Upstate New York: Gorges, Waterfalls & Mystical Beauty

Mention New York, and what first comes to mind??

Skyscrapers as far as the eye can see?

Yup ... same here!

But as we turned away from the southern shore of Lake Erie and headed east, we soon discovered that the Empire State has a whole other personality. Imagine rolling hills, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, and mystical beauty around every bend.

 Who knew New York had so much natural awe to offer?

Letchworth State Park

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park owes its “gorge”ous beauty to the carving skills of the Genesee River.

As the river flows through the 17 mile long park, hiking trails along the rim offer scenic views of towering rock walls and magnificent waterfalls. This mystical beauty draws visitors year-round, and with the autumn colors just beginning to pop, we could tell that this state park would be a very popular place in the upcoming weeks.

In addition to a full-service campground tucked into the surrounding forest,

Letchworth State Park also gave us ...

hiking trails with a bit of elevation to get the heart pumping (note to self: what goes down has to come back up),

quiet river views perfect for soaking up the serenity,

and a glimpse of the bygone days when a man-made canal hugged the upper ledge of the river's cliffs linking the Allegheny River to the Erie Canal.

Watkins Glen State Park 

Our next stop was the Finger Lakes region where Mother Nature certainly outdid herself once again! With eleven long, narrow lakes carved by glaciers, this region is a natural haven for water lovers.

Numerous waterfalls,

deep gorges,

and natural beauty

... especially as the fall colors start popping out, make this a popular vacation destination.

 Beyond the lakes, waterfalls, and gorges, the Finger Lakes have another claim to fame. The rich soil and favorable climate make this region ideal for growing grapes, creating a thriving vineyard and winery scene. And, of course, there's a close cousin we couldn't ignore ... the craft brewery!

But we came to this area to check out a state park that has popped up on more than a few "Best State Parks" lists during our years of travel "research" ... Watkins Glen. We were happy to secure a campsite reservation for three days and discover its mystical beauty for ourselves.

 A short distance from the campground we found the trail that led us down into the gorge where towering rock walls and whimsical waterfalls could be found around nearly every bend.

Layers of mist hovered over the gorge after a brief rain shower.

Delicate greenery decorated the surrounding layers of rock.

Graceful waterfalls continued to weave their magic throughout the gorge, adding yet another layer of charm to Mother Nature's majestic work of art.

As we quickly discovered, Watkins Glen State Park didn't just live up to its reputation, it far exceeded it!

From the towering cliffs of Letchworth to the winding gorge and magical waterfalls of Watkins Glen, Upstate New York certainly surprised us! Add in the colorful Finger Lakes, charming little towns, and a few stops to sample the local craft brews, and we quickly understood why this corner of the Empire State draws so many visitors. New York, you've shown us a whole new side of yourself ... and it was pretty awesome!