11 Waterfall hikes worth your time in the Central New York Finger Lakes Region
Whether you've lived in New York State your whole life or moved here from elsewhere. One things for sure, you know about our many waterfalls. You've probably even seen some of the more popular ones. Most of these are on the road less traveled, out of the way gems I think are worth your time.
Not all waterfalls are created equal though. How far of a hike is it. What about parking. Will I get wet going to it. Is it a uphill hike. How much water is flowing to it. Will there even be a waterfall to see. That all depends on the season you choose to visit.
The picturesque Finger Lakes is known for its four magnificent seasons.
Wintertime can bring a thick layering of snow covering everything. Smaller waterfalls freeze over while larger ones may continue to roar on. In Springtime, snow begins to melt and the ground starts to defrost and turn into mud. Waterfalls come back to life in full force. Definitely the best time to view. Soon the long hot days of summer roll in, and some of the smaller streams that feed the waterfalls slow to just a trickle. Great time of the year to cool off your feet with a creek-walk to one of the larger waterfalls. By the time Fall gets here, most creeks that feed waterfalls have stopped flowing and smaller waterfalls are completely dry. Some larger falls may only carry a small a small amount of water over them. Worst time of the year for waterfall viewing. Best time to see the fall foliage of the area with vibrant colors of red, orange and yellows.
Here are the eleven waterfall hikes I think might be worth your time to check out in the Central New York Finger Lakes Region
This winding trail puts you right atop of a stream that flows over County Line Falls. This is actually a double waterfall. The hike down to the lower fall is steep and there is little to see as you are above the fall. This hike is on state land at the south end of Hemlock Lake. About a half a mile away from the parking area located on Johnson Hill Road, just off of 15A in Springwater. Hard to tell in pictures, but this is approximately a 50 foot drop into a wide amphitheater. This trail is usually pretty muddy no matter the time of year so be prepared with proper footwear.
Barns Creek Falls in Onanda Park is best viewed from the creek-bed. One of the many trails in the upper park offer gazebos overlooks with views from the falls above. Off of west lake road/county road 16 in Canandaigua there are two separate parking areas for this park. Parking is available at the bottom portion of the park but may require an entrance fee depending on the time of year it is and pets are not allowed in this lower portion but are more than welcome across the street in the park. From the lot, head across the the street to the trail-head. This trail zigs and zags throughout the gully for about a mile total. You will get wet as creek-walking is unavoidable as parts of the trails on the sides have washed away throughout the years. Parking up the hill, across the road from the lower area, will lead you to many trails throughout the woods. There are two gazebos with views of the two falls in this gully from above. This park is a favorite spot of mine and my pooch anytime of the year.
No matter the season, forty five foot tall Seneca Mills Falls is sure to impress. The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail runs seven miles along the Outlet that connects Keuka and Seneca Lakes. Parking is available on Outlet Road just outside of the small town Penn Yan. Just three quarters of a mile round-trip, this is a level hike with no obstacles making it a personal favorite of mine. The best view of the falls are just feet off of the trail. Continuing to down the embankment to the base of the falls is a challenge but possible. Be sure to visit Cascade Mills Falls just minutes down the road along the same trail. The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, covers seven miles from Penn Yan to Dresden so biking the whole thing is possible in a days trip.
Cascade Mills Falls is close to the previous falls and could actually be accessed from the same parking area on Outlet Road in Penn Yan. Parking there, your hike will end up about a mile to the falls. Alternative parking is about a half mile down the road to the east at the Outlet/Ridge Road intersection. From there the hike ends up to be about a half mile to the falls. Once a prosperous town with many merchants, this now abandoned city has laid in ruins for many years. There are many empty decrepit buildings that have been vacant since before the 1960's along this hike. A recent rail has been put up above this twenty foot high fall. An alternative view can be found downstream along the trail behind one of the large vacant buildings with no walls. This hike is along the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail which covers seven miles from Penn Yan to Dresden so biking the whole thing is possible in a days trip.
At the south end of Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes, is the seasonally busy town of Watkins Glen. Home to the famous Watkins Glen State Park. Excelsior falls is a hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle. Just outside of town heading east on NY-14, just as it starts uphill, is a pull off for about 2 cars. If you reached NY-79 you went to far. From there, follow the trail to the right, just around the shale wall and immediately you'll see the first of three waterfalls in this gully. If you choose to take the steep embankment down to the creek, there are beautiful views of of the waterfall from below. If you decide to continue on to the second waterfall, follow the narrow trail on the side of the gorge to the creek-bed, and from there follow it to the base of the second waterfall. About half mile in total. To reach the third waterfall requires a steep uphill hike than a climb into the creek-bed for an additional half mile hike to reach the base of the tallest of the three falls.
Just a few miles outside of Watkins Glen, on gravel Templar Road, near the Van Zandt Hollow Road intersection, is a tiny pull off area for about 2 cars. Templar Falls, also known as Twin Falls is just feet away from your car off of the Finger Lakes Trail. Before you approach the stream, you notice a few side trail leading to views of the falls from atop this fifteen foot waterfall. Cross the stream and continue down the steep embankment only if you think you are able to. From the stream, make your way to the base of the waterfall for the best view.
Another out of the way waterfall just past the town of Watkins Glen is enchanting Eagle Cliff Falls. Located in the official park of Havana Glen there may be an entrance fee depending on the time of year you visit here. Take note, there are many steps, turns and stairs along the way but the whole hike is only about a quarter mile if you park in the lot close to the trail head. With that said, no matter the time year you visit expect a slight challenge, well worth every possibly "strenuous" minute to an impressive 41 foot waterfall.
It's hard to miss the pull off parking, alongside NY-91 in Tully, NY. Once you cross from the street from the parking area, the signs lead you right to the official trail head to Tinkers Falls. A well beaten, fairly level half mile path alongside a creek-bed leads you to an approximately 102 step staircase. The trail continues behind a (at the time) tinkering waterfall. Due to the time of the year it was, there was not much water flowing over. The trail continues above the waterfall if your feeling adventurous. We were not that day as we had four more waterfalls to visit so we did not continue past this point. This is definitely on the list to visit a second time when the water-flow is more plentiful like in springtime of after the rain.
Chittenango Falls is the same height as the popular Niagara Falls, just not as well known. The 167 foot high water fall is in official Chittenango State Park and is visible from driving by on Gorge Road/State Highway 13 in Cazenovia. Depending on the time of year you visit, there may be an entrance fee. The trail is just over a quarter mile down nearly 150 stairs, leading to a bridge at water level down stream from the falls. There are a few different views along the way to the base of this mighty waterfall. The trail does continue in a mile loop but we backtracked back up the 150 stairs to parking.
Bonus falls you might have already been to
*Remember, take the proper safety precautions when hiking. Hike at your own risk. Make sure to check the weather before you go. Have the proper footwear. Take all the necessary precautions for being in the woods for an unexpectedly long time. Hike with someone and tell someone where you are going. The ground can be wet and slippery, leaves covering slippery rock can also be dangerous. Do not venture onto posted property. Stay on visible trails wherever you hike. You are liable for yourself*
Any use of this website without permission is strictly forbidden. Please ask. Information is not guaranteed accurate as trail conditions can change.