Niagara Falls State Park is located in the City of Niagara Falls, New York in Niagara County. The park contains the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and part of the Canadian Falls.
Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States. In 1885, the Niagara appropriations bill was signed into law, creating the Niagara Reservation. New York State Assemblyman Thomas Vincent Welch figured prominently in getting the bill signed, and served as the first Superintendent of the Park from its inception until 1903, 18 years.
The Niagara Reservation was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1963.,,
The park also overlooks the Niagara Gorge and allows access to the Maid of the Mist tour boats, Cave of the Winds, Flight of the Angels, and other attractions of Niagara Falls.
The park offers a museum, food concession, a gift shop, hiking and nature trails, picnic tables, recreation programs, and fishing.
The island is said to derive its name from the ability of an observer, when standing on the island during a full moon, to see "lunar rainbows" in the Niagara mist.
Spectators can view the falls from Goat Island and Luna Island, which are accessible by pedestrian bridges that cross the rapids of the Niagara river upstream from the falls. Spectators on Luna Island can stand a few feet away from both Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls by walking across the island. Representatives of the nearby Schoelkopf Geological Museum often come to Luna Island where they bring photographs and answer questions about Niagara Falls.
Niagara Reservation
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
American Falls is located in the park |
Location: |
Niagara Falls , NY |
Built/Founded: |
1885 |
Designated as NHL |
May 23, 1963 |
Added to NRHP: |
October 15, 1966 |
NRHP Reference#: |
66000555 |
| Governing body: |
State |
