Taughannock Falls

Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet in a single, unbroken drop past towering shale and sandstone cliffs that rise nearly 400 feet above the gorge floor — making it the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The falls are fed by Taughannock Creek, which has carved a dramatic gorge through layers of Devonian-era rock over millions of years. In winter, the falls often freeze into a spectacular ice column that draws photographers from across the region.

The Gorge Trail is the most popular approach, a gentle 0.75-mile walk along the creek bed from the Route 89 trailhead to the falls' base. The wide, flat path is accessible to most hikers and passes a lovely 20-foot lower falls near the start. For a more challenging perspective, the North and South Rim trails run along the canyon edges, connecting at the 100-foot Upper Falls to form a roughly three-mile loop with dramatic overlooks.

Late spring through early summer offers the best water flow, while October brings spectacular fall foliage framing the gorge. The Gorge Trail is open year-round, though rim trail stairs close seasonally. Summer weekends are busy — arrive before 10 AM for easier parking. The park also offers swimming, picnicking, and lakefront camping along Cayuga Lake.