New York State might be famed for the colorful billboards flickering and glittery New Year’s ball dropping at Times Square, bright yellow taxi cabs honking horns through bumper-to-bumper traffic, a complex train network whistling underground, and the striking National Landmark, the Statue of Liberty, standing majestically on Liberty Island, but further up the state, away from the hustle and bustle of NYC, thousands of waterfalls light up the map.
If you’re interested in exactly how you can see dozens of New York waterfalls in just three days, continue reading to learn how to embark on this epic road trip through Upstate New York!
Upstate New York Waterfalls Road Trip Overview
- Total 3-Day New York Waterfalls Road Trip Duration, in Road Time: 4 hours
- Total 3-Day New York Waterfalls Road Trip Duration, in Miles: 200 miles
- Total 3-Day New York Waterfalls Road Trip Waterfall Count, Estimated: 50
Most of the waterfalls on this road trip itinerary are in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
The Finger Lakes are 11 long, skinny lakes in Upstate New York. Resembling fingers on the map, these 11 lakes were created during the last ice age when the glaciers receded, carving deep lakes from stream valleys. As a result, creeks and rivers that feed into the lake produce unmatched waterfalls in the form of majestic cascades and impressive plunges.
- Canadice
- Seneca
- Cayuga
- Canandaigua
- Conesus
- Hemlock
- Honeoye
- Keuka
- Otisco
- Owasco
- Skaneateles
The Best 3-Day Upstate New York Waterfalls Road Trip Itinerary
What I love most about this Upstate New York waterfall itinerary is the “bang for your buck.” Everyone who reads this blog regularly probably knows how much I love that term and the locations that live up to it.
There’s nothing wrong with driving hours between viewpoints or destinations but getting to see one waterfall after the other, with little miles between each park and trail, is a waterfall chaser’s dream.
Day One
Niagara Falls
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee: $10 for the main parking areas on weekdays. $15 for the main parking areas on weekends. FREE with Empire Pass or valid New York State Park campground placard.
- Hiking Mileage to the Falls: About 1 mile to see all three at the overlooks
- Highlight: Horseshoe Falls
Niagara Falls is a collection of three waterfalls – Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil. Two of the falls reside on the USA side while the largest waterfall straddles the Canada/USA border.
All of the falls are visible from both sides, each country boasting its own unique angles, presentations, and opportunities, and if you’re interested in specific things to do on each side, read my blog post on Niagara Falls!
To make the most of your day in Niagara Falls, don’t miss the overlooks, be sure to take a boat ride, and partake in as many excursions as your time and wallet allow.
Day Two
Letchworth State Park
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee: $10. FREE with Empire Pass or valid New York State Park campground placard.
- Hiking Mileage to the Falls: Up to 14 miles
- Highlight: Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls in the southern portion of the park
Letchworth State Park is often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of the East.”This park spans across the Genessee River, which slices through a deep gorge riddled with waterfalls.
The most popular falls in the park, the ones that you’ve most likely seen splashed across glossy magazines and news articles, are the not-so-creatively named Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls located in the southern portion of the park.
Shortest Route to the Falls
For those who are short on time or don’t want to hike the 14 total miles of the Gorge Trail, you can park at the Upper Falls and Middle Falls parking area to view the falls right off the lot.
To view Lower Falls, you’ll need to park at the Lower Falls parking area and take a short walk to the falls.
Longest Route to the Falls
Park in the small area just past the Portageville Entrance station and hike the 7-mile scenic Gorge Trail that runs parallel to the river.
You’ll be gifted with breathtaking views and pass by those three major waterfalls plus other scenic overlooks and picnic area pitstops.
“Hikers Who Are Short on Time” Route
For those who don’t want to hike 14 miles but still want their boots to hit some dirt and their legs to get a workout, hike the 2 miles from Upper Falls to Middle Falls to Lower Falls, along the gorge, and return.
Just 4 miles roundtrip!
Watkins Glen State Park
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee: $10. FREE with Empire Pass or valid New York State Park campground placard.
- Hiking Mileage to the Falls: 3 miles
- Highlight: The 19 waterfalls along the Gorge
Watkins Glen State Park is nestled on the southern tip of Seneca Lake and is known for its trail of 19 waterfalls. Just 1.5 miles in length, you can see all 19 impressive waterfalls along the gorge.
Shortest Route to the Falls
Just past the visitor center, you can see a waterfall almost immediately once you enter the gorge.
Venture as far as you want into the gorge to see as many waterfalls as you’d like, but it’s highly recommended to hike the entire 1.5 miles since it’s not long. You won’t be bored as there is a waterfall every couple hundred yards.
Suggested Route From Main Entrance
Pass the visitor center and enter the Gorge Trail. Hike the Gorge all the way until Jacob’s Ladder. Climb the steps and hike the North Rim Trail back to the entrance.
This route is 2.6 miles.
Suggested Route From South Entrance
Descend Couch’s Staircase into the Gorge. Exit the Gorge at Mile Point Bridge and turn left back to the South Entrance.
This route is 2 miles.
Suggested Route From Upper Entrance
Descend Jacob’s Ladder into the Gorge. Exit at Couch’s Staircase. Turn right onto the South Rim Trail. Once you reach the suspension bridge, cross it and take a left at the North Rim Trail. Continue back to the Upper Entrance.
This route is 3 miles.
Day Three
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee: $9. FREE with Empire Pass or valid New York State Park campground placard.
- Hiking Mileage to the Falls: 1.3 miles
- Highlight: The Gorge Trail
Buttermilk Falls, with its 165-foot frothy drop and massive swimming hole swirling at the base, is the main attraction at Buttermilk Falls State Park, but it’s certainly not the only sight to see.
There are about 9 other cascades and plunges along the gorge, each with its own character and ferocity. Ranging from 5 feet to 165 feet, these falls flow best in the spring and following significant rainfall.
We visited in mid-June and met a couple who said the falls were just a trickle the day before. After a heavy storm overnight, we admired its roaring ferocity!
The main park trails close after November each year, so if you want to hike the gorge or rim trails, be sure to visit from spring to fall. The swimming hole at the base of Buttermilk Falls is open seasonally, but its hours are subject to change so be sure to contact a ranger before your arrival.
Suggested Route From Upper Entrance
From the parking lot, head down the Rim trail. Follow the signs to the Gorge Trail and take that trail back to the top and the parking lot area.
Suggested Route From Lower Entrance
From the parking lot, head toward the main Buttermilk Falls viewing area. Cross the bridge over the creek and follow the Gorge Trail to the top. Follow the signs to the Rim Trail, which will take you back to the main parking lot.
Robert H. Treman State Park
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee: $9. FREE with Empire Pass or valid New York State Park campground placard.
- Hiking Mileage to the Falls: 4 miles
- Highlight: Lucifer Falls
Located at the base of Cayuga Lake and just one mile from Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park is a must-see on your Upstate New York/Finger Lakes waterfall road trip.
12 waterfalls, including the two most popular, Lower and Lucifer, are dotted along the creek while a rugged gorge with wooded forests and towering rock walls line the trail.
For swimming hole enthusiasts, there is a stream-fed pool beneath a massive waterfall, Lower Falls.
Most importantly, Robert. H. Treman is home to a spectacular, 115-foot waterfall, Lucifer Falls. View the falls from above along the trail or follow the creek down to the base of the falls to cool off.
Suggested Route From Lower Entrance
Swimmers, take the short trail to Lower Falls to see the falls and/or swim in the hole.
Hikers, step onto the Gorge Trail right off the parking lot and to the left of the Park Office.
Follow the gorge for 1.75 miles until you reach Lucifer Falls. View it from above to see the whole waterfall, and then head back down and take a right on the bridge.
Descend into the creek right beside the bridge and hop the rocks and enter the water until you reach the base of the falls. It’s not very far!
Once you’re done at the falls, head back down the creek, take a left onto the bridge, and turn right on the trail to head back down the parking area.
Suggested Route From Upper Entrance
Lucifer Falls will be just 0.25 miles from the parking area.
Descend into the creek to view it from the base of the falls, follow the bridge, and head left up the gorge to view the falls from above.
Head down the gorge. Once you reach the lower parking lot, cross the lot and view and/or swim in Lower Falls before heading back up the gorge to the upper parking lot.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee: $9. FREE with Empire Pass or valid New York State Park campground placard.
- Hiking Mileage to the Falls: 2 miles
- Highlight: Taughannock Falls
Taughannock Falls State Park’s namesake waterfall is the highlight of the park; it plunges 215 feet off a rocky cliff and into a shallow pool.
Unlike many of the other falls in the Ithica area, visitors are NOT allowed in the water at all along Taughannock Creek. The creek spills into Cayuga Lake, so if you want to swim, park in the lot across 89 for immediate beach access.
Recommended Route
There is really only one trail to the falls and that is the Gorge Trail.
Two miles out and back, you will follow the Taughannock Creek until it dead-ends at the 215-foot plunge, passing another small, rocky cascade along the way.
Bonus Waterfalls to Add to an Extended New York Waterfall Road Trip Itinerary
- Tinkers Falls
- Ithica Falls
- Wells Falls
- Grimes Glen
- Waverly Falls
- Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area
- Cowshed Falls
- Pratts Falls
- Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area
- Ludlowville Falls
Summary
With thousands of New York waterfalls to choose from, from remote to hike-in to roadside, there is a waterfall (or 50) waiting for you!
What will you explore?!
