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Experiencing the Niagara Gorge and Niagara River is a way to get a well-rounded Niagara Falls experience!
That’s because the waterfalls that are known as Niagara Falls flow into the Niagara River along the Niagara Gorge.
So of course you want to experience more of the Niagara Gorge!
And, you can do that by going to Whirlpool State Park!
I went to Whirlpool State Park alongside a visit to Niagara Falls State Park.
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From Niagara Falls State Park to Whirlpool State Park, it’s about a 10-15 minute drive.
So it’s very reasonable to go to Whirlpool State Park after you see Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls to Whirlpool State Park is an easy drive.
You can make a trip to Whirlpool State Park a quick one, or you can stay for a little longer!
More below about things to do in Whirlpool State Park to see the Niagara Gorge!
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1. Whirlpool rapids scenic overlook
If you are going to do just ONE thing in Whirlpool State Park and you want it to be quick, then what you want to do is take a walk to Whirlpool Point scenic overlook!
From the parking lot, it’s a short paved trail to get to the Whirlpool Point Scenic Overlook to see the whirlpool rapids.
This will give you grand views overlooking the Niagara Gorge and Niagara River.
2. Niagara Gorge Rim Trail in Whirlpool State Park
The Niagara Gorge Rim Trail extends for over 6 miles along top of the Niagara Gorge. (See the pdf map from New York state parks.)
But you don’t have to hike for 6 miles (or 12 miles round trip!) in order to get amazing views from the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail.
And in fact, by going to the Whirlpool Point Scenic Overlook, you will find yourself along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail!
So from there, you can continue walking along the trail for a hike with amazing views!
You can make it a walk of 5-10 minutes along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail, and then turn around.
Or, you can do… what’s NEXT on the list!
3. Whirlpool State Park stairs
So you’ve seen views of the Niagara Gorge (and Niagara River) from the top.
Next, for an even fuller Niagara Gorge experience, you can see the Niagara Gorge and Niagara River from the bottom!
If you want to go to the Whirlpool State Park stairs, then when you are facing the river, you will walk along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail to the right. (There will be signs.)
After around 10 minutes or so walking from Whirlpool Point (and/or the parking lot if you want to get started right away!), you will come across a set of stairs that will go down to the river.
Take those stairs down!
Maybe it will take around 10 minutes to take the stairs down.
And then once you are at the bottom of the stairs, you can continue walking along the Niagara River (and the bottom of the Niagara Gorge!) as long as you want. (Next!)
Just remember, if you go DOWN the stairs, you have to go back UP!
And if you intend to go down, then it is best to wear proper shoes.
Hiking in Whirlpool State Park
So THE hike to do in Whirlpool State Park is called Whirlpool Rapids Trail.
And actually, by doing getting yourself to the stairs, you will find yourself at the Whirlpool Rapids Trail.
The Whirlpool Rapids Trail technically starts at the stairs.
Then once you are down the stairs, at the Niagara River level (bottom of the Niagara Gorge), it is a hike along the Niagara River until you reach the end of the trail.
Facing the Niagara River, the Whirlpool Rapids Trail goes to the left.
You can go to the right too though, and that will put you on the Devils Hole Trail which is part of Devils Hole State Park. (See the pdf map.)
New York State Parks considers the Whirlpool Rapids Trail a “difficult” trail because of the following:
- stairs
- boulder hopping
- narrow sections
The Whirlpool Rapids Trail is listed as 2.6 miles round trip.
This 2.6 miles doesn’t seem to include the walk along the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail to get to the Whirlpool State Park stairs.
That may be an extra 10 minute walk one way from the Whirlpool Point scenic overlook.
You might want to give yourself 2-3 hours for hiking in Whirlpool State Park.
Whirlpool State Park picnic area
And then, bring your own food and you can gave a post-hike picnic!
Or, there may even be a snack truck in the parking lot. It sells ice cream.
Whirlpool State Park Visitor Center
Learn about the geology of New York, including about the Niagara Gorge that you will be looking at!
If the Whirlpool State Park visitor center is open, there will also be a knowledgeable park ranger that you can talk to!
You will also find the bathroom nearby here.
According to New York State Parks:
The Niagara Gorge was recognized in the late 1700s as an example of the creation of a valley by its stream.
The Niagara Gorge is internationally known for having one of the best undisturbed exposures of Silurian age rocks in the western hemisphere.
There is no swimming in Whirlpool State Park.
The Niagara River is powerful! There is no swimming in Whirlpool State Park.
There is no camping in Whirlpool State Park.
There is no campground in Whirlpool State Park.
Instead, for amazing camping near Niagara Falls, take a look at Lake Ontario camping in a New York state park.
Discover Niagara Falls shuttle stop: Whirlpool State Park
There is also the free Discover Niagara shuttle that goes to various places of interest around Niagara Falls.
This includes Niagara Falls State Park, Fort Niagara State Park (up towards Lake Ontario), and yes there is also a Discover Niagara shuttle stop at Whirlpool State Park… among others!
So if you are in Niagara Falls without a car (or you just want to leave the driving to someone else), then you can go to Whirlpool State Park too!
Cost to visit Whirlpool State Park
There is no entry fee for Whirlpool State Park. There is no parking fee for Whirlpool State Park.
So it is FREE to visit Whirlpool State Park!
See current fees to make sure this has not changed. Look for “fees and rates.”
And that’s a bit about Whirlpool State Park and a New York state park along the Niagara Gorge!
The Niagara River flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario! So be sure to also see:
Plan more of your trip to Western New York:
- Best things to do in Niagara Falls NY for views
- Finger Lakes (west side)
- Letchworth State Park gorge trail to waterfalls
- Places to visit in Western New York
My trip to Whirlpool State Park was in July 2021 as part of a Western New York road trip.
HAPPY VISIT TO WHIRLPOOL STATE PARK!
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