Watkins Glen

7-9 Jun 2026

Watkins Glen Gorge

For years I had read about how fabulous Watkins Glen in the finger lakes region of New York was and the pictures looked amazing. For that reason, it has been on my bucket list for years so I was so excited to finally get here!

We stayed at the Watkins Glen State Park campground which is beautiful. As I've found with most state parks in the northeast they have water fill stations throughout the park with only electric at the campsites. I have to say, while I would definitely love to come back and visit again, I would definitely pick a different campsite.

Don't book site 95!

I have to put this in the top 3 worst campsites I've ever had. It's hard to tell in the picture but the site sloped down in the front and was 4.5 inches low on the left side. I had my wheels up on my Andersen levelers (the red things under my tires) as far as I could and had to use blocks under my auto levelers to get it somewhat level. You can see how high the front steps are from the ground. While trying to level, the tongue jack almost slipped off the blocks but praise the Lord I was able to get the front levelers down before that happened!

The site was also facing the wrong direction so after trying to back in the right way I ended up pulling out, driving up the road to an empty campsite where I could back in and turn around. The roads are one way so I had to drive the wrong direction to back into my site. It took me and the help of three gentlemen to finally get backed in.

On top of all that fun, this was the view of the sky. Needless to say Starlink wasn't working so I had no internet and one bar of cell service. I could receive texts but couldn't open any attachments, nor get phone calls. If I'd been up the hill I would've had better cell reception. It was worth it though because I got to hike the gorge!

Suspension bridge you cross to get to Point Lookout

Due to repairs, the main entrance was closed, so I couldn't visit Cavern Cascade, but the rest of the gorge was breathtaking. The Gorge is a 400-foot-deep canyon shaped by Glen Creek. The Gorge Trail stretches 1.5 miles and includes around 800 stone steps. I lost count of how many steps I climbed, but I decided not to tackle the last 0.5 mile with Jacobs Ladder, which has 180 steps. I'm just going to share a bunch of photos from the trail because I struggled to choose which ones to post.

The beginning of the gorge trail

Some of the many, many stone stairs

Everything is so lush and green

Central Cascade is the tallest waterfall in the gorge

Long exposure of Central Cascade

I just love the layers of sandstone and shale

Closer "flowy" look of the same area above

Me in front of Rainbow Falls. When the sun shines on the falls it produces rainbows.

Rainbow Falls

"Flowy" Rainbow Falls

Walking behind the Rainbow Falls. I didn't get too wet.

Looking down from the stone bridge

More falls and more steps! It's interesting how the water has carved out these pools.

Yes, I love the flowy look of the water

Moss and ferns growing on the side of the gorge.

View from Mile Point Bridge. There were no more waterfalls after this point and I didn't want to climb Jacob's Ladder so I took the North Rim Trail back to the suspension bridge.

Watkins Glen was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. If I get another chance to come back I'll definitely do it again.

A couple at the gorge told me about this gorgeous waterfall in nearby Montour Falls so of course I had to check it out.

Shequaga Falls

Shequaga Falls is 156 feet tall and derives its name from the Seneca word meaning Tumbling Waters. It's located in a residential neighborhood right in town and so easy to get to.

We were supposed to stay for two more days but rain was forcasted and I didn't want to deal with mud on top of everything else my campsite had to offer, (yes that was sarcasm) so I decided to pack up and leave the next day. I lucked up and got a beautiful site at another iconic New York location. Any guesses where???