Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Whetstone Gulf State Park in Lowville
Categories
Location on the map
Lowville, Lewis County, New York, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Phone: +1 315-376-6630
Site: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/whets...
Site: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/whets...
Opening hours
- Monday:9AM–9PM
- Tuesday:9AM–9PM
- Wednesday:9AM–9PM
- Thursday:9AM–9PM
- Friday:9AM–9PM
- Saturday:9AM–9PM
- Sunday:9AM–9PM
Comments (106)
The hiking trail was really fun. This place is easily accessible and has a pretty spacious parking area. There is a campground although we didnt stay, just hiked the trail and went home. The day use fee is $7. The trail is a little over 5 miles and took us almost 3 hours--we werent in any hurry though and stopped here and there for pictures. Beautiful place!
Great place to go for camping, swimming or trail hiking. Hiking the gorge can be a bit of a challenge with the hilly terrain. Make sure you leave early enough so youre not getting stuck out on the trails after sunset.
Definitely a neat leisure walk through the woods. Gonna go back and do the full hill climb and loop.
Place is great. Lots of trees shading the campsites. Lots of picnic tables. The only issue is biting flies that keep on getting us! Nature will be nature I guess...
Gorge Trail 🍄This trail requires physical fitness, footwear with traction and concentration.There are roots everywhere and while they enhanced my hiking experience, I had to be careful.Rule of thumb for me? Make sure I had enough room to trip or face plant so I didn’t fall off the trail.There are no guard rails of any kind on this hike. One slip the wrong way and your trip to the bottom of the gorge will be the last thing you do. 😢This is a beautiful hike and I highly recommend it. Just stay safe. ☀️🌎
Nice gorge trail, its about 6.5 miles around the gorge rim and there are some very nice views along the way and a few waterfalls.
We hiked the full canyon loop trail. Our gps logged it at just under 7 miles including walking out to most of the overlooks. We did not do the tower.After our hike we had lunch in the day use area of the canyon by the river. Very nice!We drove the campground loops. Most are very nice, well separated, and many are paved. The center loop had electric, there is a dump station and decent bathrooms. Many sites were very long and could easily accommodate larger RVs.There is a beach area and swimming hole (dammed stream flow) but it was being rebuilt while we were there. Also a very nice play scape for the kids.All in all a very nice place!
I mean... they have a lot of hiking trails if you like walks that dont have any scenery. We took our dogs on this hike and it was literally just an uphill trail with trees surrounding you. Yes, it was pretty at first but imagine all the bugs. Ok, now imagine that you are expecting to reach the top or at least be rewarded with breathtaking views. Maybe up around this bend? Wrong. More trees just like the last 2 miles. Its a boring hike. After a while we eventually turned around because it just felt like we were walking in place.
The north and south trail connect, you really need to take both to make a full loop, plan at least 3 1/2 hours for this almost 7 mile hike. Go to the lookout deck, it’s worth it, follow that side trail and until you see the lookout deck, it’s there.
Ive been at Whetstone 2x this summer at spot 52. It has electric and the bathroom/shower right next to the site. I ve been driving with my 20ft trailer 5x this year. Well this time at spot 52, I got trapped by trees and couldnt get out. The supervisor from the park save me and help me get my trailer out of the site. His name is Jeoff. I appreciate that he took time out if his day to help me. This park is very gorgeous.
I go every year its a great hike. Also family friendly. Great views of the gorge.
Ive been coming here for many years and it is always an enjoyable camping space, friendly staff and great shower house. Good playground and beach area for the kiddos and access to hiking trails !
Great hike. Unexpected views. Beautiful in fall.
What a hidden treasure. One of the most beautiful hiking trails. About 5.6 miles long plus a spur that adds just under 0.5 miles. Moderate. A climb at the beginning, and a descent at the end, pretty easy around the rim. We did it starting at the parking lot North Trail. Would definitely come back.
Besides the beautiful gorge trail, this place has perfect campsites if you like to be piled up on top of another with all the other campers. No privacy at all, you would think that you go camping to see nature but all you can see is everyones cars on top of narrow roads so theres always a vehicle in your face and you can clearly hear your neighbors conversations. A day trip is worth the trails but thats it. I wont camp here again.
It is a nice state park, and camp area. The swimming area is somewhat small, murky, and cold. There is also no where to throw away trash. And the restrooms smelled of Urine.
I am 29 and have been staying at whetstone yearly since I was 10 years old. They have very simple rules and access to shower, bathroom, laundry, firewood and even coffee in the morning. Convenience combined with a 6 miles plus Gorge trail that is as challenging as it is beautiful. At the top there is a reservoir that has been known to produce some nice afternoon/evening fishing. I recommend this campground for families and close friends that want to get away and have adventure. Tons of local attractions Ottercreek, black river.
Great place to walk. There is a trail off Highmarket Inn that leads to it. Great place to ATV to.
A nice state park. The playground is nice with rubber mulch and its has a pretty view of the water. The little beach is nice and maintained.
The hike around the Gulf has some hard sections, but is relatively easy. The view from the edge isnt as good as it used to be thanks to it being so overgrown. Maybe it has better views once the leaves have fallen. The recreational area is nice and is kept up. The picnic areas are wheelchair accessible.
Just a beautiful park! Scenic and easy access! Sites are large, level and most nestled in the pine trees. Very nice dump site on the grounds. My site didnt have hookups and not sur if they offer hookups so plan accordingly. Also solar will be hit and miss because of the shade from the pine tree so a generator or other way to charge up is reccomended. Just a nice local spot to camp!
Year round this park has amazing features. Hiking, swimming, snow shoeing cross country skiing, camping and a playground, are the major features. The comfort station operating in the winter, for snow shoeing and cross country park visitors, is a true gift to winter park goers. My thanks to the NY State Parks! This park exceeds expectations!
Beautiful hiking trails along the gorge, but maybe folks who are out of shape should pass. Also not for kids, there are several spots along the trails with extreme drop offs. Beautiful beach area too!
Offers camp sites, hiking trails, swimming in season in campsites swimming area (in the stream feed swimming area) Hiking trails along the upper ridge of the Gulf are challenging for the more advanced hiker, while others can walk through the trails along the bottom of Whetstone Gulf. Very peaceful getaway for those looking for a camping experience in a quiet setting.
The 5 mile hike is very much worth it. The view at the top is fantastic.Also has a really nice playground and swimming area for kids and adults alike, 2 to 6 feet deep.
The 5-mile hike is really more like 7 the trail is very rooty, not bad but about ,4 hr. There is really no store here so bring in what you need there is a Walmart in lowville. The site seem to be quite roomy
Beautiful park with waterfalls and a huge Gorge
Great place for the entire family
This place literally sucks nearest fishing spot is 5 miles from camp grounds yet it says accessible fishing on the website that doesn’t seem to accessible to me🤦🏽♂️
Very peaceful during off season, havent been during warmer months.
Great place to camp for anyone. Perfect for kids, but nice and quiet and private. The swimming area is great too. A nice relaxing campground.
Enjoyed the lovely trail around the gulf. Its about 5 miles and is well marked. Be ready for some uphill, though. And be sure to cool off with a dip in the pool afterward.
Great park with a swimming beach, camping and hiking trails.We used the main part for a picnic then headed to the top of the hiking trails.
We love this little park. Camping here is always quiet and relaxing. Just wish they had more electric sites.
One of my all time favorite state parks
Beautiful place very peaceful love the water. There is hiking a creek if u look u can find fossles in the slate.
Beautiful park that is well maintained!! Nice beach area and great playground for kids also near the beach.
Very relaxing. Some points of the river you can take your shoes off and feel the cold water flow over your feet.
This is an amazing spot for camping and to go just for a hike, price is 7$ but it’s worth it!
Who knew you could not go on the trails past 3pm? We didnt. We arrived at 3:15. The only explanation I received was that some kids got lost once. There has to be more to the story, no?
Nice quick hike
I see the park improving but I do not agree with the 3 pm check in time at this park and the locking of the showers in the evening.
Good place to camp in summer and hike. In the winter there are trails to ski
If you search Whetstone Gulf State Park in maps and follow the GPS it will take you on dirt roads to the reservoir thats part of the state park but not the actual State Park . Use 6065 West Rd. Lowville NY (the actual address) or call for directions.
The trail is a nice day hike and my kids love the playground.
I use to do PT there but also camped. Wonderful place one day I want to return..btw is the Apple tree still at the end?
Beautiful views and moderately challenging hike. They want you off the trail by 3 though.
This place has been one of my favorite places to visit and camp from the time I was young right up to adulthood.
DO NOT FOLLOW GPS DIRECTIONS IT DOES NOT TAKE YOU TO CAMPSITES!VERY SMALL PARK,COZY THOUGH.SITES ARE SPACIOUS
Great quite place. Awesome trails and great camping
If you wast to camp with your tent, or spend your stay in your motor home, Whetstone will accommodate you for little to nothing.
My familys first time camping; everyone loved it.
Its a great place to cross country ski and dogs are able to be included
Nice walking trails. They also keep the place looking nice.
Great place to go camping. Peaceful and relaxing, great for kids.
The little beach is still not able to swim inIts taken to long to be able to go in??? Why
The Hike is confusing and the map really doesnt help there are also no signs to indicate that youre halfway.
Excellent walking trails for all levels.
Best swimming at a state park not located in Ithaca.
We love it here! Definitely a fun place for the family.
Cant beat the riding
Great hike around the gorge trail.
Been coming here for 30 years, great camping.
Nice area just dont come during black fly season
Great place to camp. Come here often
Great place to picnic or go camping.
Great place to camp or come spend the day
The view from the upper gulf in winter is amazing.
Breathtaking views!!
Great views nice hike
Great place for hiking and camping!
Great swimming hole in existing creek.
Small seasonal beach with great picnicking.
Hard to get to, not great for a falls
Peaceful camping, great facility!
Very peaceful and beautiful.
Beautiful.. definitely will be back!!
Great beginner hike
Scenery, natural sounds, hiking, proximity
Wonderful place to spend the day with family
Well spaced campsites.
Love the gulf trail
Terrific trails!
Quiet tucked away park.
🤗🥰😎😊🙂😋😍😍😍
Beautiful
Beautiful
Great view
Great place.
Favorite park
Beautiful place.
Pretty pretty
Beautiful place
Beautiful!
Not as advertised,
Beautiful park but not maintained as well as it could be. The cliff has a sheer drop off but it is safe.
Total reviews rating 4.6
106 Reviews for Whetstone Gulf State Park 2023:
Review №1
2021-09-07Awesome hike! 6 miles total loop included south and north trail. About animals, we met grass snake, bunch of cute chipmunks and squirrels. Everywhere you can see warrants of bears. We didn’t meet them. Wonderful views although a bit obstructing by leaves and trees around. It’s not easy hike for beginners so it was nice, comfortable and a lot of fun.
Review №2
2022-06-05Great place to hike. The North Rim is easier to climb and has better scenery.
Review №3
2021-07-13Best part about the hike was the shade. Roots of all sizes all long the way will definitely ruin someones day with a bumb ankle. The park warns you about drops, which is good. They should also warn about trips n slips. No good view of the water.
Review №4
2021-08-21Our family of 6 just camped here this past weekend. We absolutely loved it here! Check the map before booking if you are looking for more secluded sites. Site 50 is where we stayed and it was absolutely perfect, with a wooded outline for the kids, lots of room for our pop-up, tent and easy up, with the bathroom across the road for our 2 smallest children. Absolutely recommend!!
Review №5
2022-06-24Nice Quiet little campground. Love coming here mid week. 2 weeks ago we were the only ones besides two or 3 other families there mid week. Good place to take your kids and just relax
Review №6
2020-07-30Fantastic hike, trails mostly wooded around very edge of the ravine - no fences or protection from the sheer 200 drop so Id say definitely not for small kids! Took around 3 hours at a decent pace with several stops. $7 to park. Also has a nice sandy swimming hole for kids. Initial hike up to the trail is pretty steep.
Review №7
2020-07-07Restrooms were fairly clean on the campground and showers were warm. The trail nearest to the campground around the gorge was awesome, steep in the beginning but tapers off in elevation. Not too many bugs but would recommend spray. Trail is well maintained and the people were very nice here. Nearest trail will run about 7.5 miles walking distance.
Review №8
2022-06-08It was really a beautiful place to see. A lot of the trail goes uphill so make sure to pack some water. Dont forget to apply bugspray. It is definitely worth the trip though very pretty.
Review №9
2021-07-01Great place to camp for adults. It is quiet most of the time. (Until the crying kids moved in across from us). Not sure this will be a yearly camping escape for us, but may return if invited by someone else that comes. Site beside us had dogs that left messes (poop) all over and wasnt cleaned up when they left. The staff didnt even clean it up. I had to ask them to cause as the wind would blow the right direction... the smell followed. I do want to return to the park to enjoy the trails, just maybe not to camp.
Review №10
2022-05-23I was not impressed with the cleanliness of the restrooms. 2 of the 3 toilets didnt flush properly and both showers didnt work. Im fairly certain I will not be returning. I will say the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Bathrooms need a complete renovation!!