Waterfalls of Ithaca

In Ithaca, New York, one doesn’t look very far for a glimpse into the region’s geological past, as the the area boasts an impressive number of waterfalls. Between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, enormous glaciers formed what are today known as New York’s Finger Lakes. As the ice sheets began to lessen, their meltwater cut down hillsides and created dramatic gorges. 

Today visitors to Ithaca and Tompkins County, New York, can see a variety of awe-inspiring falls at various state parks. Three of them are just a short drive from one another and provide a perfect day of waterfall watching. 

Begin at Buttermilk Falls State Park, where you can see its namesake, 165-foot cascade immediately as you drive into the park. Hike the 0.65-mile Gorge Trail for the full experience. 

Less than 2 miles from Buttermilk Falls State Park sits Robert H. Treman State Park. Enter the park from the upper entrance via Route 327. Take the 1-mile loop and climb up the stone staircases for the ideal view of the 115-foot cascade. 

End the day at Taughannock Falls State Park, just 11 miles from Robert H. Treman State Park. Its massive namesake waterfall plunges 215 feet down the rocky cliffs. The Gorge Trail provides multiple viewpoints along a 0.95-mile trail. 

Once you’ve paid for parking at one park, keep your receipt, as it can be reused at any New York state park visited on the same day. 

All three of these state parks are open during autumn, when the waterfalls can be viewed against the backdrop of the spectacular foliage that paints the area. For more information and addresses of individual park locations, visit parks.ny.gov.