Watkins Glen
- Hike
- 1 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 400 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Watkins Glen is a waterfall on Glen Creek in Schuyler County, New York. Reaching it is a 1 mi hike each way with 400 ft of elevation gain. Flow season is not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
Gorge Trail passes under and through waterfalls with stone steps and spray-slick rock. Pets are not allowed on the Gorge Trail. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Flow note | Nineteen waterfalls along Glen Creek within two miles of cliffs; Cavern Cascade passes under falling water on the Gorge Trail. |
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Access
| Hike | 1 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 400 ft |
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Gorge Trail follows Glen Creek past 19 waterfalls within about one mile; lower, upper, and campground entrances on Franklin St. and Route 409/419. |
| Parking | Lower, upper, and campground entrance lots (shuttle between entrances when operating) |
| Fee | Vehicle entrance $10 mid-May through mid-October (sunrise to sunset at gates); Empire Pass accepted |
| Hours | Open year-round dawn to dusk; Gorge Trail seasonal |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Gorge Trail typically opens mid-late May and closes mid-late October (2026 posted close Oct 25); rim trails open year-round without gorge access Nov-May |
| Managed by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Watkins Glen State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Olympic-size pool (seasonal), camping, gift shop, and pavilion rentals |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Watkins Glen open?
Gorge Trail passes under and through waterfalls with stone steps and spray-slick rock. Pets are not allowed on the Gorge Trail. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Gorge Trail typically opens mid-late May and closes mid-late October (2026 posted close Oct 25); rim trails open year-round without gorge access Nov-May. Hours: Open year-round dawn to dusk; Gorge Trail seasonal.
How long is the hike to Watkins Glen?
It's a 1 mi hike each way with 400 ft of elevation gain. The road in is paved. Gorge Trail follows Glen Creek past 19 waterfalls within about one mile; lower, upper, and campground entrances on Franklin St. and Route 409/419. Parking: Lower, upper, and campground entrance lots (shuttle between entrances when operating).
Do you need a reservation for Watkins Glen?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Watkins Glen?
The fee is Vehicle entrance $10 mid-May through mid-October (sunrise to sunset at gates); Empire Pass accepted.
When is Watkins Glen flowing?
Nineteen waterfalls along Glen Creek within two miles of cliffs; Cavern Cascade passes under falling water on the Gorge Trail.
What facilities are at Watkins Glen?
Restrooms, showers, and picnic sites. Olympic-size pool (seasonal), camping, gift shop, and pavilion rentals.
What are the rules at Watkins Glen?
Dogs are not allowed and camping is allowed.
Nearby
Sources
1
- https://parks.ny.gov/parks/142/details.aspx (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.roadNote / access.roadSurface / identity, access.permitRequired, waterfall.ephemeral / waterfall.flowNote, manager / access identity, kind classification, county / state placement, access.fee / access.hours / access.hikeDistanceMi / access.seasonalClosure / access.parking / rules.dogs / rules.camping / hazardNote / waterfall.flowMonths / waterfall.flowNote / waterbodyName / access.elevationGainFt / access.amenities)
More: New York waterfalls