Watkins Glen State Park, N.Y. Photography Hot Spot
A dynamic Photography Location
Pamela Goodyer has been guiding photographers to the best photography spots in the world for over fifteen years, and Watkins Glenn State Park is on her list of top New York spots.
The winding trails lead you through cascading waterfalls, each offering a unique perspective on the interplay of water and stone. The narrow gorge walls rise sharply, their layered rock formations etched with the passage of time. Light filters through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows that shift with the breeze.
We highly recommend traveling to this location for photography. The park’s natural architecture provides endless opportunities to frame compositions that feel intimate and grand. Rushing water echoes through the gorge, creating a rhythm that guides your exploration. Each turn reveals a new scene—a pool of still water reflecting the sky, a curtain of mist rising from a hidden fall. It’s more than just photography here.
NEARBY SENECA LAKE
When you’re done with Watkins Glen State Park, there are more things to photograph around the area. Check out Seneca Lake in the surrounding area.
Seneca Lake stretches wide and deep, its surface mirroring the ever-changing sky. The shoreline is dotted with vineyards and small towns, their charm adding layers of narrative to your work. Early mornings here are particularly rewarding, when the mist clings to the water and the first light of day paints everything in soft hues. But anytime is good here.
WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK PHOTOGRAPHY INFORMATION
What is the Address and phone number?
Watkins Glen State Park – Address: 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 – Phone: (607) 535-4511.
When is the best time to go?
Arrive a little after sunrise to get the shots before the humans arrive! An overcast day without blaring sun is ideal. Midweek is perfect to avoid the crowds. Winter is not the best time due to the cold and ice, and some trails are closed for the season.
What camera gear should I bring?
Bring your tripod, circular polarizing filter, and neutral density filters. Of course, there is a lot of moving water here, so it is a long exposure, milky water effect heaven. This is primarily a wide-angle lens location. Be sure to bring your lens cloth for thewater spraying that lands on your lens.
Gear List at a glance:
Circular polarizing filter, neutral density filter, tripod, shutter release, wide-angle lens, lens cloths.
What park information do I need to know?
Hours of Operation:
Park hours and facility operations are subject to change. Patrons are encouraged to contact the park to confirm operating hours before traveling.
- The park is open year-round.
Vehicle entry fees of $10.00 are collected from mid-May to November. - Trail updates: With any questions, please call the park office at 607-535-4511.
CAMERA SETTINGS – LONG EXPOSURE WATERFALL
Manual Mode: You must use a tripod for your long-exposure running and milky water shots. Your settings will vary depending on the lighting and your neutral density filter. For the milky water effect, you will shoot in manual mode.
When doing waterfall photography, ISO is always 100 or as low as your camera will allow. The aperture is f/22 or the highest number your camera will allow. Your shutter speed will vary depending on the light. Change your shutter speed until the built-in meter in your camera reads 0. Take some test shots to decide your shutter speed. You now have your milky water exposure. You want at least a 3—to 5-second exposure for running water.
INFORMATION – WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK
The centerpiece of the 1000-acre park is a 400-foot-deep narrow gorge cut through rock by a stream—Glen Creek. Yeah. The park features three trails—open mid-May to early November—on which one can photograph the gorge. The park has 19 waterfalls by way of stone bridges and more than 800 stone steps. The trails connect to the Finger Lakes Trail, an 800-mile system of trails throughout New York State.
WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK
You want to go to this park early in the morning before the people arrive. We arrived at 7 a.m., and only a few people were there. You can see the people in my pictures. They started to come around 8:oo a.m, and by nine, there were so many people we could not keep out of my long exposure shots. The shots of our fellow photographers above in this photography heaven are among our favorites, so humans in photos can sometimes be good.
HOTELS – RESTAURANTS – CAMPING – WEATHER
Captain Bill’s Lake Cruise – Dining in the Finger Lakes. Their meal cruises boast full-course seated dining with fantastic entree selections.
1 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, New York 14891 – 607-535-4541 Visit The Website
Or take your camera on a cruise of the lake for a 50-minute narrated excursion that offers a front-row seat to Seneca Lake’s most captivating landmarks, like Hector Falls and the dramatic cliffs of the east shore adorned with Native American artwork.
They have multiple different cruises.
LAKESIDE RESORT
Lakeside Resort offers accommodations with barbecue facilities and a garden, including 30 acres with walking trails and small waterfalls. This property also features a shared lounge and a terrace. All rooms have a coffee machine, microwave, small refrigerator, hair dryer, flat-screen TV with cable channels, and free Wi-Fi.
PET FRIENDLY!! Book direct and save. Here is the website for the resort.
Watkins Glen State Park, N.Y. Camping
We did not stay here, but it is the closest camping. Watkins Glen State Park: 2015 Camping Season: 5/8 – 10/12 – Group Camp: 5/1 – 10/26
*Please note that some loops/sites may open later or close earlier within the camping season. For more details, please call the park or visit http://www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Facilities:
The park offers 305 campsites with restrooms, hot showers, dumping stations and firewood for sale. Other amenities include food concessions, gift shops, a rental pavilion, picnic tables and grills, playing fields, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and kiddie pool, modern playgrounds, scenic views, and 19 waterfalls.
Watkins Glen State Park, Restaurants
Village Marina Bar and Grill:
We ate here on our journey. It was a good restaurant with good food and reasonable prices, but if you have a restaurant to feed our hungry photographers while doing photography at Watkins Glen State Park and the surrounding area. Please send us an email to advertise on this high-ranking page.
