Watkins Glen Gorge Trail

While there are places outside of the State Park, I would be remiss to not include the park at all! While the park is open year-round, the gorge trail (pictured) is only open from mid-May to the end of October, weather permitting. The trail features 19 waterfalls, and the entire trail loop has the same number of steps as the stairs up to the top of the Empire State Building! The park also serves wine slushies if that motivates you to get to the end of the trail quicker!

PRO TIP: You can borrow an Empire Pass from your local library and get free admission to state parks!

Hector Falls

Hector Falls is another beautiful spot in the Watkins Glen area located on an extremely busy road. It is not recommended to get out of your car and take pictures as people will be driving by on the narrow road between 45 - 65 mph (although I would be lying if I said I hadn’t done that), but you can see the falls from your car if you just want to do a drive-by to see them! It’s nice to see a beautiful waterfall without having to hike!

Shequaga Falls

Shequaga Falls is located in Montour Falls. “She-Qua-Ga,” known as “tumbling waters,” is a sketch of the falls now in the Louvre from about 1820 by Louis Philippe, later King of France.

I swear it’s one of the most accessible waterfalls to see in the region, so I always take the block detour to see it. There is plenty of street parking, and you can view the waterfall from your car or take the very flat walk closer to the falls to see it up close!

Deckertown Falls

Deckertown Falls near Watkins Glen State Park (WGSP) is a hidden gem! After a hike through the gorge trail at WGSP, I thought it was nice to have a private waterfall to enjoy! I would rate this fall as moderate to difficult; it wasn’t far from the parking lot, but it did take some patience and balance to get down safely! You’ll want real hiking boots on, in my opinion. The parking lot is a little inconspicuous and makes you wonder if you are in the right place, as it is near a residential area. Apparently, there are additional waterfalls to see if you continue upstream but we did not continue on far past the parking lot.

Eagle’s Cliff Falls, Havana Glen Park

Truly one of my favorite hidden gems in the Finger Lakes! While it is not a far walk from the parking lot to get to this view, as far as accessibility goes, stairs are involved to get to the waterfall. Unfortunately, this is a bit of a pathetic picture, but so much depends on rainfall and how robust any of these falls will be! There is a $2 parking fee, so make sure to bring cash with you, but it is totally worth it!

I hope when you visit there has been enough rain for a rushing cascade but not so much it is muddy on your adventure!

Sugar Hill State Forest Fire Tower

So, I didn’t realize I had a fear of heights until it came time to climb this fire tower... and to climb back down. The tower is open on all sides and the slats under the stairs are open. If there weren't other people there at the same time I don’t know that I would have been able to get my butt moving.

HOWEVER, if you are not afraid of heights and want to venture to the top, there is a beautiful view where you can see six of the lakes on a clear day. It was a stunning spot at sunrise when I went, but as it gets colder, you will want to be extra careful that the tower doesn’t ice over.