By Carol Fisher-Linn
Catching the last of winter at Letchworth State Park is a great time to sightsee and hike in your own private oasis…
Turn on the TV, fire up social media and you will find that the news is littered with chaos and unrest, putting many nervous residents on high alert. Even volcanoes are getting into the act with Mount Spurr in Alaska threatening to erupt and Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano and Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire already spewing lava in fiery displays. But WNY residents need go no further than Letchworth State Park in Castile to see an active volcano that they can approach with no fear of fiery devastation. Photo ops at the very base present no threats to life and limb. What you can still view if you don’t tarry is Letchworth’s famous ice volcano at the legendary Glen Iris Inn. Located in WNY, about 45 miles southwest of Rochester, Letchworth State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Straddling the Genesee River for 17 miles the park encompasses more than 14,000 acres of deep river canyon and dense woodlands.
New York temps at Letchworth State Park. January 2025
than Letchworth State Park in Castile
to see an active volcano that they
can approach with no fear of fery devastation.
A trip to the park last week yielded photos of the still sputtering “volcano” in its final icy spurts as the weather warms and moves toward spring. Although the park is not up to full speed, there is plenty to do and see, including the ice volcano, and the many magnificent falls. The Inn is closed and some roads and trails are closed due to winter conditions until May 1, yet we observed visitors enjoying walking the scenic trails and enjoying the views of the 17-mile (14,000 acre) park with its deep river canyon and dense woodlands. This park is truly one of those local places that must go on your Bucket List along with Niagara Falls, another display of Mother Nature’s majesty located within an easy driving distance of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.
Restrooms are available during this off-season (hours and days vary) at the Visitor Center, Nature Center, Dam Overlook, Highbanks Camping office and Recreation area, etc. Pack a lunch and eat out in nature, or head 4 miles into Perry to the Charcoal Corral, or into Mt. Morris to Brians USA Diner or any of the other popular eating spots in the area. Leashed pets are allowed but check the app for the regulations before bringing them.
The biggest thing you want to do while in the park is simply enjoy the breathtaking views of the Genesee River roaring through the gorge and over the three major waterfalls – Letchworth features one of the state’s highest seasonal waterfalls: Inspiration Falls, which only flows during heavy rain, and has a 350 foot drop. By comparison, Niagara Falls is 188 feet high. And, of course, see the ice volcano. If you are a hiker, you have a choice of 66 hiking trails. Trails are also available (depending on the season) for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling and X-Country skiing. Coming soon is whitewater rafting season (the season is short and morphs into kayaking for the summer with lower water levels) offering five and one-half miles of spectacular scenery, the fun rapids and opportunities to observe the wildlife that inhabits the park. The park is home to beavers, deer, eagles, hawks, raccoons, black bear, endangered rattlesnakes, and river otters.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and April is National Autism Acceptance month. It is a perfect time to explore the ANT (Autism Nature Trail) which is a first-of-its-kind experience for people on the spectrum. Designed with the input of world-famous speaker, animal and autism activist, Dr. Temple Grandin, the accessible mile-long trail hosts eight different sensory stations for individuals and families of individuals to experience and explore nature. See their calendar for events starting in May. https://autismnaturetrail.com/calendar/
While there, the Humphrey Nature Center offers year-round environmental education opportunities for the public and groups. In 2015, Letchworth won the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Award for Best State Park in the United States! Letchworth came out on top of the 19 other state parks nominated for the contest, chosen from more than 6,000 parks across the nation.
Download the NYS Parks Explorer App from the app store before visiting. Favorite Letchworth State Park in the app to receive updates and be sure to download the interactive trail map. The map will use your phone’s GPS to tell you where you are within Letchworth State Park.