Take the Easier Way - How to Hike Watkins Glen State Park
Take the Easier Way - How to Hike Watkins Glen State Park
by Nancy Carter, Making My Own Lane
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Watkins Glen is a state park in the New York Finger Lakes region located in Watkins Glen, NY, about one and a half hours south of Rochester.
The park itself is less than two square miles, but don’t let that fool you.
The 19 waterfalls and 400-foot deep gorge are spectacular.
And yes, this can be a challenging hike, with many steps to get up into the falls area.
However, there is an easier way, and a harder way. Let me share with you the easier way, some of the amazing sights you will experience along your path, and a few tips that will make your day much more enjoyable.
How long does it take to hike Watkins Glen?
You can hike the main Gorge Trail, where you will see all 19 of the waterfalls and sights in less than two hours. Even if you stop to take lots of pictures, like I did.
It’s 1.5 miles long.
I recommend getting there in the morning, no later than 10 am or so. This will help you to beat the crowds, and avoid the hottest part of the day.
I did this hike in July, and it was hot, but the waterfalls and tree cover along the way help to keep you a little cooler.
Bring the proper gear for your hike
You don’t need a lot, but I would recommend a few things to make your hike more enjoyable.
1. Proper hiking shoes. The trails will be wet in spots, and rocky. So it is important to wear shoes with non-slip soles that you will be comfortable in if your feet get wet.
My favorite hiking shoe is a hiking sandal. They are the most comfortable hiking shoes I have ever worn. Non-slip, my feet can breathe and expand (as my feet often do as the day goes on), and if my shoes get wet, I don’t have to worry about blisters or wet socks.
If you would like to know more about my favorite hiking shoes, click here to check them out. I earn a small commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
2. Water. I also bring a bottle of water with me, especially on a hot day. There isn’t anywhere to buy food or water on the trail.
3. A light snack. Another thing I like to carry with me is an Uncrustable, a frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwich that will thaw while you hike.
Sometimes I eat it for lunch, and sometimes just a snack. Even on shorter hikes, there are many times I was happy just to sit for a minute and eat a quick bite.
4. Use the bathroom before you start. There are three entrances to the trail. The Upper Entrance, The Main Entrance, and the South Entrance.
All of the entrances have bathrooms and a snack shack of sorts. The Main Entrance is the one right on Franklin Street where the Visitor Center is.
5. Grab a map. It’s hard to get lost on this trail, but you might see something else on the map that you want to see.
Are pets allowed on the trails?
Pets are not allowed on the Gorge Trail, but you can bring them on the North or South Rim trails.
Is there an entrance fee for Watkins Glen State Park?
If you enter on foot, it’s free. If you have to park your car or RV, it will cost you $10, unless you are camping in the park. Then your camping pass also serves as your parking pass.
In fact, with your camping or parking pass, you can park for “free” at any New York State Park for the duration of your pass!
Where should I begin my hike?
The Gorge Trail is the main trail through the park. There are also the North Rim Trail and the South Ridge Trail, which I did spend a little bit of time on because I wanted to walk over the suspension bridge, not just under it. I have this thing for walking over tall bridges. (link)
If you look at the way the points of interest on their map are numbered, 1 to 12, it seems like the best place to start is the main entrance.
However, if you start at the main entrance, you will find your hike will be mostly uphill, with an elevation gain of about 550 feet.
After studying the map, I decided to park at the Upper Entrance and hike “downhill”, starting with the 180 steps that make up Jacob’s Ladder.
The top of Jacob's Ladder at Watkins Glen State Park
To me, down is better than up.
What are some of the things I will see on your hike?
After you walk down the Jacob’s ladder staircase, you will walk about a half a mile before you come to the Mile-Point Bridge. Once you walk under the bridge, turn around and look at this spectacular view.
Watkins Glen State Park Mile-Point Bridge
In fact, keep turning around throughout the entire hike and take it all it. If you just look at what’s in front of you, you will miss so much.
Continuing on, you will see Frowning Cliff, Rainbow Falls, Central Cascade (the highest waterfall at 60 feet), Glen Cathedral, and Lover’s Lane Lookout.
Watkins Glen Central Cascade
You will then pass under the suspension bridge to Cavern Cascade, where you get to walk behind a waterfall.
Watkins Glen Cavern Cascade
Next is Point Lookout, Couches Staircase (120 steps up), and the Sentry Bridge.
Or, at Point Lookout I decided to go up some steps (not the 120 at Couches Staircase) on to the North Ridge Trail, over the suspension bridge for a great view 85 feet above the creek.
Watkins Glen suspension bridge
I then continued down the South Rim trail, which literally brings you to a road, Route 329, and you can walk a short distance back to the Main Entrance and check out the Visitor Center.
I was glad I took the easier route, as I had a lot more steps I would be doing at my next stop at Letchworth State Park, also in New York!
How do you get back to where you started?
You can hike another mile and a half back uphill on the trail to your car.
Or you can do what I did, cross the street at the main entrance, pay $6 and take the Watkins Glen Park shuttle back to your car. You can pay with exact change cash, or use the QR code on a sign at the front of the bus to pay with your phone.
There were people (locals) on the bus who had parked at the main entrance and were taking the bus to the Upper Entrance to begin their hike from there.
The entire trip, from beginning to end, took me about two hours.
Where did I stay in Watkins Glen?
I stayed at the campground located right in Watkins Glen State Park!
There are six “villages” or loops to choose from.
Be sure to book your campsite as far in advance as possible. They allow up to nine months in advance, but I had no trouble finding a site four months in advance.
If you have dogs, be sure to brings copies of their recent rabies certificates, with the expiration date (not the metal tags).
The site I was on had electric, no water and no sewer, but there was a dump station and a place to fill your tanks with potable water.
The sites were large and fairly spread out, and I had plenty of room to unhook and store my tow dolly. They have a great camp store where you can get firewood and other camping related items.
The roads in each of the villages were paved, giving you a great place to ride bikes.
Watkins Glen State Park camping
They also had a large pool, which was open to anyone with a parking pass.
I haven’t seen many state parks with pools, but it’s a thing in New York!
Is Watkins Glen State Park worth going to?
YES! The hike is so beautiful and enjoyable, and the Gorge is awe-inspiring.
The parking is RV-friendly, whether you park at the Main Entrance across the street from the visitor center or at the Upper Entrance.
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about Watkins Glen State Park, or if you would like to know when I publish a new article, you can message me here.
Thanks for joining me as I continue Year 2 of this full-time RV life.
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Hi there! I'm Nancy.
In 2023, I ditched my heels for hiking boots, sold my house, and decided to travel the US full time in my 2005 Lazy Daze Class C RV.
I love to share the places I travel to and what it's like to live in an RV full-time.
If you have ever thought about hitting the road and traveling in an RV, either in your free time or full time, you are in the right place!
Follow along for weekly blog posts about my adventures as I travel the US with my two dogs, Rufus and Willie, and my cat, Katie.