Trumansburg, NY
Parking:
Parking is abundant at Taughannock Falls State Park. During the tourist season the park charges for parking at the main parking lot at the entrance to the gorge. Free parking is available at the lake across the street, at the Taughannock Falls overlook, and at small pull offs and lots surrounding the trail. Parking is marked on the map below.
View Taughannock Falls in a larger map
Terrain:
The Gorge Trail is flat and follows the stream bed up to the falls. There seem to always be muddy spots no matter the season and water leaks from the gorge walls. Expect some water along the trail.
The South Rim Trail Entrance is near the start of the Gorge Trail. There is a stone staircase in the pine woods leading up. The stone work and tall pines are one of the most beautiful areas on the trail. There are a lot of stairs.
The North Rim Trail Entrance starts across the bridge on the opposite side of the gorge. The staircase climbs up the hill through mostly deciduous trees and is visible from the road. Again there are a lot of stairs.
All trails are clearly marked, some areas have stone stairs but most of the trail is packed earth.
The parking lot at the gorge entrance is approx 400' ASL and the rim trails climb to about 800' near Jacksonville Road.
Scenery:
Taughannock Falls is 215' in height with imposing rock walls rising towards 400'. This surpasses Niagara Fall's own 165' height making it the tallest vertical drop in New York State and possibly the East Coast. The gorge and stream bed are visible from much of the rim trails that wind along the gorge. Cayuga Lake can be seen in the distance from up on the rim.
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| Taughannock Falls from Overlook |
