Writing and Photography by Justin Negard
What is New York? Is it the skyscrapers of Manhattan? Is it the suburban homes of Westchester? Is it the shores of Long Island? Living in this community, you might not give it much thought. We have access to Michelin 3-star restaurants. We can catch a Broadway show or concert in about an hour. We can spend a day at the beach without advanced planning or select which winning sports team we want to cheer for. But how often do we really consider the far reaches of upstate New York?
Good things await those bold explorers who venture north. There are deep canyons, tall mountains and vast lakes to be seen. Watkins Glen State Park is such a place.
You may have encountered this park on social media. Perhaps you saw it in a post about New York’s hidden gems. Well, here’s another push to take that trip. And as you stand at the bottom of the 400-foot-deep gorge in the middle of this park, surrounded by ribbons of waterfalls and water-sculpted rock, you will wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
The gorge
The Village of Watkins Glen is located on the southern end of Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The village was incorporated in 1842, although its roots date further back to 1791 when it was first settled. There is a classic American vibe to this town, with brick storefronts lining Franklin Street, the heart of the commercial district. There you will find Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, which is located on the lake alongside The Village Marina; it’s a popular spot for scenic strolls along the water.
The star of the show here is the gorge itself. This is the reason a town of 1,600 residents balloons its population, drawing over a million visitors a year. It’s also the reason why visitors will see window displays of gorge-shaped paperweights and t-shirts with corny slogans like ‘Have a gorges day!’ written on the front.
The gorge cuts through the heart of the village. While visitors can park within Watkins Glen State Park, it is a short walk from the village itself on North Franklin Street leading to the south entrance. However, it is a 1.5-mile uphill hike, so consider your abilities before embarking on this trek. Once inside, the park offers camping, picnics, hunting, tours and more. You can spend the entire day here or simply visit the gorge and move on after a couple of hours.
Visitors can tackle this park in several ways. There are the North Rim Trail and South Rim Trail for calmer, pet-friendly walks around the edge of the gorge (pets are not allowed inside the gorge, however). While these trails won’t take you into the gorge itself, they do feature scenic views and are a good option if you want to avoid climbing 800 steps of stairs (unfortunately, the interior of the gorge is not handicap accessible). Many locals will tell you that the mile-long North Rim Trail provides the better scenic route, while the South Rim Trail is a quieter, longer walk at 1.8 miles.
For most able-bodied people, the Gorge Trail is the place to go. This 1.5-mile hike takes visitors deep into the gorge, descending over 800 steps along the layered walls of sedimentary rock. As you descend through the trail, you’ll see its 19 waterfalls and 200-foot cliffs, which never fail to impress.
Think of this hike as a series of stops. For many, the journey will begin at the park’s south entrance; it’s a more convenient entry point than the upper entrance, which is a longer hike to reach the heart of the gorge. From there, the trails lead to the suspension bridge, which runs 85 feet high above the gorge. Have your camera ready for this part, as you won’t be this high up again, and it’s also a gorgeous view. From there, the path leads to Lover’s Lane, a scenic and shaded section of the trail that descends to the bottom of the gorge.
At times, the trail turns into a narrow winding path, flanked by moss-covered rock walls and lush vegetation. It also cuts through tunnels and even waterfalls like Cavern Cascade, where you can walk behind the flowing water. In other moments, it opens up and you can experience the grand view of Glen Cathedral, featuring cathedral-like formations and sweeping views. Near the end of the descent is Central Cascade, the park’s signature 60-foot waterfall as the centerpiece of the gorge. The path is ever-changing, and you will encounter new views of this 12,000-year-old natural wonder as you go.
A view from The Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park.
Seneca Lake
It’s about a five-hour drive from Westchester County to Watkins Glen, so you’re going to want to do more than hike the gorge. Fortunately, after you’ve climbed back up the 800 steps to get out of the hole, you will find yourself on the shore of Seneca Lake.
This lake is the largest of the Finger Lakes, spanning 38 miles and four separate counties (Ontario, Yates, Seneca and Schuyler). That means there is ample opportunity for water fun with the family. Seneca Lake State Park offers swimming, kayaking, picnicking and playgrounds. It also includes a “sprayground” area for the kids (and kids at heart) to run through water jets on hot summer days.
Seneca Lake is also home to many of New York State’s wineries. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail features 28 member wineries on the lake and 600 varieties of wine, many of which you’ll see as you make the 40-minute drive from one end of the lake, vineyard after vineyard. Many offer public tours and tastings, including Fox Run Vineyards that also features a cafe; Magnus Ridge, which provides what they call an “old-world France” experience; and Belhurst Castle & Winery, which is one of the larger resorts in the area, boasting two restaurants, three hotels and an estate winery on the property. These businesses are just the beginning of the region’s vintner scene, so you should explore Seneca Lake for your own favorites.
For dining, there are many local options to please the entire family. Smokin Petes Barbecue delivers exactly what their name suggests: a wide array of brisket, pulled pork and chicken wings done in the messy and flavorful way you would likely imagine. The Spotted Duck is an ice cream stand serving small-batch frozen custard mostly sourced locally and organically. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated experience, visit Geneva on the northern edge of Seneca Lake and stroll along Linden Street for cocktails and a variety of dining options. If you didn’t make it to Smokin Petes, The Rusty Pig is another standout barbecue choice for your inner carnivore on Seneca Street. And if you’re not a meat lover, we recommend Linden Social for its cocktails and American cuisine.
-
- Townhouses on a street in Geneva.
-
- A vineyard on the shore of Seneca Lake.
One last waterfall for good measure
You traversed Watkins Glen State Park, explored the depths of the famous gorge and consumed more wine, cheese and brisket than you care to admit. It’s time to go home. But there’s one more natural wonder to see as you make your way back.
Taughannock Falls State Park is about 40 minutes from Seneca Lake, located along the edge of Cayuga Lake, the very next Finger Lake to the east. The park’s claim to fame is the 215-foot waterfall. Locals are quick to point out that this is the tallest free-falling waterfall in New York State (even taller than Niagara Falls). The gorge trail from the parking lot to the falls is less than a mile in length on very flat ground, making it a manageable hike for most. There are also longer trails on the north and south rims that will take you to higher vantage points. The payoff is well worth the time, and it makes for an ideal end to a busy weekend.
Even if your trip was brief, remember there are other Finger Lakes to explore, more wineries to experience and many more gorges and parks to traverse. Challenge yourself to step outside Westchester this summer and see a bit more of the beauty that New York has to offer.
The gorge in Watkins Glen State Park.
This article was edited by Gia Miller and fact-checked by Isabella Aranda Garcia. The photographer used Adobe Creative Suite to edit his photos.
This article was published in the July/August 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Justin is an award-winning designer and photographer. He was the owner and creative director at Future Boy Design, producing work for clients such as National Parks Service, Vintage Cinemas, The Tarrytown Music Hall, and others. His work has appeared in Bloomberg TV, South by Southwest (SXSW), Edible Magazine, Westchester Magazine, Refinery 29, the Art Directors Club, AIGA and more.
Justin is a two-time winner of the International Design Awards, American Photography and Latin America Fotografia. Vice News has called Justin Negard as “one of the best artists working today.”
He is the author of two books, On Design, which discusses principles and the business of design, and Bogotà which is a photographic journey through the Colombian capital.
Additionally, Justin has served as Creative Director at CityMouse Inc., an NYC-based design firm which provides accessible design for people with disabilities, and has been awarded by the City of New York, MIT Media Lab and South By Southwest.
He lives in Katonah with his wonderfully patient wife, son and daughter.
