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Ithaca Falls

Difficulty // Moderate
Activities // Hiking
Distance // 0.1 miles
Features // Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Picnicking allowed, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Route Type // Out and Back
Estimated hiking time // 2 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Gravel / Stone Dust
Trail markers // none

Beautiful year-round, 100′ vertical fall by 150′ wide with cliffs rising another 100′. Visible from Lake St. bridge or a couple minute walk to the base of the falls. Red Tailed Hawks nest on cliffs above, Turkey Vultures and many other birds take advantage of air currents, a popular fishing hole as well. Swimming is illegal and currents near the falls are deadly. While the park entrance is fairly flat and provides a wheelchair accessible path to overlook the creek, the path heading toward the falls can be somewhat rough and uneven. A short, but somewhat steep trail enters the woods and loose stone and earth paths provide access to Fall Creek and up close to Ithaca Falls.

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

    Parking Locations

    Ithaca Falls
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Lake @ Falls - Get Directions

      Waterfall and trail on east side of Lake St.

    Ithaca Falls
    Get Directions

    • Lake @ Falls - Get Directions

      Waterfall and trail on east side of Lake St.

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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 will be closed from June 10, 2025 to early September 2025. 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.

    Black Diamond Trail

    • Starting September 2, 2025 park staff will be performing trail maintenance on the Black Diamond Trail between Perry City Road and Garrett Road. Sections of the trail will be intermittently closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Please use alternate routes during that time. The work is expected to last several weeks.