Chasing Waterfalls
Chase Finger Lakes waterfalls from Hickory Hill in Bath, NY. Watkins Glen, Stony Brook, Mossy Bank and more gorge trails, with distances and family tips.
Chasing Waterfalls: Gorge Trails & Day Trips from Hickory Hill
The Finger Lakes were carved by glaciers, and the region has been paying it forward ever since in the form of deep gorges, mossy cliffs, and hundreds of waterfalls. Some of the most spectacular ones in the state are a short drive from Bath, which makes Hickory Hill a natural home base for a day of chasing water.
Whether you want a bucket-list gorge hike or an easy overlook the whole family can handle, here are the best Finger Lakes waterfalls and gorge trails near the resort.
Watkins Glen State Park (about 37 minutes away)
If you visit one gorge, make it this one. Watkins Glen is the most famous state park in the Finger Lakes, and for good reason. The Gorge Trail runs roughly two miles past nineteen waterfalls, winding over and under the water on stone paths, through the Spiral Tunnel, and across a suspension bridge that hangs about 85 feet above the creek. There are more than 800 stone steps along the way, so wear good shoes and take your time.
It is about 26 miles from Bath, an easy 37-minute drive. Go early in the day, especially on fall weekends, to beat the crowds and get the best light in the gorge. The gorge trails are seasonal and typically open from mid-spring into late fall, so check the park's status before a shoulder-season visit.
Stony Brook State Park (near Dansville)
Closer to home, Stony Brook State Park sits just south of Dansville, roughly a half-hour from the resort. Its shaded gorge has three larger waterfalls plus a handful of smaller ones, and in summer there is a natural stream-fed swimming area that kids love.
One important note: after heavy rain, gorge trails here can close for safety and repairs, so always check current conditions with New York State Parks before you make the drive. It is good practice for any gorge hike in the region.
Right in Bath: Mossy Bank Park
Not every great view requires a road trip. Mossy Bank Park, right in Bath, offers an easy nature-trail network and a bluff-top overlook with a sweeping view over the valley and the village below. It is a low-effort, high-reward stop, perfect for sunset, a picnic, or a short leg-stretch when you do not have a full day to spare.
Grimes Glen (Naples, about 40 minutes)
For something more rugged, Grimes Glen in Naples rewards a bit of adventure. A creekside trail leads back to a pair of tall waterfalls, and in warm weather part of the fun is wading up the shallow stream to reach them. It is best for older kids and sure-footed hikers, and it is at its most magical when the fall color comes in overhead.
Tips for chasing waterfalls with the family
● Wear real shoes. Gorge trails are wet, uneven, and full of stairs. Skip the flip-flops.
● Go early. The famous parks fill up by late morning on nice days. Early hikers get quiet trails and better photos.
● Check conditions after rain. Trails can close for safety when water is high. A quick check on the state parks site saves a wasted trip.
● Bring water and a picnic. Most of these parks have picnic areas, so pack a lunch and make a half-day of it.
Waterfalls and fall color go hand in hand, so pair a gorge hike with a scenic drive from our Finger Lakes fall foliage guide. Planning a full day out with the kids? Our family camping itinerary helps you map it all.
Come back to camp
The best part of a waterfall day is coming back to a campfire and an easy evening. After the trails, Hickory Hill has the pools, the playgrounds, and the wide-open space to unwind, plus comfortable sites and cabins waiting for you. Compare every way to stay and make the resort your launch pad for the Finger Lakes' best waterfalls.
Uncork the Finger Lakes
Explore the Keuka Lake Wine Trail from Hickory Hill in Bath, NY. Standout wineries near Hammondsport, day-trip tips, and where to stay in the Finger Lakes.
Uncork the Finger Lakes: A Keuka Lake Wine Trail Guide from Hickory Hill
The Finger Lakes is one of the great wine regions in the country, and Keuka Lake is right at the heart of it. The steep, Y-shaped lake, sometimes called the Crooked Lake, has a knack for growing exceptional cool-climate grapes, and its shoreline is dotted with tasting rooms that pair award-winning wine with some of the best views in New York.
The best part for our guests: from your campsite at Hickory Hill in Bath, you are only about twenty minutes from the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Spend the day tasting your way around the lake, then come home to a campfire. Here is how to do it.
What is the Keuka Lake Wine Trail?
The Keuka Lake Wine Trail is a collection of wineries circling the lake between Penn Yan, Branchport, and Hammondsport. The region made its name on Riesling and other cool-climate whites, but you will also find dry reds, sparkling wines, and sweet sippers along the way. Because the vineyards climb the hillsides right down to the water, the drive between stops is half the fun.
Harvest season, roughly September into October, is the liveliest time to visit. The vines are heavy, the tasting rooms are buzzing, and the fall color is coming in over the lake. It also happens to be a beautiful time to be camping.
Wineries to visit near Hickory Hill
There are more than a dozen wineries on the trail. If you only have a day, these standouts near the south and west sides of the lake are an easy drive from the resort:
● Dr. Konstantin Frank. A pioneering name in Finger Lakes wine, credited with proving that European vinifera grapes like Riesling could thrive here. Hilltop tasting room with sweeping lake views and a serious reputation for its whites.
● Heron Hill Winery. Producing award-winning wine since 1977, with a hilltop tasting room that Travel + Leisure once named among the most spectacular in the world. The view alone is worth the stop.
● Bully Hill Vineyards. A longtime destination winery with a restaurant, outdoor seating, and lake views, plus a fun, unpretentious personality. A good pick if you want lunch with your tasting.
● Keuka Lake Vineyards. A smaller, estate-focused stop near Hammondsport known for terroir-driven wines. A nice change of pace from the bigger rooms.
● Weis Vineyards. German-style wines from a winemaker who trained in Germany's Mosel region. Worth seeking out if Riesling is your thing.
Tasting-room hours, fees, and reservation policies vary by season and by winery, and some smaller rooms keep shorter fall and winter hours. Check each winery's website before you go so you are not caught out.
How to do the wine trail from your campsite
A relaxed day beats a rushed one. A few tips to make it easy:
● Pick two or three wineries, not ten. Tastings add up quickly, and the drives between them are part of the experience. Leave room to linger.
● Have a plan for driving. Choose a designated driver, or book a local wine-tour shuttle so everyone can relax. The roads around the lake are hilly and worth your full attention.
● Bring a cooler. Pick up a few bottles to enjoy back at your site. A Finger Lakes Riesling by the campfire is a hard combination to beat.
● Pair it with Hammondsport. The village at the foot of the lake is full of shops and cafes.
Our guide to a Keuka Lake and Hammondsport day trip maps out a full day if you want to build the wineries into a bigger outing. And if the weather turns, our rainy-day ideas near Hickory Hill have you covered.
Bring the wine weekend back to the resort
Love the wine-country vibe? So do we. Keep an eye on our themed-weekend calendar for our grown-up S'More Wine Please weekend, when we bring a little of that Finger Lakes wine spirit right to the campground with tastings and cozy evenings. It is the perfect bookend to a day on the trail.
Where to stay: Hickory Hill
A day of wine tasting is even better when you do not have to drive far to a comfortable bed. Hickory Hill offers everything from full-hookup RV sites to cabins and cottages that are ideal for a couples' getaway. Compare every way to stay and make the resort your Finger Lakes wine-country home base.