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Watkins Glenn State Park
P.O. Box 304
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Phone: (607) 535-4511

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776 acres
Seasons/Hours:
Park is open year round.
Camping is available from early May to mid-October.
Depending on the weather, the gorge trail is closed from early November to mid-May.
Bow hunting for deer is permitted in season.
There is a day-use fee for the park in effect from May through November.

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
Camping
Swimming
Picnic tables with grills
Picnic Pavillions which may be reserved in eleven months in advance
Play fields and playground
Pay phones
Trails

Camping
There are 54 electric and 251 non-electric sites
There are no permanent water hookups
Comfort station, hot showers, flush toilets are available.
Dumping station available
Reserervations may be made at Reserve America.
Reservations 1-800-456-2267
Customer Service 1-800-777-9644

Swimming
There is a 50 meter pool which is open during favorable weather conditions. A childrens pool is here, too.
Bath house.
Trails
There are three main trails here and the hiking is magnificient:

Gorge Trail
1.5 Mile
This spectacular hike follows the gorge up to the Upper Entrance. There is a shuttle bus on weekends which will take the tired hiker back down to the Main Entrance on Route 329. There are many, many waterfalls and cascades along this trail. At one point the trail passes behind one waterfall.

Indian Trail
1.5 Mile
The Indian Trail follows the north rim of the canyon between the Main Entrance and the Upper Pavilion. It connects with the South Rim via a suspension bridge near the trail shelter.

South Rim Trail
1.5 Mile
The trailhead is near the South Pavilion. It hugs the canyon rim and passes by a cemetary. There is a nice overlook on a spur near the return to the Gorge Trail.

We spent the better part of a day at Watkins Glen State Park and wish we had a bit more time. The Gorge is a magnificient hike and the Rim Trail is a good way to return, offering some good views of the Gorge. We didn't get to hike the Indian trail or any of the other ones. The best picnic spot is at the upper entrance. Take a backpack loaded with food, start at the bottom, hike to the top. Lunch and return to the Main Entrance. That is what I would do if we ever get to go back.

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