Day Trip to Letchworth State Park
On Saturday, October 5, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day by going for a drive. We hoped to see some pretty Autumn colors. Our original plan was to go to Allegany State Park, near Salamanca NY. This park is about a 45-minute drive from our house. We were about half way to Allegany State Park, when I asked Bob how far it was from our location to Letchworth State Park. “Hey Google. How far is it from my location to Letchworth State Park?”, Bob asked. Well, we didn’t have a signal, so that question had to be repeated a short while later. Instead of turning right onto Interstate 86, we went straight ahead, and that is how we ended up at Letchworth State Park instead of Allegany State Park.
Letchworth State Park is located 35 miles south of Rochester, NY. The park, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, is a spectacular place. The park’s magnificent scenery includes waterfalls (three major ones on the Genesee River) and a gorge. We have visited Letchworth State Park many times over the years. We enjoy our visit each time we go.
We arrived at the park a little after noon, entering via the south (the Portageville entrance). We have the New York Empire Pass, which provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to New York State Parks. We made stops at the Upper and Middle Falls between the Portageville entrance and the Archery Field exit.
Upper Falls
Middle Falls
Rainbow at Middle Falls
We ate lunch at the Charcoal Grill in Perry, NY. This is a great place to eat, if you are in the area. There are three food places — the grill, a pizzeria and an ice cream stand. We have stopped at the Charcoal Grill a few times, while in the area. So far we have eaten at each food place, except for the pizzeria. The pizza smells really good, though … maybe next time. I ordered broasted chicken with coleslaw and french fries. Bob ordered beef on weck and onion rings. As always, the food was delicious.
After lunch we drove farther north and reentered Letchworth State Park via the Mt. Morris entrance. We drove south, making a few stops to take pictures of the gorge, before exiting the park via the Portageville exit.
Hogsback Overlook
The photographs (and video) that follow were taken in the Great Bend area of the park.
We watched several rafters go down the Genesee River.
Not much color yet
This was the most color that we saw, while at Letchworth State Park.
Many people took advantage of the nice day, as we did. The park was full of people!
We had a wonderful day. We returned home around 6:00 pm.
The Beauty Around Us 
7 Responses to “Day Trip to Letchworth State Park”
Now there’s a great park! Probably one of the nicest parks to visit in the Eastern U.S.! Kathy and I both have said it’s one of our favorites! We should try going up there together at some point next year.
It is one of our favorite NY parks as well. We would love to go with you and Kathy sometime next year. We will be purchasing the Empire Pass again, so we will have free entry all year next year.
We visited Letchworth many years ago. I think it’s time we went back.
We better know far in advance of when you go there, so we can meet up with you and Betsy!
Hello, This looks like another great park. We will add it to our bucket list of places to visit. Your photos are beautiful. Wishing you a happy day!
Thus definitely looks like a great place to visit again and again, Linda. The waterfalls were wonderful to see and what a lucky capture of a rainbow. I would not have been among those rafting on the river.
Me neither, in regards to rafting on the River!