Taughannock Falls State Park — Attraction in Town of Ulysses

Intro: Decided to stop at this park on my way to Watkins Glen. I have to say, I did not expect just how big this park is. I fully enjoyed myself while I was here, as well as possibly walked the most I have ever done at any State Park, heh.

Entrance: The main entrance is on 89, where there is a lake(beach) to one side, and the gorge on the other. Plenty of signs, hard to miss, but be weary of crossing visitors. There is another entrance, one that it further up north on 89 that leads to the Visitor Center on the North Rim trail with an overlook with a nice view of the Waterfall.

Parking: Plenty of parking, the most being on the lake side. However, even at the busiest time, there was plenty of parking at the Visitor Center despite the smaller lot. Parking is $10.

Facilities: Lake side has a snack bar, restrooms facilities, marina, campgrounds, and pavilions. On the Gorge side, there isn't any facilities on the Gorge trail itself, but there is an Inn at the entrance. The North Rim trail has the Visitor Center which has a small gift shop and bathroom facilities. There is nothing on the South Rim trail

Trails and other Features: So, I ended up going up the South Rim trail, which can be very strenuous, thinking it will offer more views and have a way of going into the Gorge. Neither are true. Don't get me wrong, there are lookout points scattered along the South trail, but the rest of the time, the trees, specifically the foliage, blocks the view of the Gorge. However, the lookout points are definitely worth the effort. Eventually you get to a suspension bridge and cross over to the North Rim trail. Unfortunately, other than the Overlook over by the Visitor Center, there wasn't any good lookout points on the North trail. Luckily, you can just drive to the Overlook if you aren't in the mood to do a hike. I actually recommend the hike if you are able, despite the lack of view into the Gorge, it's a very nice set of trails. Eventually you loop back to the entrance, that's where I went into the Gorge trail. The biggest difference between the Rim and Gorge trails is the amount of people. The Gorge trail is very easy to travel, so its full of people, the Rim trails are a bit more difficult, so a lot less people (If any) on them, especially the South Rim trail, where people can't drive up to it like with the North Rim trail.

Final Word: It's a great park, with plenty of locations, trails and activities you can do. If you plan ahead, you can potentially spend the whole day there without getting bored, going from one location to the next. The Gorge and views are quite...

Taughannock Falls State Park, located in Ulysses, New York, near Trumansburg, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Taughannock Falls: The centerpiece of the park is Taughannock Falls, one of the most outstanding natural attractions of the Northeast. Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. It's one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls east of the Mississippi River and is even taller than Niagara Falls.

Geology and History: The park's geology is a significant part of its appeal. The falls have been carved out by the Taughannock Creek over thousands of years, cutting through layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone. The area's history includes various uses by Native American tribes, and later by European settlers.

Hiking and Trails: The park offers a range of hiking trails that cater to all skill levels. The Gorge Trail is a popular, easy hike that takes visitors directly to the base of the falls. The Rim Trail provides a more challenging hike, offering a view from the top of the gorge.

Recreational Activities: In addition to hiking, the park features activities such as camping, picnicking, and swimming. There's a beach area on Cayuga Lake, and the park also offers boat rentals for those looking to explore the lake.

Wildlife and Flora: The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The surrounding woods and wetlands are excellent for bird watching and spotting wildlife.

Events and Programs: Taughannock Falls State Park hosts various events throughout the year, including guided walks, educational programs, and musical concerts.

Accessibility and Facilities: The park is well-equipped with facilities including picnic areas, playgrounds, a campground, and cabins. The Gorge Trail to the waterfall is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, making it a great destination for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Conservation Efforts: As a protected state park, there are ongoing efforts to conserve the natural environment of Taughannock Falls and its surrounding areas.

Visitor Information: The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be seasonal. There's an entry fee during certain times of the year.

Visiting Taughannock Falls State Park offers a unique opportunity to experience the majestic beauty of upstate New York's natural landscapes and provides a tranquil escape for outdoor enthusiasts and...

Of all the waterfalls we saw this was the most accessible peaceful walk to the base of the falls. When you get to the falls you can see the water hit the ground from a 215ft height and create clouds of water that look like spectors escaping the phantom zone. As you are walking back along the gorge the sheer walls are Awe inspiring and you are struck by the fact that all the rocks break off at perfect 90 degree angles. So over time the gorge is always giving birth to new views and experiences. Looking at the gorge walls you can see the chronology of the earth in each of the sentiment layers and get a picture that you are standing on ground that was so deep in the earth it hasn't seen light in thousands of years. Along the way back I also stopped to read the trail signs that tell you the history and geology of everything around you. After that peaceful hike we headed to the North Rim Trail which meant more stairs!!!! It was not as bad as the day before through as they were built with rest benches at every bend. We then did a grueling up hill mile hike to the overlook of the gorge only to find that there is a parking lot there that you can drive to the top!! Sigh! At least on the way up we found a view of the gorge that looks out onto Cayuga lake, so not a waste of energy at all. The change in perspective from the base of the waterfall to the outlook is the change from raw power to grand beauty. From the overlook you can also see the water headed for the falls and imagine what it might think about that. In all it was a 5.6 mile hike that started easy and ended hard, not the normal order I...