Castile is a rural reprieve near Letchworth State Park
Located midway between Buffalo and Rochester, Castile is a small rural community of less than 3,000 people in Wyoming County. The town includes the village of Castile and a few small hamlets. Encircled by fertile farmland, Castile offers a slow pace of life just a few minutes away from the beauty of Letchworth State Park, a scenic and sprawling park known for its waterfalls and vibrant fall foliage. While residents have to leave town for school or a grocery trip, many choose to stay in Castile to remain close to family, some of whom have stayed for generations
Letchworth State Park offers hiking, rafting and scenic views
One of the town’s biggest perks is its proximity to scenic Letchworth State Park. Renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East” for its majestic waterfalls, steep cliffs and dense forests, the park is only 3 miles from town, or a five-minute drive for those living in the village. Hikers have 66 miles of trails to explore, and there are also paths for biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Thrill seekers can even enjoy whitewater rafting on the Genesee River. In town, Castile Village Park has open green space, a small playground and a pavilion with picnic tables. Silver Lake State Park in nearby Perry is a hub for boating in the summertime and a year-round fishing destination.
Village homes from the 19th century and lakefront luxury
The village has Victorian, bungalow, National and Colonial Revival homes that date back to the late 1800s, many of which are in need of restoration. Smaller homes and fixer-uppers in the village typically range from $65,000 to $100,000, and most move-in ready homes cost between $100,000 and $300,000 depending on size, age and condition. Outside the village, modest properties around Silver Lake can sell for $100,000 to $250,000. However, luxury lakefront homes with water access can fetch between $550,000 and $700,000.
Students have public and private school options
Castile lacks a public school system, so students often attend Letchworth Central School District in Gainesville, rated B-minus by Niche, or C-plus-rated Perry Central School District in Perry. Castile Christian Academy offers private faith-based education for kids in kindergarten through twelfth grade and is currently unrated by Niche.
Drivers can get to Buffalo and Rochester in about an hour
Castile is about 50 miles — roughly an hour’s drive — from Buffalo, Rochester and their respective international airports. Medical care is available at Wyoming County Community Health System in Warsaw. An active railroad carrying shipments from Morton Salt in Silver Springs can cause occasional delays. Traffic also picks up around the state park, especially during peak fall foliage. Castile has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national score of 4 out of 10.
Cideries and comfort food in town, with groceries in Warsaw
Largely rural and residential, Castile only has a couple of restaurants and a Dollar General for essentials. Most people drive about 15 miles to Warsaw to get groceries at Tops Friendly Markets. Heavy Evy’s Grab N Go serves up comfort food all day long, from biscuits and gravy for breakfast to barbecue chicken dinners and family-sized meals. Wolf Creek Deli dishes out soups and sandwiches. Since 1945, the Castile Cider Mill has been a beloved local landmark, where visitors can stock up on bushels of fresh apples, savor warm donuts, and enjoy house-made Three Falls Hard Cider. Another cidery, Buried Barrel, offers sips from their seasonal tasting room at the doorway to Letchworth State Park.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
