Cumorah Mountain

Hill in New York significant in Latter-day Saint tradition

Hill Cumorah in western New York is the site where Joseph Smith reported finding plates central to Latter‑day Saint history; visitors come to historical markers, a visitors' centre and periodic pageants.

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Cumorah at a Glance#

Address: Near Palmyra, New York, USA (on church-owned property)

About Cumorah#

Cumorah is a low hill in western New York State, near the village of Palmyra and the town of Manchester, associated with the Book of Mormon. It is a focal point for visitors interested in Latter-day Saint history and belief.

The site attracts pilgrims and visitors who come to view the hill and nearby markers related to early 19th-century events tied to emerging Latter-day Saint claims. The immediate area is rural and visits typically focus on the landscape and interpretive signage rather than large museum facilities.

In Latter-day Saint tradition the hill is identified as the place where Joseph Smith said he received the golden plates in the 1820s, an event central to the founding narrative of the movement. The site later became a place for commemorations and gatherings connected to that history.

Cumorah sits in Ontario County in upstate New York, close to the village of Palmyra and within the rural landscape east of Rochester.

  • Religious significance: Identified by Latter-day Saint tradition as the hill where Joseph Smith said he obtained the golden plates in the 1820s, it is a site of religious significance and pilgrimage.

How to Get to Cumorah#

Cumorah is near Palmyra in western New York State, accessible by car from Rochester (approx. 45 minutes). Follow local signs to the Hill Cumorah Visitor Centre and associated sites; public transit options are limited.

Tips for Visiting Cumorah#

  • If visiting as a Latter-day Saints pilgrim, check schedules for pageants or events-these draw large crowds.
  • The hill is on private church-owned land; respect local rules and designated pathways.
  • Combine a visit with a drive through the surrounding Genesee County countryside-there are several small historic markers nearby.

Best Time to Visit Cumorah#

Summer and early autumn are the most active tourist seasons; visits are often linked to other Latter-day Saints historic sites in the area.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 20-28°C (68-82°F)
Warmer, festival season and easier access to outdoor sites.
Fall
Sep-Oct · 8-18°C (46-64°F)
Fall foliage offers scenic drives and quieter visits.

Weather & Climate near Cumorah#

Climate

Cumorah's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (888 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -10° - -1° -11° 51 mm - - 4.6 m/s - -
February - -9° - 1° -10° 47 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
March - -4° - 6° -3° 57 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
April - 2° - 13° 5° 76 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
May - 8° - 20° 14° 79 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
June - 13° - 25° 19° 90 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
July - 16° - 27° 22° 75 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
August - 15° - 26° 20° 87 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
September - 10° - 22° 16° 93 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
October - 5° - 15° 8° 80 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
November - 0° - 9° 1° 87 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
December - -6° - 2° -7° 66 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -