Fall in Love with Taughannock Falls State Park

Crunchy leaves. Crisp air. Colorful foliage. There's nothing quite like fall in the Finger Lakes! The stunning natural landscape draws visitors who love getting outside for a heart-pumping trail hike or a relaxing stop in our many parks. One park you should definitely check out during your autumn Finger Lakes getaway is Taughannock Falls State Park.

The park's namesake attraction is Taughannock Falls, with a breathtaking vertical drop of 215 feet. It's the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, and slightly higher than Niagara Falls, just with less water. Taughannock Falls is located on the west side of Cayuga Lake near Trumansburg, about 14 miles northwest of Ithaca. To get an up-close look at this amazing sandstone, shale and limestone gorge, there are several trails that will get you there.

The Gorge Trail is a popular trail that ends near the base of the falls. This out-and-back hike is an easy 3/4-mile walk on a flat, wide path. The trail passes by a 20-foot cascade known as the Little or Lower Falls before you reach the main falls. You'll cross over a wooden footbridge just before reaching the observation area, where you'll feel the mist of the falls as it spills over the rocky cliff.

The North Rim and South Rim trails offer spectacular bird's-eye views from above the falls. The falls overlook and visitors center are along the North Rim Trail, and each offers an excellent vantage point along with interpretation about this incredible natural resource. Together, these moderately difficult trails form a 2.9-mile loop that circles the upper part of the gorge.

Taughannock Falls is just one part of the 750-acre state park. Across the road from the Gorge Trail entrance is a beautiful stretch of Cayuga Lake shoreline – the perfect spot for a picnic lunch with access to picnic tables, pavilions and grills. This lake frontage in Taughannock Falls State Park includes such amenities as a marina, boat launch and beach. The state park is also home to the Cayuga Lake Triathlon and a Summer Concert Series.

Taughannock Falls State Park, with its renowned waterfalls, hiking trails, picturesque lakefront and amazing amenities, is truly an enchanting natural wonder. Definitely add this park to your must-see list when you stay with us at Yale Manor this fall!