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John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints |
Niagara Falls State Park encompasses the immediate area around Niagara Falls on the USA side. This park was previously called Niagara Reservation State Park. Despite the word "Reservation" in the old name even then it was a state park, open to the public (with an entrance fee) and not an Indian Reservation.
Niagara Falls consists of two waterfalls, side by side, very close to each other. The Canadian or Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the Niagara River are 2592 feet wide and 161 feet high. The American Falls on the US side are 1001 feet wide and 167 feet high. The two waterfalls are separated by Goat Island which lies in New York State (i.e. in the USA). The Canadian Falls carry about nine times as much water as the American Falls. Part of the American Falls near Goat Island is known as Bridal Veil Falls.
Although far from being the world's highest waterfall, Niagara Falls holds the record for the largest volume of water passing over the falls per second and the spectacle forms a most impressive sight. However, I'm informed that only half of the natural volume (202,000 cubic feet per second) actually passes over the falls during the summer and only a quarter passes over during the winter. The "missing" water is drawn off by the hydro-electric power plants above the falls and returned to the river six miles downstream of the falls.
We have only visited the USA side of Niagara Falls and so unfortunately cannot provide any first hand information regarding the Canadian side. However, the Niagara Parks web site listed in the "External Links" section at the bottom of this page offers full details.
The Niagara River flows from south to north, connecting Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The river forms the border between the USA and Canada, with USA on the east side and Canada on the west. There are several international bridges over the river, including the Rainbow and Whirlpool Rapids Bridges.
South (upstream) of the falls the river flows roughly at the same height as the surrounding land. North (downstream) of the falls it flows through a deep gorge.
Looking at the river from the USA side it flows from your left towards your right.
The town of Niagara Falls, New York State, lies north of the large city of Buffalo, New York State.
The town of Niagara Falls has the usual American "fast food alley" along US62 east of the old downtown. There are numerous motels along this road but some have rooms very close to the busy road which would be noisy. We managed to find a motel here with some rooms well away from the road and with no traffic noise.
As you continue west on US62 past the I-190 intersection you shortly enter a very run-down area of derelict factories and warehouses, followed by a lengthy section through a fairly poor looking residential area where US62 is split into two one-way roads. You then go through the old downtown which is very run down. It wasn't helped that when we visited in the summer of 1997 they had the roads up in the downtown area, making it even more of a mess. You then quickly reach the parking lots for the Falls.
The alternative and much more pleasant route to the Falls is to use I-190 to join the Robert Moses Parkway north of the town. This Parkway, a toll-free road, runs alongside the river north (downstream) of the Falls, where the river goes through a deep and most impressive gorge. The Parkway however runs along the rim of the gorge. There are several places along the Parkway where you can park (free of charge) and observe the gorge; doing so is highly recommended. The southern end of the Parkway ends very close to the parking lots for the Falls.
The Niagara Power Project Visitor Centre, located on the Robert Moses Parkway, is associated with the hydroelectric facility. We haven't investigated this visitor centre since it was closed when we visited but it might well be worth a look. There is no entrance fee.
There are two State Parks located along the Robert Moses Parkway: Devil's Hole State Park and Whirlpool State Park. Both parks offer excellent views of the river gorge from above, plus hiking trails which descend to the river level far below. Information from Carol Rogers, May-07:
Whirlpool and Devil's Hole State Park both have NO admission fees to them. The parking is free.After approaching the falls area by either of the above routes, in our opinion the best option then (assuming that you are in a car) is to enter the Niagara Falls State Park. This has an open air car park and entrance costs $4 per car (as at summer 1997) for an unlimited time. The car park isn't huge and might well become full during peak periods.
After parking your car you can then walk freely around the Falls area on the USA side, which is an extremely pleasant park. From the USA mainland there are good views of the Falls.
Within the park a lift (elevator) descends from Prospect Point Observation Tower to Prospect Point, from which the Maid of The Mist boat trip can be taken. There is a small fee for use of the lift, a rather larger fee for the boat trip.
If you have time, then the fairly short and mainly flat walk over the bridge to the north end of Goat Island (turn right after crossing the bridge) will greatly reward you with an superb view of the even more impressive Canadian Falls. Allow two or three hours or so to walk round if possible.
The Cave of The Winds tour, for which there is an additional fee, is available on Goat Island. A lift (elevator) descends to a walkway which runs close to the foot of the falls. The hire of waterproof clothing is included as part of the tour's cost. The tour lasts around an hour.
There are numerous commercial attractions around the Falls, probably best patronised on a very selective basis. The sight of these and other buildings detracts very considerably from the natural beauty of the Falls, in my opinion.
Niagara County Planning, Development and Tourism publish a free booklet entitled "Niagara USA" which includes two excellent maps. This booklet is freely available in the area and well worth obtaining.
Canals, Islands, Lakes, Rivers and Waterfalls
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Most recently modified 3-May-07