Reviews of Whirlpool State Park (Park)

Rupak Banerjee

Loved the place. Went back after a few years. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. Lovely views.

Forged With Fiber

It was ok. As a scenic overlook, they should really maintain the folage a little more so you can actually see better though.

Anne Borrelli

The hike can be challenging but totally worth it! Wear good shoes and bring a bottle of drinking water. I often bring a book to relax.

Tom Berna

Awesome Park! We really enjoyed the stairs down to the bottom of the gorge. Also enjoyed the view from the top. We spent about an hour and 45 minutes here. Could have easily spent three or four hours if we had packed some food for lunch.

518 Traveler

Nice park, great hike!

Yen Yen晏晏

Come at summer, it is much beautiful than winter. Just walk 3,4 mins, than you can see the whirlpool.

Mark Emmerso

What a view! The path down into the gorge was closed for construction when I visited, but honestly I still really appreciated the view. There's posted placards warning visitors of Lyme carrying ticks in the area, so keep that in mind.

L Davis

There's a beautiful trail that runs alongside the water. If you plan to go down to the water, bring water and a snack. Its a hike up and down! Worth it though.

Zacc Knight

If you into hiking it's an experience you shouldn't miss

Andrew Griesmann

Great views, plenty of parking. Many signs and maps that will help keep you informed of where you are, what's around and more. The Whirlpool is an amazing sight and the rushing water is rather soothing. Great visit. A spot I'll surely return to again, even in the winter. Oh, I almost forgot about the wall. Medieval vibe, super cool. Something I would like to have in my own backyard.

Roy Binderman

Paradise. Just take the trail down and walk

Geno Brisker

Great view, wonderful trails down to the river

Matthew

Very beautiful park, pictures hardly do it justice. Definitely a must visit spot at Niagara!

Richard Travis

The trail on the rim is spectacular. A trail with some stairs takes you to the river. The river below takes no prisoners be careful.

Samuel Zusmanovitch

A beautiful park and a nice stop on on driving to Ontario lake.

Tricia Hefner

Great place for a quick stop to see the whirlpool. This US state park is much more peaceful than the Canadian side, with fewer tourist attractions and therefore fewer tourists. There's free parking and a cute shelter hours with restrooms and pamphlets, and it's a quick walk to the railing to see the whirlpool. We didn't walk the trails and were only at the park about 15 minutes. It would be a cute place to have a picnic lunch or a rest area pit-stop on a road trip.

Yes L

Such an amazing place for people to go hiking, u can rly get close to the river. U will feel comfortable to walk into the forest. Whirlpool State Park has two levels -- the street level has many scenic overlooks with spectacular views of the Whirlpool and rapids. There are picnic facilities and a playground, as well as the gorge natural history room at the restroom building; both are open seasonally. The river level offers hiking and fishing by taking the staircase located just downstream from the main park area. At the base of the gorge, you can hike upstream along the Whirlpool Rapids Trail past the Whirlpool to a point along the Whirlpool Rapids. You can return to this staircase to exit the gorge, or take the Devil's Hole Trail downstream to the Devil's Hole staircase to the top of the gorge at Devil's Hole State Park. From there, you can take the rim trail back to Whirlpool State Park.

Zzz Zzzz

Good fishing, caught on my home made jigs. I have a variety of jigs for sale just contact me

Dane Collins

Amazing site to see. This is a must see while you are visiting Niagara Falls. Also some great fishing can be found here.

Jacob

Woooow Outstanding view, history, wind, and ... I would like to go down and try the boats ✌️ Next trip we’ll back with camera bag and video the whole River and border ???? Love u Canada ????????????

Rachel Miner

A great overlook of the whirlpools. Nice park, lots of picnic tables and a good are for the kids to play on a playground. No charge for parking or to get in.

Daniel Walker

Absolutely beautiful place. A must see if you're visiting Niagara Falls. We only did the top trail, but the sights were stunning.

Mindy Rae Montello

Great park. Beautiful views. Playground for kiddos!

Daniel Durham

Nice hike to the whirlpool, but we'll worth it when you get there!

Gerry Grose

Nice location to take in the view of the Whirlpool and access trails. Great quite and shady picnic spot with first class playground for the kids.

Rebecca Perrin

A wonderful trail that is away from the main touristy area. Be prepared and pack some snacks to enjoy at the bottom.

Amber Mays

If you are going to see Niagara I would recommend checking this spot as well. There is a trail that will take you down closer to the water and it allows for better views of the rapids but make sure you wear sneakers or hiking shoes. It is very steep and there are a lot of jagged rocks that you have to climb on throughout the hike. I wouldn’t recommend the hike down to the water for small children. A few people on the hike when I went got injured because of falls so make sure you have good shoes with solid traction to keep yourself safe!

Martin Weaver

This place and the connected devils hole state park are probably the most gorgeous part of the greater niagra area. The gorge trail is dangerous and beautiful. I'd highly recommend it but would suggest you bring good gear and perhaps some cleats.

Jennilyn Orpurt

This is a must see while visiting Niagra Falls, New York! It is breath takingly beautiful. Two trails to follow. The trail to the left leads to views of the whirlpool. The trail to the right leads to stairs that go down into the gorge. Currently closed right now due to construction.

Action5

This was a great place but don't expect a big whirlpool. Not going to happen .rare when it does. Nice hike a 15 min hike down to the bottom

Cm Piskula

What a meaningful adventure to visit Niagara Falls in November. You get the opportunity to experience the power of mother nature minus the hustle and bustle of the "been here, snapshot tourist crowd". It redefines the meaning of "VACATION"!

David Butler

It's a serious cardio hike down to the river and back up on stone steps, but worth every minute for the views of the mighty Niagara River and it's seriously swift current just after the fall and whirl pool. It's a generally manicured hiking trail, but you have to watch your way occasionally for roots, rocks and other ankle benders. Beautiful, and calming and not to be missed.

Melanie Wright

Beautiful place to hike and relax.

Lisa Cheng

Didn't know there's a way down to the riverbank but we won't have the time this time anyway. Can fish here. Awesome rapid water. Dog friendly. Very big park. Free parking. Can bike from the Goat Island and continue on. Seems like a good picnic place too.

Mega catgirl.1st@gmail.com

Gorgeous views, super fun hike????

RC Reyes

Beautiful scenery! Very calming

Nathan Gellatly

My favorite hike in the area. The hike is pretty long and so worth it when you get down to the flats by the whirlpools. I could sit there all day and feel the breeze.

Daniel Ireland

Long hike to the gorge.but worth it. Also great views from the top. The gorge trail is temporarily closed so the only way down is the Devil's Hole trail.

Jan Morris

This is a great hike down to the whirlpool. If you don’t want to do the hike this park still an an amazing beautiful view from the top.

Toni Smith

Was there last week with family for vacation 6/4-6/7/21, and it was our 1st time there, and we had a BLAST!!!

Brandy Belton

All the years I lived in Niagara Falls I had never been here. Very nice park for locals and tourists. A friend of my husband had a Unity Park Reunion here that we attended. A lot of people came out to support the community. Had a great time being able to reunite with many friends we hadn't seen in years since moving away.

Marty R

Get in shape if you want to hike down and back to river level. We did the easy trail. It was still great.

Mary Tenny

We loved how nice the path was to view the all of the park.

Farhan Sadique

Nice local space to walk around. Its beautiful view, but had to walk to see around. Loved the touch of nature and color.

Rico Vitale

Haven't been here since I was a kid great view

Kolt Curry

Great hiking spot very challenging getting down to Whirlpool but well worth it

Hazal Bannach

Incredible park! The hike is more suitable for experienced hikers but the view is definitely worth it. Everytime we hike, we just fall in love!

Joel Hause

A sunny, warm day was a perfect backdrop to this strange cataract in the lower Niagara gorge. The border with Canada is closed but a ride on the Spanish Basket cable car will be a must once the order opens back up. The upper ridge trail is in the future this summer for a bike ride.

Rashmi G

One can entry tickets online to visit this park, park gives with scenic look of Niagara river. The water flows and make natural whirls and then flow in other direction. Park has enough space to spend sometime with family and friends,kids can enjoy and play around.

Sumanth Shivashankar

It's such a serene place. Niagara river flowing down with whirlpools and the place is peaceful. Definitely worth the visit during your Niagara Trip.

terrie ruddy

Great hiking trails could spend the whole day there.

Doug DiRamio

8 mile bike ride, from the aquarium to Whirlpool Park & back

Daniela Nogueira

The park is extremely beautiful, well signed, the trails are safe, with stairs and handrails many times. I highly recommend.

Keishlah Olivera

This was a great hike. It would be difficult for children just because there so many rocks but it's has a great view. We only went halfway down and stop by the water to wet or feet. Which again is a rocky trek. But the beautiful water is so worth it. We had a great sunny day to do it and it was a wonderful experience. Bring lots of water and food to picnic. And don't forget that dogs also need good and rest. I just wanted to add. I visited again last week and it was amazing. Definitely a beautiful sight in the fall

Brittany H

This park is beautiful!!! The trails can be difficult for inexperienced hikers, so please he careful. The views are worth it though.

Polina Karasova

Great view, even better then on the Canada side. magical colors in fall. We will definitely visit again. There are bbq tables and a covered place to stay in case of rain. even though the park is pretty small, it worth stopping by.

April Khan

I stumbled across this location by accident ( took a wrong exit ) and boy am I happy I did! ???? What a beautiful scene! ???? Park your car and take a short few steps down the hill to the most captivating scene. Don't compare this to Niagara falls, it has obvious differences, but it does have one perk -- an Arial view without the need of a drone!

Laura Belrose

We enjoyed our time here today. It was a bit busy and not many people work masks but it was still really fun to see the views!

Kevin Menschel

Great place to hike. The views are awesome! Just make sure you're ready to climb the nearly 35 flights of stairs before you venture down into the gorge as there's no other way out aside from those stairs.

Philip Kelly

Beautiful! It is hard to grasp the size until you see a human on the water level. The created whirlpools are enormous! Visited in the winter but no less stunning than what you see in summertime. Make sure to wave at our Canadian friends across the way.

Helena Boulding

I love hiking through here, unfortunately the stairs leading down into the gorge were closed off for repairs. Nonetheless I still got a good hike in and was able to feed my favorite little squirrels ???? they are very talkative and friendly.

Sindy S

Visited over the labor day weekend, my 3rd time to the falls and first to this park. It was beautiful and clean, not alot of people ( sunday around 5pm) Very nice view, I also learnt that you can go very close water after noticing a few people but couldn't figure out how to get there. I asked a Park staff and was told we would have to walk down 370 stairs to the bottom and there is not lighting so it must be done before dark. After reading the reviews I learnt it's a bit steep and actually a hike down so I'm happy I didn't do it because I wasn't wearing proper shoes. But its a beautiful view and relaxing place.

Connor Cobb

The best part of my trip to new York! The whirlpools are breathtaking from the top of the gorge, and a near religious experience if you hike down and stand right by the rushing currents. Gotta see it

Lucilyn Stratton

11/12-14/2021 fantastic weekend getaway..nice view..beautiful scenery

AIIdesignz Web & Online Marketing (aiidesignz)

Great place to seek serenity and get up-close with the forces of nature. The park is positioned between the City of Niagara Falls and Lewiston. When visiting you're able to see, hear and basically touch the powerful 'class 5 rapids' of the Himalaya's which is about a half mile stretch that's funneled into a narrow part of the Niagara Gorge on the Lower Niagara River. The force and sheer volume of the water rushes by and then abruptly turns right which is the only way the water can go which in turn creates a giant whirlpool, hence Whirlpool State Park. A must see for location for nature seekers and travel gurus looking for a taste of nature that you simply won't find elsewhere. From indigenous wildlife, amazing hiking trails on the gorge rim and also in the gorge itself, to micro climates and geological heaven...Whirlpool State Park on the American side will surely have you saying 'WOW'. If you're lucky and come at the right time you may even come across 'envelopes full of money' which does happen regularly and is done by a Twitter user called: Human Being. Either way the park is a gem to see and you won't regret your visit. Note: Do not attempt to enter the water as it could result in fatalities and is also highly illegal.

John DiClementi

Beautiful park with the best view of the Niagara River, the rapids and the Niagara whirlpool. The trails are very scenic because of these amazing views. Its fun to also watch the jet boats go up and down the river soaking the passengers on the boats.

David Benz

This park is a hidden gem. Plenty of free parking, restrooms, drinking fountain, playground and trails along the gorge rim and down alongside the river. The whirlpool is formed by the river making a 90 degree bend. Before the whirlpool, the river drops 90 verticle feet through the narrow rapids generating speeds of 34-40 MPH. Then comes the giant whirlpool where the river dives underneath itself and exits into another 50 foot drop through the Devil’s Hole rapids. Great views from the top along the railing or for more adventurous hikers, take the stairs and trail to the lower trail. The views are incredible but the trail is challenging. Stay on the trail and away from these dangerous and unforgiving waters. Wet rocks are slippery rocks. Stay safe. The rocks at the “sandstone flats” date back to the Silurian period, about 425 mya; way before the dinosaurs. The trail ends at an old concrete observation area up near the Whirlpool Rapids bridge. The rapids generate standing waves, some 20 feet high. Its a class V rapids. Time your hike so you are out of the gorge before dark. Its too dangerous hiking in the dark. I usually figure 90 minutes roundtrip to the sandstone flats or 3 hours roundtrip to the end of the trail. Great for exercise in these Covid times. Definite cardio and the 250 or so steps back up is a great leg-day workout. I use to do this hike 1-2 times per week. Now in my 60’s usualy 2-3 times each summer. Wear appropriate footwear. Please respect the park and carry out everything you carry in.

Kevin Chappell

Started here to hike the Gorge Rim trail to Niagara Falls

Catherine Knittle

Views are spectacular and the hike is a pretty good work out. Absolutely Beautiful Place.

Kyle Krause

Be prepared for a few hundred stairs and hiking over rough terrain and rocks, but awesome views at the bottom. Bringing water is a must on hot days

Erin O'Brien

Great path good for dogs and kids. Gorge path not good for dogs but has amazing view and access to flat rocks near the water

ebony jones

This park was beautiful and serene. The walking trail made you feel like you were hiking.

Deb Welch

Natural wonder and powerful too! Man, you having a rough day? Need a little pick me up, some time to ponder the natural beauty of this amazing United States ????????? This place is worth the trip and it's right here, in great ol' New York State! So peaceful, powerful and beautiful. Bring a lunch, picnic with family, friends. It's so worth it. You can pay a little if you want and get in on a guided tour. They seem pretty knowledgeable about this gorgeous body of water and the area.

Virginia Palmer

This was a great stop on our adventure at Niagara Falls it’s a must see.

Jake Chalupsky

Amazing views and if you don't mind a trough climb back up, walking down to the waters edge is gorgeous. Fishing was pretty fun as well. Just have to find the holes they are sitting in.

Yogesh Dhomkar

Whirlpool State Park is a day-use park offering a playground, picnic tables and pavilions, hiking and biking, a nature trail, fishing, and cross-country skiing. A visitor's center is open during the summer months from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. A stone staircase within the park descends into the Niagara Gorge; a 300-foot (91 m) section of the staircase was scheduled for reconstruction in 2016.The park is connected with nearby Devil's Hole State Park via the Devil's Hole Trail at the gorge's bottom, as well as a trail along the gorge's rim, which together form a complete loop.

Intelligence Quotient

the trail here is kind of tough, but there are some great views to compensate.

Wes Maier

Great site to be sure to see.

Seth Bowersock

Nice walking trails, great overlook views.

PRAMOD KUMAR

Most suitable place for a picnic, family outing with Niagara river in whirlpools, clear sea green water....down the gorge, beautiful trees lined up the walk.....in the park....Spacious with enough parking space.....Perfect for winding out after driving all the way from New York en-route to Niagara.....Scenic and serene it is...

Robert Rogers

Personally this is must see if you are seeing Niagra Falls. Do have a passport and go to the Canadian side to see the aerial view from the cable trolley. Covid kept us State side snd we were not disappointed. Watching whirlpools form naturally is amazing.

Ankita Agrawal

Very nice state park with Niagara river view, trailing, barbecue and kids swings with separate section for big kids and small ones.

Allan Nisbeth

Great view of Whirlpool Falls. Beautiful hiking trails.

Rana aljebzi

Great place to have some relax..and it has such a nice play ground for kids....you can also injoy going down to reach the water coming of the falls...l like this place

Jon K.

This is a beautiful area and a short medium hike. It is near Niagra falls and makes for a beautiful day.

Alex Kirschner

The top of the gorge offers a view of the Niagara river and the whirlpool. Hiking down into the gorge toward the whirlpool lets you get right up next to the water. Bring good shoes as there are a lot of uneven stairs and rocks that not to be maneuvered. I would not say this is easy for someone who is not used to hiking or climbing a lot of stairs. But it is definitely worth the hike! Being so close to the water and seeing/hearing the power and speed of the rapids is just incredible.

Robert Hoffman III

Wonderful park, nice kids playground, lots parking, bathrooms (men's at least) seem tended too. Some picnic tables, well shaded, and head north on the trail to find the stairs down to the gorge trail.

Biks Videography

This state park is ultimately showcase of force of Niagara falls where the water makes a complete circular motion. The place is having grill and camping places. The trail is amazing here and plan to take plenty of water if plans for hiking.

Shatark Bajpai

We visited Whirlpool State Park as part of our Niagara Trip. Very peaceful scenic view, greenery all over the place, green water makes it more beautiful. Playground for kids and quite open space for family picnics. Plenty of space available for parking. Trolley over the water also available there.

Jami Nagelkirk

Whirlpool Park has much less traffic than the falls. It definitely holds its own. SOOOO much power going through those rapids. The upper trail is easy to hike and has some beautiful scenery. The bottom trail is just absolutely astonishing! It's quite a hike to get to- you have to descend down a lot of stairs and rubble, BUT ITS FOR SURE WORTH IT! The view from the bottom is something I can't really explain, but something more that needs to be seen. The walk back up is......well, let's just say it's difficult. I wouldn't suggest talking your 5 year down the trail. We have a 13 and 9yr old and they did okay. As many of the other reviewers have said DON'T FORGET TO TAKE WATER WITH YOU!!!! It's a must!! There are no drinking fountains there. Walking shoes and attire aren't a must but I would suggest it.

Sean Grohman

Whirlpool State Park is a very clean and safe park. There's lots of parking and an easy trail to the steps down to the water. The steps are sturdy and wide, so there's lots of room if it gets too crowded. Walking along Niagara's powerful water is beautiful for the ears and eyes. We've been coming here for years and look forward to the challenge of the hike.

Isaac Brascoupé

Trails are better than they use to be!! Still challenging down and up! Never seen so many people hiking, the demographics have changed , before it was mainly fisherman. Raise your fishing buddies ???? We are getting scarce or lazy

Jason Zion

No car fee to enter! Beautifully scenic with amazing views of the whirlpools. Definitely a great place for a fun hike or just to relax and enjoy the sounds of the river.

Team Cahill

You have to see the magic and force of the mighty Niagara river. The Whirlpool State Park has spectacular views of the whirlpool and the force of the water. Take a short walk from the parking lot to a ridge that give a overall majestic view of the river. Or, plan on a hike down to the edge of the canyon and water. There is a great trail system here. Take a hike down (and back up) a well designed but very large step system. Hope you have been doing your squats? Bring a backpack and plenty of water on those warm days while hiking.

Hunter Bauer

Great place to hang out with some buds. Definitely bring good shoes if you intend on hiking though, the trails are a bit tricky at times.

Norman Ng

Came here for a short hike every once a while. It has a kind of difficulty along the trail, so you can adjust it accordingly. The view never cease to amaze me. If you hike around March and April, you will see chunks of ice flowing downstream with the current, the scenery is just surreal .

Xochil “Xprncss969” Martinez

Absolutely beautiful!!! Trail down to the whirlpools I think it's called devils hole is not for beginners at all. Make sure you pack some water.

James Smith

Awesome small park, plenty of parking even for large vehicles

CHARLENE HANSON

Great place for picnic, bring your own food, play area for kids, reserve one of the 2 shelters, has bathrooms, tourists, and go for a walk along the railed edge of the gorge cliff to see the whirlpool river swirling below.

Adrien Klins

Beautiful park. Free parking. Restrooms. Picnic tables. Lots of trails that go on for miles. Beautiful views. A must see when visiting Niagara Falls.

Arquis

A very nice park, wonderful views to the river

Jay Park

We did barbecue with our own grill. It was fantastic! Not so crowded. Perfect place to enjoy the last days of summer with your friends and family.

Fred Anna

Always fun n great exercise!!! Very peaceful Would recommend to all friends n family. Great little nooks to take off the path n get ur own little piece of mind.

Anter Kang

Wow experience. Felt the nature closely. Good workout and enjoyed a lot. If you love adventure and nature then must visit. ????

Craig Regester

Beautiful spot along the Niagara Scenic Parkway offering trails, restrooms and great picnic spots for the whole family with ample parking. We got lucky on our trip and even came across a snow-cone food truck to cool off after our short hike. For the more adventurous and physically able, there are trails that will take you down into the gorge.

Jyli Aubrey

Ok so beautiful but if you're not in shape bring water a snack and plan on rest breaks. Kicked my @$$. Like I'm beat. Nothing like it anyways so I'm not saying turn back but know 410 stairs each way plus a trail hike. 4* cause could use railings and a little safety tlc on the cliffs

Tim Benson

Beautiful views of the famous Niagara River whirlpool. This is just below the level 6 rapids which is the highest this scale goes. Below these rapids the river takes a hard right which causes this large whirlpool. We saw a huge log that was caught up in it. This then has an outflow into some pretty rough water towards the powerhouses and some more rapids. There is plenty of parking, bathrooms and a playground. Parking is free. A lot of signage explains this area for visitors.

Alyssa

This was one of the harder hikes me and my boyfriend have done, but it was well worth it! We have never seen water so blue and it was a really beautiful day altogether. Make sure you bring a lot of water and hiking shoes. We were glad this was the first thing we did when we woke up. It was not too crowded either for a Saturday afternoon. You must do this if you are visiting Niagara Falls area and like hiking !!!

Veronica Humphries

This place is absolutely gorgeous; just make sure you're ready to hike! Beautiful scenery, great exercise, and so much fun! It was a little crowded, but that's probably because we went during busy hours. If you want a great hiking experience with a beautiful view of the rapids, check it out!

Erik Orlowski

Highly recommend going down into the gorge and hiking along the rapids. It's a relatively easy hike for about a mile but picks up after that.

Kevin Carney

Be advised there is an above average difficult trail to hike to get to this location. That said, it's a Very beautiful place to see in person. Photos attached to review don't do it justice.

Kelvin Martin

Beautiful and peaceful park!! Not as crowed as Niagara Falls. Short walk to the overlook or if you want to do hiking you can hike down 300+ stairs to the waters edge. Definitely advise stopping here if the area!!

Callie S.

Nice park, good view on the overlook trail. Gorge trails are fun- many stairs and slippery rocks to be wary of. The whirpool gorge trail lets you get very close to the water for a neat experience that took my group about 2 hours to complete at a leisurely, photo-taking pace.

Jessica Hitchcock

The view from the Upper Rim is amazing, but the really special part of this park is a bit harder to get to. After a short hike North and descending 334 stone steps into the Gorge you'll find yourself right along the Niagara River. Absolutely stunning, you really get a sense of the power and enormity of it all when you're standing so close.

Wade Williams

This is a beautiful place to relax besides having to walk 408 steps down to the water but it was worth every step back up!!! I'll never forget this experience. Hell, I even went swimming!!!

Office Oli “OliDayTours” Grieb

Great views of the gorge and a playground for kids! What else do you need!

Sarah Riggs

Excellent hike-stairs are slightly challenging and we are frequent hikers. Gorgeous views the entire hike.

The Gypsies

Just hike the whole trail. Be mindful of the stairs. Don’t forget to take your camera and trekking poles.

Megan M. H.

Very nice park with beautiful views from the overlook and trails. The restroom facilities were decent. There were lots of tables throughout for picnicking. The best part was the playground so the kids could stretch their legs after being in the car all day. The play set was very nice and appeared to be newer.

Christina Skalican

Beautiful park and trail. Kid friendly with a playground and bathrooms. Nice view of the whirlpool.

Cheri Griffin

Such an interesting spot! It's even better when you have an awesome tour guide giving us interesting facts upon entering!

K Davis

Great place for a hike. Nice views and a nice time to enjoy nature. Bring proper shoes if you go this is not a paved trail. You have to climb rocks and go up/down uneven stairs. Be smart about it and bring lots of water.

Andrew Pearson

We enjoyed a pleasant evening stroll here with the woodchucks. Ample parking with good paths to walk along.

Tanya Skipper

This is a wonderful way to hike, the stairs and trails are well maintained. The drive in however is atrocious. Can the City of Niagara Falls please do some maintenance on the Robert Moses Pkwy? Good God, any tourist will be mortified by the drive in.

Gustav R

Yeah...this is just a walk...about 3minutes not that impressive as a view, the facts of it are more interesting. If u are around, TRUST ME, if u miss it, u did not miss anything of a wow. Can just search the facts and u will fine. Because as a view it's nothing more thay just a river flowing with a pool-like at the end.

Noel Rozario

Amazing spot, very calm and pleasant.... Amazing to see the downstream of the Niagara river...Whirlpool State Park has two levels -- the street level has many scenic overlooks with spectacular views of the Whirlpool and rapids. There are picnic facilities and a playground, as well as the gorge natural history room at the restroom building; both are open seasonally. The river level offers hiking and fishing by taking the staircase located just downstream from the main park area. At the base of the gorge, you can hike upstream along the Whirlpool Rapids Trail past the Whirlpool to a point along the Whirlpool Rapids. You can return to this staircase to exit the gorge, or take the Devil's Hole Trail downstream to the Devil's Hole staircase to the top of the gorge at Devil's Hole State Park. From there, you can take the rim trail back to Whirlpool State Park

Don

I am sure don’t hear about this place! I must tell you that this is place can never be missed specially before sunset! The view is breathtaking and you see how the Niagara River making 360 turn! It’s a free park and it is also a great hiking and running spot!

Chularat Mai Wankhruea

Water so clear and beautiful.

Jason Watkins

Such an amazing place to go and to hike. Not to mention a really crazy burn climbing all those steps back to the top!! Nice place to sun on the rocks when you hike down to the bottom, but be prepared for the climb back to the top!

Jilgin Williams

Great lookout. 4km to the whirlpool. Wide area to hangout and enjoy the view

Brian Boutin

Easily my favorite hike for when I don't want to travel too far out of Buffalo. You can casually walk along the top, or if you want exercise, you can head down the steps into the gorge. Beyond the world pool there's also a tucked away Oasis where you can sit in pools beside the river.

Mohri Hime

Absolutely breathtaking gem of NYS. Required quite a bit of fitness and balance, along with good hiking shoes (better not be sneakers, and def not sandals) to go down to the eddies. If you can play tennis for an hour, or able to take 5 stories of staircase on foot, in your own pace, you are good. The reward of going down to the gorge is super. The sound of roar, mist of eddies, breeze of water, and sightseeing power boats carrying people in life vests blasting through the current - so incredible. I don't think it is good for small dogs or small children, unless they are able to negotiate sometimes a foot high and irregular steps. If kids are with you, they need to be able to follow your instructions - some passages are a bit narrow.

Cindy

This place was amazing we walked from Devil's to Whirlpool we did just about every trail and did the u derby the bridge walk then down the 345 steps down to the river and back up. Ended up doing 10 miles and it was definitely something to do again. It was level pretty much all the way until going down the steps. Easy hike minus the stairs but well worth it.

Lorelei Petry

Easily accessible by a trail to an overlook. Free parking lot and relatively clean public restrooms. It was a nice escape from the massive crowds by the Falls!

Dan DiGregorio

Awesome trail and scenic views of gorge.

M. Klein

This is the pure power of mother nature at her best. But you have to work for it to get a front row seat! There is a scenic overlook up top that gives a great overview of the lower Niagara. There are restrooms as well (masks must be worn). However to get up close and personal you need to take the hike down to the Rapids Trail. To access, head east (right if facing the building) and take a 5 minute walk to get to the stairs. For those in great shape this will be a fun descend. For those with kids it could be a challenge for some. For the elderly or those with limited mobility, think twice (not recommended). The stairs are old and not level, as most of them are essentially well placed rocks. There are jagged edges, areas that are not level and a few hundred steps. Most spots are narrow, so you will be passing others as you descent and ascend. When it is wet (especially with leaves), it can be slippery. There are not handrails. There are a few rock tables about 3/4 of the way down where you could relax or picnic. Now that we have that out of the way, once you get to the bottom, head west (left) and follow the trail to get the best view. You will have areas that are relatively flat while there are others that have rocks to climb etc. Be careful, some areas a very narrow. Most folks were courteous with mask wearing etc. Once you round the bend beneath the aerial cars, you are getting close to the best spot. Keep going to you see a large area on your right (by the water) where you can walk down and relax, while enjoying the power of the lower Niagara. You will be right next to raging water while imagining what daredevils were thinking, all while enjoying the beauty in front of you. Once rejuvenated, make you way back up. An option for avid hikers would be to pass the Whirlpool stairs and walk further east to Devils Hole and take that stairwell. Once on top, you will have a longer walk back, but that is an option for an extended hike. HINT: You can download a map. There is a nifty NYS Parks and Recreation app that is recommended.

Blaise Wheeler

Absolutely beautiful if you want to see the gorge without hiking you can get view up top if you feel like a hike there is a trail that will take you right to the the river beautiful hike and beautiful trail. Fell in love with this place and will definitely be coming back.

Corrie Nyce

Peaceful, beautiful, picturesque trails

Pamela Martel

Absolutely gorgeous view. A park for the kids to play. Nice place for a picnic and washrooms at trail entrance. The only thing that was upsetting is that when you view this on maps it shows a large wooden structure to hang on and climb but it is not actually at this specific area so that was a bit upsetting for the kids. But otherwise gorgeous.

Kritika Singh

It's a beautiful scenic hike to the beach, loved the place and 10 min from Niagara.

Rachel Kingston

Scenic hiking trail runs the length of the Niagara Gorge from downtown Niagara Falls up to the Power Authority. Whirlpool State Park has ample parking, picnic tables and charcoal grills, and a playground for smaller children. You can stay on the main trail or, if you're more adventurous, climb down into the gorge to the lower trail. If you choose this option, be prepared, wear hiking shoes with grippy soles and proceed slowly -- the stone stairs are steep and the terrain is uneven. Stay out of the water; the current is way too strong for swimming. The serene views are totally worth the challenge of the hike!!

Roy

Really nice free park. Great view from above. If youre up for it there's 300 stairs and a mile+ hike to the bottom to some rock flats level with the water and it is beautiful as well!

Amber Ferger

Awesome place for a hike! The stairs were a bit icy, so it was a little tricky getting down to the lower trail. Beautiful scenery and well worth the visit!

gloW Worm

I really enjoy hiking the Niagara Gorge trails. Whether it's the upper or lower trails they both offer beautiful & spectacular views of the rapids and the pathways are always clean. Some areas of the trails could be challenging for some people so wear proper shoes for hiking, especially on the lower trails.

Jake Roberts

Went during the winter. Extremely beautiful and picturesque. Clear blue-green water, large cliffs, and an easy to walk trail near the rim on the top of the cliffs. You can opt to walk down a ton of stairs that will take you to another trail (lower trail) that follows the bank of the river. Id guess the lower trail is 30ft up from the actual river bank. There are a lot of stairs, and I mean a lot. I am in good shape and still got well winded coming back up them. If you want to fish/fishing/fisherman/trout/etc. (keywords) then you need to take the stairs down to the lower trail. Then walk down wherever you find a not so steep hill, preferably one you can get back up. I didn't see a state-made path to the bank from the lower trail, so you gotta make your own. Here is a WARNING for fishing or going down to the river from the lower trail. This is a dangerous river and one misstep can be your last. At best, a misstep and a twisted ankle can be really bad because you still have to get up all the stairs. I'm in my mid 20s, can get around well, and have common sense. If you aren't in decent shape and/or are lacking common sense, stay up on the lower trail. If you can handle it, it's WELL worth your efforts. To get to the stairs leading to the lower trail... park at whirlpool state park and follow the upper trial downriver. It's a decent hike to get to the stairs but don't get discouraged, you won't miss them if you keep going. Don't make my mistake and park at Devil's Hole State Park. It's a LONG walk to the stairs if you do that. I do a lot of traveling and hiking around NY and in my honest opinion, the lower Niagara River offers the best views in Western NY. Pair that with a challenging hike... And you got a winner in my book.

Micah Flack

I enjoyed my time at this park. Plenty of informational signs about what you're going to see. Lovely views, nice trails. I took the stairs down towards the water.

Chira Pat

Spring season, you will get cool and windy conditions as I stood then take a photo as it is, but the air around the Whirlpool was incredibly made me feel fresh, strong, and energetic myself. Overall those are the landmarks, you should be seen in person anyway?

John Yarnell

If your going to the falls don’t skip this. The park is great with lots of options for hiking. The overlook at the top is awesome and easy to access. The power off the water going through this gorge is intense. Don’t forget to put this on your list if your in the area. Way to go New York. You guys take State Parks to the next level.

Rosalie Sweigart

This park is simply breathtaking! The trail runs along the top of the cliff for a beautiful overlook, but nothing compares to entering the heart of the gorge! The trail is steep with lots of steps. It's not for the faint of heart, but you'll never regret the hike once you get to stand beside the Rapids! I was amazed at the beauty and power manifested down there!

Breanna Hogan

Beautiful park. Great stop on our tour

Jonette Crabtree

Path down to the gorge is beautiful.

MGK Dude-Hat

It’s a beautiful park to hike on a weekend. We went in a group. It was amazing. I went here for the first time. We did not realise that it was 35 floors we climbed during this hike. I would like to come again.

THEBLACK RAM68

This park is absolutely, positively a hidden in plan sight Jewel. I mean it's not actually in plan sight but it is right there so easily accessible and it's gorgeous. Just another fantastic " little nook " of a place connected to the falls, which is a sight to see and take in. Plus for those of you who can walk the down path( which unfortunately I can't at moment due to injury)which is like actually (hiking) for a bit...you can get up close and personal with the water itself right at the end where the US and Canada basically horseshoe together. Where you get to see these Amazing whirlpools doing their aqua dance. Something I've only seen on a Niagara falls documentary. Wow!!! how we take one of the most magnificent wonders of nature for granted which is literally in "plain sight" enough for us to see and not see????...that we should take advantage of far more than we do. Especially those of us who love the beautiful outdoors and the Marvel's of nature!.

Dave M

The family and I enjoyed the wonderful views the Niagara Gorge has to offer. My wife hated the steps most... especially the way up ha ha. Seamed that as soon as we got to the waters edge the sky's opened up. We were all drenched to the core by the time the rain let up. The jet boats were tearing up the whirlpools and it was an overall great experience!

Maryana Averyanova

Amazing place to visit. You will see the river running and breaking water on the stones. Go there in the evening so you will be able to see saturated paints of the nature ???? Also, you can see the boat sailing along the river at speed which is "Jet Whirlpool", Google it and take a ride????

Richard Goyette

We were running a little early for dinner so as we were driving along the scenic parkway we saw the Whirlpool Park and decided to pull in. This is a stretch of Niagara river after the falls which has two massive whirlpools. The signs tell you the history, which is that a drought 7,000 years ago cut a deep narrow channel into the river bed which under normal water flow creates the whirlpool. There is a hiking path you can go on that brings you down to the water which looks really cool but we didn't have time on this trip. That is something to do when we come back! In the meantime the massive vortexes are mesmerizing to watch (great meditation).

Michael Sherwood

Great stop for picnic and the view is pretty good too.

Regie N

Beautiful view of the Niagara river, and both the US and Canadian cliffs surrounding it. Beautiful green water, and a long tree shaded trail to walk along while enjoying the view. An absolute must see.

DragoMon

Beautiful park, with stunning views of the gorge and whirlpool. If you are not a hiker like myself, don't go on the trails. I learned the hard way. My family wanted to go and i didn't want to be left behind so I went along. It was the worst experience probably in my life. I didn't expect the trail to be so rough and dangerous. To me it wasn't worth the suffering. I'm sure others enjoy it, my family included. It's just not for me.

Shraddha Kulkarni

Beautiful and adventurous hike. Did it with the kids.. a little difficult with younger kids(under 5). But impressively they made it!

Lisa Johnson

not sure why negative reviews. It is certainly a whirlpool! Don't know if people are expecting something outta a cartoon or what lol. Believe the positive reviews. It is a quaint, quiet area with a beautiful vista. The water view is beautiful in its cyan blue clear color from limestone and other mineral deposits. There are clean restrooms, informative displays, and semi wooded areas and trails. The decent to gorge is a bit difficult. There are no trail ratings, but I would say this part is definitely not for the very timid. It is a bit disappointing at the bottom because the water looks unbearably inviting... but definitely NO SWIMMING. You can literally see the water backing up on itself making multiple small whirlpools. Trust me that since most of that area has class v or VI rapids, water that suddenly turns around on itself is not friendly. Great place for those who worship nature -both literally and figuratively :)

Nazia Fatima

It was a beautiful park. Went with b my family and took a trail to go down. It was beautiful but trail was a bit rocky and difficult.

Zac V

Awesome definitely worth going to see lots of steps down to the water but beautiful free convenient parking lot

Lorraine Gabriel

Beautiful. Peaceful. Gorge rim trail is an easy hike. Stairs rake you down into the gorge, this is more challenging. You can start at Whirlpool State Park and walk to the American Falls.

SHUAI WANG

Last year we went to Nigeria Falls. So this time we just want to try something different. The park is not far from the falls. We chose trail 2, and saw different scenery with or without the sun. Trail 3 is good for hiking.

Jennifer Ragonese

There are several different path options from easy to tougher terrain - it's a beautiful setting and near many other attractions.

Chuck Corwin

It's a great New York state park ! Hiking, biking, fishing and more. Bring the kids and the dogs for a fun filled day. You can park for free, bbq and they have a playground for the kids. The views are spectacular ! If you're in the area, it's a must see.

Zahid Rehman

Beyond beautiful. Its mesmerizing. You see the water and simply WOW. Only problem from the trail is height phobia. I personally fear hights and it give me a little twitch. Nothing serious though ????

Devika Krishna

It very beautiful. Have 250 steps and 1 mile trail (rough) you need lot of drinks and water. Very peaceful. Water noice relaxing. ????????????????

Tanya Merchant

It's a steep but short hike, definitely a good place to go if you're not trying to soak in a senic view. Not a lot of place to chill as such if it gets crowded. Mainly good for a short period stop however it is possible to swim in the waters too (beware of the rocks- as there are too many) Only covered one area of the whirlpool I am not sure if there's a longer trail more onto the west

Victoria

I was at Niagara State Park the morning before coming here for the first time. It's incredible, both of these places are within a few miles of each other & have their own unique beauty. I love the color of the water here, it's my favorite. It's especially cool because you can hike within a few feet of the river going one way & can walk on a path high up that overlooks the river. It's all about perspective ????

L WB

Part of our family travels to see Niagara Falls was to go to the whirlpool State Park. It was cute that they had a little museum in there they gave the history of Niagara Falls end of the world pool. I would suggest that they would hire someone to work there that actually enjoyed talking about the history. All in all it’s a great experience for the family and for the kids as they’ve gotten older I’ve been here before.

Aldous Silas

It is one of the hidden gems in Niagara area. Very less tourists making it one of the best places to visit. The beach is rocky but I believe u could swim. However no coast guard so I am not certain. Several climbs and remote paths to explore. Lavish green reminds you how good to beeath clean air. If u take the stairsays down and up, it gives u good cardio for few days.. such beautiful place.. loved it..

Pushra M

You won't see it anywhere, the color of the water was a miracle.

mflitterbick sapharaught

Great park to visit when visiting the falls, definitely go to the 400 stairs and take the time to go down...very much worth it... Not nearly as bad as many say the stairs are climbable, and actually part of the path, so not as intimidating as it may seem at first...

Mike Berlinger

Beautiful place to get up close to the power of the Lower Niagara River

Alyssa P

Beautiful park. Nature discovery center, picnic areas, bathrooms, and fun and challenging trails! Plus ice cream truck.

Bobby Meyer

Beautiful place to go and see. You can just look over the river or take the semi rough trail. Have good shoes and water with you.

Allison Grebe

This was a fun place to explore. We hiked to the bottom of the gorge and back. It took around 2 hours.

Laurel Clark

Beautiful. Hikes are for those ready to take a lot of stairs we did not take this hike down but Devils hole we did and it's not for the faint. My 8 yr hikes with us and was great but some Littles and elders might not find this enjoyable. The views from the top are phenomenal.

Kristina Zelehowsky

The color of the water and the Rapids... It was absolutely stunning!

Bob Swipes

Amazing views. Nice hike, a bit challenging going up but not too bad. Important to stay on the trails or you can get stuck.

Ruchika shirole

There is a thing about niagara and this whirlpool Park was sooo much beautiful...we even went to this river on jet boat and it was super fun experience.

Mark Matiasz

Great scenic views at the park, they have a nice play area for the kids. But they really drop the ball and cutting the grass and keeping it well kept, as they have done in years past.

Harish Prasanna

Breathtaking views of the Niagara River! The gorge is a must visit attraction. The pathway is well paved for bicycles & scooters to ride without hinderance to pedestrians.

Rodney Utley

The power of the water is magnificently displayed as one walks along the river from a safe distance. There is the walk down and up but if your in half good shape, it's very do-able. Remember, slow and steady lol

Katja Jalonen

Coming from Niagara Falls, I didn't realize all the power and depth past it. This was an easy hike along the edge of the gorge (fenced and felt very safe). Watched a gondola from the Canadian side go over the whirlpool as well. What a sight to see!

Tammy Lagowski

Beautiful, clean, more bees then we would have liked but it is fall. Peoe are always smiling and saying hi. Love the slush truck adds a nice touch. Bathrooms are well taken care of. View is wonderful cant be beat.

Navneeth Rajakrishnan

Great view and pleasent ride.

aezhine aezhine

Spectacular view of the Niagara Whirlpool! Trail could be marked better, but overall great!

Hugo Stackel

The hike down to the whirlpool is a great experience and shouldn't be missed. However, it does require a normal fitness level and you should plan on proper footwear and bringing water. The views of the rapids below the whirlpool, and above are simply spectacular. The power of the lower Niagara River is truly awesome. Be safe and enjoy this unforgettable hike. Oh, and it's easily doable for families with young children.

Samantha Hart

Amazing views. It was my 1st time seeing a Category VI rapid.

Eric C

Great spot to check out the gorge, wander around. Has a trail for the adventurous and a play place for the little ones.

Damon Carden

Very cool once. This place needs some upkeep. There's a way to walk by the river (look at pics closely) could not figure out how to get down there.

M Rashid

Very beautiful place, the way down to it is a bit rough but if you like hicking you will love it may get tired when coming back up hill with some rough trail and around couple hundred stairs....but it still worth visiting.

Cassandra Smith

We rented bikes, and rode the paths. Such an amazing experience. The tour we took was well worth the money.

Jean Santiago

Very romantic place without too many people, ended up proposing to my girlfriend here. Beautiful walking paths and a gorgeous sight of niagara river seperating Canada and the U.S

mayara leandro

Very good trail to do from devil’s hole until whirlpool.

Carol Verrier

Put this on your Niagara visit. Not a huge operation like Niagara but so very interesting. Great pictures of a massive and odd natural phenomena. Even this old geologist was intrigued!

MangoTheLegend

Nice view and little park. There is a free shuttle that will take you S to Niagara falls or N the fort.

Steven Haagsma

I love hiking the whirlpool trail. If you haven't seen the falls before you should go there first, but after you've seen them you should head to the whirlpool trail to escape the crowds of tourists and see a more natural part of the Niagara gorge that hasn't been built up as much. It's an awesome trail along the river at the bottom of the gorge along some of the most powerful rapids imaginable. It's not to be missed.

Petrel Liu

Very beautiful place to hike and explore the nature. The parking lot is free, if not, drive away from the nature centre to find free parking. There are multiple hikes that you can go to, just look at the map. However be prepare to get wet at the whirlpool trail

Elisabeth M

Nice park. Great place to stop and have a picnic. Restrooms aren't open yet in April. Family enjoyed walking the trail and seeing the river create a whirlpool action. Signs that tell the history are interesting too. Beautiful scenery.

Jamie

Whether you stay at the top or take the stairs down it is a beautiful place to hike! They've really updated the kids playground into something fantastic so the whole family can enjoy it. Plenty of parking and clean bathrooms.

Art Acosta

Very nice park quiet and the views are beautiful

Kevin Kowzan

An incredible view of the Niagara Falls gorge at this park. Free parking and easy access. They have a trail available that takes you to the waters edge but it is for advanced hikers only. A less rigorous trail is at devil's hole just a short distance away.

Alphaeus Convallerausmajalis

What an amazing place if your able take the hike it's so worth it it's a long walk down but it's all so beautiful. Especially in the next week or two do you know the end of October when all the trees will be in full fall color oh I'm going to go back to see that.

Włodek T

Right next to Niagara Falls trampled by tourists, a place less accessible, requiring some effort, but very picturesque.

Kim Gilman

Awesome place for an outdoor adventure. Can't wait to go again and see what else I missed. So many things so little time!!!

Andy Ramkissoon

This is an amazing park. Spectacular views soon as you enter until the time you leave. During hike you continue to find kool things with nature's beauty taking away your breath constantly. Along your way to the water. Once you reach the water you'd be suprosed and how blue and clear the water is. The further to whirlpools you get the more amazing the view is. This place is something you truly gotta expirence in your life. A good way to get excersice in and have nature's beauty give you a second wind. Would definitely recommend this place. Would definitely will be going back here. Would love to try fishing here to see what I can catch. Or even to just sit on a rock and watch the water all day.

Corky C

I had a great time at this park. Very clean park and restrooms. Next time I’ll walk the trail down the gorge.

Brittney Krollman

Took the stairs to get down by the water. Followed the trail, pretty difficult hike! Definitely worth it to get near the rapids! Absolutely beautiful!

Carolanne Madsen

My most favorite place...great memories i will cherish forever ❣️❣️

siju sunny

Good trail for walk. Water is dangerous, do not swim.

Jerry Jarrett

Loved the scenery. My first time there. Everything was breathtaking. Hopefully, will get to go back sometime and get to go into Canada this time.

Reginald Cannon

It awesome. Great views and terrific hiking and running. Wonderful people. Very clean park with nice trails. Untouched nature all around.

jason Williamson

Excellent place for a hike or exercise! I recommend the lower trail for a more immersive experience as this brings you close to the Niagara River. This hike is worth the 350+ steps down to the bottom. I recommend stopping at the Whirlpool Flats, where you can get even closer to the river.

Narakorn Rujikiatkhajohn (Ake)

You can feel the truly nature right here. Don't miss this place when you visit Niagara fall.

matt sandusky

Awesome place to go for a hike. I do recommend the upper trail if you have a hard time with stairs though.

Bill Heil

Beautiful scenery. Leave time for a hike down into the gorge. The waves you see from the top are way more impressive from the bottom!