Visitors to Watkins Glen State Park will now have fully restored access to the popular Gorge and Southern Rim trails.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Wednesday, July 1, announced the completion and opening of the new Sentry Bridge at the state park, a project started in 2024 to replace the original span, which was erected in 1908.
The new bridge reconnects visitors to the park’s iconic waterfalls, overlooks and trail network while providing a durable, long-term investment in one of New York’s most visited parks, state officials said.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to the full Watkins Glen State Park experience with the opening of the new Sentry Bridge ahead of Independence Day weekend,” said state parks Commissioner Kathy Moser. “This project restores access to one of the most breathtaking gorge trails in the country while ensuring this critical infrastructure will serve park visitors for generations to come.”
The new Sentry Bridge at Watkins Glen State Park officially opened July 1, 2026, restoring full access to the renowned Gorge and Southern Rim Trails.
The new Sentry Bridge, designed by a team led by two New York-based studios, is less vulnerable to erosion than the previous bridge, provides improved sightlines for visitors, and features a modern deck surface designed to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian flow, park officials said.
With construction now complete, visitors can once again experience all 19 waterfalls and other park features, including the spray of Cavern Cascade and the historic 120-step Couch’s Staircase that connects to trails leading to the South Pavilion and swimming pool.
The new bridge, funded with $7.5 million from the state parks capital budget, is built with lightweight and durable stainless steel and is expected to survive the harsh gorge environment for at least the next century.
The new Sentry Bridge at Watkins Glen State Park officially opened July 1, 2026, restoring full access to the renowned Gorge and Southern Rim Trails.
The former Sentry Bridge over the gorge at Watkins Glen State Park was erected in 1908. A new lighter, more durable span recently opened.
“It is a thrill to celebrate the opening of the Sentry Bridge during the week of America 250 in Watkins Glen,” said Niger Hale, president of the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. “The Sentry Bridge connects visitors to the world-renowned Gorge Trail, the signature experience that has made Watkins Glen State Park one of New York’s most beloved destinations.”
The restored trail access supports Gov. Kathy Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to explore state parks, trails, campgrounds, pools and historic sites, while promoting a healthy lifestyle for individuals and families.
On Tuesday, Hochul announced a $900,000 grant award to the City of Elmira through that same initiative for a new skate and bike park at Eldridge Park.
Officials cut the ribbon on the new Sentry Bridge at Watkins Glen State Park July 1, 2026, restoring full access to the renowned Gorge and Southern Rim Trails.
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Watkins Glen State Park is the most visited park in the Finger Lakes Region, welcoming about 1.3 million annual visitors, according to the state parks office.
“Watkins Glen State Park is a place where cherished memories are made — not only by those who have visited for generations, but by families and friends creating new traditions every day,” said Sharon Miller, chair of the Finger Lakes Regional Commission. “The completion of this remarkable new bridge ensures that future generations will continue to experience the beauty, adventure, and accessibility of this extraordinary park.”
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: New ‘breathtaking’ Sentry Bridge opens at Watkins Glen State Park
