Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. 

It’s about one and a half miles drive from where I live now. The last 30 minutes drive is through a scenic road along the Seneca Lake. Seneca Lake is the largest of the glacial Finger Lakes of the U.S. state of New York, and the deepest lake entirely within the state. Its length is about 38 mi (61 km). Along the route, from the last 15 minutes, I saw grape trees and lots of wineries.

Rolls of bale or hey - on Route 14, along the Seneca Lake while driving towards Watkins Glen State Park
Rolls of bale or hey, on Route 14, along the Seneca LakeRolls of bale or hey, on Route 14, along the Seneca Lake
Grape trees, on Route 14, along the Seneca Lake while driving towards Watkins Glen State Park
Grape trees, on Route 14, along the Seneca Lake

I visited Watkins Glen State Park during Covid-19 time on a Saturday, a few weeks ago. I thought it would be empty, but surprisingly it was overcrowded. It was 2 miles hike along the Glen Creek. The centerpiece of the 778-acre (3.15 sq. km) park is a 400-foot-deep (120 m) narrow gorge cut through rock by a stream of Glen Creek.

Green Fern on the ridge at Watkins Glen State Park
Green Fern
A Few Waterfalls Images from Watkins Glen

I reached there at around 4 pm, and that time the light was too harsh for photography. So, I decided to hike without getting the camera out and spotted a few falls where I can photograph while coming down. As the park was crowded, I didn’t get much opportunity to take photos.

Top view of Rainbow Bridge and Falls at Watkins Glen State Park
Top view of Rainbow Bridge and Falls
Vertical frame of Rainbow Bridge and Falls at Watkins Glen State Park
Vertical frame of Rainbow Bridge and Falls at Watkins Glen State Park
Landscape frame of Rainbow Bridge and Falls at Watkins Glen State Park
Landscape frame of Rainbow Bridge and Falls at Watkins Glen State Park
Glen Creek
Glen Creek
Glen Creek
Glen Creek
Glen Creek
A Dark Passage
Cavern Cascade
Cavern Cascade
Another perspective of Cavern Cascade
Another perspective of Cavern Cascade
Vertical frame of Cavern Cascade
Vertical frame of Cavern Cascade

For quick comparison with the photographs posted above, I took two quick videos with my iPhone.

From the top of Rainbow Bridge, Watkins Glen State Park
Rainbow Bridge and Falls at Watkins Glen State Park
Also, please visit Chittenango Falls after the rain blogpost for waterfalls photos from Chittenango Falls.
Chittenango Falls after the rain