Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park contains one of the most dramatic gorge trails in the northeastern United States, where a narrow sandstone canyon drops 400 feet over just two miles, passing 19 waterfalls carved into ancient rock. The gorge trail puts you right inside the action, walking under overhangs, alongside cascades, and through the mist of Cavern Cascade, where you can shoot directly into the falls from behind a curtain of water. Wide angles work well in the tight canyon walls, helping you capture the full scale of the layered stone and rushing water. Overcast days are ideal since the high canyon walls create harsh shadows in direct sun, and flat light brings out the green mosses and wet rock textures. A polarizing filter will cut glare on the water and deepen colors. The main gorge entrance is near the village and the trail is well maintained, though the stone steps can be slippery when wet. (Watkins Glen, New York, United States)
