Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open 24 hours, year-round. Seasonal attractions were winding down. As listed on October 27, 2026, Maid of the Mist was listed to run until November 8 and the trolley until November 29, 2026. What the status labels mean
Niagara Falls State Park is the New York State Parks site on the American side of Niagara Falls, in the city of Niagara Falls. It is free to walk into and open 24 hours, all year. Its viewpoints face the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls.
Wikipedia gives the American Falls a 70- to 110-foot drop to the rocks at its base. Parking and attractions cost extra. As listed October 27, 2026, Maid of the Mist was listed to run until November 8.
About Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls State Park covers the New York side of Niagara Falls. From its viewpoints you can see the American Falls, the smaller Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. Luna Island sits between the American and Bridal Veil Falls.
The park's official site calls it "America's oldest state park", but Wikipedia words it more carefully. It says the park was established in 1885 and is "claimed to be the oldest continuously operating state park" in the country.
The American Falls' height depends on where you measure. Wikipedia gives it a drop of 70 to 110 feet to the rock pile, or talus, at its base. Measured to the river, the drop is 188 feet.
Wikipedia also notes that the American Falls was dewatered from June to November 1969. The park pages we checked publish no official height for any of the three falls.
Getting there and parking
The park's address is 15 Goat Island Loop Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, and its phone number is (716) 278-1794. The park never closes, so you can walk in free at any hour.
The official site lists four lots. As listed on October 27, 2026, Lots 1 and 2 cost $10 a day from October 12, 2026 to March 31, 2027. From May 22 to October 11, 2026, they charged $15 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The page doesn't list 2027 summer rates yet.
Lot 3 (50 Goat Island Rd) charges no fee between September 8 and May 21, and is free Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday year-round. In 2026 it charged $10 for cars, $20 for RVs and $35 for buses on Fridays to Mondays and holidays from May 22 to September 7. No overnight parking. Lot 4 opens seasonally, with no set fee listed.
The park allows no camping or tents of any kind, according to its FAQ. Plan to stay outside the park.
For more of the state's falls, see our guide to waterfalls in New York. Taughannock Falls, near Ithaca, is a 215-foot plunge.
Map and nearby falls
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Viewpoints and the Cataract Stairs
Niagara Falls State Park has no single trail. The park is a set of viewpoints, and the official site posts a walking-distance chart (PDF) on its trolley page.
Prospect Point is the viewpoint at the American Falls. Its Observation Tower gives what the park calls the "only panoramic view of all three waterfalls". The tower is open to everyone, and you don't need a boat ticket. As of October 29, 2026, the official tower page says the far end of the tower is temporarily closed; the rest remains open.
On Goat Island, Terrapin Point sits above the Horseshoe Falls. Luna Island stands between the American and Bridal Veil Falls. On the Three Sisters Islands, walkways lead out into the Canadian Rapids.
The newest viewpoint is the Cataract Stairs and Overlook, which opened in time for Labor Day weekend 2026. The structure was previously known as the Crow's Nest. Governor Hochul's office announced its completion on September 4, 2026.
According to Governor Hochul's release, the $12 million Cataract Stairs project added 163 new stairs to the existing staircase. That makes 274 stairs from top to bottom. The new overlook is within 35 feet of the American Falls.
The stairs rise about 180 feet and give a non-mechanical route out of the Niagara Gorge. The release says they offer two-way access to the overlook during part of the off-season. It doesn't spell out how access works in summer.
Maid of the Mist's president said the stairs take pressure off the elevators that bring boat guests back up to the Observation Tower. If stairs are hard for you, ask park staff which route to use.
Farther downstream, the Whirlpool, with Class V rapids and free parking, is listed among the park's viewpoints on the official site. So is Devil's Hole.
In a report from around January 2026, WKBW said the Whirlpool and Devil's Hole are no longer separate state parks. The station said the change creates about five miles of continuous shoreline.
US vs Canadian side
Every viewpoint above is on the New York side, and you can reach it without crossing a border. Many visitors also cross to the Canadian side.
If you do, the park FAQ says an American citizen must show a passport at the border crossing. Check current border rules before you go.
When to visit
The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year. The attractions are seasonal, so what you can do depends on the month.
As listed on October 27, 2026, Maid of the Mist was listed to run until November 8, 2026. The trolley season ends November 29. Cave of the Winds switched to off-season prices on October 19, and those run through March 31, 2027.
Parking follows the seasons too. In 2026, Lots 1 and 2 charged $15 on Fridays through Sundays from May 22 to October 11. They now cost $10 a day through March 31, 2027, and the parking page doesn't list 2027 summer rates yet.
Lot 3 charges no fee from September 8 to May 21, and it is free Tuesday through Thursday all year.
We found no official best month to visit. The governor's release says the Cataract Stairs open both ways to the overlook for part of the off-season, but it gives no dates.
| Height | 110 ft (American Falls)Note: the American Falls drops 70 to 110 ft to the rock pile (talus) at its base and 188 ft to the river, per Wikipedia. The park pages give no official height. |
|---|---|
| Trail | No set trail: viewpoints at Prospect Point, Terrapin Point on Goat Island, Luna Island and the Three Sisters Islands. The Cataract Stairs climb about 180 ft on 274 steps beside the American Falls. |
| Difficulty | Easy at the overlooks; the Cataract Stairs have 274 steps |
| Time needed | See the park's walking-distance chart; no official walking times |
| Entry fee | Free to walk in. Lots 1 and 2: $10 a day, Oct 12, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. Lot 3 charges no fee from Sep 8 to May 21 and is free Tue to Thu year-round; attractions extra. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or ticket to enter; Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and the trolley sell their own tickets |
| Parking | Lots 1 and 2 $10 a day; Lot 3 free until May 21 |
| Hours / season | Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round; attractions are seasonal (official park FAQ) |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash of 6 ft or less; not in buildings, on boardwalks or at attractions |
| Swimming | We found no swimming area or swimming rule on the official pages; view the falls from the overlooks |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; as listed Oct 27, 2026, Maid of the Mist was listed to run until Nov 8 and the trolley until Nov 29, 2026 |
| Managed by | New York State Parks (OPRHP) |
Safety and swimming
Stay behind railings and on marked walkways at every viewpoint. That includes the Three Sisters Islands, where the walkways lead out into the rapids.
Drones are prohibited in the park. Pets must be on a leash of 6 feet or less, and they aren't allowed in buildings, on boardwalks or at attractions.
The Cataract Stairs have 274 steps over a rise of about 180 feet. Take breaks, hold the rail, and go slowly when the steps are wet.
We found no swimming area listed in the park. Our waterfall safety guide covers fast water and slick rock in more depth.
Conditions change: confirm with Niagara Falls State Park before you go.
Where to stay near Niagara Falls State Park
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Niagara Falls.
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Photos
Niagara Falls State Park FAQ
Is Niagara Falls State Park free?
Yes, to walk in. The official site says it's always free to walk into the park to see the falls, and the park is open 24 hours. You pay for parking and for attractions such as Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and the trolley.
How much is parking at Niagara Falls State Park?
$10 a day at Lots 1 and 2 from October 12, 2026 to March 31, 2027, as listed on October 27, 2026. From May 22 to October 11, 2026, they charged $15 on Fridays to Sundays. The page doesn't list 2027 summer rates yet. Lot 3 at 50 Goat Island Rd charges no fee between September 8 and May 21, and is free Tuesday through Thursday year-round.
Can you camp at Niagara Falls State Park?
No. The park's FAQ says no camping or tents of any kind are permitted. The park is open 24 hours for visits, so book lodging outside it.
Do you need a passport to see Niagara Falls?
Not for the New York side. If you cross to the Canadian side, the park FAQ says American citizens are required to show a passport at the border crossing.
Is Niagara Falls a national park or a state park?
The American side is a state park. Niagara Falls State Park is run by New York State Parks (OPRHP), not the National Park Service.
Is Niagara Falls State Park the oldest state park?
The park claims the title. Its official site calls it America's oldest state park. Wikipedia says it was established in 1885 and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating state park in the US.
When is the best time to visit Niagara Falls State Park?
There's no official best month; the park is open 24 hours a day, all year. The attractions are seasonal, though. As listed on October 27, 2026, Maid of the Mist was listed to run until November 8, 2026, and the trolley until November 29, 2026.
Was the American Falls ever drained?
Yes. Wikipedia says the American Falls was dewatered from June to November 1969. We don't cover what was found, because we couldn't check it against a reliable source.
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Sources
- Niagara Falls State Park official site: Attractions
- Niagara Falls State Park official site: Observation Tower (read Oct 29, 2026)
- Niagara Falls State Park official site: Parking (read Oct 29, 2026)
- NY State Parks: Niagara Falls State Park
- Governor Hochul Announces Completion of New 'Cataract Stairs' at Niagara Falls State Park (Sep 4, 2026)
- WKBW 7 News Buffalo: Whirlpool and Devil's Hole become part of Niagara Falls State Park (about Jan 2026)
- Wikipedia: Niagara Falls State Park
- Wikipedia: American Falls
- Niagara Falls State Park official site: FAQs (hours, camping, passport)
- Niagara Falls State Park official site: Overlooks and vistas
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with New York State Parks (OPRHP) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.