Ithaca Falls and Cascadilla Gorge Trail offer two different ways to see Ithaca’s water and landscape: a large waterfall at a neighborhood park and a gorge path that climbs between downtown and Cornell’s campus. Plan around the gorge trail’s many stairs and seasonal restrictions, which can change with weather and trail conditions.
- Ithaca Falls is Fall Creek’s final plunge to Cayuga Lake.
- Cascadilla Gorge Trail connects downtown Ithaca with College Avenue on Cornell’s campus and ascends 400 feet.
- The gorge trail has many stairs and may close in icy conditions or for the season.
How Ithaca Falls and Cascadilla Gorge differ
Ithaca Falls is a waterfall viewing outing, while Cascadilla Gorge is a stair-filled walk linking downtown and campus. The falls drop 150 feet and span 175 feet; the city lists the site as an 11.31-acre neighborhood park and natural area.
Fall Creek makes its final plunge to Cayuga Lake at Ithaca Falls. The setting also has visible traces of its industrial past: by 1817, six mills operated there, and ruins remain on the south bank.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail offers a route through the gorge rather than a single waterfall viewpoint. The trail ascends 400 feet between downtown Ithaca and College Avenue on campus, and the walk is 1.3 miles with many stairs.
If you’re planning a broader day around the city, this practical one-day Ithaca route can help place the gorge or falls alongside town and campus stops.
Finding Ithaca Falls and checking access
Ithaca Falls is at Lake Street, where the city classifies the 11.31-acre site as a neighborhood park and natural area. The park assessment marks it for seasonal use in winter, spring, summer and fall.
From downtown, take Aurora Street north for 0.7 miles, turn right onto Lincoln Street, then make an immediate left onto Lake Street; the falls are on the right. If you’re driving, use the route as a sequence of turns rather than assuming the viewing area is directly on the main road.
Ithaca Falls is about 3.3 miles from Springwater Inn. The falls and gorge also fit into a wider outdoor itinerary; this comparison of Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock Falls covers two other Ithaca-area park outings.
Walking the Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge Trail links downtown Ithaca with Cornell’s campus, with trailheads at opposite ends of the route. For a downtown start, the lower trailhead is Treman Triangle Park off Linn Street; the upper trailhead is behind Cornell’s Schwartz Center for Theatre Arts on College Avenue.
The route has many stairs, so allow for a climb as you move between the two ends. It ascends 400 feet and covers 1.3 miles. Linn Street near downtown is another identified entrance.
If you start downtown, locate the Linn Street entrance and follow the gorge uphill toward College Avenue. Starting at the campus end reverses that direction. Street parking is limited near the upper entrance; the Dryden Road garage is a nearby paid lot.
Trail safety and seasonal restrictions
Cascadilla Gorge Trail access can change with weather and trail conditions, so confirm the current status before planning a walk. Cornell says caution and regulation signs change throughout the year, and exact open sections can vary.
From early spring to late November, the Finger Lakes Land Trust describes the trail as open during daylight hours, but says it is often closed when icy conditions are present. Cornell warns that snow and ice make gorge trails hazardous, most gorge trails are not maintained in winter, and the lower section of Cascadilla Gorge closes for the season.
Follow posted signs, stay on the trail and do not enter closed areas. Swimming is prohibited in Cornell’s gorges at all times. Before you go, check the official site for current trail status and access information.
FAQs
How long is Cascadilla Gorge Trail?
Cascadilla Gorge Trail is a 1.3-mile walk connecting Cornell’s campus and downtown Ithaca. The route includes many stairs and ascends 400 feet.
Where are the Cascadilla Gorge Trail entrances?
The lower trailhead is at Treman Triangle Park off Linn Street. The upper trailhead is behind Cornell’s Schwartz Center for Theatre Arts on College Avenue.
Can you swim in Cascadilla Gorge?
No. Cornell prohibits swimming in its gorges at all times.
Is Cascadilla Gorge Trail open in winter?
Winter snow and ice can make gorge trails hazardous, and several trails, including the lower section of Cascadilla Gorge, close for the season. Check current restrictions before setting out.