Watkins Glen Sate Park is a breathe taking place to visit while up in the Finger Lakes region of New York. It is literally one of the neatest places I have come across in all of my travels.
I was already a huge fan of the Finger Lakes area (cause of all the wineries!!) and then I heard about this place. I do not know how it took me so long to hear about it, because this place is a must see if you are anywhere near it.
There is a cost to park in the parking lot. I believe it was either $7 or $8 and you have to pay with cash or check.
About Watkins Glen State Park
Wikipedia say that – The park features three trails – open mid-May to early November – by which one can climb or descend the gorge. The Southern Rim and Indian Trails run along the wooded rim of the gorge, while the Gorge Trail is closest to the stream and runs over, underand along the park’s 19 waterfalls by way of stone bridges and more than 800 stone steps.
If you start at the bottom of the trail (the part closest to the city of Watkins Glen) then you get to walk through at least two tunnels and under this waterfall.
I took all three of my kids and even though there were many stairs and a lot of walking they did great. So, I am comfortable telling you that this is a kid friendly hike, but forget the stroller. My kids enjoyed playing at the playground that is found near the upper parts parking lot.
The park has comfortable camping sites, as well as picnic tables and pavilions, food, playground, a gift shop, pool, dump stations, showers, recreation programs, tent and trailer sites, fishing, hiking, hunting and cross-county skiing. The park is open year-round, but not all facilities are available at all times.
Do you ever take photos at the same place with your kids different ages? I do this all the time, because we tend to visit the same places multiple times if we like them. Here are my kids in 2012 and again in 2013. It was shocking to see how much they grew.
