Taughannock Falls is a super unique waterfall in New York State, honestly one of my favorites in the state. It is a gorgeous waterfall in its own little gorge, close to Ithaca. Read further to see how to visit Taughannock Falls State Park.
About Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls is a beautiful waterfall and is different than most other waterfalls in New York. It is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, dropping 215 feet in total! It is even taller than Niagara Falls! Prior to being a state park, it was a tourist destination in the 1800’s which had a hotel and various attractions for visitors.
It is hypothesized that the name “Taughannock” comes from a combination of Algonquin and Iroquois words meaning “great fall in the woods.”
How to Get to Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls is located close to Ithaca, New York.
The best was to get to Taughannock Falls State Park is by driving. There are not really any shuttles to the park. If you are staying in Ithaca, you could theoretically take an Uber if you had no other way to access the park.
New York City to Taughannock Falls: 4 hours, 230 miles
Toronto, Canada to Taughannock Falls: 4 hours, 240 miles
Philadelphia, PA to Taughannock Falls: 4 hours, 240 miles
How to See Taughannock Falls
There are two main ways to see Taughannock Falls. To see the falls up close and personal, the Gorge Trail is definitely the best option. However, the Gorge Trail may not be accessible for all. The Falls Overlook is an easier way to see views of the falls, but the view is more from above.
The Gorge Trail
The Gorge Trail is 1.8 miles round trip. The trail starts at the beginning of the gorge and ends at the waterfall before returning back the way you came. The trail follows Taughannock Creek all the way up to the falls.
Near the beginning of the trail, you will see Lower Falls. It’s a cute little waterfall and we watched a whole family of baby ducks swim around here for a while.
Follow the well-groomed trail, which is a wide gravel path. Even though the main attraction (the waterfall!) is at the end of the trail, the trail is very peaceful and gives nice views of the unique canyon that holds Taughannock Falls and creek.
The trail weaves along the creek for almost a mile until you get to a small cross bridge where you will get your first views of Taughannock Falls to the left. Cross the bridge and you will reach a viewing platform area where you can view the falls! It has a beautiful, up-close view of the incredible Taughannock Falls!
Note: you will see signs everywhere that says not to leave the platform and get closer to the waterfall. You will be tempted to not follow the rules, but please do. The nature of the canyon means that there are rocks constantly falling from above that can severely injure you. In our short time there, we saw several rocks fall from the canyon wall that would’ve been really dangerous if we were not on the viewing platform.
The Falls Overlook
Another way to view the falls is from the Falls Overlook, located on the northern side of the canyon. To get to the falls overlook, take the road up to the Taughannock Falls Overlook Visitor Center. There should be signage denoting where to go.
The Falls Overlook definitely has more of a distant view of the falls, but is definitely a better option for some. The Falls Overlook would also be a good option if visiting Taughannock Falls in the winter when there is icy conditions.
Tips for Visiting Taughannock Falls
Arrive Early
Taughannock Falls is a popular waterfall due to its uniqueness and beauty. The parking lot at the Gorge Trail fills up early in the day on weekends. You have to pay to park, but if you have the New York State Park Pass, you can park here at no extra cost.
Bring a Picnic
If its good weather during your visit, its not a bad place to bring a picnic with you. The viewing platform at the end has great views and would be a nice place to hang out for a while with a snack and a view of the waterfall.
Explore other nearby waterfalls
In the Finger Lakes area, there are many incredible waterfalls in the area. Some of my favorite waterfalls close to Taughannock Falls are Buttermilk Falls, Watkins Glen, and Lower Falls at Robert H. Treman State Park.
I hope this guide helps you to visit Taughannock Falls in New York! Any questions or comments? Let me know in the comments down below!
Thanks for Reading!
-Liz
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