Discover the Natural Splendor of Watkins Glen State Park

Getting There

• Public Bus

  From downtown Ithaca, head to the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) bus terminal located at 737 Willow Ave, Ithaca, NY. Take the TCAT Route 11 bus towards Watkins Glen. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes. Get off at the Watkins Glen stop, which is near the intersection of N Franklin St and 4th St. From there, walk north on N Franklin St for about 0.3 miles until you reach Watkins Glen State Park at 1009 N Franklin St.

• Bicycle Rental

  If you prefer cycling, you can rent a bike from one of the local bike rental shops in Ithaca, such as the Ithaca Bike Rental located at 106 S Cayuga St. Once you have your bike, take the Cayuga Waterfront Trail heading south. This scenic route will eventually lead you towards Watkins Glen. Follow the signs for Route 414 north, which will take you directly to Watkins Glen. The ride is approximately 20 miles and should take about 1.5 to 2 hours.

• Ride-sharing Service

  You can use a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft to get to Watkins Glen State Park. Open the app on your smartphone and set your pickup location to where you are in Ithaca. Enter '1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY' as your destination. The drive will take approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic. This option is the most convenient and direct.

• Walking

  If you are feeling adventurous and only a few people are in your group, consider walking. Start at the center of Ithaca and walk towards the southern end of town to reach Route 414. Follow Route 414 south towards Watkins Glen. It is a long walk of about 20 miles, which will take approximately 5 to 6 hours. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry water, as this is a significant trek.