Waterfalls You Can Visit In
Letchworth State Park

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Below you will find descriptions of several waterfalls found in Letchworth Stare Park. To the right of the waterfall name is a link that will take you to a trail map of the area where the waterfall is located. This page is part of the Letchworth State Park Information page by the Western New York Waterfall Survey. For an alphebetical listing of the parks waterfalls that contains GPS location data click here.

The St. Helena Falls

     The four St. Helena Falls tumble down a cliff face on the east bank of the Genesee River. The cliff is located about 0.5 mile southeast of the lower St. Helena picnic area. The river flat below and to the southeast of this picnic area was once the site of a prosperous pioneer village known as St. Helena. Founded in the early 1800's, the village is believed to have been named in honor of Saint Helena, who is credited with finding the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. In the 1850's the village had several merchants, 25 families, and a schoolhouse with 75 students. However the growth of St. Helena was cut short when the village was bypassed by the Genesee Valley Canal in 1862 and was later bypassed by the railroads. In 1920 only 12 families lived in the dwindling village. St. Helena faded into history in the 1940's.
     The best viewing areas of three of the falls is along the river’s edge, which is accessible from the St. Helena Trail. The hike along the river is a little rugged and brushy in spots. A good pair of hiking boots and long pants are recommended. The hike is a little over 1.5 miles long. Starting from the lower St. Helena picnic area, follow the St. Helena Trail (13) to the bottom of the hill. As you walk down the hill look to your right (southeast), and you may be able to catch a glimpse of Crucifix Cascade between the trees. When you reach the bottom of the hill turn right (south) on a short spur trail. Follow this spur trail southward 0.4 mile to the bank of the Genesee River. When you reach the river turn left (southeast) and head down river along the river bank. Spring floods often change the features of the river bank so please use caution and good judgment to determine the best route. Just remember to keep the river to your right. Roughly 0.2 mile after leaving the spur trail and making a gradual turn to the northeast, you will be looking across the Genesee River at the first of the St. Helena Falls, Canoe Shower Falls.

     Permission to exit the spur trail has been granted by park officials as the river flat is a designated fishing area. Park regulations prohibit swimming or wading in the river. This is for your safety. The strong river currents are very treacherous. Do not attempt this hike if the river is high or expected to rise. At times of high water the entire river flat is flooded by the lake behind the Mount Morris Dam and is completely inaccessible to hikers.

Canoe Shower Falls Trail Map 6

Canoe Shower Falls can be seen from the Gorge Trail (1), a short distance southwest of the upper St. Helena picnic area, but it is best seen from the St. Helena river flats. (See description above on how to reach this viewing area.) The Falls is slightly overhung, has a height of 40 feet, a crest width of 16 feet and faces northwest. If the stream's volume is low when you are visiting the park, the crest width of the Falls may be only a few feet.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Canoe Shower Falls click here.

Crucifix Cascade Trail Map 6

From the Canoe Shower Falls viewing area on the St. Helena river flats you can see Crucifix Cascade about 1,000 feet to the northeast. To reach the best viewing area of this cascade, continue down the river’s edge (northeast) from the Canoe Shower Falls viewing area along the bank of the Genesee River. Soon you will be looking across the Genesee River at Crucifix Cascade. This ribbon waterfall is 70 feet in height, has a crest width of 2 feet, and faces northwest.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Crucifix Cascade click here.

Wriggling Waters Trail Map 6

To reach the viewing area of this Falls, continue down the river’s edge (northeast) about 400 feet past the Crucifix Cascade viewing area. You will now be across the river from Wriggling Waters, a west-northwest facing ribbon falls with a height of 60 feet and a crest of 5 feet. If the stream's volume is just right, you will see strands of wriggling water falling from an overhung section of this Falls.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Wriggling Waters click here.

Abutment Falls Trail Map 6

Continue down river (northeast). After walking about 900 feet you will reach the western abutment of the St. Helena Bridge, which was removed in 1950. Just past the abutment is the St. Helena Trail (13). If the smaller creeks are flowing, you will get the best view of the fourth St. Helena Falls, Abutment Falls, from here. Abutment Falls is on the east side of the river, to the south of the eastern bridge abutment. The Falls is 50 feet high, with a crest of 3 feet. To get back to the lower St. Helena picnic area, follow the trail to the west, heading away from the river. In 0.5 mile you will reach the lower St. Helena picnic area.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Abutment Falls click here.

Detour Cliff Cascade Trail Map 7

Detour Cliff Cascade can be seen from the Smokey Hollow Overlook, which is located on the park road, two miles south of the Perry entrance. Look to the southeast and you should be able to see the Cascade descending the cliff face, which is a little under a mile away. The Cascade may also be seen from the Smokey Hollow Trail (15), about 0.75 mile east of the Overlook, and can be glimpsed between the trees farther along the trail. Detour Cliff Cascade has a height of about 110 feet, a crest width of roughly 6 feet, and faces north. If the lake behind the Mount Morris Dam is high during your visit, sections of this trail may be flooded and thus inaccessible. Also the lower portion of the cascade will be underwater, and it will then appear shorter.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Detour Cliff Cascade click here.

Horse Tail Falls Trail Map 7

Horse Tail Falls can also be seen from the Smokey Hollow Overlook, as well as the Smokey Hollow Trail (15), about 1 mile east of the overlook. Horse Tail Falls, located roughly 700 feet north of Detour Cliff Cascade, is about 130 feet in height, with a crest of roughly 10 feet, and faces northwest. If you are visiting the park when the smaller creeks are flowing well, you should see a few other unnamed falls tumbling down the cliff face near this waterfall. If the lake behind the Mount Morris Dam is high during your visit, sections of this trail may be flooded and thus inaccessible. Also the lower portion of the falls will be underwater, and it will then appear shorter.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Horse Tail Falls click here.

Crapsey Clay Falls Trail Map 8

Located roughly 0.3 mile north of the Hogs Back Overlook, Crapsey Clay Falls can be seen from the Highbanks Trail (20), south of the Highbanks Recreation Area. From the trail look to the west, and you will see this 200-foot high southeast facing ribbon falls, which has a crest of roughly six feet. The upper half of the Falls is overhung, while the lower half is a very steep cascade. The best view of the Falls is from the overlook where the Highbanks Trail (20) makes a turn to the north. From this overlook, Crapsey Clay Falls is about 0.5 mile away. The large ravine above the Falls was formed by a great mud slide in 1928. If the lake behind the Mount Morris Dam is high during your visit, the lower portion of the falls will be underwater, and it will appear much shorter.

To view an animation of Crapsey Clay Falls on a windy Spring day click here.

For a TopoZone map of the location of the Crapsey Clay Falls click here.

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