Niagara Falls · RedAwning

Niagara FallsAmerica's oldest state park — Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and 3,160 tons of water per second over Horseshoe Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, established as the Niagara Reservation in 1885, is the oldest state park in the United States and the front gate to the American side of the falls. The 487-acre park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, hosts three waterfalls — American Falls (180 ft), Bridal Veil Falls, and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls (sharing 3,160 tons of water per second between them) — plus the Maid of the Mist boat tour (since 1846), the Cave of the Winds Hurricane Deck, and 5 miles of trails into the Niagara Gorge.

Hours todayOpen 24 hrs – undefinedFriday hours
TicketsFrom $30.25Maid of the Mist (adult)
LocationNiagara Falls, New York332 Prospect Street
Official siteniagarafallsstatepark.comPlan your visit

487Acres
3,160 tons/secWater flow
1885Established
~9MAnnual visitors

Four of the five Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie — drain through the Niagara River, and the entire flow plunges over a 175-foot escarpment at Niagara Falls. Three waterfalls share that water: the American Falls (1,060 feet wide, 180 feet to the rocks below) and Bridal Veil Falls (the small one between Goat Island and Luna Island) on the U.S. side, and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls (2,200 feet wide) sharing the same brink at the international border. About 75,750 gallons per second go over the American and Bridal Veil Falls, and 681,750 gallons per second go over the Horseshoe — together, 3,160 tons of water per second.

Niagara Falls State Park became the Niagara Reservation in 1885 — the first of New York's state parks and the oldest in the country. Frederick Law Olmsted (Central Park, Prospect Park) drew the original plan. The headline attractions all run inside the park's 487 acres: the Maid of the Mist (operating since 1846, the longest-running tourist boat in North America) departs from Prospect Point and ferries passengers to the base of the Horseshoe Falls; the Cave of the Winds Hurricane Deck (rebuilt each spring out of fresh wood, since the spray destroys it every winter) puts you 20 feet from the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls; the 282-foot Observation Tower extends out over the gorge for the only U.S. view straight onto the Horseshoe.

Parking is in four lots (Lot 1 closest to the falls, $10–$15 daily); walking in is always free. The Niagara Scenic Trolley loops every 30 minutes and is the easiest way to cover the park's 5 miles of trails. Plan a full day: the Maid of the Mist takes 20 minutes plus 30 in line, Cave of the Winds takes an hour, and the Three Sisters Islands and Terrapin Point are worth another 90 minutes. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side adds a passport check and a different angle on the Horseshoe — locals often recommend the U.S. side for the boat ride and the Canadian side for the panorama.

Maid of the Mist — since 1846
The longest-running tourist boat in North America, in continuous service since 1846. The 20-minute round-trip departs from the base of the Observation Tower at Prospect Point, takes passengers past the American Falls and into the basin of the Horseshoe Falls, then returns. Adult $30.25, ages 6–12 $19.75, under 5 free; ponchos included. First-come boarding, no reservations.
Cave of the Winds Hurricane Deck
An elevator drops you 175 feet into the Niagara Gorge, then a wooden walkway puts you 20 feet from the base of Bridal Veil Falls — close enough that the wind hits 68 mph and the spray feels like rain. The Hurricane Deck is rebuilt each spring (the falls destroy it every winter). Adult $23 in peak season, $14 off-season; open year-round.
Observation Tower at Prospect Point
A 282-foot cantilever tower extending out over the gorge — the only place on the U.S. side with a straight-on view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The elevator that's $1.25 each way is also the only access down to the Maid of the Mist landing. Open 365 days, lit at night with the Falls Illumination.
Goat Island & Three Sisters Islands
Goat Island sits between the American and Horseshoe Falls — Olmsted called it the most diverse half-square-mile in North America (170 native tree species in 1901). Walk the perimeter to Terrapin Point (Horseshoe Falls overlook) or hop the bridges to the Three Sisters Islands directly into the upper rapids. Free, always open.
Falls Illumination — every night, year-round
The falls have been lit nightly since 1925, switching to LEDs in 2016 — 1,400 fixtures producing 14 different colors. Lighting begins 30 minutes after sunset and runs to 11 PM (midnight Fri–Sun). Best viewing from Terrapin Point on Goat Island or the Canadian side. Free.
Niagara Gorge hiking trails
Five miles of trails drop into the gorge below the falls — Whirlpool Rapids (Class V whitewater, 30 ft/sec current), Devil's Hole (a 200-foot descent on stone steps to the river), and the Niagara Glen botanical trails. The Whirlpool State Park trailhead sits 2 miles north of the falls. Free, dawn to dusk; sturdy footwear required.
Aquarium of Niagara — 1,500+ animals
Just north of the Rainbow Bridge along Gorge View, the Aquarium of Niagara opened in 1965 — Pacific walruses, harbor seals, African penguins, and the Great Lakes 360 immersive theater. The walrus feeding at 11 AM and 3:30 PM is the headliner. Adult $26, ages 3–12 $19.50; not run by State Parks.
Discover Niagara Shuttle — Falls to Fort
A free hop-on/hop-off shuttle runs the 14-mile corridor from the falls north to Old Fort Niagara, with 15 stops including the Underground Railroad Heritage Center, the Aquarium, Whirlpool State Park, and Lewiston village. Runs Memorial Day through October, every 30 minutes. Park your car at the falls; ride to dinner in Lewiston.

Open hours

The park itself is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is always free to walk in. The headline attractions are seasonal: Maid of the Mist runs roughly mid-April through early November (closed for winter), Cave of the Winds is open year-round (Hurricane Deck dismantled and rebuilt each season), and the Falls Illumination runs nightly year-round.

MondayOpen 24 hrs
TuesdayOpen 24 hrs
WednesdayOpen 24 hrs
ThursdayOpen 24 hrs
FridayTodayOpen 24 hrs
SaturdayOpen 24 hrs
SundayOpen 24 hrs

Note · Cave of the Winds last ticket is typically 4–8:15 PM depending on season. Maid of the Mist is first-come, first-served — boats depart every ~15 minutes from 9 AM. Vehicle parking fee in Lots 1 and 2 ($10–$15 daily); walking in is always free.

Ticket pricing

Per-person admission. Buy in advance to skip the gate line.

Park entry — walk-inFreeAlways free — only the parking lots and attractions charge
Maid of the Mist (adult)$30.25Boat tour to base of Horseshoe Falls; ages 6–12 $19.75
Cave of the Winds (peak season adult)$23Hurricane Deck under Bridal Veil Falls; ages 6–12 $19, off-season $14
Niagara Scenic Trolley$3All-day hop-on/off, 30-min loop with park history narration
Discovery Pass (5 attractions)$56Maid of the Mist + Cave of the Winds + 3 others, summer only
Parking — Lots 1 & 2$15Daily flat rate Fri–Sun in summer; $10 weekdays and shoulder seasons

Annual Empire Pass ($80) covers parking at all NY State Parks including Niagara — pays for itself in 6+ visits. The Falls Illumination (every night, 365 days) and the nightly fireworks (summer Fri/Sun) are both free. No passport needed for the U.S. side; crossing to the Canadian side via the Rainbow Bridge requires one.

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