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National parks and their wondrous attractions tend to overshadow many of America’s state parks, which can often be just as beautiful and much less crowded.
With nearly 10,000 state parks spread across the country, there are a ton of scenic destinations to enjoy the outdoors.
One such spot has gone under the radar for far too long, and once you’ve visited you may wonder why more travelers visit the super-touristy Niagara Falls instead of this easy-to-reach State Park with more than 20 picturesque waterfalls!
Just named the #1 State Park to visit this fall HomeToGoNew York Letchworth State Park has an impressive 4.8 rating on Google and only costs $10 for admission (cash or card only!)
Step aside, Niagara! Better waterfall experiences are in Letchworth
Overcrowded boats, thin ponchos and the risk of having your eye poked with selfie sticks – why take the risk?!
So is Niagara Falls. Yes, it’s undeniably beautiful, but don’t the best travel experiences come home when you discover something truly authentic?
That’s how you feel when you visit Letchworth State Park.
This had to be the place TLC had in mind when writing Waterfalls because you definitely shouldn’t stick to the ‘rivers and lakes you’re used to’ in New York.
There are almost twenty waterfalls to discover for the perfect photo, without having to fight for space or have that perfect moment ruined by the back of a stranger’s head.
With far fewer crowds and wide open wilderness, Letchworth is the place to be to fulfill your waterfall wanderlust, some of which are as high as 600 feet! (Niagara Falls is less than 200 feet)
Fall is perhaps the best time to visit, as a flood of fall colors begin to pop, making walks all the more enjoyable.
Waterfalls vary in size, but there are some truly beautiful sights to behold, such as the colossus of Middle Fallsone of the most sought after waterfalls for frequent park visitors.
Tip: For more insight, Outside Chronicles has put together a detailed guide to your waterfall explorations, including GPS coordinates, that you can check out here.
Great hikes and stunning views: the ‘Grand Canyon’ of the East
Letchworth offers much more than waterfalls; it’s an amazing destination for extended hikes through lush fall foliage and dramatic drop-offs.
But let’s be honest: there’s no real comparison to the actual Grand Canyon. But once you visit here, you’ll see why it lives up to the East Coast version’s name.
Yes, some of the more popular trails lead to waterfalls, but you’ll appreciate the vast canyons, flowing rivers, and towering cliffs along the way.
With over 66 miles of designated trails To explore, here are some of the best Letchworth has to offer:
- Gorge path – A total of 7 miles, with epic panoramic views of the Genessee River, waterfalls and cliffs
- Munro Trail – leads to one of the highest waterfalls in the park
- Inspiration points trail – offers beautiful views of the scenic gorge leading to Inspiration Point Falls
4 airports within easy reach
Sometimes hidden gems persist, well, hiddenbecause they are too difficult to reach. That is not the case here.
While it may take a while to fly into one of New York City’s three airports, there are four other nearby airports that provide a seamless gateway to your next fall adventure:
- Rochester International Airport (ROC) – the nearest airport; approx. 45 minutes away
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) – oh, the irony!
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) – about 2 hours drive
- Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH) – the smallest airport of the bunch; almost 2 hours drive
Upstate New York is absolutely beautiful in the fall, so don’t let a 45-minute to 2-hour drive detour you!
You’ll be enchanted as you take the scenic country lanes all the way to the park, where the burst of autumn color increases tenfold upon entry.
If you fly here, it’s not the only way to fly.
Don’t miss the unique opportunity to… hot air balloon for breathtaking views of Letchworth’s seemingly endless proliferation of natural wonders in this more than 14,000-acre State Park.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
