One of the best times to visit Letchworth State Park is in the Fall. Letchworth State Park has everything you could want in a Fall destination in New York; beautiful Fall foliage, hiking trails, winding roads, and waterfalls. The vibrant Fall foliage intensifies the beauty of Letchworth State Park and transforms the landscape. Each Fall, visitors flock to Letchworth State Park to see the waterfalls and 600-foot cliffs in their full Fall splendor.
I’ve visited Letchworth State Park countless times and in every season, and I must say there is something truly special about Letchworth in Fall. Not one is Letchworth one of the best places to see Fall foliage in New York; visiting during Fall is also is an overall great time to visit.
Let’s dive into everything you must know about Letchworth State Park in Fall!
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Seeing Letchworth State Park in Fall
Fall is one of the best times to visit Letchworth State Park. Follow these tips for visiting this New York State Park during peak Fall foliage.
Parking Fee at Letchworth- Fall
A $10 entrance fee at Letchworth State Park is collected daily until October 24th. However, if you have the Empire Pass, entry to Letchworth State Park is included. If you visit after October 24th, you only need to pay to enter on the weekends.
Entrance Limits During Peak Fall Foliage at Letchworth
When the foliage is at its peak in Letchworth State Park, the park often hits its capacity on the weekends. There is a small window for peak Fall foliage at Letchworth, which can cause the park to become overcrowded. Therefore, they will shut the gates once the park is at capacity. If you can only visit on the weekends, try to arrive early to ensure you can get in. Letchworth State Park will usually announce if the park is at capacity on their Facebook page.
For the best experience visiting Letchworth State Park in Fall, visit during the weekdays. The weekdays draw far fewer crowds than the weekends, making for a much more relaxed experience.
When to See Letchworth State Park Fall Foliage?
This area of New York typically reaches peak Fall foliage from early to mid-October. I Love NY posts a weekly Fall Foliage Report starting in September. The Fall Foliage report is a great tool to help plan your Fall visit to Letchworth. Additionally, check the location tag for Letchworth State Park on Instagram to visualize what the leaves look like.
Where to Stay near Letchworth in the Fall
If you’re planning on spending a night or two near Letchworth State Park, make sure to book your stay now! Many of the hotels nearby are already selling out, especially during the weekends in the first few weeks of October.
If you can snag a night at the Glen Iris Inn, that would be the ultimate hotel to stay! It is located in Letchworth State Park and is just steps away from the waterfalls.
I would suggest staying in either the nearby towns of Mount Morris or Geneseo. Both have various hotel options.
In Mount Morris, I would recommend The Country Inn and Suites by Raddison. And in Geneseo, the Hampton Inn, and the Quality Inn both have excellent reviews.
Ways to Experience Experience Letchworth in the Fall
Visiting Letchworth in the Fall is such a great time as there are various ways to experience the park. The temperature is moderately crisp, making it ideal for a scenic Fall drive with stops at the viewpoints. When the sun is shining, it is also the perfect time of the year for hiking.
Letchworth State Park Fall Drive
Driving through Letchworth State Park in the Fall is an experience in itself. The winding Park Road is lined with trees, making it exceptionally scenic. This stunning road weaves through the length of Letchworth State Park, so you get plenty of winding road views during your visit.
It’s almost effortless to have a leisurely scenic drive through Letchworth as all the main viewpoints are along Park Road. Be sure to pull into each scenic lookout point, as each offers views of the gorge and waterfalls. The gorge views are magnificent in the Fall.
Don’t miss these scenic spots:
Inspiration Point
The view at Inspiration Point is one of the most picturesque in the entire park. From here, you get views of both Upper and Middle Falls. Framed by the gorgeous fall foliage, this makes for a great perspective. Before you reach Inspiration Point, you walk through a small wooded area, letting you experience the Fall foliage up close.
Upper Falls
Upper Falls is stunning during the Fall. The moss-covered walls, beautiful waterfall, and foliage come together beautifully. If you want to take a photo of yourself at Letchworth in the Fall, this is one of the best spots as there is a low stone wall you can sit on.
Middle Falls
Middle Falls is a dramatic waterfall with various viewpoints. For the best view, head down the walkway to the overview opposite the waterfall. Keep in mind that the mist is intense at this viewpoint and can be very chilly in the Fall.
Other Overlooks
In addition to checking out the waterfalls, be sure to stop at the overlooks with stunning views of the gorge. These overlooks offer views of the deep gorge and plenty of vibrant foliage in the Fall.
Hiking at Letchworth State Park in the Fall
The Gorge Trail at Letchworth State Park is one of the top hikes to do. This trail is 7 miles long, past all the major waterfalls and viewpoints. Hiking the Gorge Trail can take quite some time, especially when stopping to check out the views. Yet, Fall is the perfect season to do this hike, as the temperatures are very moderate.
If you don’t have time to hike the entire Gorge Trail or would rather drive through the park, I suggest doing an abbreviated part of the trail. The portion of the trail from the parking lot at the beginning of the Gorge Trail to Upper Falls is worthwhile and something you cannot see without hiking. This portion of the trail includes a staircase that offers unique views of Upper Falls. It doesn’t take long, so you can easily hike back up the stairs once you’ve reached the bottom. Hiking in Letchworth in the Fall is such a great way to experience the park. This portion of the trail allows you to have the experience without doing a long hike.
Letchworth State Park in Fall Wrap Up
If you’re considering visiting Letchworth in the Fall, do not hesitate! Fall is such a wonderful time of year to visit Letchworth State Park. The Fall foliage in Letchworth makes this park even more beautiful than it usually is. If you are planning to see this New York State Park with the leaves changed, be sure to pay attention to the Fall foliage report. If you’re visiting late in the season and it looks like snow is on the radar, check out this guide to Letchworth in the Winter.
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