The “Grand Canyon of The East” is a Beauty With 50 Waterfalls, a Historic Grave & an Annual Yoga Fest

A Grand Canyon in Upstate New York

In Upstate New York, you’ll find a natural wonder that matches the beauty of America’s most famous canyons.

Letchworth State Park covers over 14,000 acres across two counties, showing off nature’s power with its 600-foot cliffs and more than 50 waterfalls.

Many people call it the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and this impressive landscape has many surprising features that make it one of the best state parks in the country.

The Genesee River carved this canyon

Over millions of years, the Genesee River has cut through the park’s old bedrock, making a 17-mile canyon with steep walls that reach 600 feet high.

The river keeps making the gorge deeper each year as it flows north through layers of shale, siltstone, and sandstone that formed during the Late Devonian Period.

The most striking part of this natural formation includes three big waterfalls in Portage Canyon, with the impressive 107-foot Middle Falls as its centerpiece.

Spans across several counties

The park stretches across 14,427 acres in both Livingston and Wyoming counties in western New York. This huge area includes parts of five towns: Leicester, Mount Morris, Portage, Castile, and Genesee Falls.

The park sits in a perfect spot between major cities – 35 miles southwest of Rochester and 60 miles southeast of Buffalo.

It was a gift to New York State

William Pryor Letchworth, a generous businessman, turned his beloved Glen Iris Estate into a lasting gift for future generations when he gave the 1,000-acre property to New York State in 1906.

When he donated the land, he had some specific rules, including that the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society would manage it. He kept the right to live there until he died in 1910.

Snagged a Readers’ Choice Award

In 2015, Letchworth State Park won a big honor – USA TODAY’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best State Park, beating 19 other parks across America.

The selection process looked at more than 6,000 state parks nationwide, and the winner was announced on April 1, 2015.

Descendants of the Old Ones called the place ‘Sehgahunda’

The Seneca, whose ancestors were part of the powerful Hodenausanee (Iroquois League), saw this place as both spiritually important and practical for daily life.

Before it became Letchworth State Park, the Seneca people named this beautiful place Sehgahunda, meaning ‘Vale of Three Falls.’ They built villages in Sehgahunda during the late 1600s, where they lived, hunted, and fished in what is now the park.

You can still see their history today through preserved artifacts, original trails, and the Council Grounds.

Home to 66 miles of hiking trails

The hiking trails at Letchworth State Park have grown from just six miles to an impressive 66 miles of marked paths.

These trails, numbered 1 through 21, include the popular Gorge Trail and Highbanks Trail, where you can see amazing views.

The best-known trail is the 7-mile Gorge Trail, which follows the park road past three beautiful waterfalls and Inspiration Point.

If you want a bigger challenge, try the 24-mile Letchworth Trail along the eastern rim. It has yellow markers and gives you unforgettable views of the ancient gorge below.

Loads of outdoor recreation options

At Letchworth State Park, you can do much more than just hiking. The park offers fun activities in every season.

You can go whitewater rafting on Class II and III rapids or enjoy peaceful fishing spots along the Genesee River. Water lovers can use two swimming pools and kayak launches, while on land you can explore 66 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

In winter, the park transforms into a place for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. For something really special, you can take hot air balloon rides over the gorge or watch the Middle Falls lit up on summer nights.

Some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the East Coast

Powerful waterfalls rush through Letchworth State Park’s impressive gorge system, with three main waterfalls as its highlights.

The Middle Falls is the tallest at 107 feet, while the horseshoe-shaped Upper Falls is 70 feet high and the Lower Falls stretches 150 feet wide.

Beyond these main falls, the park has over 50 waterfalls, including Inspiration Falls, which is New York’s highest at 350 feet. The gorge walls rise up to 550 feet, framing these spectacular falls as the Genesee River cuts through layers of ancient rock.

Inspiration Point is the best viewing spot in the park

High above the winding Genesee River gorge, Inspiration Point offers the best views in Letchworth State Park.

From this spot between Middle and Upper Falls, you can see both waterfalls with 600-foot cliffs and thick forest in the background.

William Pryor Letchworth himself named this lookout, which has amazed visitors since the early 1900s.

The grave of Mary Jemison is a treasured spot

One of the most meaningful historical sites in Letchworth State Park is the grave of Mary Jemison, who connected two different cultures during America’s colonial period.

The Seneca Indians captured her in 1755 when she was 12 years old, then adopted her and named her Dehgewanus.

Her grave, marked by a granite monument and bronze statue, sits on a hill overlooking the Middle Falls of the Genesee River.

Near her grave, you can see her daughter Nancy’s original cabin and a Seneca Council House, which help tell the story of her remarkable life between Native American and European cultures.

The Mount Morris Dam is near one of the entrances

At the north entrance of Letchworth State Park stands an impressive piece of engineering – the Mount Morris Dam. This concrete dam is 250 feet tall and 1,028 feet across the Genesee River, making it the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi River.

Built in 1952 for $25 million, this massive structure protects communities along 67 miles of river valley and has stopped an estimated $4.1 billion in flood damage.

You can take ranger-led tours inside the dam, including an elevator ride 200 feet down into its core.

Home to The Humphrey Nature Center

The Humphrey Nature Center, which opened in June 2016, is the park’s main place for learning about nature.

Inside, you’ll find hands-on exhibits about the park’s wildlife, plants, geology, and river life, including a video showing the gorge in all four seasons.

The building itself is eco-friendly, using solar power, collecting rainwater, and saving energy. Visitors can explore the butterfly garden, watch birds at the observation station, and join educational programs throughout the year.

Nature trails connect the center to important park features like Trout Pond and Inspiration Point Overlook.

New York State Yoga Fest happens here every year

Every year, over 1,400 people come to Letchworth State Park for the New York State Yoga Fest.

The festival happens in June and September, turning the park’s 14,427 acres into a place for wellness, with yoga classes for all skill levels.

People gather at the Highbanks Recreation Area for outdoor classes, including Hikyoga sessions that mix hiking with yoga. Local vendors, artists, and musicians help create a lively atmosphere during the event.