Go Chasing Waterfalls- A Four Day Road Trip Near Ithaca, NY

Sometimes emotions can be destructive to oneself or to one’s environment; nature is the cure. Go to a place with a big waterfall and sit near the bottom, but not where you will get wet. By looking at the waterfall coming down from the sky, you will be washed and cleansed by it. Your emotions and your psychological experiences will all be washed away. The water comes from the highness of the mountain; it rushes down to hit the pond or stones beneath it, pounding through the obstacles of your life. Through perseverance, a stone gives way and is shaped by water. Also, by the action of water, a pond is formed. Use the waterfall to cleanse away your worries, the contamination from your experiences in the world, and your disappointed thoughts about something that has failed or something that cannot come back. — Hua-Ching Ni in Entering the Tao

This itinerary can be down as one day, two days, three days or four days. It can also be attached to the waterfall road trip near the Catskills for an 8 day trip. Contact me to book your stays for all or part of this trip:

stacyoneflylife@gmail.com

Day 1: Salmon River Falls & Green Lakes Park

Salmon River Falls: Salmon River Falls is a 110-ft waterfall on the Salmon River in Oswego County, NY. The lower dam trail is a 2.6 mile out and back trail. The falls trail is 0.2 miles, hard gravel trail accessible by wheelchair. The Gorge trail drops into the gorge below the falls. This trail is easy to get down but more difficult to get back up. It is open May 1-Nov. 15. The upper falls trail leads 1 mile to the Salmon River and to the dam. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.

My son LOVES to fish so a stop at the Salmon River for salmon and trout fishing is a must. The Salmon River Fish Hatchery is about 10 minutes away where you can see salmon jumping the fish ladder and watch the spawning process.

Getting to Salmon River Falls: From Pulaski take County Route 2 east to Orwell.  Turn right on County Route 22.  Turn left on Falls Road.  There is a large DEC parking area on the right prior to Falls Road becoming a seasonal road.

Green Lakes State Park: Green Lakes Park is about 50 minutes from Salmon River Falls. Green Lakes consists of 2 glacial lakes surrounded by forest. There are trails circling both lakes, Green and Round lakes, making for a leisurely 3.25 mile hike. There are no waterfalls on this hike, but I thought it was a beautiful stop along the way. Swimming, fishing and hiking- oh my! Find an abundance about the park HERE.

If you have the energy, make your way to Ithaca. If you feel tired from the hiking, stay in Syracuse for the night. There are many hotel and VRBO options in both. Contact me to book your stay or check out the previous links.

Day 2: Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, & Robert Treman State Park

Ithaca Falls: Ithaca falls is 150 ft and 175 ft wide. Half of this waterfall can be seen from driving by. To see the entire waterfall it is a quick 10 minute walk. The trail is open year round.

Getting to Ithaca Falls: From downtown, take Aurora St. north 0.7mi to Lincoln St. Turn right, then take an immediate left onto Lake St. The falls will be on your right. Park on nearby city streets or the small lot adjacent to the falls.

Buttermilk Falls: Buttermilk Falls State Park is a 811-acre state park located southwest of Ithaca. With more than 500 ft of cascades and rapids, buttermilk falls includes a swimming hole and 5 hiking trails.

Gorge Trail: 0.75mi. Strenuous
Rim Trail: 0.75mi Strenuous
Bear Trail: 0.5 mi. Moderate
Lake Treman: 1.5mi. Easy

Getting to Buttermilk Falls:

• Parking Lot : NY 13, 5 miles south of Ithaca, on NY 327. Lower park entrance is first and upper park entrance is further along NY 327.
• Parking Lot : NY-13 S/NY-34 S/NY-96 S/Elmira Rd, 3 miles south of Ithaca (Lower/Main Park Trailhead).

Robert Treman State Park: Robert H. Treman State Park is a 1,110-acre state park located in Tompkins County. A winding trail through Enfield Glen allows visitors to experience 12 waterfalls, including the 115 foot Lucifer Falls, as Enfield Creek cascades toward the Cayuga Inlet. A moderate hike due to several impressive sets of stone staircases and an elevation change of over 500 feet. Swimming is available in a stream-fed pool beneath the waterfall with lifeguards on site.

Getting to Robert Treman State Park: 105 Enfield Falls Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850. Parking Lot : NY 13, 5 miles south of Ithaca, on NY 327. Lower park entrance is first and upper park entrance is further along NY 327.

Sleep: There are many hotel and VRBO options in Ithaca. Contact me to book your stay or check out the previous links.

Day 3: Taughannock Falls State park & Watkins Glen State Park

Taughannock Falls State Park: Taughannock Falls carves a 400ft deep gorge through layers of sandstone, shale and limestone that were once the bed of an ancient sea. With a 215 foot plunge, this waterfall stands three stories taller than Niagara Falls.

• Gorge Trail: 0.75mi along Taughannock Creek to the base of the falls. Easy
• South Rim Trail: 1.125mi. Moderate
• North Rim Trail: 1.5mi. Moderate
• Gorge trail and overlook open year round. Other trails open April-Oct.

Getting to Taughannock State Park: Take Rt. 89 north 8mi to Taughannock Falls State Park. The gorge and hiking trails are on your left. For an easier view, turn left on Taughannock Park Road and follow the signs to the overlook above the falls.

Check out Cayuga Nature Center. Learn about environmental and outdoor education in a fun and engaging way. Visit a 6-story treehouse!

Watkins Glen State Park: Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. The hike includes 832 steps! There is excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.

Getting to Watkins Glen State Park: From the Thruway, take exit 42 (Geneva/Lyons) and follow Rt 14 south, through Geneva, and continue south along Seneca Lake for 33 miles to the village of Watkins Glen. The park entrance is in the middle of the village, to your right.

Sleep: There are many hotel and VRBO options in Ithaca. Contact me to book your stay or check out the previous links.

Day 4: Stony Brook State Park & Letchworth State Park

Stony Brook State Park: Stony Brook State Park features a rugged gorge in the rolling hills of Western New York. You can enjoy the park’s rich scenery while camping, picnicking, swimming or hiking. There are 3 hiking trails which are all about 1 mile long with many stairs making them moderately difficult. The park’s gorge trail begins at a stream-fed pool in the North Entrance and passes by 3 major waterfalls. The Gorge Trail as the easiest and most scenic. The Rim Trails climb the towering cliffs through the woodlands that overlook waterfalls and awesome rock formations.

Getting to Stony Brook State Park: Take I-390 to Rt. 36 (exit 4) Dansville/Hornell. Turn south onto Rt. 36 and follow it for about a mile. The park entrance will be on your left.

Letchworth State Park: Letchworth State Park is renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East”. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs–as high as 600 feet in some places–surrounded by lush forests. Choose among 66 miles of hiking trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, tours, a summer lecture series, whitewater rafting, kayaking, a pool for swimming and hot air ballooning. 

The Humphrey Nature Center offers year-round environmental education opportunities for school groups, scouts, youth organizations, and the general public. Programming and interactive exhibits highlight the geology, wildlife, and ecology of the park.

I highly recommend waterproof hiking sneakers on these trails:

These products come in handy for long walks as well: