Wild Whirlpool

Jillian Harris | NYS Parks Biologist

Saturday, October 3rd | 10 am – 3 pm

Join us as we explore the late season plant diversity at Whirlpool State Park. We will explore a savanna type habitat around the rim of the Niagara River Gorge where we will see a diversity of asters including sky-blue aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense), New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii), and New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), among others. From there, we will stop at the overlook along the Rim Trail until we reach the stairs that lead down into the Niagara Gorge. There are 429 steps that will lead us into the talus slope and talus woodlands that make up the Gorge. 

We will aim to stop for lunch at the base of the stairs where there are some picnic tables in a wooded area with sarsaparilla (Aralia spp.), raspberries (Rubus spp.), dogwoods (Cornus spp.), and elderberry (Sambucus spp.), before continuing on towards the infamous Niagara River Whirlpool and the Whirlpool Flats. 

The hike will start at the Whirlpool State Park parking lot where bathrooms are available. The trail on the Gorge Rim is asphalt and relatively flat, but the terrain of the talus slopes and gorge will be uneven. Please come prepared. 

If you have any questions about the trip before registering, please email whirlpool@nyflora.org. 

All NYFA field trips are free and open to all.

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