Lower Genesee Falls: The Underrated Star Of Letchworth State Park

We visited Letchworth State Park back in May, 2016. Since, a lot has happened in the New York State Park. A new train trestle has been built above the Upper Genesee Falls. The original rickety trestle that had been around since 1875 is in the process of dismantlement. And, more people have misjudged the triple threat of waterfalls on the Genesee River, paying for that mistake with their lives.

Just a month after our visit in 2016, two men in their 30’s were supervising five young children on a hike in the park. Two of the children, aged nine and six, were swept away and lost their lives. In May, 2017, those two men were sentenced to five years probation, guilty of criminally negligent homicide.

On our visit, we ignored the warning signs to get pictures from the crest of Lower Genesee Falls. We were approached by a park representative telling us to get back from the edge. He was great about it and told us about previous victims in the park. I take the utmost care when exploring areas like this. However, it’s reminders like that that make you take even more care when tempting fate with Mother Nature.

Lower Genesee Falls Image Gallery

In the gallery below, there are nine images taken around the Lower Genesee Falls area. As you can see from the photos in the middle row, we were right at the edge of the crest. For full-size, high resolution versions for any of the photos in the image gallery, simply click on the individual pictures.

Lower Genesee Falls

Lower Genesee Falls is the third of three major waterfalls on the Genesee River within Letchworth State Park. The waterfall drops 70 feet and the crest is around 150 feet across. The waterfall is unique in that it falls at a 45 degree angle to the river.

The stone walking bridge below the falls that connects Table Rock with Cathedral Rock is the only bridge across the river within the park. As recently as the 1800’s, the waterfall actually fell between Table Rock and Cathedral Rock with the section between now washed away. Cathedral Rock is another popular place within the park that is actually off limits. Yet, despite the ample signage, people continually climb to the top, eroding away the rock with every step they take.

The Lower Falls are probably the least visited of the three waterfalls, simply because you have to put some effort in to walk to get to the views. However, they are the most natural and most photogenic.

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is located 35 miles south of Rochester and 60 miles southeast of Buffalo, New York in the state of New York. Along the Genesee River gorge, the cliffs reach as high as 550 feet above the river. This feature gives the location the nickname, “Grand Canyon Of The East.”

Although the three main waterfalls are the feature, there are as many as 50 inside the park with many appearing only during the spring melt and times of heavy rain. Camping is available at the park but, be warned, the campground is located at the opposite end of the park as the main attractions. There are 270 sites, all with electricity. Also available are 81 cabins for rent throughout the park and lodging available at a handful of inns.

This is such a great alternative to the close by Niagara Falls, Ontario and it’s in a much more natural environment.