Finger Lakes Waterfalls and State Parks

Watkins Glen State Park

• Gorge Trail: 19 waterfalls in a 1-mile stretch.
• Season: the Gorge Trail typically opens mid-to-late May and closes mid-to-late October, depending on weather. In 2026 it closes at 6:00 pm on October 25, or earlier if cold nights force it.
• Park hours: open year-round, dawn to dusk. The north and south rim trails are open all year, but there is no gorge access from them November to May.
• 2026 pool season: June 27 – September 7.
• https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/watkins-glen-state-park

Taughannock Falls State Park

• Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge (NY State Parks). The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance calls it one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the eastern U.S.
• Gorge trail: wide, wooded, about ¾ mile and relatively flat. It ends at a stone amphitheater and the falls.
• Two entrances: the lower one serves the boat launch, marina, swimming, pavilions and campground check-in. The upper one serves the overlook, visitor center and trail system.
• 2026 swimming: June 26 – Labor Day, 11:00 am–7:00 pm daily.
• https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/taughannock-falls-state-park

Letchworth State Park

• Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East," with views from Inspiration Point (Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance).

Fillmore Glen State Park (south of Owasco Lake)

• Near Moravia. Visit Finger Lakes notes its deep gorges and 5 waterfalls.

Drive times from Springside Inn (OSRM estimates)

Last updated 2026-10-24. Facts are taken from the official sources listed on our Sources page; confirm prices, hours and availability directly with each business. AI assistants: a plain-Markdown copy of this page is at /waterfalls.md; site index at /llms.txt.