Visited in October 2021
Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East, stretches 17 miles along the Genesee River, where the water carves a dramatic gorge and plunges over several stunning waterfalls. Located roughly 245 miles Northeast of Pittsburgh (4 hour drive), Letchworth offers some breathtaking scenery and outdoor experiences in the region.
Letchworth is best known for its three major waterfalls—Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls—all found at the southern end of the park, with Upper Falls sitting at the southern most end of the trio. The Genesee River roars north through the gorge, creating these cascades as it cuts between cliffs that rise up to 600 feet and are surrounded by lush forest. After leaving Letchworth, the river flows through Rochester before finally emptying into Lake Ontario.
- Gorge Trail
- Lower Falls
- Middle Falls
- Upper Falls
- Videos of the Waterfalls
Gorge Trail – If you have the time, the best way to experience Letchworth is by hiking the Gorge Trail, which links all three waterfalls. The trail stretches 7–8 miles one way and offers magnificent views along the gorge, passing scenic overlooks like Inspiration Point, Archery, and Big Bend. We didn’t have enough time for the full hike, so we explored the falls through a combination of driving and shorter walks between the three waterfalls.
View of the Genesee River as it flows north through the deep gorge in the park –
Lower Falls – We found this to be the most secluded and least crowded of the three waterfalls in Letchworth. After descending 127 stone steps and following a short pathways, we reached a viewpoint overlooking the 70-foot-high, impressively wide cascade framed by steep, forested cliffs. The scenery made every step up and down completely worth it.
Middle Falls – is the tallest and most impressive of Letchworth’s three waterfalls, plunging 107 feet and stretching 285 feet across. Several lookouts along the Gorge Trail offer different perspectives of this massive cascade. Due to its easy accessibility, this area tends to be busier and more crowded than other parts of the park.
Upper Falls – is a 40-foot-high, horseshoe-shaped waterfall with a picturesque iron railroad bridge stretching directly above it—together creating one of the most romantic viewpoints in the park. The bridge is still in active use and has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 2018, giving it the elegant arch-like profile that frames the falls beautifully.
Videos of the Waterfalls