Explore Letchworth State Park: 11 Facts You Should Know!

Letchworth  State Park is situated in New York and is a center of attraction for its prehistoric developments, outdoor activities as well as panoramic views ; 

• Recreational activities:  Park’s major attraction is its outdoor activities which attract the majority of families for hiking, fishing, camping, and boating
• Cultural events: Park area hosts several cultural and heritage events to attract travelers.
• Natural beauty: Due to the park’s natural geology it is home to a variety of flora and fauna, offering scenic views to its guests.

History and Facts

• Letchworth State Park was established in 1907 by New York State Governor Charles Evans Hughes. It was a gift from William Pryor Letchworth, a retired businessman, and philanthropist who had meticulously developed the 1,000-acre “Glen Iris” estate for fifty years. 
• Upon his death in 1910, the Park began its transformation into a State Park. The first renovations were overseen by the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, and the Genesee State Park Commission planned many more.
•  After WWII, the Civilian Conservation Corps assisted in saving the Park, and it has since grown and evolved. 
• With approximately 14,000 acres and a diverse range of events and amenities, the Park now attracts over a million people every year.

Location

• Address: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 
• Location: New York, United States
• Pin Code: 14427

                                 Letchworth state park address – Bing Maps

• Letchworth State Park’s gorge has a geologic history dating back 400 million years. 
• The rocks are sedimentary, and created from sand, shells, pebbles, and other material pieces.
• The rock is predominantly shales, with some limestone and sandstone thrown in for good measure, and some strata are red due to iron oxide accumulated during a strong oxidizing climate.

Weather Conditions

• Summer average low temp. – 37 degrees.
•  Summer average high – 97 degrees. 
• Rainy months –  May and October.

Wind Range

Rainfall (in)

Snow Range:

Flora & Fauna

Plants:

• Eastern white pine
• Red oak
• Sugar maple
• White ash
• Black cherry
• Red maple
• Shagbark hickory
• Hemlock
• Wild grape
• Poison ivy

Animals:

• White-tailed deer
• Black bear
• Eastern coyote
• Bobcat
• Red fox
• Gray squirrel
• Eastern chipmunk
• Raccoon
• Bald eagle
• Great blue heron
• Wild turkey
• Canada goose
• Wood duck

Activities

• Hiking: Around 60 miles of trails scattered across 20 different route alternatives provide a range of hiking opportunities, ranging from simple to challenging, short to extensive excursions that occupy most of the day.

• Camping: Letchworth State Park includes RV campsites that can accommodate vehicles up to 50 feet long.
  • Fees – $27-$30/night

• When exiting the park, there is a disposal station. 
• The sites are not enormous, yet they are enough for all of your needs.
• Visit: https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/letchworth-state-park/NY/375/overview

• Whitewater Rafting: Adventure Calls Outfitters offers rafting trips down the Genesee River at Lee’s Landing. It takes a few hours and can be done on rafts or inflatable kayaks. Trips typically last 2-3 hours and are weather-dependent. Whitewater rafting is a great activity for groups and families, as the rapids are milder.
• Hot air balloon on falls The most costly activity to indulge in when visiting Letchworth State Park is hot air balloon rides. 
• Trips leave at the Upper Falls parking lot and travel to numerous places, including Upper Falls and the Genesee River. Individual trips are expensive, but small group tours are more affordable.
• Swimming at High Bank Outdoor area: The Highbanks Recreation Area is a popular summer camp destination owing to its big Olympic-sized swimming pool and hiking and bike routes. 

• There are picnic spaces and party tents available. The Park Police Headquarters is situated in the neighborhood.
• Fees – $1-$2/day.

• Wildlife Watching: Letchworth State Park is a certified BCA, making it ideal for both experienced and inexperienced bird watchers. During the year, several bird species may be seen, as well as other creatures such as deer, turkeys, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Sunrise in the morning: Letchworth is an excellent location for seeing the dawn over the canyon. There are several viewpoints to select from, including Mt. Morris Dam and Hogsback Overlook, as well as Great Bend and Archery Field Overlooks. Come early to ensure you have a good place to take photos.
• Waterfalls: There are so many waterfalls spread around the park that you’re bound to come upon a couple more while exploring. Some are more seasonal, peaking in the spring, while others are visible all year.

• Don’t miss the trek to the top of Upper Falls while touring the area. Don’t forget to look to your right, away from the massive Upper Falls, as you ascend the Gorge Trail to the summit. 
• Just below, you’ll be able to view the lesser, but still spectacular, tributary falls cascading into the Genesee River.
• Waterline Falls, visible on Trail 19, those at Wolf Creek Picnic Area, and those seen from a distance at the Tea Table Overlook are some of our other favorites.

Fooding

• Highbanks Campsite: it is a grocery store inside the park to buy quick snacks.
• Lower Falls Recreation Park: offers varieties of fast and junk food.
• Trailside Lodge: Serves 3 meals including breakfast, supper, and dinner.
• Humphrey Nature Center: offers mid-day snacks.

Based on best ratings and closeness below are some of the recommendations- 

1. Brian’s USA Diner

#1 of 13 Restaurants in Mount Morris

5524 Mount Morris Rd

7.9 miles from Letchworth State Park

2. Glen Iris Inn

#1 of 2 Restaurants in Castile

7 Letchworth State Park

6.4 miles from Letchworth State Park

3. Questa Lasagna

#2 of 13 Restaurants in Mount Morris

55 Main St

6.7 miles from Letchworth State Park

4. Charcoal Corral

#2 of 10 Restaurants in Perry

7037 Chapman Ave

3.8 miles from Letchworth State Par

5. Lumber Yard Restaurant

#1 of 10 Restaurants in Perry

18 Federal St S

4.7 miles from Letchworth State Park

g. Lodging

• Letchworth State Park Lodge: 

Amenities – private baths,

Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. 

Balconies with a view of the park.

Features – restaurant, lounge, and gift shop.

• Cabins:

Size – up to 6 people

Amenities – electricity and heating 

Fees – 

$132-$568/week (Per night: daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge)

• Maplewood Lodge

Fees – 

$350/night – 2-night minimum
$523/Holiday Weekend – 3-night minimum
$700/4-5 nights non-peak
$800/week (4-5 nights) peak season (June-Aug)
Brochure

• Parker’s Hideaway

Peak – $1000/5-day week Friday – Wednesday
Non-Peak – $1000/5-day week Friday-Wednesday; $300/night.

• Nearby Hotels: Based on best ratings and closeness below are some of the recommendations- 

1. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Mount Morris, NY
2. Hampton Inn Geneseo
3.  Quality Inn

h. Facilities

It offers a variety of recreational facilities and amenities for visitors to enjoy. Some of the facilities available Park include:

• Picnic Areas: Many designated picnic spots with grills and picnic tables are scattered throughout the park.
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Camping
• Boating
• Grills
• Laundry
• Food Service – Seasonal
• Group Day-use Facilities
• Hot Showers
• Park Store
• Parking
• Restrooms
• Scenic Overlook
• Swimming – River
• Trails – Hiking
• Tubing
• Visitor Center/Museum
• Watercraft Rentals
• Wildlife Viewing

Best Time to Visit

• Summer  – the busiest and most crowded season with activities including tubing, kayaking, swimming, and more.
• Winter – the least crowded season, with fewer campsites and few people on the trails or the lake.

Sightseeing

• National Warplane Museum: The National Warplane Museum is located 7 miles north of Letchworth State Park and houses a remarkable collection of aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It is an excellent destination for both history enthusiasts and casual tourists.
• Humphrey Nature Center: The Humphrey Nature Center, at the Castile Entrance of Letchworth State Park, has interactive displays, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. The Autism Nature Trail was recently added, and it provides ADA-compliant facilities and equipment for children to enjoy securely.
• Visitor center: Before entering a park, nature lovers should always visit a tourist center. Letchworth State Park’s visitor center is towards the park’s south end, near the Castile and Portageville entrances. It is one of the greatest places to become acquainted with what awaits you within the park.
• Mount Morris Dam: It is a 313-foot-tall dam erected in the 1940s for flood management, is located in Letchworth State Park. Visitors can look at the dam and take photographs, or they can join guided excursions that are given seasonally. The guided tours take guests on a 1.5-mile walk through the dam, where they may snap photographs and learn about the history.
• The William Pryor Letchworth Museum: If you want to see rare things from Letchworth’s collection of natural history and archaeological relics from throughout the world, this is the place to go. 

• It was built in 1913 as his library and was subsequently transformed into a museum that displays pioneer and Native American artifacts and memorabilia. 
• It also houses a mastodon skull discovered in Pike, a nearby town.
• The Glen Iris Inn: If you want to see rare things from Letchworth’s collection of natural history and archaeological relics from throughout the world, this is the place to go.
•  It was built in 1913 as his library and was subsequently transformed into a museum that displays pioneer and Native American artifacts and memorabilia. It also houses a mastodon skull discovered in Pike, a nearby town.

Reservations

Entrance Fee

• $10/vehicle
  $35/Non-Profit Buses
  $75/Commercial Buses
• 
  Entry hrs
  9 am – 5 pm, daily
• 
  Step 1:Visit Letchworth State Park (ny.gov)

• Step 2: Click on “Reservations” from the main menu bar.
• Step 3: Proceed with the reservation of choice
• Step 4: Choose the period (day/time) of reservation.
• Step 5: Ifill the requested info.
• Step 6: Pay the admission fee using any card online.
• Step 7: Validate your booking and wait for an email confirmation.
• Step 8: Bring your email confirmation and any necessary equipment or materials on the day of your reservation.

Rules for Pets

Pets are permitted in the park with all liability towards their owner.

Specific Rule or Restriction

The following broad guidelines and limitations may be present in Letchworth State Park:

• Every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the park is accessible.
• Except for in specific places and during activities that are allowed, alcohol is not allowed in the park.
• Except in specific areas, smoking is not permitted anywhere in the park.
• All animals must always be in control and on a leash.
• In authorized sites and with a current New Jersey fishing license, fishing is permitted.
• The water in the park is not suitable for swimming.
• Only approved routes and roads are bicycle-friendly.
• The park does not allow camping or open burning.

Ritika Vaishnav

Greetings Everyone!
I’m Ritika Vaishnav a freelance content writer with a passion for creating educational and engaging content on a wide range of topics. I love to travel and write about it.