Niagara Falls State Park & Cave of the Winds
Niagara Falls State Park
America's oldest state park, where you can stand on Goat Island and the Cave of the Winds boardwalk right at the foot of Bridal Veil Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park, established in 1885, is the oldest state park in the United States. It covers the American side of the riverbank and islands such as Goat Island. The must-do attraction is the Cave of the Winds: take an elevator about 53 meters down into the gorge, then walk the wooden boardwalk to the Hurricane Deck, directly beneath Bridal Veil Falls, where the water crashes down right on top of you. Visitors need to wear the ponchos and sandals provided. Prospect Point observation tower offers views of American Falls and is also the boarding point for the Maid of the Mist boat tour. From Three Sisters Islands you can get a close look at the rapids along the edge of Horseshoe Falls. The park is free to enter; the Cave of the Winds costs about US$20 (check the official website for current prices). From the Canadian side, you can walk across the Rainbow Bridge to get here, but you need a valid US visa or ESTA, plus permission to re-enter Canada.
Opening hours
Park open all day; wind tunnel about May–Oct 9:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Niagara Falls
- Niagara City Cruises (Voyage to the Falls)
- Journey Behind the Falls
- Skylon Tower
- Clifton Hill
- Niagara Parks Power Station
- Whirlpool Aero Car
- Niagara Glen Nature Reserve