Niagara Falls State Park - Niagara Falls, NY
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 43° 05.158 W 079° 03.898
17T E 657503 N 4772178
Niagara Falls State Park, formerly known as Niagara Reservation State Park, is reported to be the oldest state park in the United States.
Waymark Code: WM1ZHE
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 08/09/2007
Views: 377
Niagara Falls State Park provides a means to get up close and personal with one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. It consists of the mainland portion which borders the upper Niagara River rapids and Niagara gorge, and Goat Island and several smaller islands which take you out into the middle of the river.
The park was established in 1885 and was originally named Niagara Reservation State Park. A group of people led by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted got together to convince New York State to preserve the natural beauty of the area and create a state park for all to enjoy. They succeeded with their goal and the existing factories and industries along the river were demolished.
On the mainland part of the park, you can go out on the Observation Tower and get a great view of the falls and gorge. Within the tower is an elevator that will take down into the gorge where you can take a ride on the Maid of the Mist and get up close to the base of the falls. At Prospect Point you can get within inches of the edge of the American falls. There is also a snack bar and tourist information center nearby.
Over on Goat Island are more walking trails around the whole island. At the northwest corner is the Cave of the Winds Tour which allows you take an elevator into the gorge and walk out on a wood deck to the base of the falls and feel it's power and mist. Terrapin Point allows you to get within a couple feet of the edge of the Horseshoe Falls. On the south side of the island a small bridge takes you to the Three Sisters Islands where you can experience the rapids up close. A sit-down restaurant is located on Goat Island.
During the tourist months, a trolley is available to take visitors all around the mainland and island parts of the park. The park is open from dawn to dusk. It is open year-round, but it gets real cold and icy in the wintertime.
Park Type: Day Use
Activities:
Scenery! There are several paved walking trails that meander around the mainland and Goat Island. The Niagara Falls Observation Tower provides great views of the Falls and the Niagara Gorge. The Niagara Discovery Center is a museum that educates about the history of the falls and surrounding area. Picnic tables are available on Goat Island.
Park Fees: Not listed
Background:
The formation of the falls began at the end of the Ice Age. Large torrents of water were released from the melting ice, draining into what is now the Niagara River. About 12,300 years ago, the water plunged over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a cliff at what is now Lewiston, NY. The force of the water wore away the rock layers and Niagara Falls moved upstream, eventually reaching its present location.
Date Established?: July 15, 1885
Link to Park: [Web Link]
Additional Entrance Points: N 43° 04.860 W 079° 03.324
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