bend in the Genesee River gorge. You can also watch the hot air balloons at sunrise or sunset from this viewpoint. There is a small pullout to park for Archery Field Overlook off of Park Road.
Eddy’s Overlook is located near Wolf Creek Falls and provides a panoramic view over the snaking Genessee River gorge. Follow the Park Road to Eddy’s Parking.
William Pryor Letchworth Museum
Aside from hiking, stop by the William Pryor Letchworth Museum near the Middle Falls. The state park was founded in 1907 and named for Buffalo industrialist William Pryor Letchworth, who fell in love with the area and built his 1000-acre country estate alongside the Middle Falls. He donated his country estate to the State of New York. The small museum tells the story of not only the history of Letchworth, but as a tribute to William Pryor Letchworth and former people that lived there such as the Seneca and Mary Jemison.
Dog lovers will particularly enjoy the collection of photographs of Mr. Letchworth’s pet dogs and cats at Glen Iris and in Letchworth State Park.
Hot Air Ballooning over Letchworth State Park
Another absolutely breathtaking way to take in the fall foliage and stunning waterfalls is a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the gorge with Balloons Over Letchworth. Or if actually taking flight just isn’t for you, you can also watch the balloons over the gorge from Inspiration Point. Call Balloons Over Letchworth’s flight status hotline to verify flights are taking place before making an extra early wake-up.
Castile Cider Mill
Located just outside the Castile Entrance to Letchworth State Park, you’ll find the historic Castile Cider Mill. The family-owned cider mill has been operating since 1945 and makes cold-pressed apple cider and made fresh daily by hand fry cakes, along with selling their own produce from their orchard and vineyard and locally sourced products in their shop.
Fry cakes are like New England’s famed apple cider donuts, but slightly denser. Castile Cider Mill’s delicious fry cakes come in regular, apple cider and pumpkin and with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar or plain. I recommend getting a mixed box to try them all.
The cider mill isn’t dog-friendly, but you can stop in to get a hot apple cider and fry cakes to go. It’s the perfect breakfast to enjoy at the picnic tables at Eddy’s Overlook, just a few minutes drive from the cider mill when entering via the Castile Entrance to Letchworth State Park.
Charcoal Corral & Silver Lake Drive-In Movie
If you’re not exhausted from a day out of hiking in Letchworth State Park and looking for something to do in the evening, head to the Charcoal Corral & Silver Lake Movie Theater in nearby Perry. The Charcoal Corral actually offers a variety of activities including mini golf and a video arcade in additional to the drive-in movie theater, and in fall fun Halloween classics like Hocus Pocus are showing. Best of all, all facilities at the Charcoal Corral are dog-friendly, except for mini golf.
Where to Eat
Caroline’s at the Glen Iris Inn
Caroline’s Dining Room is a sit down restaurant located in the Glen Iris Inn serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from May to November. And while the Glen Iris Inn itself isn’t dog-friendly for stays, dogs are welcome to dine at Caroline’s out on the verandah.
I found the food at Caroline’s to be delicious and have dined there on both of my visits to Letchworth State Park. The menus feature a variety of selection and their staple Thanksgiving dinner always served on the lunch menu. On my latest visit, I opted for a cup of French onion soup and prime rib poutine as my main dish. And while I wouldn’t normally choose prime rib, I’m still dreaming of that delicious poutine that was perfect for refueling to continue my hike.
I recommend making a reservation in advance if you don’t want to wait for a table as Caroline’s fills up fast, even when Letchworth State isn’t too busy.
Daryl’s Pizzeria
As I mentioned, there aren’t many restaurant options close to Letchworth State Park. And I found no restaurants offering outdoor seating where I could dine with a dog other than Caroline’s.
Daryl’s Pizzeria in Perry offers both dine-in or take-out options for pizza, wings and subs. After a full day of hiking in Letchworth State Park, I was more than happy to order a pizza, boneless buffalo wings and salad for take out. Daryl’s is delicious and has been a staple in nearby Perry since 1981.
Charcoal Corral
The Charcoal Corral in Perry also has a restaurant, which is perfect if you’re heading there for the drive-in movie. There’s some outdoor seating where you can eat with your dog, or take away to enjoy during the drive-in movie.
The menu is an American diner bit of everything from hot dogs to chicken dinners. The drive-in movies just happen to be on Friday and Saturday nights, and Friday is Fish-Fry Friday at the Charcoal Corral. The fried clam basket dinner is always a winner in my book.
Best Hotels Near Letchworth State Park
There are several options for staying overnight at Letchworth State Park, and you’ll definitely at least want to spend one night to enjoy all that Letchworth and the surrounding has to offer.
Glen Iris Inn
Located right in the heart of Letchworth State Park, the Glen Iris Inn is the former country home of William Pryor Letchworth. When he donated his 1000-acre estate to New York, the manor home was enlarged and turned into a charming 15-room inn and restaurant. Staying at the Glen Iris Inn is iconic. You’re quite literally walking the hallways William Pryor Letchworth did. It is open seasonally from around Easter until the end of October.
The rooms and suites are decorated with period furniture, but boast modern amenities like air conditioning and whirlpool baths. Hotel guests also have access to a guest-only second floor porch overlooking the Middle Falls.
Unfortunately, the Glen Iris Inn is not dog-friendly. While I’ve stayed previously at the Glen Iris Inn, my latest visit with Coco brought us to seeking other nearby dog-friendly accommodation.
Microtel Inn & Suite by Wyndham Warsaw
For a dog-friendly hotel option a short drive from Letchworth State Park, we opted for Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Warsaw. The hotel is located right on Main Street with several restaurant options and shops nearby.
Rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable with in-room amenities including a small kitchenette with coffee and tea making facilities, a mini fridge and a microwave.
Coco’s favorite pet-friendly feature was the treats located at reception. There are grassy areas immediately around the hotel, perfect for taking pets out and trash bins for ease of cleaning up after your pet. And the pet fee is reasonable at $20 per night. There is no size or weight restrictions, but you can have a maximum of 2 pets per room. Housekeeping will not enter if your pet is in the room, so for longer stays you may need to request a time for housekeeping. But you can leave well-behaved pets unattended in the room while you do an activity like hot air ballooning or go out to dinner.
Camping in Letchworth State Park
Certain cabins in Letchworth State Park permit pets: 100, 200, 700, 800 loops (Perry Entrance) and C Cabin Area (Perry Entrance). There is no additional fee for pets and no size or weight restrictions. There is a maximum of 2 pets per cabin. Additionally, proof of rabies vaccination is required at check-in (this must be the certificate, metal rabies tags are not accepted). Pets may not be left unattended in cabins.
Cabins are basic with cots with mattresses, a kitchen with cooking stove, refrigerator and microwave. Guests must bring their own bedding, bathroom linens and cooking utensils.
Know Before You Go
Getting to Letchworth State Park
Getting to Letchworth State Park is easy and best reached from Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), just over an hour drive. You can also easily combine a trip to Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Jamestown with Letchworth State Park.
Letchworth State Park and the area surrounding is fairly rural, so a car is necessary for getting around. All major car rental companies are found at Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
Rochester is just one hour away, and avid cyclists can bike the Genesee Greenway Trail to Letchworth State Park. There’s also a bus service available from Rochester to Letchworth State Park on select weekends.
Letchworth State Park Entrance and Parking
Letchworth State Park is open year round from 6am – 11pm. From May – October from 9am – 6pm, there is a $10 per car entrance fee.
There are six entrances to Letchworth State Park, but not all entrances are open year round.
The Portageville Entrance takes you to the main attractions of Letchworth State Park, but is often closed in winter. Use the Portageville Entrance to access the Upper Falls parking lot, the Balloons Over Letchworth meeting point, the Glen Iris Inn and Inspiration Point.
The Castile Entrance is open year round and takes you to the main Letchworth State Park attractions. Use the Castile Entrance to access the Visitor Center, Archery Field Overlook, Humphrey Nature Center and the Glen Iris Inn.
There is ample parking in Letchworth State Park. Good places to park are the Genesee Arch Bridge Parking for the Gorge Trail (Trail #1) South Trailhead; Letchworth Upper Falls Parking for the Upper Falls, Middle Falls and Balloons Over Letchworth; Glen Iris Inn for the Middle Falls, William Pryor Letchworth Museum and Glen Iris Inn; and the Lower Falls Restaurant for the Gorge Trail (Trail #1) Lower Falls Trailhead.
Tips for Visiting Letchworth State Park
- Cell service is spotty and limited within Letchworth State Park and even the surroundings. Download offline Google maps in advance.
- Restrooms are ample throughout Letchworth State Park, though some are closed during the off season.
- Letchworth State Park is a carry-in, carry-out park, meaning there are no trash cans in the park. Be prepared to carry out any trash, such as from a picnic or your dog, with you.
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