Taughannock Falls State Park has been drawing visitors to New York’s Finger Lakes region since 1925, and for good reason — its centerpiece waterfall plunges 215 feet into a rock amphitheater, making it one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. That’s 33 feet taller than Niagara Falls.

Spanning 750 acres along the western shore of Cayuga Lake, the park offers two ways to experience the falls. The Gorge Trail follows Taughannock Creek three-quarters of a mile through a dramatic rocky gorge to the falls base — an easy, mostly flat walk that rewards you with a jaw-dropping perspective. The North and South Rim Trails provide overlook views from above, winding through dense forest along the gorge edge.

Beyond the falls, the park sits right on Cayuga Lake, with a swimming beach, boat launch, and excellent shoreline fishing for trout, bass, and perch. Picnic areas dot the lakefront, and the sledding hill and cross-country ski trails keep things lively in winter.

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when the gorge trail is fully accessible and the lake is warm enough for swimming. Spring snowmelt makes the waterfall especially powerful. Fall foliage season transforms the gorge into a canyon of color, though expect crowds on October weekends.

Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, paddling Cayuga Lake, or just looking for a stunning spot to unwind in the Finger Lakes, Taughannock delivers something genuinely memorable.

Explore Nearby

• McAuley Road Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Finger Lakes National Forest — National Forest in New York
• Knapp’s Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania
• Sodus Point Light — Lighthouse in New York
• Sodus Outer Light — Lighthouse in New York