Devil's Hole State Park is a
state park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "Federated state, state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on accou ...
located in
Niagara County
Niagara County is in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 212,666. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word ''Onguiaahra''; meaning ''the strait'' or ''thunder of ...
,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
, north of the City of
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the Canada–United States border, border between the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York (s ...
. The day-use park overlooks the lower
Niagara River Gorge.
History
Devil's Hole State Park occupies a location that was historically an important
portage
Portage or portaging ( CA: ; ) is the practice of carrying water craft or cargo over land, either around an obstacle in a river, or between two bodies of water. A path where items are regularly carried between bodies of water is also called a '' ...
used by
Native Americans to transport canoes around
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the Canada–United States border, border between the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York (s ...
and rapids on the
Niagara River
The Niagara River ( ) flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, forming part of the border between Ontario, Canada, to the west, and New York, United States, to the east. The origin of the river's name is debated. Iroquoian scholar Bruce T ...
. It was the location of an early
battle
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force co ...
between European settlers and Native Americans over control of the portage route.
The park was opened in 1924, and is one of the oldest state parks in the region, although it was preceded by
Niagara Falls State Park.
[
]
Description
Devil's Hole State Park is a [ day-use park that allows fishing, hiking, picnic tables, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.][ A popular trail descends into the Niagara River Gorge to allow close access to the rapids below, however off-trail hiking is prohibited due to dangerous conditions.]
See also
* List of New York state parks
This is a list of state parks in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Also listed are state golf courses, seasonal hunting areas, and ''former'' state parks.
In New York, state parks are managed by the New York State Office of Parks, R ...
References
External links
New York State Parks: Devil's Hole State Park
The folklore attributed to Devil’s Hole is covered in Episode 1 of the “I Scream Social” podcast hosted by Abby Schiesser.
Lewiston (town), New York
State parks of New York (state)
Parks in Niagara County, New York
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