When it comes to beautiful scenery, very few places can compare to Watkins Glen State Park. Whether you enjoy hiking along the nature trails or taking in the incredible views, recreational opportunities abound. Watkins Glen State Park is located at 1009 North Franklin Street Watkins Glen, New York. For more information, click here.
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Watkins Glen is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound.
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The park’s main attraction is the two-mile long Gorge Trail that showcases 19 gorgeous waterfalls. The trail descends 400 feet and leads you past 200-foot cliffs, over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade.
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There are several other trails within the park, that all lead to breathtaking views.
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The Cavern Cascade waterfall is the most popular attraction in the park, and allows visitors a unique opportunity to get up close and personal to this amazing natural wonder.
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The park is a well known destination for hiking and photography, but its also a great place for camping and fishing.
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The park has over 300 campsites with both primitive and modern hook ups available as well as 9 cabins available to rent. Campers and day visitors can enjoy the Olympic size swimming pool, several play grounds, as well as picnic facilities located throughout the park.
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There is also excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.
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In 2015, the park was chosen from more than 6,000 state parks across the nation as a nominee in the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Poll for Best State Park in the United States, and won third place!
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Best Time: The park is open year round, so it’s hard to decide which season is the best to visit. During the fall the park decorated in all the seasonal colors, creating an inspiring backdrop. During the spring months, visitors can enjoy seeing the waterfalls at full strength, as seasonal rains amplify the parks natural beauty.
For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in New York, click here. For nearby lodging, click here. For the best family activities in the area, click here.