Finger Lakes Hikes - Taughannoock Falls

Exploring the Majestic Beauty of Taughannock Falls

When I drove to Taughannock Falls State Park recently, it was not lost on me that it's been about 20 years since I was last there. And I thought to myself, “Man, that was dumb!”

Taughannock Falls is a beautiful 215-foot cascade in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York. It's actually one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi - and taller than Niagara Falls. Though having nowhere near what Niagara Falls does in volume of water, it's still a pretty spectacular waterfall, in my opinion - and that of visitors from around the world.

Truly, the Finger Lakes Region has become a world-wide destination for our waterfalls, lakes, hills, and natural beauty. Taughannock Falls is no different. Our visit in October saw the park pleasantly populated and not overly full. 

Perfect!

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The hike to Taughannock Falls

I brought my two children with me, aged 14 and 11. Getting to the falls is an easy 0.75 mile hike (¾ of a mile) on a packed dirt surface from the main parking lot.

I believe the entire trail to the falls would be wheelchair accessible, even after rainy weather. The terrain was even and very well maintained. 

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Taughannock's ancient streambed

As you walk to the waterfall, much of the trail follows a wide streambed lined with shale. The park allows visitors to cross through the woods to the streambed to walk up because it's mostly dry, at least in October. It's pretty cool because there’s signage on the trail telling how the Finger Lakes Region was once under the ocean, so you feel like you’re walking on the bottom of the ancient ocean for a moment while you navigate the streambed.

The streambed is probably 40-feet-wide, with occasional steps to climb formed by the shale bedrock that’s been broken almost perfectly square. The surface is pocketed by little dips, which are testaments of water erosion - both from high and low water levels - as it wears away at the top of the rock.

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My daughter's favorite part...

At one point on the streambed, there’s a sign indicating park visitors must get back on the trail. When we re-entered the the trail, the afternoon sunlight was slanting down across the colorful leaves of the trees that line the gorge. 

My 14-year-old daughter at this point gestured to one of the gorge walls. “If you ever can’t find me, I’m up there,” she said, meaning she loved the beauty and serenity of the park.

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The waterfall at Taughannock Falls State Park

When you view the waterfall, you're in a sort of circular gorge that feels very much like an amphitheater. The walls tower over you at 300-feet-high. Peregrine falcons are known to nest on the cliff-sides of the park, read more about them down below. 

At the point of the gorge stands Taughannock Falls, cascading over a ridge 215-feet-high above you. The water falls into a large, circular pool at its base, behind which the viewing platform stands. It's picture-perfect and made for the photographer - amateur or professional!

As an out and back trail, we then headed back to the car, retracing our steps over the streambed and back out to the parking lot. 

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Taughannock Falls State Park is more than just the waterfall...

In addition to the gorge trail that leads to the waterfall, Taughannock Falls can also be seen by car from the road on Taughannock Falls Rd at the overlook.

However, the waterfall isn’t the only thing to see and do at Taughannock Falls State Park. The park is actually 783 acres and has 8 hiking trails, shoreline, a boat launch, and amenities. When we arrived, a couple had just finished getting married and we met much of the party in the parking lot. A wedding at Taughannock Falls in October sounds like a very beautiful idea to me!

To find out even more about Taughannock Falls State Park and how to get there, read on past the peregrine falcons. 

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Peregrine falcons at Taughannock Falls State Park

Large, majestic birds of prey with a unique black Batman-type mask, peregrine falcons are one of the fastest flying birds on earth - and we’ve got them at Taughannock Falls State Park.

Actually, we had them, then we didn’t, but now we do again…

You see, peregrine falcons were historically wide-spread across North America. However, over-use of the chemical DDT in agriculture at the early part of the 20th century rendered the eggs of many birds of prey infertile. DDT had negative effects on both the bald eagle and peregrine falcons, and by the 1970’s both species were listed as endangered. 

By the 1930’s, peregrine falcons were absent from Taughannock Falls State Park. However, during the epidemic of 2020, twenty years after they were delisted from the endangered species list, peregrine falcons returned to Taughannock Falls.

They continue to nest on the cliff sides, making their nests on what seems like dangerous ledges to us humans. Nesting on ledges prevents nest raids by predators because they’re so inaccessible. 

It also gives the adults room to make their 200-mile-per-hour dives when they hunt. And with 300-foot cliffs at Taughannock Falls State Park, they’ve got the space.

To learn more about the return of the peregrine falcon to Taughannock Falls, check out All About Birds, where Andy Johnson details their story.

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More info about Taughannock Falls State Park

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For more hikes, also check out these Outdoor Finger Lakes articles:

Hiking Cayuga Lake - Best hikes around Cayuga Lake

Hiking Seneca Lake - Best hikes around Cayuga Lake's neighbor, Seneca Lake, including Watkins Glen State Park

Hiking Skaneateles Lake - Best hikes around Cayuga Lake's neighbor, Skaneateles Lake

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