Letchworth State Park Livingston County, NY

    One of the biggest destinations in western New York outside Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park is well known for its gorges and waterfalls.  Views are impressive, especially during the fall foliage season.  Columbus Day weekend is the big arts and crafts show and the park is flooded with visitors to see the park's gorges, waterfalls, and to buy crafts.   The habitat is mixed forest dominated by hemlock, cedar, and beech.  Woodland Plants such as Lilium species and mints abound.  Occasional Orchids and Indian Pipe are also found here.  One of the area's few fruiting American Chestnuts is in the park.  Wood Warblers are the park's birding specialty, Hooded Warblers being common and all expected eastern species have been recorded in the park along with some unexpected species.  Acadian Flycatcher nests near the southern entrance.  Turkey Vultures seem to enjoy the gorge and they have been found wintering there.  There are numerous hiking trails, the eastern side is less developed, more wilderness-like, and less congested with traffic.