Disclaimer: I haven't been everywhere or seen everything. This is my top ten of the Finger Lakes waterfalls, which is almost certainly incomplete and debatable. Please leave a comment at the bottom if you agree, disagree, or have other suggestions!
Map tips: click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
One more thing before we get to the list - please follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace when in nature: plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of other visitors.
10: Shequaga Falls
- Ease of access: Drive-by or steps from street parking
Shequaga Falls is located along Genesee Street in Montour Falls, which is less than 10 minutes south of Watkins Glen. You can see this one right from your car or find parking on a nearby street and walk there for a better view. It can be a wasted trip, however, if waterflow is low. The picture above is of relatively low flow, but it looks awesome when there’s a lot of water.
9: Ithaca Falls
- Ease of access: Minutes from the parking lot
Ithaca Falls is in, you guessed it, Ithaca. It’s several minutes north of downtown and you’ll want to park in a lot on the corner of East Falls Street and Lake Street. There is a short trail leading to this view of the falls, which are much larger (150 feet) than you might think.
8: Hector Falls
- Ease of access: Roadside stop
Hector Falls is only about a 5-minute drive north of Watkins Glen, and right on the side of Route 414 near Burdett. There is not really a parking lot or much room at all to get out and admire it on foot, so be careful. This might also be a waste when there isn’t much water, but it won’t take too much of your time to verify.
7: Upper Taughannock Falls
- Ease of access: Minutes from the parking lot
Upper Taughannock Falls is probably the least-known waterfall on this list. Park at “Black Diamond Parking” on Google Maps, near the intersection of Jacksonville Road and Taughannock Park Road. Take a very short path from the lot to the Black Diamond Trail, make a left, and in a matter of steps you’ll be standing on a bridge overlooking the falls.
6: Eagle Cliff Falls
- Ease of access: Minutes from the parking lot
Eagle Cliff Falls is in Havana Glen Park. It’s very easy to combine with Shequaga Falls as it’s also south of Watkins Glen, just a few more minutes past Montour Falls. There is a small fee ($3 per car as of this writing) to enter the park. The trail to the falls only takes a few minutes. It’s a beautiful area to spend some time, but you only really need about 10-15 minutes if you’re in a hurry.
5: Enfield Falls (aka Lower Treman Falls)
- Ease of access: Minutes from the parking lot
Now this one is fun. If you can get there when the weather is nice and the waterfalls are booming, Enfield Falls yields one of the neatest photo opportunities. The swimming area and diving board are right in front of the falls! It’s still worth it at any time of the year, however. There is a $10 fee to enter Robert H. Treman State Park. Park at the large Gorge Trail Lower Trailhead lot and the falls are only a few minutes away.
Treman State Park is close to Ithaca and is easy to combine with Ithaca Falls and Taughannock Falls.
4: Taughannock Falls
- Ease of access: Steps from the parking lot for an elevated view or a 2-mile RT hike for ground-level
Higher than Niagara Falls, Taughannock Falls is one of the most popular in all of New York. The view in the picture above is from the overlook view point, right by the visitor center. You can also take a relatively easy, 2-mile RT stroll along the Gorge Trail to view it from the bottom. Set your expectations accordingly, however, as there is not a lot of water flowing during the summer and fall. $10 per vehicle to enter the park.
3: Lucifer Falls
- Ease of access: ~3 mile RT hike
After visiting Enfield Falls, follow signs for the Rim Trail and take it about 1.5 miles to the Lucifer Falls overlook. There is a stone staircase that leads up to the elevated view, seen in the second/bottom photo above. You can continue on the Rim Trail until it loops all the way around and turns into the Gorge Trail on the other side, then take that back. You’ll pass the top of the falls on the way. Or, after the overlook, you can walk back down the stone steps, cross the Enfield Creek to the Gorge Trail right there, and then head to the top of the falls to cut off some mileage. As mentioned above, $10 per car to enter the park.
2: Cavern Cascade
- Ease of access: 10-15 minute hike from parking lot at Lower Watkins Glen
There are 19 waterfalls along the 3-mile RT Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen. I recommend parking at the lower end (there are several places along the gorge to park) and ascending the 800 stairs. That provides the best views because the waterfalls will be in front of you. Depending on the time of year, you might be able to take a shuttle from the top to the bottom and save the return hike ($6 per person as of this writing).
Watkins Glen is the most famous part of the Finger Lakes and it can get incredibly busy. Try to go during a weekday if possible, and be prepared for crowds around Cavern Cascade.
1: Rainbow Falls
- Ease of access: Most of the 1.5 miles on the Gorge Trail
The best of the Finger Lakes waterfalls is no surprise: Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen State Park. It looks like something out of a fairy tale with the stone bridge, multiple cascading pools, and water falling right by the trail, too. Expect lots of people around unless you’re there in a non-peak time. Depending on the crowds, you could get from the bottom of the gorge to Rainbow Falls in about an hour at a reasonable pace that allows you to really enjoy the beauty.
Bonus Falls
That’s not all! There are other fantastic waterfalls within a 2-hour radius of everything on this list. Here are some of the best:
Letchworth State Park
About 1 hour 15 minutes west of Watkins Glen is Letchworth State Park. This is often considered the best state park in the country and sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Here’s a 1-day Trip Report with more details.
Genesee River Falls, Rochester
Rochester is about 1.5 hours north of Watkins Glen and has a lot to offer. The Museum of Play is amazing for all ages and there are multiple waterfalls right in town.
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