Taughannock Falls State Park

State park · Tompkins County

Taughannock Falls State Park

State park · Tompkins County

3

1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886

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Taughannock Falls State Park by null
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Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null
Taughannock Falls State Park by null

Highlights

Majestic waterfall with easy trails, scenic views, and year-round outdoor activities.  

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1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886 Get directions

parks.ny.gov

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1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886 Get directions

+1 607 387 6739
parks.ny.gov

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Last updated

Aug 6, 2025

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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Taughannock State Park

"Taughannock Falls (Ta-gan-neck for you out-of-towners) is the most striking and accessible of all of the tremendous waterfalls littering the landscape around here. Part of the NY State Park system, it offers a challenging rim trail that takes you around the top of the gorge and along the creekbed before the waters plunge uninterrupted 215 feet into the gorge carved out over thousands of years. The more popular trail option is the flat wide 3/4 mile gorge trail that meanders alongside the creek to the base of the waterfall - this walk is especially pleasant on a hot summer day as it is mostly shaded and allows access to wading in the shallow creek waters. The park acreage sits on a delta that extends out into the lake and offers huge lawns for kite flying and pick up games, as well as a designated swim area and boat launch. Take a picnic in the summer - there are Saturday concerts and open air movies for families. Great to visit year round." - St. John Design Group

https://onthegrid.city/ithaca/the-hills-east-south-west/taughannock-state-park
View Postcard for Taughannock Falls State Park
@onthegrid

On the Grid : Taughannock State Park

"Taughannock Falls (Ta-gan-neck for you out-of-towners) is the most striking and accessible of all of the tremendous waterfalls littering the landscape around here. Part of the NY State Park system, it offers a challenging rim trail that takes you around the top of the gorge and along the creekbed before the waters plunge uninterrupted 215 feet into the gorge carved out over thousands of years. The more popular trail option is the flat wide 3/4 mile gorge trail that meanders alongside the creek to the base of the waterfall - this walk is especially pleasant on a hot summer day as it is mostly shaded and allows access to wading in the shallow creek waters. The park acreage sits on a delta that extends out into the lake and offers huge lawns for kite flying and pick up games, as well as a designated swim area and boat launch. Take a picnic in the summer - there are Saturday concerts and open air movies for families. Great to visit year round." - St. John Design Group

https://onthegrid.city/ithaca/the-hills-east-south-west/taughannock-state-park
View Postcard for Taughannock Falls State Park
@onthegrid

"Taughannock State Park, The Hills East South West. Taughannock Falls (Ta-gan-neck for you out-of-towners) is the most striking and accessible of all of the tremendous waterfalls littering the landscape around here. Part of the NY State Park system, it offers a challenging rim trail that takes you around the top of the gorge and along the creekbed before the waters plunge uninterrupted 215 feet into the gorge carved out over thousands of years. The more popular trail option is the flat wide 3/4 mile gorge trail that meanders alongside the creek to the base of the waterfall - this walk is especially pleasant on a hot summer day as it is mostly shaded and allows access to wading in the shallow creek waters. The park acreage sits on a delta that extends out into the lake and offers huge lawns for kite flying and pick up games, as well as a designated swim area and boat launch. Take a picnic in the summer - there are Saturday concerts and open air movies for families. Great to visit year round."

Ithaca
View Postcard for Taughannock Falls State Park

Magic Dragon (themagic.dragon)

Google
This is easily one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's very humid but worth the small "hike". If you park at the gorge trailhead, its about a 20 minute scenic walk along a path that is wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms available at each trailhead, and even a colorblind viewer at the viewpoint! This is definitely a must see for the family.

Larry Boyer

Google
Taughannock Falls is a stunning site to see. The hike on the gorgeous trail is a very pleasant flat 3/4 of a mile wide trail. Should be accessible for most abilities. There is a slight hill at the beginning. There are educational signs along the way about the geology, wasps, and peregrine falcons. See the power of nature and time as you walk through the gorge to the falls.

Stephanie Beaman

Google
Not my favorite place but my toddler loves it. Far more beautiful waterfalls/hikes elsewhere in the country, but it’s nice for the purposes of cooling off on a hot day. Definitely overrated, though.

Mesbah Ahmad

Google
One of the best state parks I have ever visited. One side of the park has an amazing view of the lake. Great place to have a picnic with large group of family and friends. There are playgrounds for kids along with clean restrooms. You can also go on kayaking or boat rides. The park is dog friendly but my only concern was the lake side was full of dog shit. Authorities should have more restrictions to keep the park clean. The other side of the park leads to the Taughannock falls. It’s a ~20 min walk from parking through a flat trail to reach the falls. The view is amazing there. There is also an overlook if you don’t want to walk. However, the walk was worth it. Entry fee is $10 per car for the whole day (might be more for large trucks). Keep the ticket with you if you want to reenter the park without paying again.

Regina Thomas

Google
We enjoyed the walking path to the falls- so relaxing and peaceful with beautiful trees. The park is spacious and well kept- you can sit close to the water and enjoy the view, sounds and light breeze. Great place to visit

John Sowden

Google
Beautiful park centered around a massive gorge and waterfall. Several beautiful hiking trails including the main one through the gorge to the base of the falls. The gorge trail is also very flat and under a mile in. The only thing that was disappointing was that the three main trails only all come together on one end so you have to hike the same trail in and back. Even with having to back track the whole way, in and out on the gorge trail is under an hour even taking your time.

Chris

Google
Taughannock Falls State Park is a hidden gem in the Finger Lakes region and one of the most stunning natural attractions I’ve ever visited. The main waterfall is truly awe-inspiring—taller than Niagara Falls and surrounded by dramatic cliffs that make for amazing photo ops. The trails are well-maintained and easy to navigate, especially the Gorge Trail, which offers a relatively flat and scenic walk right up to the base of the falls. The overlook at the top provides a panoramic view that’s worth the visit alone. The park is clean, peaceful, and perfect for hiking, picnicking, or just soaking in nature. Highly recommended for families, couples, or solo adventurers.

Martin Nguyen

Google
The falls are stunning with an easy view float to where you park. If you’re adventurous you can walk down to the lower end but it’ll be quite a hike back up. The parking here was very limited and the worst part of the experience as it was incredibly crowded and difficult to find parking for. Admittedly it was a holiday so we were out with the crowds.
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Kathryn J.

Yelp
What a beautiful hike! The falls are absolutely gorgeous and match some of the scenery from places like Iceland. The hike itself is very simple. There's a large wide gravel path. You can bring dogs, children- we even saw someone with a walked. Bring some sandals and you can walk in the water in some of the shallow parts along the way. They have great signs talking about subjects like paper wasps, peregrine falcons, and local geology. It's a great simple hike with beautiful scenery. After the hike, drive up to the overlook to get a nice sweeping view of the falls. You can stop afterwards by the lake to see the water, have a picnic, or just relax. Bring the family!
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Wesley M.

Yelp
Not much in life is perfect, but nature and being outside is one of those things that is peaceful...even in small controlled outings. It's always good to unplug and emerce yourself in nature in order to deviant center yourself. Let's be real for a moment...as it's a state park you can only surrender to a total nature experience so far...but with that said it's a well maintained park and the falls are beautiful. It's a great mini centering outing and it was peaceful and relaxing. I'd recommend it as a day trip for anyone.
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Shelby A.

Yelp
$9 fee per car to park and then you can walk to the water and explore the park in which it seems people bbq or have picnics. It was a nice clean area. Across the street is the hiking path that takes you to the waterfall. It's mostly flat no real inclines or steps. It was a nice scenic walk to the end where there is a small bridge and then scenic waterfall. The only thing that was a bit odd to me it strictly says do not go in the water or off the trail and it seemed like most parents with smaller children were all letting them play or run barefoot off the trail. Which definitely impacts the nature part of the trail. A very handicapped friendly hike too!
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Andrea B.

Yelp
The sight of this majesty literally took my breath away. I actually stood with my mouth wide open when I stepped onto the bridge and got my first sight of the Taughannock Falls. My friends and I followed the gorge trail, which is a little under a mile, one way. The trail is lovely and there are several points where you can walk right along the water. The river is shallow and the rock has lots of little pockets that fill with little puddles. It's a really pretty sight. You can take an alternate route to see the falls at the overlook, which you can access via the rim trail. The park is free to enter, but parking is $9.
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Brad M.

Yelp
What a wonderful hour-long hike, ending with a stunning waterfall. The hike was enjoyable and not too strenuous, with opportunities to explore more depending on the season. With the tides being low, we were able to walk further along the rocks and spot freshwater wildlife. Turkey vultures circled overhead, occasionally perching on the rocky cliffs. We took some time to sit on a rock by the waterfall, soaking in the peaceful sights and sounds of nature.
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Marissa C.

Yelp
Taughannock Falls is absolutely stunning! And what a dramatic set up - it appears around the final bend of the hike and is so very impressive. The hike is very pleasant - it is well shaded and there were a lot of critters to be seen, including dozens of tiny frogs. Early on in the hike we could check out the riverbed really well too, which was interesting. The final section lets you head up fairly close to the falls, and it's a great place to relax and enjoy the view before you head back - it is an out and back trail.
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Frank W.

Yelp
Since it was Juneteenth the modest entree fee was waived. The gorge trail leading to the falls is 0.75 miles long and listed as easy, but there are few easy trails for super seniors. The day of our visit was hot and muggy so we took advantage of a few of the many benches scattered along the trail to catch our breath. Was the walk worth the effort? A definite yes! Each step of the way was scenic with the falls themselves drop dead gorgeous.
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Vanessa M.

Yelp
This is an amazing State Park. The park is huge, with a brand new big playground, a great "beach" area for swimming and tons of picnic tables and space for playing or eating. The trail to the falls (Taughannock Falls), is very flat, big and stroller-friendly. If you want, you can go down in the water and walk as well on the way to the falls, there are some very shallow swimming holes as well that are really fun. The falls are stunning and picture-worthy. Highly recommend this for anyone in the area, with kids or family or just a quick, easy hike!
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Andrew A.

Yelp
This is a very beautiful park, and a great treasure to have in our area. Tallest waterfall in the northeast, even taller than Niagara Falls! I walked the gorge trail and it was so serene and peaceful. I don't know if you are supposed to, but I walked half of it in the gorge itself, until I saw a sign saying to get out and back on the trail. Cannot wait to come back and explore more!
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Cynthia Z.

Yelp
Tallest waterfall in New York State. The parking is currently $9 a day. Aside from the waterfall, this place also has a lakeside picnic area, hiking, inn, etc. all in close proximity. The hike to the waterfall can be reached either via land or via river bed. For more of an adventure, I suggest hiking to the waterfall via the river bed barefoot but bring your crocs or slippers with you. Note that one area of the river bed has lots of tadpoles. This place is 23 miles from the finger lake and the bathrooms here are well maintained. The customer service at the recession stand was friendly and they take Apple Pay. If you're ordering ice cream, i recommend raspberry and the staff who work here also concurred.
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Crystal G.

Yelp
Nice and easy walk with a lovely view. If you are in the area it's a great stop in between your wine tastings. The entire round trip path is less than 2 miles and is relatively shaded and flat. You can go in and get closer to the water if you want to as you make your way to the waterfall. The waterfall is very pretty! The amount of water will depend on how much rain has fallen when you visit. It's always fun to go back and see it at different times of the year with different water levels.
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Sabrina Z.

Yelp
We came here to see the waterfall. It was worth the long walk. Beautiful scenery and great atmosphere. We came and it's cold so we had to wear a jacket.
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Christine F.

Yelp
What a beautiful walking experience. If you're not up to climbing steep hills but so want to be in nature this is a beautiful hike. I have done this with family during the fall colors and is it stunning.
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Salma C.

Yelp
Must visit State Park with a jaw dropping waterfall and geological landscape surrounding it. I've hiked the Gorge Trail and went on the Taughannock Visitor Vantage Point area. I highly recommend the Gorge Trail for an easy, flat level hike. It takes at most half an hour to get to the pristine waterfall. You can even walk by where Cayuga Lake is to have a nice cookout or picnic. Great place with great views. A Finger Lakes beauty.

Layla E.

Yelp
Breath taking. I think fall is the best time for a visit but winter and summer are close seconds. Accessible lookout point for visitors of any kind.
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Debi W.

Yelp
Beautiful park with easy trails for anyone. Bring your water shoes and towel to wade in the river bed on warm days. Shady most of the hike up to the upper falls - the view is worth the time to get there. The biggest incline is at the beginning. After that it's easy. Plenty of parking. Bathrooms by the Park office near the bridge. Bring a picnic and stay all day.
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Casey F.

Yelp
This park is beautiful all year long. The overlook has great views. The gorge trail is also nice and leads right up to the falls. It's a nice relaxing walk that is fairly flat and does not have many stairs unlike some of the other parks in the area
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Jiayi L.

Yelp
Nice area with pretty view of the lakes here! We went on the hike to see the falls. It was a fairly easy hike with a nice viewing area at the end. I would say people of most ages would be able to do it. However, the falls was a little sad looking and disappointing as there was really not much water at all. It was most likely the time we went as I think overall there may have been a dry spell. But I can imagine if the falls are big it would really be pretty cool!
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Megan C.

Yelp
The fam had an amazing time exploring and hiking at Taughannock last weekend! A must-see NY attraction, this state park boasts clearly marked trials, access to Cayuga lake, camp sites, lookouts, and much much more. The park was medium crowded as we arrived before 10am to start our hike, but I was very impressed by nearly 100% of hikers on the North/South loop trail wearing masks during these Coronatimes. We opted for this loop as the gorge trail was simply too crowded. While the gorge trail is the one that provides the most direct access to the falls (and is also more of a walk than a hike if you're skittish about difficulty) the north/south loop takes you through the lookout and allows for some seriously beautiful and heart pumping fun. We did it with our dog without much issue, aside from the very steep/uneven stairs that will end your hike if you do the entire loop - we had to pick her up for those. $8 parking gets you access to any state park for the day (you can make a day of it and do Buttermilk & Taughannock), with open bathrooms on site and plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic post-hike. We look forward to enjoying this spot again soon!

Anthony D.

Yelp
Amazing sight! Fun, easy hike for the family. We wish we could spend more time hiking around the park. Parking cost $9 and there were plenty of spots.
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Hank C.

Yelp
An excellent park for easy, wide trail down to the waterfall, and in the drier season you can easily walk out onto the riverbed and walk across and play in the water with your feet. Slippery rocks so be careful when walking in the water. A park helper has a cart to drive in case you have someone that was hurt or tired but the path is pretty even and flat compared with most other trails in the area. Parking, several portapotty stalls and some picnic tables up front. Lots of spots to walk down, just be careful when leaving the trail.
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Colette H.

Yelp
Love it here! I've been here several times and it's always really busy. There are lots of events, races, etc. held here so I feel like there's always a lot of people. I've always gone on weekends, maybe it's less crazy during the week. I love the trail to the falls, up the rocky surface and the view from the bridge. There are so many scenic spots in this park. I'd probably come back here again on off hours or when it's not as busy.
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John S.

Yelp
Taughannock Falls is probably my favorite waterfall in NYS. The scenic overlook always provides a fantastic view. There is also a flat, easy trail through the lower gorge that provides a wonderful view from below. Sometimes in the summer it can be just a trickle, but often in the spring it roars.
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Joanne R.

Yelp
Went for the first time last week and I was in awe of the beauty. I don't know why it took me so long to go there being I'm born and raised in Syracuse? I'm so glad I finally went. With all the rain this summer the falls were gushing and the trees were turning (mostly yellow at that time). It was a short walk to the falls from the parking lot and the trail was level with gravel/stone. You pass the lower falls first and then head to the main attraction. We also went to the overlook area to see the falls from above. It was amazing and I think everyone should check it out
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Robert G.

Yelp
If you are near the Ithaca area or near the area to go to Buttermilk of Robert Treman State Parks, put Taughannock in your itinerary too! It's such a beautiful and majestic single drop waterfall. There's an overlook for those that may not want to hike. For people looking to hike, there's an easy trail below to take you up close to the falls. Such an incredible place!
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Tara R.

Yelp
Gorgeous hike just 20 minutes North of Ithaca! There are two main trails: the upper and lower level. The lower level is the main trail and is only 1.5 miles there and back (all flat). It travels along the river and gives you a gorgeous view at the end of the trail. You get to see the massive waterfall up close. The upper trail is longer 3.5 miles in total and gives you views of the falls from up above. It is less "picture-esque" but still very beautiful. You can see the large rock formations around the river, then a slightly obstructed aerial view of the large waterfall. I chose to hike both trails at a leisure pace and it took me just over 3 hours. There's a large park to hang out in too with views of Cayuga lake. Dogs can play in the grass, or you can have lunch at a picnic table by the water. Definitely one of the prettier hikes in upstate!
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Sireesha A.

Yelp
Ah my first ever park review and which better place to start with than a local gem I've been frequenting for quite some time now. Taughannock falls is a very underrated park that makes for a nice day trip from Buffalo. The falls are taller than Niagara Falls and are nested between a beautiful heart shaped rock. The area around it is pretty and serene too. The thing that I like the most about it is that it's ideal for a picnic, a short hike or a long hike. The park has a nice picnic area with shelters facing Cayuga lake. This area is perfect to have a nice day out with families or friends. On the opposite side of the road, a 0.75 mile trail leads to the base of the taughannock falls. This is a short flat hiking trail for people who just want to see the falls up close. There is also a falls overlook that you can get to by driving up the road that gives beautiful views of the falls as well. The trail for more avid hikers is the rim trail that's a combination of north rim and south rim trails. It climbs up from the side of the parking lot and makes a loop around the top of the falls and leads back to the same parking lot. It gives gorgeous gorge views from around the entire area and is pretty rewarding. It climbs all the way up to the top of the falls so only take up this trail if you are feeling up to the challenge. But no matter what your fitness level is, I'm sure taughannock will always have something great to offer!
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Melissa B.

Yelp
Lovely park just wrong time to visit. No water flowing so we will have to come back after at least some rain!!! But the park is beautiful!!!
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Deena T.

Yelp
Absolutely fantastic. The trails are so well maintained that you can enjoy the views every step of the way. The Gorge Trail was closed for maintenence. Did the loop South Rim to North. Welcome center with restrooms and gift shop. Highly recommend if you are in the area.
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Sunny C.

Yelp
Really enjoyed our day out here! Taughannock Falls State Park is beautiful. My boyfriend and I came here on a weekend in the summer. We try to do some road trips on our weekends off together in the Oneonta area. This seemed close enough and had great photo reviews. It was a bit confusing trying to find a place to park that was near the base of the falls. Initially, we had parked at the top (free 30 minute parking) and took photos looking down at the falls. There was a gift shop up there so we asked the man who was working there how to get to the bottom of the falls so that we could be closer to it. Eventually, we found it and paid to park. One side of the street was for people that wanted to swim in the falls with lifeguards on standby. The side that we went to was for hiking and to see the beautiful falls up close. I really enjoyed the hike up to it. Taking photos from the bridge is nice to get the falls in the distance. Trying to get photos up close is pretty hard since the water gets on your camera lens/phone. I would recommend bringing sunglasses to be able to see without constantly wiping the water off your eyelashes. The hike in is also very beautiful, despite it being very humid that day I would recommend water shoes if you want to walk and also be able to splash around in the water. There is also a bunch of signs around with the history of the falls. A great experience. Get out there and enjoy the falls! Great for family, pets, dates, all of it!
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Sefali P.

Yelp
Easy trail and fun for everyone! Unfortunately for us, there was no rainfall prior to our visit so we saw more of a trickle and less of a waterfall. Even so, the walk leading up to it was scenic and made it and worth it! The park across the street is a great place to have a picnic after your hike, with breathtaking views of the lake. Highly recommend visiting in Fall to see the foliage!

DL M.

Yelp
I love camping and every year I try to camp at a state park that I haven't tried before. This years choice was Taughannock Falls State park near Ithaca NY. I have stayed at many state parks in NYS and I will say this park needs some NYS funding to improve the worn out look and feel. At entering the campground, the roads were in bad shape. A complete paving job is needed. The electric sites are on top on each other and there was no privacy. The primitive sites were good size and nice areas to pitch a tent. The restrooms need a total gut job. 2 showers does not cut it for the amount of people staying. I can honestly say these bathrooms were a disgrace. They were not clean, sinks were dirty, cracked and floors looked like they hadn't seen a mop for weeks. I was only there a weekend but the toilets bowls were filthy the entire time. The good side of this stay was the staff were pleasant to deal with. The grass was pretty tall and I asked a man that was trimming if he could use the weed wacker to cut the grass down. He did with no issue. The office staff was also accommodating. The falls are beautiful and the walk seems to be good that even wheelchairs can use it. Be aware that Route 89 is loud and you can hear the road noise all the time. I hope NYS will find the funding to make this park better. The finger lakes have a lot of trails and I don't mean just hiking.
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Katherine P.

Yelp
Great park with excellent hiking views of Falls and a big beautiful lake for your viewing/boating pleasure.
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Ryan F.

Yelp
Hiked the Gorge Trail at Taughannock Falls State Park on Monday morning. A beautiful and simple hike that leads to a serene waterfall, definitely recommend visiting when covered in snow. Quality: Taughannock Falls State Park is a large park located in the Finger Lakes. We visited during the winter, which I would highly recommend even though many trails are shut down. We took the short and easy Gorge Trail that winds through the mountains and ends at Taughannock Falls, surprisingly the tallest single drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Take that Niagara Falls. Much like the river leading up to it, it was half frozen during our visit. A beautiful site and not a difficult one to reach. Quantity: Taughannock Falls State Park is a massive 750 acres park, but we only explored the mile long Gorge Trail. Value: It was free for us, but there may be a parking fee on weekends or during busier months. Ambiance: Taughannock Falls State Park is located in Upstate New York, very close to Ithaca, and its river flows into Cayuga Lake. The park is massive, but we were just there for the a short hike to the waterfall. I would however like to return in warmer months to see the waterfall from the outlook. The path through the Gorge is very easy, so perfect for dogs and small children. It also offers several signs along the way describing wildlife and speaking of the area history. Near the end is a shaky bridge that takes visitors close to the Falls. A fun, simple, and pretty hike. Crowd: Expect a crowd no matter the time of year. It is a setting that will look good in any season. During our visit there was a constant flow of people dressed in winter gear with a good number of children and dogs. Service: During the winter months they do not maintain all the paths, leading to trail closures, but they do keep the Gorge Trail in good shape. Even the day after it snowed we were able to traverse it with ease. Parking: Several different parking areas for the park, we were able to find free parking next to the Gorge Trail.
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Sara D.

Yelp
Spectacular Falls shaped like a heart depending on the light. I found them by pure chance while driving toward New York City. And has visited the lookout a number of times and in different seasons. Each season has its beauty. Spring has the most water fall. I have not gone down to the edge of the Falls, but I see the people from above. It looks cool. There is a visitor information center that was done a couple of years ago with restroom facilities and vending machine for drinks. If close, go down the hill to the main office and restrooms are available. I need to explore more of the park beyond the lookout point. Always stop while driving toward NYC. Lovely spot every Season.
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Sara B.

Yelp
This is a gorgeous and fairly easy hike with lots of beautiful payoffs. If you follow the trail you will see several different waterfalls from many different viewpoints. The trailhead is already pretty high up, so you don't have to make a steep climb to get to the top of the falls. Parking is 8.00. There is a small lot outside of the trailhead along with more parking across the street if that lot fills. We were able to cover everything in around 2 hours, but you can can certainly spend more time taking in all of the natural beauty. For some lovely hiking and waterfall views this is where you want to be.
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Linda M.

Yelp
My favorite park in Ithaca. It balances waterfall and lake views, is accessible by stroller and wheelchair, and is an easy short hike. There are summer concerts there for $5 with BYOB, or there were before covid. Can't wait for those to return
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Megan M.

Yelp
Must see!! Easy walk with our 4 month old puppy. Shaded most of the way to keep cool. Can cross the street to be by the lake
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Sarah D.

Yelp
Taughannock Falls is such a beautiful park and I suggest you check it out. There wasn't a fee at the upper entrance. My friend and I entered the gift shop and looked around. I bought an Ithaca is Gorges bumper sticker for my car. I loved the cute play on words. I bought a purple Ithaca is Gorges face mask because there were signs originally stating that you had to mask up because of the Delta variant. The gift shop employee asked if I was vaccinated. When I said yes, she said I was fine and didn't need a mask. I'm glad I bought one though because who knows if we'll have to mask up again. The short walk to the waterfall was nice. The waterfall was beautiful in the upper area. Then I hiked the upper trail which led us to the end of the road which we had turned onto to get to the parking area. Once we hiked back to the car, rather than drive down to the lower area, we hiked down there. Once we realized how tough it was and that there was a lower area to park, we felt okay with it, until we realized how long the hike to the lower area was. It was a tough and arduous hike from the car to the lower level. Once we got to where other cars were parked, we had a long hike past water and around gorges to get to the lower area. We felt happy when we got there but didn't spend long there because we had a very long hike back to the top where our car was. The hike back up fun but once we got past the cars, there were stairs and a tough ascent. There were a few tough ascents through the forest near lookout points. I was exhausted by the time we got to the car again. It was a great day.
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Olivia K.

Yelp
When you think you've seen enough waterfalls for the day, this place changes your mind. My group and I spent several hours at Watkin Glen State Park viewing so many different waterfalls before coming here. We didn't really expect much, but we only came because we wanted to go elsewhere with the extra time that we had. So, we decided to see what the tall waterfall was all about. We first ended up at the middle parking lot where the South Rim trail started. Learn from our mistakes and avoid this trail if you don't want to walk in a circle. The South Rim trail is fairly long and at the end, you have to take the stairs down and walk another 1-2 miles to actually see the waterfall up close. We learned that fairly late and had to walk back and drive to the start of the gorge trail. Also learning from experience, stop by the overlook and use the bathrooms there before starting the gorge trail. It will save you the trip. When we finally got around to the gorge trail, it almost didn't feel like a hike. It was fairly easy with flat ground (like strolling through a park). It's do-able for all ages. While you walk along the trail, it's cool to gaze at some of the very tall trees along the way. If you want to be a bit more adventurous, I suggest walking in the water/on the rocks. I did it and it made my experience that much better. When you eventually get to the waterfall, it's so picturesque. Pretty amazing! It makes the walk even more worth it. This state park exceeded all of our expectations. We all left thinking that we would have regretted not coming here. If you are considering coming or if you are in the area, add this to your list of places to go! Highly recommended!
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Erica R.

Yelp
I've been visiting Taughannock Falls State Park since I was a small child. As a matter of fact, I vividly remember how my mother once brought me here just to take photos for a photography class she was taking... and I'm pretty sure it ended with me basically plopping down in the middle of the stream of water coming from the falls, where I just decided to sit and play in the water. As a kid, this was one of my favorite spots to go looking for crayfish or tadpoles. As I grew older, I loved how calm the little hike to the falls was... but I also came to enjoy spending more time along the lake, having a picnic in/near the camping area, or bringing visitors to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Also, the Falls Overlook area has been boosted with a new visitor center area and additional parking (including for buses coming to visit, which can park directly across the street from the Falls Overlook area). Basically, this is a lovely area that I recommend nobody miss out on seeing. Also, if you're looking for a bit of cardio (since the path to the falls is generally flat), the stairs leading from the area near the base of the falls to the Falls Overlook area will get your blood pumping a bit more. Awesomeness all around. :)
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Scott K.

Yelp
A simply breathtaking view of a 200' plus waterfall. I could have sat there and enjoyed the view all day. This place alone was worth the trip to New York. I imagine the flow of water will vary with recent rainfall so that may affect your experience when you visit.
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Bobby F.

Yelp
Great state park. There are two different views of the falls. There is a lodge and an upper view - minimal walking required - less than 100 feet to platform. Lower hike will bring you right up to the falls. I would estimate the hike as 1.25 miles in and same for out. Take photos but also take the time to appreciate the beauty.
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Roni W.

Yelp
Most beautiful falls in every season but this winter allowed us to walk in December and it never gets old snapping breathtaking shots. Trails(pet friendly, leashed((of course)). Swimming, kayaking,camping and so much more.....Even if you are just driving by it's worth a stop at the over look or the main trail to take a short 1 mile walk to the huge falls.
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Hunter S.

Yelp
We went on a Thursday in August. There are a few main trails--the upper rim, the lower rim, the common use trail, and the gorge trail. There is also a visitors center and an overlook. The visitors center and overlook are generally super crowded. The rim trails much less so, and they give you a different view of the falls. The most popular trail is the gorge trail, which is a little over a mile, and pretty flat and easy. It's high use, but there is enough space that it doesn't seem too crowded (except at trail's end right next to the falls). Lots of spots to get off into the river as well. Parking pretty crowded at the gorge trail, but not overflowing. Like other NYS parks, 9.00 for parking, and the pass is good for most other NYS parks parking for the rest of the day. This was nice, and I'm glad we went, but Robert H. Treman and Watkins Glen are more spectacular. Just depends on what you're looking for. Only about 15 minutes from Ithaca, so plenty of places to eat on the way out or back.
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Yasuyo T.

Yelp
I am glad to make it this place. The Taughannock Falls runs pretty long. So you need to get a right address to get to the right place. This place is pretty nice for a family with small kids. Most of walking place is flat. So it is easy to walk around and not too long distance. I love the scenery and sound of water and color of sand. It is so calming effect. When you are around, you must stop this place. you will get to see a creation of nature.
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Violet V.

Yelp
Absolutely beautiful and worth your time (if you could even think about skipping it). I went in early spring when the falls were huge and very beautiful. Trails are clean and safe - the walk to the 215ft fall is short, level, and easy. The beach on the opposite side of the trail has a very nice playground and beautiful views, especially at sunset.
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Richie H.

Yelp
I'm only giving it three stars because we stopped by for the falls when there hasn't been much rain in the area. Our view of the falls was mediocre and bleak. - Parking is free during the weekday (only have to pay during weekends/holidays) - Walk is 0.75 miles. It's a pretty nice walk too with little to no hills from the bottom of the path. You can do a longer walk if you please, but we got directed to the bottom of the hill when we checked out the observation deck - Path is paved and has gravel - perfect for us to take our baby on a stroller. - Dog friendly - can have them on the path - unlike Watkins Glen's Gorge path - You can get some good pictures towards the very end.
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Lourdes M.

Yelp
The experience could have been better if there was water in the falls. It wasn't raining enough for the past weeks that there was not even a trace of falls. Do not come here if it is like the end of summertime. It was sad seeing the water ground very dry. I can't imagine how the locals are feeling for seeing the used to be river as a walking flat ground trail right now. We hiked the gorge trail. It was a short 1 mile hike in the flat and shaded ground to the bottom part of the main attraction- the 215 ft. Taughannock Falls. There were lots of benches along the way for those who wants to get a break. There is another trail ( rim trail), it has a scenic overlook balcony for those who prefers to see the whole view from the top. We found out later on that people could drive all the way up if hiking is not their cup of tea. $8 parking fee, free if you have Empire passport. State park fee is good for all day and usable to any state park. The park across the street is also part of the this state park. Restroom, playground, picnic ground and good view of the lake are available.