On The Road
Borrowing the name from Jack Kerouac’s classic beat generation tale of travels across the country, intermittently we’ll post accounts about our life on the road. Whether you’re traveling by motorhome, fifth wheel, trailer, camper, van, or SUV, there is so much out there to explore, and we want to bring you the very best to consider for your next adventure. Read on for our most recent excursion to New York’s Niagara Falls State Park.
Niagara Falls State Park
Founded in 1885 as the Niagara Reservation by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man who conceptualized New York City’s Central Park, Niagara Falls State Park spans over 400 acres of which 140 are underwater according to the park’s website. The park is is considered the oldest state park in the country. An estimated 8 million visitors descend on the park each year according to the the tourism board.
Situated along the Niagara River in the City of Niagara Falls in Niagara County, in western New York State, Niagara Falls is north of Buffalo and south of Toronto. The falls fall on the border of New York and Canada, with boundary lines encompassing either side. The falls and all of the natural splendors can be enjoyed from either side, with one known as the American Falls and the other aptly named the Canadian Falls. The water stems from the Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, and the greater Great Lakes system. It eventually makes its way to the St. Lawrence River before flowing out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Three falls make up the American side of Niagara Falls. They include the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and part of the Horseshoe Falls, which Canada also shares on the Canadian side. According to Niagara Falls USA, the falls see 3,160 tons of water pass through every second and at some of the highest points, the falls reach an impressive 176 feet.
Getting There
Getting to Niagara Falls State Park is easy by way of Interstate 90 (I-90), depending on where you’re traveling from. Take I-90 East (if coming from the west) or I-90 West (if coming from the east or south). Then take Interstate 290 to the 190 North Exit and cross over the South Grand Island Bridge. This will lead to the North Grand Island Bridge, and finally to exit 21 for the Niagara Scenic Parkway.
If coming from Canada, take the Rainbow Bridge into the U.S. which will lead to Niagara Street. The park entrance is not far from the exit.
While traveling along I-190, be sure to stop by the ILoveNY Western New York Welcome Center at exit 19 for a truly unique experience. Highlights include the best of what Western New York has to offer, with an on-site market/café selling local New York State products, produce, and gifts. There is also a pirate ship playground so the little ones can get out the wiggles and decorative iron buffaloes that line the entrance. The center offers RV and camper parking, an electric vehicle charging station, and facilities.
Furthermore, RV and camper parking is available within Niagara Falls State Park at Parking Lot 3 for a daily fee. See the park’s official parking page for additional information.
Attractions at Niagara Falls State Park
No trip to Niagara Falls State Park would be complete without visiting some of its main attractions. Highlights include the following:
Maid of the Mist – departing from the Prospect Point Observation Tower, the Maid of the Mist boat tour takes you into the waters of the American and Horseshoe Falls for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Cave of the Winds – go beneath the American Falls to see, and feel, what the Falls are all about. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet as you’ll be soaked by the end of the tour. Ponchos are provided.
Goat Island – located within the park, Goat Island is an island in the Niagara River. There are walking and hiking trails and scenic viewpoints located throughout Goat Island. The Niagara Scenic Trolly makes a stop on the island, and the Cave of the Winds tour begins on the island.
Niagara Scenic Trolly – enjoy a 3-mile, 30-minute guided tour of the park with hop-on, hop-off features on environmentally-friendly trollies.
Prospect Point Observation Tower – this 230’ observation tower extends out over the Niagara Gorge. Hours of operation vary by season so check the website to plan your visit. The base of the tower also serves as the loading and unloading area of the Maid of the Mist boat tours.
Hiking Trails – Niagara Falls State Park and the Niagara Gorge area offer several hiking trails of varying difficulty. See the park’s official hiking trail map to plan your route.
Schoellkopf Power Plant Station Ruins – tour what remains of the former Schoellkopf Power Plant Station, the first in the country and formerly one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world. Tours are offered seasonally and based on availability so refer to the park’s page for visitor information.
Welcome Center & Gift Shops – check out the two gift shops, located at Cave of the Winds on Goat Island and the Top of the Falls near Terrapin Point, for an assortment of mementos from Niagara Falls and the greater western New York region. The recently completed Ralph C Wilson Jr. Welcome Center features a display of native birds, plants, a ticketing and visitor information desk, facilities, and a Shops of Niagara boutique and a Tastes of Niagara café.
Aquarium of Niagara – a fun experience for the whole family to enjoy, the Aquarium of Niagara is home to over 120 species. Open seven days a week, discounted admission is available. RV and camper parking is available.
Where to stay
The nearest American campgrounds from Niagara Falls State Park is a15-minute drive from the park at HTR Niagara Campground & Resort. The resort offers cabins, FHU pull-through sites, FHU back in sites, tent sites with electric hookups, and pet-free yurts. Check the website for availability and reservations.
Before you go
Lastly, before you go, make sure you’re prepared with all the RV care, RV maintenance, and RV restoration accessories you’ll need. RVbyLIFE’s Life-Calk® polysulfide RV sealant and Life Seal® silicone/polyurethane RV sealant are two staples to have on hand for any quick on the road repair. The Stick scraping tool also comes in handy and works well with our Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover. Of course, no trip would be complete without a bottle of all-purpose sanitizer. Our Sanitizer for Hands and Surfaces is made with only Benzalkonium Chloride and ionized water, so it won’t leave an odor or irritate the skin on application. It also continues working on surfaces once dry unlike alcohol-based sanitizer. For all other RV repair and maintenance needs, visit our website for our full product catalog.
Make sure to check out our other travel tales to find your next RV travel destination. Happy RV travels!
