How To Maximize Your Time At Watkins Glen State Park

Over Labor Day this year, we did something a little different: we planned an entire trip based on a video we saw on social media! I was scrolling through TikTok one day and saw a gorgeous video of a waterfall at Watkins Glen State Park, which I immediately added to my bucket list. But when a friend sent me the same video a few days later, we decided to check it out in person as soon as possible.

Now, Watkins Glen State Park is widely known as one of the most beautiful parks in New York’s Finger Lakes region. In fact, TripAdvisor ranks it as #1 on New York’s list of state parks. And there’s no denying this dramatic gorge, featuring 19 waterfalls in less than 2 miles, is breathtaking. But it’s also not what I expected.

creek rushing through layered rock at Watkins Glen State Park

While we ultimately had a great time, our visit here was a lesson in not trusting everything you see on social media.

With that in mind, I created this guide to help you avoid some common mistakes and set the appropriate expectations to enjoy your time at this gorgeous state park.

The Gorge Trail Overview

The main attraction at Watkins Glen State Park is the 1.5-mile Gorge Trail. This stunning trail descends into the gorge, where you’ll meander along a peaceful creek, gazing at waterfalls, lush greenery, and towering gorge walls.

There is so much to see here, from the vibrant trees and moss to the thousands of tiny layers that make up the gorge walls. The quaint stone bridges are also a highlight, providing great views of waterfalls from above and picture-perfect framing from below.

Rainbow Falls Watkins Glen state park. Cascading waterfall flowing into a gorge underneath a stone bridge with mossy layered rock walls on either side — *Rainbow Falls, arguably the most beautiful spot on the trail*

Of course, the main attraction is the 19 waterfalls of varying sizes along the trail. As a waterfall chaser, the sheer number of falls in such a short span was like a dream come true!

The waterfalls come in all different sizes and environments, with some pouring smoothly over cliffs and others tumbling down rocky ravines. All of them are beautiful, however, and you won’t go long without seeing one at any point on this trail.

The stone pathway that runs the length of the trail looks like something out of a storybook, with its cobblestone-style design and rock walls. However, it is also pretty narrow, with just enough room for two people to pass by, making things rather difficult on a crowded day.

The trail itself is moderately challenging, with quite a few stairs and some rather slippery spots. In many places, the path runs beneath a waterfall or cascade, which keeps the rocks wet (and sometimes submerged) almost all the time. However, there are enough flat areas and places to rest that just about anyone could do the whole trail if they take their time.

rocky staircase at Watkins Glen — *“Couch’s Staircase”* *leading from the Gorge Trail to the Southern Rim Trail*

Note: There are also two additional trails that run along either side of the gorge, but they are pretty dull in comparison. They have a couple of scenic outlooks, but the overall view isn’t nearly as epic. However, they’re a fantastic way to avoid the crowds on your return trip.

My Experience At Watkins Glen + What Not to Do

*Quieter fall just below Cavern Cascade*

With so much beauty to see in one spot, Watkins Glen probably sounds like a real-life fairy tale come to life. And with the right preparation, it definitely can be. But if you go in unprepared, you might struggle to find that happy ending.

Before visiting Watkins Glen, I did a bit of research to try and prepare myself. Unfortunately, a relatively limited number of blogs were available, and I was left with several unanswered questions. Using my previous hiking experience, I tried to prepare myself as best as possible but made a few wrong decisions. We did a few things right, too. But I want to use this time to make sure all your questions are answered so you can go in fully prepared.

Parking at Watkins Glen

*The main entrance from downtown Watkins Glen*

Watkins Glen State Park has multiple entrances, including one that’s literally right in the middle of downtown Watkins Glen! However, not all of the entrances have large parking lots. We read online that the Upper Entrance (3310 Route 409
Watkins Glen, NY 14891) is typically the least crowded. Plus, you start your gorge journey by descending Jacob’s Ladder (a series of 180 stairs) rather than ending it by going up them.

Parking on-site costs $10 per vehicle. However, we accidentally found a grassy area filled with cars just outside the park entrance that was apparently free. About a dozen other cars were there, and I came back wondering if we’d have a ticket, but we had no problems. It was a 30-second walk to the park entrance, and we just breezed on in, avoiding the line at the park entrance. However, if you are concerned about leaving your car in an unmarked lot, there should be plenty of extra parking at this entrance, even on a holiday weekend.

What to Wear to Watkins Glen

This was the number one question I had before my visit, so I turned to the internet again to see what other people were wearing. I found one blog that recommended good hiking shoes and a rain jacket (for walking under waterfalls), but most pictures on Instagram had people in tennis shoes and everyday clothes. During our visit, I also saw a gentleman with a cane and a 3-piece suit making his way down the gorge, but I do not recommend that, lol. He looked very uncomfortable.

I ended up wearing a pair of moisture-wicking biker shorts, a light cotton tank top, and some breathable hiking shoes. The outfit worked well for me because it dried quickly, even when I got splashed by cascades and kept me from feeling sweaty during the trek. With that in mind, any moisture-wicking athleisure outfit would be a good choice, and you definitely don’t need a serious hiking outfit because you won’t be trekking through any underbrush or climbing.

The gorge did get a bit cool in some parts of the trek, so during colder months and/or rain, I would recommend a jacket, too.

Regarding shoes, I think I had the least practical ones out of our group. In retrospect, I would recommend duck boots or a waterproof hiking sandal–anything that doesn’t leave you with exposed socks. There were places where the trail was fully submerged for a few feet and others where a cascade was splashing right onto the side of the trail, and I kept worrying that I’d get my socks wet because it was so much deeper than I anticipated.

It’s also slippery enough in places that I do not recommend street sneakers or nice tennis shoes. You’ll want something with a good grip, like a trail shoe at minimum, and something you don’t mind getting dirty/wet.

Navigating the Crowds

*The Cavern Cascade was the worst area for crowds.*

The crowds were the most frustrating part of this trip for me. I’ve been to some busy state and national parks on holiday weekends, but as my friend said, it felt like we were at an amusement park.

The sheer number of people crammed into the gorge trail blew my mind. I realize it was a holiday weekend, but I was unprepared to brush shoulders with so many people in a 1.5-mile stretch. As I mentioned earlier, the trail is very narrow, so in most places, I was literally brushing their shoulders.

To make things worse, people kept stopping to take pictures (understandable), which meant they were holding up the entire line in some places. It was just a lot, and it took us over 2 hours to navigate the Gorge Trail. In contrast, the North Rim Trail (1.1 miles) took us about 20 minutes because it was empty. By the end, my social battery felt completely drained–something that rarely happens when I’m outside–and we were left with much less time than we expected to explore the rest of the park.

However, around 4:30, the park miraculously cleared up, and hardly anyone was on the Gorge Trail. It was almost infuriating after the mob we’d fought through going the other direction, haha!

But the lesson learned is to take on the Gorge Trail early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Of course, going on a day other than a holiday weekend would probably have helped, too, but sometimes you can’t avoid it.

And I do have to say, despite the crowds, the park was gorgeous! I would definitely go back and explore it again. But I never see photos or videos on social media showing the reality of how crowded this park can get, so I wanted to be sure you went in with realistic expectations and a plan.

What to Bring to Watkins Glen State Park

*One of the coolest sunrays I’ve ever captured!*

Thankfully, Watkins Glen State Park is small enough that you don’t need to bring a lot with you. But since it can take quite a while to get through the main trail, I recommend a full water bottle so you can stay hydrated and a snack in case you need a mid-hike pick-me-up. There are a few benches and little tucked-away points with enough space to sit down and refuel as needed. So, despite the crowded trail, you can probably find a good resting point every 10 minutes or so.

As previously mentioned, I also recommend waterproof shoes with good traction and a light jacket, depending on the weather.

Last but not least, bring your camera to capture all the stunning waterfalls! You may also want a waterproof cover to protect it from any stray cascade streams or water droplets.

See More of Watkins Glen State Park on YouTube!

Final Thoughts on Watkins Glen State Park

In the end, we had a much different trip than anticipated, but it was still a good trip. We drove 9 hours each way to spend the holiday weekend in Watkins Glen, and it was worth it. I wish I’d known a few more of these things in advance. But despite these mistakes, I would 100% go back to this stunning park again to fix those mistakes and enjoy it even more a second time.

If you like waterfalls, this is a fantastic spot to explore. You’ll find one around just about every corner, and the atmosphere of the gorge was quite unique, too. Crowds or not, it’s worth visiting at least once in your life!

Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments below! I’d love to know if this was helpful, if you have any additional tips from your visits to Watkins Glen, and/or if you had some misconceptions about visiting. So don’t be shy!

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Thanks for stopping by to read this post! I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to having you visit the blog again. Until next time, happy travels!