Letchworth State Park (review, rating)

Letchworth State Park

Castile, NY

Hiked: June 27th, 2011

Reviewed: June 27th, 2011

Scenery: 5 stars

Diversity: 5 stars

Interaction: 3 stars

Accessability: 4 stars

Overall: 5 stars

Size: Large

Letchworth is an incredibly large park with its own extensive road system. The park contains 14,350 acres of land along the Genesee River.

A visitor to the park can get more than enough scenery viewing just by driving through the park. The roads run along the edge of the cliff through the park, and there are frequent pull overs along the way where you can stop and check out the view. Most are equipped with binoculars (25 cents) and picnic areas that include charcoal grills.

A handicapped visitor could easily enjoy the park in this way, and have the opportunity to see many great things without even touching the trails. This is why I rated the accessability so high.
Letchworth offers over 20 different trails for many different types of traveling: by foot, bike, horse, skis, and snowmobile. The trails I used today offered up-close views to the three major breathtaking waterfalls of the park. I was close enough to the Lower Falls to feel the spray.

Lower Falls

Upper Falls

 Middle Falls

I witnessed people of all ages enjoying themselves today. One doesn't even have to have a love of nature to be impressed by and appreciative of this natural paradise. I myself am a teenager, and I had a great time. There is an abundance of space for large groups to occupy and enjoy sports and cook-outs with little to no disturbance of other park visitors. Letchworth also offers camping space, cute, quaint cabins for rent, and an inn.

Along with hiking, there are many other activities available. The park offers swimming pools, a museum, restaurants, fishing, hunting, tours, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, balloon rides, and a wide array of winter activities. This is why diversity got a high rating.
There is definitely more to see than one visit can cover. Letchworth is an excellent place to devote an entire day to, and will leave you tired but happy. I hope to return at some point and rent out a cabin for a week and find a way to get on that train trestle...

I can't stress to you how incredible the views are. This was definitely some of the best scenery I've seen in a long time. I strongly suggest this park to anyone and everyone.
Admissions is $8.00 (unless of course, you have your trusty NYS Empire Passport!), and if you want, you can refuse to touch your wallet again after that and still have a wonderful time.



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