Discover another one of the Finger Lakes’ breathtaking waterfalls near Dansville, New York. As one of the more underrated state parks, Stony Brook State Park allows you to experience the beauty of the Finger Lakes region without the crowds. You won’t be crowded on the Stony Brook State Park trail as you would in some of the most popular parks, such as Watkins Glen.
Stony Brook State Park features three major waterfalls, two of which are found along the Gorge Trail. There is no shortage of incredible views at this state park. The best part about this trail is the relative ease of hiking. This gorge trail is relatively easy compared to the other gorge trails in the region, meaning that people of varying fitness levels can appreciate these beautiful waterfalls. As you continue along the Gorge Trail in Stony Brook State Park, the waterfalls become more and more impressive.
In addition to the stunning waterfalls, there is also a roped-off swimming area. There’s nothing quite like taking a dip in a natural swimming hole after seeing waterfalls.
Table of Contents
Where is Stony Brook State Park
Stony Brook State Park is located in Dansville, New York. This town is situated in Stebeun County, in the southern section of the Finger Lakes region. The park is approximately 2.7 miles from the town center.
How to Get to Stony Brook State Park
The best way to get to Stony Brook State Park is by car. Driving is the most direct way to get to this state park and allows you to have the flexibility to move about the region.
Here are the closest cities to Stony Brook State Park:
- Corning, NY – 50.4 miles (47m)
- Rochester, NY – 57.8 miles (53m)
- Buffalo, NY – 77.3 miles (1h 29m)
The only way I would recommend taking a bus is if you are in Geneseo. From Geneseo, there is a direct bus to Stony Brook State Park. A bus is an excellent option for college students who do not have a vehicle on campus.
Parking and Entrance Fee at Stony Brook State Park
Parking at Stony Brook State Park is $9 per car. Yet, there is no other entry fee aside from parking. As Stony Brook State Park is a couple of miles from the town, you will need to pay for parking as there are no free parking options nearby. If you’re planning on visiting multiple state parks in one day, your parking pass is good for the entire day at any New York State Park. Check out these other incredible waterfalls in the Finger Lakes!
Consider purchasing an Empire Pass, which gives you unlimited entry to most New York State Parks.
About the Stony Brook Gorge Trail
Price: $9 parking fee (included in Empire Pass)
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Trail Length: 1.5 miles loop trail
Hiking the Stony Brook Gorge Trail
Hiking the Gorge Trail at Stony Brook State Park is a wonderful experience. A pathway follows the creek past the waterfalls. This trail is not strenuous or crowded, making hiking a leisurely experience.
The Stony Brook Gorge Trail starts relatively flat. The first thing you will pass is the swimming pool to your left. This is a natural pool; it is a dammed-off area of the creek that has lifeguards. Keep in mind; that this is the only area where swimming is permitted at Stony Brook State Park.
After passing the swimming area, you will continue along a dirt and stone path. You will pass several small waterfall elements, as well as small bridges.
The first waterfall you will see is Lower Falls, situated .4-miles into the hike. Lower Falls is a 40-foot high waterfall that seemingly glides down the rock side. The waterfall drops into a small shallow pool. While technically, it is not permitted to swim at Stony Brook State Park in any area aside from the pool, yet I wouldn’t consider cooling off under the veil of the waterfall swimming, per se. So, with that being said, many people stop at this waterfall for a quick dip.
The first set of stairs you will encounter are at Lower Falls. After seeing Lower Falls at Stony Brook State Park straight on, walk up the stone stairs to get a bird’s eye view of this waterfall.
Once up this staircase, it is only a short walk until you reach the second waterfall of the Stony Brook Gorge Trail, Middle Falls. This waterfall is 20-feet high. And while it is not as high as Lower Falls, it is much wider, giving it an impressive appearance. There are a lot of low rocks at Middle Falls, where you can take a rest and enjoy the view.
While Stony Brook State Park does have three major waterfalls, only two of them are on the Gorge Trail. If you want to see the third waterfall, Upper Falls, you will have to hike through the creek.
Swimming at Stony Brook State Park
There is a seasonal swimming pool at Stony Brook State Park. While it is referred to as a swimming pool, it is actually a dammed-off area of the gorge, so it is more of a swimming hole. This swimming hole is located near the start of the Gorge Trail and is a great place to take a refreshing dip in the summer months.
The “pool” is the only spot at Stony Brook State Park where swimming is permitted. People often cool off under the waterfalls yet do not jump into other areas along the gorge trail to swim.
Best Time to Visit Stony Brook State Park
Best Time of the Year
The Gorge Trail is only open seasonally, between mid-May till late-October. Due to it being unsafe to hike the Gorge Trail when it is icy, it is closed in the winter months. That means that you only have a short window of time to visit. Opening time for Stony Brook State Park is typically Memorial Day Weekend.
Check the official New York State Parks page for updates on when the park is reopening for the season.
As there is a swimming hole at Stony Brook State Park, the best time to plan your visit is in the summer months. You can hike the Stony Brook Gorge Trail during this time before taking a refreshing dip in the roped-off swimming area.
Best Time of the Day
Stony Brook State Park is one of the less-visited gorge trails in the Finger Lakes, and thus you can visit it at any point during the day. The trail shouldn’t be overly crowded when you visit.
Where to Stay Near Stony Brook State Park
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Stony Brook State Park, I recommend either Geneseo or Corning.
Geneseo is close to Letchworth State Park and is a great place to stay to experience both parks. The Hampton Inn, and the Quality Inn both have excellent reviews.
Stony Brook Gorge Trail Wrap Up
This wraps up the guide to hiking the Stony Brook Gorge Trail. Stony Brook State Park is truly one of New York States’ best-hidden gems. There are plenty of beautiful gorge trails in the Finger Lakes region, and while Stony Brook is less visited, it is equally beautiful. Leave a comment below if you have any more questions about the Gorge Trail or want to share your experience!
Save this Post for Later on Pinterest
We visited there about 3 or 4 years ago. There were a million dogs there. No thanks!!