Taughannock Falls State Park: Hiking, Boating & More!
Visiting the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York? Then don’t miss the beautiful Taughannock Falls State Park.
As you might guess, the main attraction is the waterfall. Taughannock Falls is 215 feet high (which makes it taller than Niagara Falls!). You can hike to its base via the famed Gorge Trail or you can admire the falls from one of the viewing areas on the gorge rim.
But there’s more to Taughannock Falls State Park than hiking. The park overlooks Cayuga Lake, so it is a haven for fishermen, boaters, swimmers, and more. There is even a luxury boutique inn nearby where you can stay a few nights.
I visited Taughannock Falls when I was in Ithaca for my brother’s graduation from Cornell (Go Big Red!). The park more than lived up to the rave reviews I read in advance.
In this post, I’ll tell you what to expect at Taughannock Falls and give you all the pro tips.
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What is Taughannock Falls State Park?
Millions of years ago, glaciers covered upstate New York. They formed U-shaped valleys and when the glaciers retreated at the end of the last ice age, they left lakes behind them.
These are the beloved Finger Lakes. Taughannock Falls State Park lies on the edge of Lake Cayuga, one of these lakes.
But that’s not the end of the geological story. Over the years, rivers flowed into the lake and carved out gorges. The Taughannock Creek is one such river, and it formed the gorge at the heart of Taughannock Falls State Park.
To this day, the gorge continues to grow and expand. In the winter, water freezes in the rocks and causes them to fall. Gradually, the gorge widens and shifts.
There are three main waterfalls in the gorge: the Upper Falls, Taughannock Falls itself, and the Lower Falls. Hiking trails and overlooks give visitors gorgeous views of these natural attractions.
At Taughannock Falls, you can enjoy both the gorge and the lake. It’s a great opportunity to explore the Finger Lakes!
Taughannock Falls State Park is on the ancestral land of the Cayuga people, who are part of the Haudenosaunee (also called the Iroquois Confederacy). According to the legend, Taughannock Falls is named after Taughannock, a Delaware chief who perished in a battle at the top of the gorge. The Cayugas killed him and threw his body over the falls.
Taughannock Falls State Park: Quick Facts
- Address (main entrance): 1740 Taughannock Blvd., Trumansburg, NY 14886
- Hours: dawn to dusk everyday (weather permitting)
Taughannock Falls State Park is a must-see natural attraction in upstate New York. The best time to visit is between mid-May and mid-October. This is when the park is fully operational and you can hike, kayak, swim, paddleboard, and more.
Taughannock Falls State Park is open year-round, but trails may close at any time due to safety issues (heavy rain, ice, falling rocks, etc.). Public restrooms are usually closed in the off-season.
For any questions about openings, you should always call the park office at 607-387-6739.
The main portion of the park is located at the entrance to the gorge on the shore of Cayuga Lake. This area gives you access to the Gorge Trail and to the lakeshore. There are is also an overlook (more information below!) with views of Taughannock Falls and the gorge.
During the on-season the park charges a $9 entry fee per vehicle at the lower parking area. But if you visit before May or after October, you won’t have to pay for parking.
PRO TIP: Once you have paid the entry fee for one New York state park, you have access to all the New York state parks during that day.
Hiking at Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park offers several options for hikers. The trails range in difficulty from easy (Gorge Trail) to moderate (North and South Rim Trails). Learn more about your options below!
You can also consult this trail map to get your bearings.
Gorge Trail
The most popular trail at Taughannock Falls State Park is the Gorge Trail. As the name suggests, it leads through the gorge to the base of Taughannock Falls.
The hike is just under 1 mile one way (about 2 miles round-trip). It is definitely an easy route: the path is almost entirely flat and is mostly beaten dirt. As long as it hasn’t rained recently, it would be easy to hike with strollers or perhaps wheelchairs.
At the very beginning of the trail you will encounter the Lower Falls. After this, you can depart from the mail trail and walk along the riverbed. It’s cool to see how the exposed rock along the river has been eroded into little holes by rainwater over millennia.
After some fun along the river, it is time to rejoin the main trail (there is an obvious mini connecting path). You really shouldn’t keep going in the riverbed past the Big Bend, since there is great danger from falling rocks.
At the end of the trail is a wooden bridge and an area to view Taughannock Falls. It’s breathtaking – I am so glad I took the time to visit. I especially appreciated the informational signs along the trail about the geological development of the region.
How to access the Gorge Trail: Drive to the main entrance to the park, between the Lower Falls and Cayuga Lake. At the trailhead there is a small parking lot, but if that fills up, there is plenty of additional parking next to the lake. You will need to pay $9 per vehicle from May to October.
North Rim Trail & South Rim Trail Loop
Do you want to do a bit more exploring? Then check out the trails along the North Rim and the South Rim of the gorge. The North Rim Trail is just under 1.5 miles, while the South Rim Trail is 1.6 miles.
Most people complete the two trails as a loop (roughly 3 miles total). This gives you the full experience of the rim of the gorge. Note that there are lots of stairs at the eastern end of both trails, as the edge of the gorge descends to the level of the lake. This elevation change is what bumps the North Rim and South Rim Trails up from easy to “moderate” in difficulty.
If you don’t want to commit to the entire loop, I recommend parking at the Taughannock Falls Overlook (more about this location below) and then heading west on the North Rim Trail to the Upper Falls. This will give you beautiful views of both Taughannock Falls and the Upper Falls. You can then turn around at the Upper Falls and head back to your car.
Where to access the North and South Rim Trails: You have a few options parking-wise. First, you can park at the main parking lot and complete the loop in either direction. This will put you in a great position to then do the Gorge Trail at the end.
Second, you can park at the Overlook and do the loop in either direction. In the middle you can take a detour for the Gorge Trail.
Which way should you go on the North Rim Trail and South Rim Trail Loop? This depends on your preferences. There are more stairs on the South Rim Trail; they go downward to the east, toward the lake. So think about whether you want to be going up or down those stairs, and when in your hike you want to encounter them.
Taughannock Falls Overlook
Are you unable to hike? Or perhaps you don’t have time? No worries. You can still get a beautiful view of Taughannock Falls. There is an overlook located off Taughannock Park Road only a few minutes’ drive from the main park entrance.
In addition to the overlook, the area has public restrooms, a visitor center with a gift shop, and a small parking lot. You don’t have to pay to park here, unlike down at the main entrance. There are also signs with information about the geological evolution of the gorge – very cool!
The main attraction is, of course, the overlook and its view of Taughannock Falls. The upper part of the overlook is literally 50 feet from the parking lot. The path to it is paved, so this is a great option for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility issues.
Those who wish can descend a few short flights of stairs to the lower level of the overlook, which brings you a bit closer to the falls. The view from either location is gorgeous! Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
How to get to the overlook: Put “Taughannock Falls Overlook Visitor’s Center” or “Taughannock Falls Overlook View Point” into Google Maps and you will find your way without issues. You can also simply turn onto Taughannock Park Road from NY State Route 89 and then keep driving straight until you see signs for the overlook.
Enjoy Cayuga Lake
Visitors often focus on Taughannock Falls and the gorge, but you don’t want to miss Cayuga Lake! The park features a beach for swimming, a playground, and lovely green lawns along the lakeshore. There are also multiple places to fish.
It’s a perfect place for a picnic (especially since there are shady trees all around). As I strolled along the lakeshore, I saw many families sprawled on the grass enjoying their day. Fishermen sat contentedly on the docks, contributing to the idyllic scene.
If you want to get out into the lake, you can do that, too! Are you bringing a boat? The park has a marina, where you can purchase seasonal and transient slips. There are also canoe/kayak racks, where you can rent a seasonal slot. See a list of fees here.
Don’t have your own boat? No worries! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Paddle-N-More offers kayak and paddleboard rentals so you can get out and explore the lake.
You can rent single or tandem kayaks, and there are different rental options (1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and full day). Reservations are highly recommended and a required for the 4-hour and full-day options.
Click here for pricing and to reserve your rental online.
Where to Stay at Taughannock Falls
Are you planning on being in the Finger Lakes for few days or even a few weeks? Taughannock Falls State Park, with its central location, is an excellent vantage point to explore the region.
There are park-owned rustic cabins and campsites, and then the privately owned Inn at Taughannock Falls offers a more luxurious option.
For up-to-date prices on the cabins and campsites, consult the Taughannock Falls State Park website.
State Park Cabins
Price: around $60 per night (with an additional $7 fee for out-of-state guests)
First of all, let me say: these cabins are rustic. They consist of one room, and while they have electricity, they do not have running water, air conditioning, or heating.
Visitors can use communal restrooms and showers. There are also spigots nearby to get water for drinking and cooking. All-in-all, this is a great option if you aren’t quite comfortable with tents, but want to be out in nature.
This extremely helpful YouTube video gives a walkthrough of one of the cabins. It will give you an idea of what to expect.
Note that during the high season, you must reserve the cabin for a minimum of 7 nights.
Camping at Taughannock Falls
Price: about $20 per night (+ $5 fee for out-of-state guests)
The campsite has almost 70 spots. It has received mixed reviews, with some guests complaining about too-small spots and noise from the nearby highway.
Other guests speak of the “cozy” campsites and note that the restrooms are clean and well-serviced. You can read reviews here on TripAdvisor and decide for yourself.
Inn at Taughannock Falls
Do you want accommodations with more amenities – like running water? Then there’s no better place for you to stay than the magical Inn at Taughannock Falls. This luxury boutique inn lets you experience the Finger Lakes in quiet comfort.
The Inn, as the name indicates, is located right next to the state park. It consists of four buildings, all of which have their own style. Guests enjoy a complimentary breakfast, comfort station, and use of laundry facilities, along with other amenities.
The Victorian Inn features vintage molding, antique beds, and period furniture – not to mention gorgeous views of Cayuga Lake. If you want a more modern style, the Edgewood or Parkview rooms will be more to your taste. You can even rent an entire lake house – the Hillside Lake House.
Things To Do Near Taughannock Falls State Park
The Finger Lakes is full of fun activities, whether your passion is nature, history, or wine. Taughannock Falls State Park is just one of the many gems in this area.
When I visited, I paired Taughannock Falls with a trip to learn about the women’s rights movement in Seneca Falls, New York. I learned so much about American history, and I highly recommend it.
You can also explore the nearby Cayuga Lake Wine Trail or even take a tour, such as this top-rated Seneca Lake wine tasting experience.
Nearby state parks (remember you can get free entry with your Taughannock Falls parking pass):
- Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca, NY (20 min drive)
- Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca, NY (20 min drive)
- Watkins Glen State Park in Watkins Glen, NY (30 min drive)
- Fillmore Glen State Park in Moravia, NY (40 min drive)
Nearby historical sites:
- Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls (35 min drive)
- Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, NY (50 min drive)
- Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, NY (75 min drive)
