Part of the Finger Lakes Hub • See also: Watkins Glen 30 min • Cayuga Lake • 1 hour from Syracuse
Ithaca is built on 150 waterfalls. Taughannock Falls 215 ft is tallest east of the Rockies, Buttermilk Falls has natural swimming, Robert H Treman has 12 waterfalls including Lucifer Falls 115 ft, and Cornell campus is cut by 2 gorges. This guide covers parking $9-10, swimming holes, Gorge vs Rim trails, Cornell gorges, and Commons dining.
Taughannock Falls: 215 ft - Tallest East of Mississippi
The key highlights include the Gorge Trail, Rim Trail, and the Route 89 Overlook.
Park Trails- Gorge Trail: 0.95 miles one way, flat, easy walk leading directly to the base of the massive waterfall.
- Rim Trail: 1.5 miles long, loop option, takes you along the edge of the gorge with more rugged terrain and steps.
- Route 89 Overlook: Free to visit with about 10 parking spots right off the road for a quick view from above.
- Main Lot: Located near the park entrance, costs $9-$10.
- Upper Lot: Located closer to the visitor center, costs $9-$10.
- Tip: Parking lots fill up fast by 10:00 AM on busy weekends, so plan to arrive early.
- Best Light: Visit between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM for the best sunlight directly hitting the waterfall.
- Safety: Swimming is strictly not allowed in the creek or near the falls at any time.
Buttermilk Falls: Swimming Hole + 500 ft Cascades
Buttermilk Falls State Park features a natural swimming hole at the base of 500-foot cascades, a scenic gorge trail, and seasonal lifeguards. Visitor details include a $9-$10 vehicle entry fee and permitted swimming at the lower pool only.
Swimming and Safety Rules- Lower Pool Only: Swimming is restricted strictly to the natural pool at the base of the main waterfall. Upper pools are closed to swimmers.
- Lifeguard Hours: Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Prohibited Items: No alcohol and no flotation devices are allowed in or around the swimming area.
- Trail Stats: The path runs roughly 1.6 miles round-trip (or about 0.65 to 0.8 miles one-way depending on the route), climbing through a steep wooded gorge with a 500 to 600-foot elevation change.
- Staircase: Expect to climb roughly 165 stone steps as you navigate alongside the rushing cascades and upper meadows.
- Vehicle Fee: Expect a parking and vehicle entry fee of $9-$10 collected at the entrance.
- Audience: Highly popular with local families, children, and students from nearby Cornell University and Ithaca College.
Robert H Treman State Park: 12 Waterfalls & Lucifer Falls 115 ft
Robert H. Treman State Park features 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot multi-tier Lucifer Falls, 4.5 miles of hiking trails, a lifeguarded summer swimming hole, a $9-$10 vehicle entry fee, and camping ranging from $20 to $35 with optional 30/50 amp hookups.
Hiking & Trails- Gorge Trail - 112 E Buttermilk Falls Rd., Walks right along side Enfield Creek, taking you past dramatic rock formations and close-up views of the waterfalls. Features over 200 stone steps, including the famous cliff staircase.
- Rim Trail - Travels along the wooded edge high above the gorge for a different, elevated perspective.
- Lucifer Falls - Enfield, NY, The crown jewel of the park, plunging 115 feet in a multi-tier cascade.
- Lower Falls Swimming Area: A scenic stream-fed pool dammed up near the lower park entrance.
- Lifeguards: On duty during peak summer months for public water safety.
- Camping & Fees - Vehicle Entry: $9-$10 per vehicle during the operational season.
- Campsites: Ranging from $20 to $35 per night depending on the site type.
- Electric Hookups: 30 and 50 amp options available at select campsites.
- Old Mill Area: Located near the upper park, featuring the historic Enfield Glen mill structure and remnants of early local industry.
Cornell University Gorges: Cascadilla & Fall Creek
Cornell University’s campus is famously defined by its dramatic landscapes. Cascadilla Gorge and Fall Creek Gorge frame the campus, offering spectacular waterfalls and deep shale canyons carved over thousands of years.
🥾 Cascadilla Gorge Trail- This trail features a dramatic, steep stone staircase showcasing millions of years of geologic history.
- Distance: 1.2 miles round-trip.
- Elevation Gain: 400 feet.
- Highlights: 8 major waterfalls cascading over delicate shale and sandstone layers.
- Route: Connects downtown Ithaca (at Linn Street) directly to the Cornell campus (behind the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts).
- A wider, more expansive gorge system on the north side of campus featuring iconic lookouts and historic structures.
- Beebe Lake: Located just upstream from Triphammer Falls, offering a gentle, flat 1-mile loop trail perfect for easy walking.
- Suspension Bridge: Spans 140 feet above the gorge floor, providing a thrilling, birds-eye view straight down into the rocky waters of Fall Creek.
- Triphammer Falls: A 55-foot multi-tiered waterfall situated right between central campus and North Campus, complete with a scenic footbridge overlooking the crest.
- Rocky Falls & Overlooks: Multiple scenic viewpoints along the Rim Trail look down onto lower waterfalls and deep plunge pools.
- The gorges are beautiful but highly dangerous due to unpredictable currents and hidden rocks.
- No Swimming: Strictly prohibited everywhere.
- Tragic History: Several Cornell students have drowned here.
- Enforcement: Police heavily patrol the area.
- Penalty: Violators receive a $150 fine.
- Campus Lots: Park on campus for $2 per hour.
- Street Parking: Available in nearby Collegetown.
- Seasonality: Gorge trails close during winter due to ice.
Ithaca Parks: Fees, Swimming & Best Trails Comparison
Ithaca has 150 waterfalls but only 2 allow swimming. All state parks charge $9-$10 vehicle fee seasonal May-Oct. No swimming in Cornell gorges — enforced, $150 ticket.
| Park | Fee | Swimming | Best For | Trail Distance | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert H. Treman State Park | $9–$10 vehicle fee (seasonal) | Lifeguarded stream/pool at waterfall base (late June–Labor Day) | Waterfall swimming & gorge hiking | 4.5+ miles of trails (Gorge Trail is ~0.5 mi) | High |
| Buttermilk Falls State Park | $9-$10 vehicle fee (seasonal) | Lifeguarded natural pool at lower falls (summer) | Quick access lower cascades & swimming | Gorge/Rim loop is ~1.5 miles | High |
| Taughannock Falls State Park | $9-$10 vehicle fee (seasonal) | Prohibited in gorge; lake-side swimming only | Massive 215-foot waterfall & lake views | Gorge Trail is 0.95 miles (one way) | Moderate to High |
| Ithaca Falls | Free street/lot parking | Strictly prohibited and dangerous | Powerful in-town waterfall views | Under 0.5 miles (short walk) | Low to Moderate |
Bottom line: For swimming go Buttermilk or Treman late June to Labor Day 11am-7pm. For tallest photo go Taughannock 215 ft. For quick in-town stop go Ithaca Falls 0.2 mi. No swimming at Cornell gorges — $150 ticket, enforced after fatalities.
Click Box on top left to display list.
Best Time to Visit Ithaca Waterfalls
Spring (May)- Water Flow: Maximum power and flow due to heavy spring snowmelt and seasonal rain.
- Crowds: Significantly fewer visitors on trails compared to summer months.
- Environment: Gorges come fully alive, though trees may still have bare branches early in the season.
- Swimming: Designated swimming areas (such as at Buttermilk Falls State Park) are open.
- Crowds & Timing: Highly congested; an 8:00 AM start is strongly advised to secure parking and beat the heat.
- Scenery: Lush, vibrant green canopies surround the flowing streams.
- Foliage: Fall colors reach their peak intensity between October 10 and October 20.
- Events: Heavy local congestion occurs during Cornell University parents and homecoming weekends.
- Weather: Crisp, pleasant air ideal for long gorge walks.
- Conditions: Gorges turn dramatically icy, and freezing temperatures create frozen cascades.
- Restrictions: Swimming is strictly prohibited, and many main gorge trails or staircases close completely for safety.
Ithaca Commons & Collegetown: Dining After Hiking
Ithaca offers great food and stay options after a hike, split between two main areas: Ithaca Commons and Collegetown.
Ithaca Commons- Vibe: Pedestrian-only outdoor shopping and walking mall.
- Food: Over 50 restaurants, including the famous vegetarian spot Moosewood Restaurant and a downtown location of Collegetown Bagels.
- Vibe: Lively student area right next to the Cornell University campus.
- Food: Fast pizza slices, fun bars, and the main Collegetown Bagels (CTB) hub.
- Ithaca Marriott: Priced around $200–$350 per night.
- Hilton Garden Inn: Priced around $180–$300 per night.
- Super 8 by Wyndham Ithaca: Budget option at $90–$140 per night.
- Peak Pricing: Fall weekend rates often jump to $400 or more per night.
1-Day Ithaca Waterfalls Loop: 3 Parks in 1 Day
Morning Waterfall & Gorge Hikes- 8:00 AM – Taughannock Gorge Trail: Walk the flat 0.75-mile round-trip path leading to the massive 215-foot single-drop waterfall. Allow 1 hour.
- 9:30 AM – Buttermilk Falls Lower Falls & Gorge Trail: Tackle the 1.6-mile trail loop and take a quick morning dip in the natural pool near the lower falls. Allow 2 hours.
- 12:00 PM – Lunch at the Ithaca Commons: Head to downtown Ithaca’s pedestrian shopping area for local food trucks, casual cafes, or outdoor dining options.Afternoon Gorge & Campus Exploration
- 1:30 PM – Robert H. Treman State Park (Lucifer Falls): Hike the rugged 2.2-mile gorge trail featuring stone stairs, deep cliffs, and the towering 115-foot Lucifer Falls. Allow 2 hours.
- 4:00 PM – Cornell University (Cascadilla Gorge): Finish your loop on the 1.2-mile trail following Cascadilla Creek right up into the historic Cornell campus.
Day Trips from Ithaca: Watkins Glen & Cayuga Lake Wine
Watkins Glen- Drive time: 30 minutes west of Ithaca.
- Cost: $10 vehicle parking fee.
- Highlights: Walk the Gorge Trail to see 19 amazing waterfalls and stone bridges.
- Drive time: Starts about 10 minutes north of Ithaca.
- Cost: Varies by winery tastings.
- Highlights: America's first wine trail featuring 16 unique wineries along the lake.
- Drive time: 45 minutes southwest of Ithaca.
- Cost: Ticket prices vary by age and special exhibits.
- Highlights: Huge glass collection, live hot-glass blowing shows, and glassmaking classes.
FAQ: Ithaca Waterfalls & Gorges
Can you swim at Ithaca waterfalls?
Swimming allowed only at Buttermilk Falls lower pool and Treman lower pool, lifeguarded late June to Labor Day 11am-7pm. No swimming at Taughannock Falls gorge (lake side only), no swimming at Ithaca Falls (dangerous), no swimming in Cornell gorges ($150 ticket enforced). $9-$10 vehicle fee May-Oct at state parks.
Which is better Taughannock or Buttermilk Falls?
Taughannock Falls is 215 ft tall, 3 stories taller than Niagara, flat 0.95 mile walk, no swimming, best for photos 11am-2pm. Buttermilk Falls has 500 ft cascades, natural swimming hole, 165 steps. Do Taughannock for photos, Buttermilk for swimming. Both $9-$10 vehicle fee.
How much is parking at Ithaca State Parks?
$9-$10 per vehicle seasonal May-October at Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and Robert H Treman. Free November-April but no swimming and trails icy. Ithaca Falls free street parking. Cornell gorges street parking $2/hr or free after 6pm.