Lower Falls of the Genesee River (Letchworth)

Letchworth State Park / Castile / Portageville, New York, USA

About Lower Falls of the Genesee River (Letchworth)

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The Lower Falls of the Genesee River was the last of the three major waterfalls on the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park in Western New York.

Although it lacked the height of the other falls we saw in the park, we liked that it had width and character set amidst a rugged gorge backdrop.

Letchworth_113_06182007 - Lower Falls of the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park
Lower Falls of the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park

In fact, I think of the three main Letchworth waterfalls, this one more prominently exhibited the geology of the area given the neighboring cliffs around it.

Lower Falls in Different Seasons

Julie and I actually visited this waterfall twice – once during the Summer (as you see in the picture above) and once in the Autumn.

On our Autumn visit, the Lower Falls didn’t quite have the voluminous flow that its Summer counterpart had.

However, it did have vibrant colors from the Autumn foliage decorating the area around the falls.

Hiking to Lower Falls of the Genesee River

Unlike the other two main Letchworth waterfalls, this one required us to engage in a little more exercise.

Letchworth_SP_13_009_10152013 - The trail leading to the Lower Falls of the Genesee River
The trail leading to the Lower Falls of the Genesee River

From the car park for the Lower Falls (see directions below), we walked across a wide picnic area sheltered amongst many trees as well as some structures for what appeared to be restrooms.

We even noticed accommodations as well as what seemed to be a restaurant (which appeared to be seasonal given how they were closed during our October visit).

There was also a large slide that our two year-old daughter enjoyed.

Next, the walking path reached a fork where we had a choice to go down or continue to go straight ahead towards the “easier view.”

Just a couple minutes further on the upper path took us to a somewhat partial view of the Lower Falls of the Genesee River that left much to be desired.

The trail from here looked like it kept going further upstream, but we knew quickly that the way to experience this waterfall was via the lower path.

Letchworth_SP_13_025_10152013 - An Autumn view of the Lower Falls with gorgeous colors but narrower width
An Autumn view of the Lower Falls with gorgeous colors but narrower width

So back at the fork, we had to descend 127 steps (and ascending them on the way back up) before reaching the lower reaches of the gorge and following a trail that took us closer to the falls.

In order to get the various views you see on this page, I recalled having to follow some faint use trails (almost more like scrambling).

It got a little bit misty and muddy in spots as I got closer to the waterfall so I had to be careful not to get too close to the slippery edges to avoid falling into the river.

On the way back out, I took a brief out-and-back detour to get deeper into the gorge and try to view the falls from further away from within the gorge itself.

There was a bridge offering unusual views up the river towards the falls.

Letchworth_118_06182007 - Looking up the river from the bridge downstream of the Lower Falls
Looking up the river from the bridge downstream of the Lower Falls

Given the foliage flanking the river, the scene here was definitely more colorful and dramatic with the Fall colors, which I was able to capture in our more recent October 2013 visit.

In any case, adding up this out-and-back walking as well as taking in the falls and the short detour, it took roughly a little over a half-mile round trip of hiking and less than 45 minutes away from the car.

I recalled it seemed longer than that given the heat and humidity from our first visit here in early Summer.

However, it felt much more benign during the crisp Autumn morning of our October visit some six years later.

Authorities

The Lower Falls of the Genesee River resides in Letchworth State Park near Mt Morris in Livingston County and Wyoming County, New York. It is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: letchworth, state park, livingston, wyoming county, castile, portageville, western new york, new york, finger lakes, waterfall



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About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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