Hiking Cayuga Lake

If you’re coming to Cayuga Lake looking for towering waterfalls, you’re looking in the right place. This lake has some stunning waterfalls surrounding it, but one that stands out is Taughannock Falls. 

This waterfall, which cascades 215 feet from the top of the gorge to the pool below, is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River - even taller than Niagara Falls. Without a doubt, Niagara Falls trumps Taughannock Falls in volume of water that goes over the falls, but Taughannock makes a picturesque view nonetheless. 

The hike to see the tall waterfall is about 1.5 miles, not difficult, over shale bedrock and through upstate hardwood forests. You'll find seven maintained trails within the park, ranging from less than a quarter mile to over eight miles. 

The 783-acre Taughannock Falls State Park is very well maintained, drawing visitors from around the nation - and the world. An especially good time to visit is in the fall when the maple leaves are changing colors. The colors peak in mid-October, so if you come to photograph, I’d suggest planning your visit then.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Waterfall viewing
• Viewing wildlife
• Camping
• Boating
• Paddling
• Hunting
• Ice skating

Getting there

• 📍1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886
• 📞 (607) 387-6739
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 783 acres
• Taughannock Falls: 215-foot cascade
• Tallest waterfall east of Mississippi
• 8 hiking trails

• Waterfalls
• Picnic areas
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Wanna swim under the cascades of a New York waterfall? 

Yeah, me too. Buttermilk Falls State Park is the place to go to swim - and dive - in a natural pool formed under a waterfall. How cool is that?

As opposed to Taughannock’s tall and slim waterfall, the Buttermilk Falls are short and stout. They get their name from the froth that naturally forms at the base of the falls as the water bubbles down the rocks and into its pools. 

If you wanna get excited about falls without doing any hiking - the Buttermilk Falls greet you at the very entrance of the park. And this is only just a taste of what the rest of the park features.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Camping
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Viewing wildlife
• Hunting

Getting there

• 📍106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞  (607) 273-5761
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 751 acres
• 6 trails 
• Waterfalls

• Swimming area with lifeguard
• Picnic areas
• Campsites
• Pavilions
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

You can choose from the eight trails on Cayuga Nature Center’s 100 acres - including a trail that connects to the Black Diamond Trail within Taughannock Falls State Park. 

In addition to trails, you can climb a 6-story tree house at Cayuga Nature Center - fun for kids and adults alike! 

This nature center also holds tons of yearly educational programs. Check out their calendar and decide how many you can fit into your schedule. 

The Cayuga Nature Center has a 6-story treehouse - great for kids and adults alike. Photo credit: Paleontological Research Institution, CC BY-SA 4.0

Getting there

• 📍1420 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 273-6260
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Nature center: 100 acres
• Eight trails
• Black Diamond Trail Connector (connecting to Taughannock Falls State Park)
• 6-story treehouse
• Year-long family-friendly programming
• Leashed dogs allowed in some areas
• Entry by donation

Pick up the trail wherever you’d like, because the Cayuga Trail is over 10 miles long and takes you from Cornell University to the Town of Dryden.

With its many loops, you can enjoy the Cornell Botanical Gardens, Fall Creek Gorge, and the F.R. Newman Arboretum, among other locations.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing wildlife
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Running
• Hunting

Getting there

Parking area on Cornell campus: 

• 📍1 Plantations Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 🗺  Find on Google Maps

Parking area on Fall Creek Dr:

• 📍316 Fall Creek Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 🗺  Find on Google Maps

Features

• Over 10 miles of trails
• Passes through many special areas and public gardens
• Facilities
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry

Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Newfield, NY, contains part of the Finger Lakes Trail and you can get some amazing panoramas of the Appalachian Mountains from here. 

Actually considered to be part of the Appalachian Mountains, Connecticut Hill WMA has a strong history tied to the Revolutionary War.

The cemetery within the WMA is also rumored to be haunted, so if you are into paranormal activity, you might want to stop here.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing
• Viewing Wildlife

Getting there

• 📍 Newfield, NY 14867
• 📞 (607) 753-3095
• 🗺  Find on Google Maps

Features

• Wildlife management area: 11,237 acres
• Portion of Finger Lakes Trail
  
• NY's largest wildlife management area
• Possibly haunted
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Interested in botany, or the study of plants? Or maybe you just enjoy gardening? Or just plain old like pretty plants? Take a stroll along the trail that runs through Cornell Botanical Gardens.

Actually part of the Cayuga Trail, the hike through the Cornell Botanical Gardens is 1.39 miles long. While you walk, you’ll be able to view the over 16,000 labeled plants the college has on display. There are also facilities, a visitor’s center, and a store for your convenience.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing wildlife

Getting there

• 📍 124 Comstock Knoll Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 255-2400
• 🗺  Find on Google Maps

Features

• Trail: 1.39 miles
• Part of Cayuga Trail
• Over 16,000 labeled plants
• Facilities
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Parking fee
• Free entry

Danby State Forest offers hikers 15 miles of trails maintained by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. These 15 miles of trails are part of the Finger Lakes Trail, which winds nearly 600 miles through the region around the lakes. 

Hike to Thatcher’s Pinnacle on the western edge of the forest for some amazing panoramas of our glacier-carved Finger Lakes hills.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Camping
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Viewing wildlife
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping

Getting there

• 📍 South Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 753-3095
• 🗺  Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest: 7,729 acres
• 15 miles of trails
• Includes part of Finger Lakes Trail
• Lean-to
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Within this 197-acre multi-use area that surrounds Dryden Lake, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) has a working agreement with the Town of Dryden that includes the Jim Schrug Trail.

The cool thing about this trail is that at a little over 4 miles long, it's universally accessible - meaning it's made to accommodate everyone, no matter their disability or status.

In addition to the trail, you’ll also find pavilions, facilities, a fishing pier, and a playground.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Paddling
• Hunting
• Viewing wildlife

Getting there

• 📍 W Lake Rd, Dryden, NY 13053
• 📞 (607) 844-8888
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State multi-use area: 197 acres
• 4.2 miles of universally accessible trails

• Picnic areas
• Facilities
• Fishing pier
• Boat ramp
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Within this 150-acre preserve owned and operated by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, you’ll find a 1.9-mile trail with nested loops in iconic upstate NY hardwood forests. This preserve is unique in that there's a block of private property in its heart - and the trail cuts across the property’s driveway. Visitors are respectfully asked to stay on the trails while visiting the preserve.

Hiking will take you stream-walking, so you’ll want to wear waterproof hiking shoes when you visit. But the wildflowers, wildlife, and peace of the forest should still entice you to not miss a visit to Ellis Hollow.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing Wildlife

Getting there

• 📍 313 Ellis Hollow Creek Rd #183, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞(607) 275-9487
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Preserve: 150 acres
• 1.9 miles of trails

• Stream-wading on trails
• No dogs
• Free entry

At approximately 16,212 acres, the Finger Lakes National Forest is the only national forest in New York State. Its a multi-use area, and you can hike, bike, horseback ride, camp, and see some incredible wildlife here. 

You might also see some free-ranging cattle, because the national forest holds contracts with local ranchers to graze their livestock in the fields of the forest. Cornell University staff also frequently conduct research in the national forest on the plant and animal life residing here. 

There are 30 miles of maintained trails in the Finger Lakes National Forest for you to navigate by foot or horseback. If you are into backpacking, this is a great place to do so. As you wind your way through the forest, camp at an established campsite or rough it where you tire.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Biking
• Viewing Wildlife
• Camping
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍 Burdett, NY 14818
• 📞 (607) 546-4470 (Hector Ranger Station)
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• National forest area: 16,212 acres
• Trails: 30 miles
• Only National Forest in NY
• Hector Ranger Station nearby
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

If you want a serene atmosphere while hiking on a stream bed, come to Great Gully Falls. In order to get to the falls and not route around them, you should follow the quite elaborate instructions given by Rich and Sue Freeman in their book, 200 Waterfalls in Central and Western New York.

In summary: Take the right path at the “Y” to see the first 10-foot waterfall and its pool. Then, backtrack and take the middle trail to see this waterfall from its crest. Next, creek-walk above the waterfall you just viewed and go upstream. This will bring you to the next two waterfalls. 

My advice: Lastly, enjoy the creek-walk and tromping through some Finger Lakes waterfalls. Take some selfies - waterfalls are usually quite happy to be included.

Highlights

• Hiking

Getting there

• 📍 3955 NY-90, Union Springs, NY 13160
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• 1.5 mile round-trip hike
• 3 waterfalls
• Creek-walking on stone creekbed
• Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet
• Leashed dogs allowed
• Free entry

Coming to the Finger Lakes Region to do more than just hike? Are you also looking for a spot on Cayuga Lake where you can rent a cottage, fish, boat, swim, paddle, and be close to wineries, and shopping? I'm pretty sure Cayuga Lake State Park is calling your name then! This park has all this and more.

Even if you come to the Cayuga Lake State Park for less lofty goals - like a hike and a view - make sure you don’t miss its 4 miles of trails where you’ll see the lake, hardwood forests, open marsh, ravines, and a spruce forest. 

In retrospect, that still seems lofty to me, but don’t take my advice, come and see for yourself.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing wildlife
• Paddling
• Boating
• Fishing
• Hunting

Getting there

• 📍 2063 Lake Rd, Aurora, NY 13026
• 📞 (315) 364-5637
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 296 acres
• 4.5 miles of hiking trails

• Two hard-surface boat launch ramps
• Playground
• Picnic areas
• Facilities
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

When you walk or drive through Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), it can be easy to miss how federal, state, and local organizations work together to manage the land and wildlife in this 50,000-acre complex. But, they really are working behind the scenes to acquire, restore, and manage these lands, especially for migratory birds that pass through New York in the spring and fall. 

There are a few areas to hike on the complex, including a walking trail that loops around from the visitor’s center, and a short hike to one of the viewing towers. 

Though pedestrians are not allowed on Wildlife Drive, I highly suggest jumping in your car after your walk. Make sure you bring your binoculars because there’s no such thing as a slow day of birding at Montezuma NWR.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing wildlife
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
• 📞 (315) 568-5987
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• National Wildlife Refuge complex: 50,000 acres

• Hiking trails
• Visitors' Center
• "Wildlife Drive"
• Important Birding Area (IBA) and major stop-over for migrating birds
• No dogs 
• Free entry

If you are looking to back-country hike, give Newfield State Forest a try. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) doesn’t maintain trails within this forest, but you are allowed to hike where you wish unless otherwise posted. 

At almost 1,500 acres, the Newfield State Forest was purchased by the federal government in 1956. Previously, it had been cleared for farmland. After the purchase, it was reforested to provide timber and habitat for wildlife. It remains a multi-use area, and you can camp, hunt, trap, hike, snowshoe, or choose from a variety of other activities here.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Camping
• Viewing Wildlife
• Hunting
• Trapping
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍Newfield, NY 14867
• 📞 607-753-3095 (DEC Region 7 Office)
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

•  State forest area: 1,552 acres
• Connected to Connecticut Hill WMA
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Home of the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, you can hike the nine miles of trails in Robert H. Treman State Park to view this or the other 11 waterfalls. 

Additionally, like Buttermilk State Park, you can SWIM in the pool of one of the waterfalls - safely and with permission because the park keeps lifeguards on duty during the summer months.

I mean, when was the last time you swam in the waters of a waterfall? Exactly.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Swimming
• Camping
• Hunting
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍105 Enfield Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 273-3440
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 1,110 acres
• 11 waterfalls
• 9 miles of trails

• Wheelchair accessible campsites
• Swimming area with lifeguard under waterfall
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Across the Salmon Creek, next to Myers Park, you can explore the trails of this 34-acre site. It was once a salt plant, hence its name - Salt Point. 

This park has wildlife (especially birds), wildflowers, and lake-front you can explore. Leashed pets are also welcomed.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Paddling
• Viewing wildlife
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍Salt Point Road, Lansing, NY 14882
• 📞 (607) 533-7388 
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Municipal park: 34 acres

• Over 230 species of birds identified
• Launch for non-motorized craft only
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry

With about five miles of trail maintained by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and Cayuga Trails Club, the Finger Lakes Trail runs right through Shindagin Hollow State Forest. 

When you hike this state forest, you’re hiking on the Allegheny Plateau. Unlike most areas of the Finger Lakes Region that were formed by glacial movement, geologists believe the Allegheny Plateau was formed when the continents of North America and Africa rammed into each other some 300 million years ago.

Kinda cool!

Highlights

• Hiking
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Biking
• Viewing wildlife
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping

Getting there

• 📍Brearley Hill Road, Brooktondale, NY 14817
• 📞 (607) 753-3095
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State forest: 5,318 acres
• 5-miles of Finger Lakes Trail

• Part of Allegheny Plateau
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

If you want to view Taughannock Falls State Park from the opposite side of Cayuga Lake, come to the Sims-Jenning Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs.

This 223-acre preserve is run by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. The trail is almost 2 miles, along with you get to experience waterfalls, cliffs, and that panoramic view of the lake we all come looking for when we visit the area.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Viewing Wildlife

Getting there

• 📍NY-34B N/Ridge Road, Lansing, NY 14850
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Preserve: 223 acres
• 1.8-mile hiking trail

• Waterfalls
• Gorges and cliffs
• Panoramic photo opportunities
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry

Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Stewart Park is a large public park with many amenities to engage the public. It has a black-top sidewalk you can follow, with views of the water, as well as other hiking trails.

There are many other things to do at Stewart Park as well, including bocci ball, a splash pad, playgrounds, and a merry-go-round.  It also has a dock you can launch your canoe or kayak off, and Paddle-N-More rents out kayaks during the summer season.

Bring your binoculars because two bird sanctuaries sit adjacent to the park.

Highlights

• Hiking
• Paddling
• Viewing wildlife

Getting there

• 📍1 James L Gibbs Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 273-8364
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Walking trails
  
• Playground
• Adjacent bird sanctuaries
• Splash pad
• Amenities
• Carousel
• Kayak and canoe launch
• Rentals available in park
• Dogs allowed on leash
• Free entry