Taughannock Falls State Park is a beautiful upstate New York retreat with a beautiful blue lake that you can take a dip in, rolling green mountains that give way to a deep rocky gorge to explore, and a rushing waterfall that’s worth the $10/vehicle admission price all on its own. This park is just an hour and twenty minutes from the affordable central New York city of Syracuse and four hours on NY-17 (or an hour and twenty minutes on a plane to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport) from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Here, you’ll find beautiful views and relaxing nature experiences without having to rough it in the wilderness. Instead, you can lounge lakeside, stroll through the woods, and spend the night in a cozy cabin.
If a hike to the gorgeous waterfall that this park is named for [pictured] is too much, consider a lake swim, instead. Upstate New York can get hot in the summer, but the cool blue waters of Cayuga Lake are waiting. The Finger Lakes are undoubtedly one of New York’s prettiest regions and Cayuga is the longest of them. Many of the park’s campsites and cabins look out over the water, meaning that you can wake up, feel the lakeside breeze, and watch the sun rise over the water. There is a designated swimming beach where you can take a dip in the heat of the afternoon. The water can sometimes be chilly, but after a long day of hiking the trails, it can be just the refreshing break you need.
See the waterfall that gives Taughannock Falls State Park its name
While the Cayuga lake shore is beautiful, the highlight of this park is the impressive gorge through the park and the incredible waterfall that gives this park its name: Taughannock Falls. This titanic waterfall is actually higher than New York’s famous Niagara Falls, but is only a single stream of water. Here, free flowing water surges out of the forest and drops a staggering 215 feet to crash into the pool below, sending up a spray of mist. The completely sheer wall of the gorge makes an impressive backdrop, while you listen to the roar of the falls.
In the spring, this waterfall can be particularly powerful thanks to heavy rainfall. In the heat of summer, this waterfall can sometimes dry up significantly. If there has been a storm recently, however, these falls can be extremely powerful, sending torrents of water pouring into the gorge at top speed. The verdant green foliage makes for a fantastic hiking experience on your way to the falls, too. Upstate New York is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the United States, so if you make your way here in the autumn you’ll be treated to a vibrant display of orange and gold around the falls. The winter may actually be the most incredible time to visit the falls however. If you can make your way there through the snow and ice, you’ll be one of the few hikers in the park to experience the views — which are spectacular. Depending on the weather, you may find a raging torrent of melting snow or completely frozen falls [pictured].
Hike the trails at Taughannock Falls State Park
