Trail Alerts // Hunting seasons have opened in parts of Tompkins County.
Wear blaze orange in areas where hunting is allowed. Check for the latest trail alerts before you go. See All Trail Alerts

Fall Creek Valley North Natural Area

Difficulty // Easy, Moderate, Difficult
Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing, Running
Distance // 3.8 miles
Features // Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash), Bus Stop Nearby
Route Type // Loop
Estimated hiking time // 1 hr 31 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting allowed, use caution.
Surface types // Earth, Pavement
Trail markers // none, orange blaze, red blaze

Cornell Botanic Gardens Fall Creek North Natural Area hosts a section of the Cayuga Trail, which passes through wooded lowlands and hillsides adjacent to Fall Creek. Additional spur trails off of the Cayuga Trail create connector trails that return to the start of the trail at the Stevens Footbridge just above Flat Rocks.

Portions of this trail system are also included in the Cayuga Trail system.

This trail is part of the Cayuga Trail.

White hiking boot on a brown circular background, symbolizing hiking or walking trails.
Hiking
White standard bicycle on a light blue circular background, denoting cycling or bike trails.
Biking
White electric bicycle with a lightning bolt above it on a green circular background, representing e-bike use.
e-Biking
White outline of a horseshoe centered on a gold circular background, symbolizing horseback riding.
Horse
White icon of a person running with motion lines on a dark blue circular background, symbolizing physical activity or trail use.
running
White icon of a kayak with a double-bladed paddle on a brown circular background, representing paddling or kayaking.
Paddling
White crossed skis and ski poles on a light blue circular background, indicating winter sports or skiing.
Skiing
White outline of two crisscrossed snowshoes on a green circular background, representing snowshoeing activity.
Snowshoe
Distance // 0 Miles
Difficulty // Easy
    View Map

    Parking Locations

    Freese Road @ Cayuga Trail
    Get Directions

    Forest Home Drive (Flat Rock)
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Dryden Rd @ Mt Pleasant - Get Directions

      Go northwest on Freese Rd 600 ft, cross bridge and walk 100 ft to dirt road on left. The Cayuga Trail going west follows the road along to the edge of the field.

    Freese Road @ Cayuga Trail
    Get Directions

    Forest Home Drive (Flat Rock)
    Get Directions

    • Dryden Rd @ Mt Pleasant - Get Directions

      Go northwest on Freese Rd 600 ft, cross bridge and walk 100 ft to dirt road on left. The Cayuga Trail going west follows the road along to the edge of the field.

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    Current Trail Alerts

    Roy H. Park Preserve

    • The north entrance to the Roy H. Park Preserve and the boardwalk will be closed to the public from Monday, July 7, through September 2025 as work is underway to install an ADA-accessible path. The south entrance will remain open during this time. Thank you for your patience.

    Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area

    • The section of trail in Fall Creek Gorge west of the suspension bridge to Chi Psi is unstable and closed until further notice.

    Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area

    • A portion of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail between Stewart Avenue and College Avenue is closed for construction and will reopen in spring, 2026. The trail between Linn Street (Treman Triangle) up to the Stewart Avenue Bridge is now open.

    Beebe Lake Natural Area

    • Hemlock Gorge trail upstream of Sackett Bridge is closed.