Letchworth State Park

Introduction of Letchworth State Park

One of the most scenically stunning places in the eastern United States is Letchworth State Park, sometimes known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” The Genesee River thunders through the canyon between cliffs that may reach a height of 600 feet in some places and three significant waterfalls while it is encircled by dense trees. There are 66 miles of hiking paths available to hikers. There are trails for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, biking, and equestrian riding as well. Letchworth provides guided walks, tours, summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, swimming pool, hot air balloon rides, as well as nature, history, and performing arts events. As seen in this video, viewing Letchworth from a hot air balloon is a memorable experience.

Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowtubing are examples of wintertime activities. The ancient Glen Iris Inn, which has undergone a thorough restoration, provides overnight lodging and is accessible to the general public for breakfast, lunch, and supper. For your special events, banquet and catering services are offered.

The Conference Center can accommodate all of your educational and training requirements for business getaways and corporate gatherings. The facility, which is tucked away in the southwest corner of Letchworth State Park, has a large country lodge room, bedrooms, shower baths, and a kitchen. For the purposes of education, training, and retreats, low impact professional and organisational groups can use this distinctive historic building. It is available for daytime and/or overnight rentals. Your next corporate retreat would be ideal there. Although certain family-oriented rentals could be allowed, this property is not intended for overnight family camping. To find out if this site or another will best suit your needs, contact the park office. The Maplewood Lodge may be hired for a family-oriented holiday. It is situated near the entrance to the Highbanks Camping Area in the centre of Letchworth State Park. Due to its connection to the NYS snowmobile route network, it is perfect for winter usage by snowmobilers. The house has a fully equipped kitchen, living room with a fireplace, TV, and VCR, a formal dining room, and a complete bathroom with a shower on the first floor. It can sleep up to eight people. One modest bedroom is located on the first level, and there are two bedrooms and a powder room upstairs. There are no linens included.

Campers may benefit from winterized cabins, tent, and trailer campsites. There are additional facilities for group camping.

Letchworth State Park Activities

Boating

Popular outdoor activities along the Genesee River as it rushes through the canyon include whitewater rafting and kayaking.

Camping

You may rent cottages and camping spots. Although some of the cottages may be reserved year-round, the camping season lasts from the middle of May until the middle of October. Within the park, there are restrooms, playgrounds, hiking routes, and museums. Both the Glen Iris Inn and the Maplewood Lodge provide overnight lodging. The public can eat breakfast, lunch, and supper at the historic Glen Iris Inn, which has undergone a thorough restoration. For your special events, banquet and catering services are offered. The Maplewood Lodge may be hired for a family-oriented holiday. It is situated near the entrance to the Highbanks Camping Area in the centre of Letchworth State Park. Due to its connection to the NYS snowmobile route network, it is perfect for winter usage by snowmobilers. The house has a fully equipped kitchen, living room with a fireplace, TV, and VCR, a formal dining room, and a complete bathroom with a shower on the first floor. It can sleep up to eight people. One modest bedroom is located on the first level, and there are two bedrooms and a powder room upstairs. There are no linens included.

Bicycling

Letchworth State Park’s lush woodlands make it simple to lose track of time, but the clearly designated paths will help you stay on the correct track while you ride your bike throughout the park.

Hiking

There are 66 miles of hiking paths available to hikers. Most of the routes are appropriately cleaned, broad, and stone-lined. Most steps are made of masonry and are kept up properly. Even some paths have pavement. The narrower, dirt, rock, and branch-lined paths are less travelled. Before descending down into the gorge, you must be aware of the river levels and the weather prediction (ask any park ranger or police officer, or check in at the visitor centre). Given the quantity of trails at Letchworth State Park, it is advised that you purchase a thorough trail guide, which is available at the visitor centre.

Historic Sites

The park offers a wide range of activities that are suitable for families. During the summer, guided walks and tours of the park’s trails and grounds, lecture series, and environmental, history, and performing arts activities are all available.

Picnicking

The park is open every day from 6 am to 11 night. Shelters, tables, barbecues, a snack bar, and recreational activities are all included in picnic amenities. Letchworth State Park also has a visitor centre and a museum.

Horseback Riding

The park has equestrian riding trails that are accessible all year long. Horseback riding is a fantastic technique to go a lot of distance because some of the pathways need a 600-foot climb to reach a waterfall’s peak.

Hunting

When in season, deer and spring turkey hunting is allowed.

RVing

Sites for tents and trailers may be found all across the park. Within the park, there are restrooms, trash cans, playgrounds, hiking routes, and museums. From the middle of May to the middle of October is camping season.

Water Sports

The North Pool in Letchworth State Park is a swimming area that is available from late June to early September. The South Pool is now permanently closed.

Wildlife Watching

The Grey Petaltail Dragonfly, a species that flew with dinosaurs, resides in this park.

Winter Sports

Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowtubing are examples of wintertime activities. The Maplewood Lodge is a great site for snowmobilers to stay the night.

Letchworth State Park History 

The Seneca people, who had been friends of the defeated British during the American Revolutionary War, were for a long time residents of the park’s area but were mainly driven out after the war. The Seneca referred to the area around this canyon as Sehgahunda, or the “Vale of the Three Falls”; the Middle Falls (Ska-ga-dee), in particular, were said to be so magnificent that they caused the sun to set at noon.

William Pryor Letchworth first saw the canyon that would become the park from a train on the adjacent railroad trestle in 1858. In 1859, he made his first land acquisition of 190 acres (0.77 km2) close to the Portage Falls and started construction on his Glen Iris Estate. Letchworth successfully stopped proposals to build a hydroelectric dam in the gorge, which would have changed the flow of the river and reduced flows over the significant waterfalls, by acquiring the area. William Webster, a well-known landscape artist, was hired by him to create the meandering roads, rustic bridges, shimmering “lakes,” and brilliant fountain.

Letchworth, William Pryor
The years that followed saw Letchworth increasing his local land holdings. Letchworth gave the State of New York 1,000 acres (4 km2) around Glen Iris as a public park in 1906 with the intention of discouraging commercial enterprises from harming the sensitive environment of the canyon and adjacent forests. He also stipulated that the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society administer the property. A dedication on a plaque next to the gorge, penned in 1910 by Letchworth’s niece, reads:

This scene, which God constructed for us, is incredible.
But a kind guy safeguarded it and offered it to his fellow human beings so they might partake.

The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society of New York’s president, George F. Kunz, was a fervent promoter of the park. When the Society took over the administration of William Pryor Letchworth’s estate in New York, Dr. Kunz assisted with the organising and preservation of his collection. It was said in 1907: “The library houses one of the best private collections of literature on charity in the nation, if not the best. Additionally, it has a strong selection of regional history, Indian-related publications, and other pieces of classic literature. His mementos—personal presents and endorsements—are really fascinating. It would be ideal if these were retained together and properly protected in a new library structure as a memorial to the kind giver of Letchworth Park.”

Additionally, Dr. Kunz contributed to the 1910 monument honouring Mary Jemison, dubbed “The White Indian of the Genesee,” who is interred in “the old Indian Council House of the Senecas” situated on the grounds of Letchworth Park.

Letchworth passed away at the Glen Iris on December 1, 1910, having acquired “life-residence” there. At Buffalo’s Forest Lawn Cemetery, he was laid to rest.

Workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps, who slept in a large camp in the park during the 1930s, made various improvements that the park benefited from. The CCC implemented improvements by building cottages, views, bridges, and paths.

Directions

Driving

Located 35 miles south of Rochester along the Genesee River. Interstate 390 exit 7.

Parking

Parking is available.

Public Transport

Public Transport is available.