Niagara Falls State Park Guide

The Niagara Falls State Park is located along the rapids, falls, and gorge of the Niagara River. While called river the Niagara - taken from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra meaning strait - waterway is actually a strait connecting the two final bodies of water of the Great Lakes - Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. What today is the Niagara Gorge has been thousands of years in the making and has traveled seven miles in that time. The first white man credited with seeing the great falls of Niagara was a French priest by the name of Louis Hennepin in 1678. Since that time millions of people have looked upon the cascading falls and surrounding park.

Today what is known as the Niagara Falls State park was originally called the Niagara Reservation when then New York state Governor David B. Hall signed into law creating the nation's first state park on April 30, 1885. Frederick Law Olmstead designed the park, Olmstead also designed Central Park in New York City. Olmstead wanted to create a park that would preserve the green spaces along the river and allow the local flora and fauna to flourish. Today there are dozens of species of birds, trees, and flowers that call the Niagara Falls State Park home.

One of the early visitors to the newly named park was Jerome Bonapart - brother of Napoleon - who brought his bride for a visit. It was not long before Niagara Falls was known as the honeymoon capitol of the world. Over the years million of couples have visited the area while on their honeymoon.

Today Niagara Falls State Park includes the land along the river, Green Island, Goat Island, Bird Island, Luna Island, and the Three Sisters. Goat Island got it's name when gentleman farmer John Steadman used the island to house his livestock in winter to protect them from predator animals. One particular winter the weather was very hard and Steadman could not get across to the island to tend his stock. Once the winter had finally eased and Steadman could again get across to the island all he found was one old stubborn goat that had survived.

The Three Sisters Islands are three small islands - connected by bridges - that are named for the three daughters of General Parkhurst Whitney - Asenath, Celinda, and Angeline. Visitors are encouraged to visit the islands during daylight houses as there is no power on the islands for lighting.

What is known as Niagara Falls is in reality three separate falls - the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls (named so because it resembles a bride's veil), and the Horseshoe Falls which is also known as the Canadian Falls. Actually the Horseshoe Falls borders more American soil than Canadian soil. At one time Niagara Falls was considered one of the Natural Wonders of the World, this claim is no longer valid since the flow of the water is now controlled by man. Besides providing a beautiful and majestic sight of nature Niagara Falls is a source of hydroelectric power for the area.

The Falls are always on and free for the viewing; they are even lit up at night with a rainbow of coloured lights. During the tourist season a fireworks display is presented each Friday, Sunday, and on special holidays.

For visitors who wish to get a closer look at this natural wonder there is the Maid of the Mist boat ride and a journey down into the river gorge with the Cave of the Winds where visitors can even get as close as eight feet to the Bridal Veil Falls.

Luna Island lets visitors stand between the American and Bridal Veil Falls for a truly spectacular view.

Even with only 50 percent of the water flowing over the Falls, the action of the fast moving water - approximately 30 knots when it runs over the brink - the land erodes a few inches each year; so even for returning visitors the view is never quite the same. When the Falls were first formed they were some seven miles north of their present location - the Niagara is one of the few bodies of water in the world that flows north.

On the northern end of the Niagara Falls State Park is the Discovery Center where rock hounds can view a film, take a tour down the gorge via elevator, and learn all about the geology of the Niagara River Gorge. From the Discovery Center there is a nature trail that follows along the river until it reaches Lake Ontario and Fort Niagara.

Niagara Falls State Park is a natural park with the sights and sounds of nature at its most majestic that is not only a good place to visit but one that has more to offer than a typical tourist trap.