New Yorkers aren’t just excited for May because we love our spring flowers, we also anticipate this particular month because it’s when many of our favorite hiking trails open back up for the year! Something to look forward to, one of our country’s best state parks features a famed trail that’s soon to be open to visitors for the season. Ready to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure? Then buckle up and pack your bags, it’s finally time to visit Watkins Glen State Park.
Located in a small village of the Finger Lakes Region, Watkins Glen State Park is home to a 2-mile-long Gorge Trail that will leave you speechless.
Jo Zimny says: The Garden Is Waking Up!/Flickr
Set to open for the year in mid to late May, Watkin Glen’s Gorge Trail is one of the main reasons why so many people travel out to this area of New York each year.
anarquista_cg/TripAdvisor
The Gorge Trail allows you to see a total of 19 waterfalls all in this short stretch of our state, leading you to fairytale-like scenery that’s bound to leave you at a loss for words.
Richard Due/Flickr
Everyone has their own favorite season to visit this Gorge Trail, but we personally can’t help but have a sweet spot for coming here during the spring.
Andy Arthur/Flickr
April showers create luscious waterfalls at Watkins Glen, giving off a cool mist as you walk underneath natural wonders like Cavern Cascade.
Sundar M/Flickr
As you’re taking on the adventure of climbing the 800 steps that help make up this Gorge Trail, you’ll want to take your time to soak up everything that there is to see here.
Kat2Kat2/Flickr
Because if you fly through this trail too quickly… you may end up missing out on noticing incredible little details like heart-shaped pools of water that are below you in the gorge.
pejayLI/TripAdvisor
Unlike any other hike that you can experience in New York, beat the summer crowds and visit the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail while it’s open during the spring season.
Ashok G/TripAdvisor Visiting the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park is amazing to experience during any time of the year when it’s open, but you’ll certainly have some advantages if you decide to go during the spring. Depending on the weather and how long it takes to get the trail ready for visitors, the Gorge Trail is set to open this year sometime in mid to late May. Once the trail is open during spring, you’ll have the advantage of beating the summer crowds when you’ll find more tourists from all over the country here, and you’ll also get to see our waterfalls at their best after they’ve gotten a good dose of spring rain! To stay up to date on when the Gorge Trail will be officially open, visit the Watkins Glen State Park page here.
How to get here:1009 North Franklin Street Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Jo Zimny says: The Garden Is Waking Up!/Flickr
anarquista_cg/TripAdvisor
Richard Due/Flickr
Andy Arthur/Flickr
Sundar M/Flickr
Kat2Kat2/Flickr
pejayLI/TripAdvisor
Ashok G/TripAdvisor
Visiting the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park is amazing to experience during any time of the year when it’s open, but you’ll certainly have some advantages if you decide to go during the spring. Depending on the weather and how long it takes to get the trail ready for visitors, the Gorge Trail is set to open this year sometime in mid to late May. Once the trail is open during spring, you’ll have the advantage of beating the summer crowds when you’ll find more tourists from all over the country here, and you’ll also get to see our waterfalls at their best after they’ve gotten a good dose of spring rain! To stay up to date on when the Gorge Trail will be officially open, visit the Watkins Glen State Park page here.
How to get here:1009 North Franklin Street Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Have you already crossed the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park off of your bucket list? If you have, be sure to share your own photos with us in the comments! For more reasons to head outdoors, take a look at these 11 Easy And Beautiful Spring Hikes Everyone In New York Will Love.
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