The Finger Lakes is a region known for the eleven long, slender, deep lakes. It’s right there in the name. Of course, wine is also one of the top calling cards here.

But some of the most appealing natural assets that often leaves visitors, and locals alike, in aw are the wide array of waterfalls splashing their way through gorges and down hillsides throughout the area.

Two State Parks voted to the Top 3 in the entire country are just a short drive from Corning making the small town an excellent base camp for exploring the region’s many iconic waterfalls. Spectacular falls like those at Letchworth (named USA Today’s Best State Park in the country) is a 90 minute scenic drive from Corning while Watkins Glen’s stunning 19 waterfalls are a mere 30-minutes away.

Letchworth’s Spectacular Waterfalls

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park has been named best state park in the United States and wears that moniker with pride. With stunning views, an assortment of hiking trails (including a special Autism Nature Trail), and dramatic waterfalls, Letchworth offers something for the avid outdoor enthusiast and those simply looking to take in the natural wonders.

This is one of those places you need to experience for yourself, as words (and often photographs) just don’t quite measure up to the grandeur and beauty of the parks sundry falls and sheer expansiveness. There are opportunities for seasonal balloon flights over the park allowing you a birds-eye view, guided river paddles, plenty of photo ops, scenic lookouts, a playground for the little ones, campgrounds, an historic restaurant, and a number of spots to picnic or simply settle in and breathe.

Watkins Glen’s Iconic 19 Waterfalls 

Not to be outdone, Watkins Glen State Park is a photographer’s dream (though it’s best to go on weekdays as the weekend crowds will certainly be visible). With 19 waterfalls and a deep glacially-carved gorge with steep rock-faced cliffs, The Glen allows visitors the rare opportunity to walk beside, beneath, and even behind waterfalls.

Be prepared for a good leg workout as there are over 800 stone steps traversing the gorge trail, but if you are up to the challenge the visual rewards are plentiful. There are camping options, a gift shop, even a public swimming pool.

Stony Brook State Park

Stony Brook offers a very scenic terrain comprised of forest, a deep gorge with rugged cliffs overlooking three main waterfalls and fascinating rock formations.

With a natural pool for lifeguarded swimming in season, numerous picnic areas, and playground, Stony Brook is a perfect spot for couples, friends, solo adventurers, or the whole family looking to get back to nature.

With three main falls and a handful of smaller cascades, Stony Brook tends to surprise visitors.

Taughannock Falls State Park

You very well may have already seen stunning photos of this waterfall without even knowing where it was.

The long lean drop creates a breathtaking visual. Though more slender than Niagara Falls, Taughannock is taller (coming in as the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi and west of The Rockies). With trails offering views from above and below, Taughannock is definitely eye candy regardless of the season.

The park’s proximity to multi-use trails, camp sites, and Cayuga Lake make it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Keuka Outlet Trail

One of those secret places enjoyed by locals with wonderful hiking and waterfall experiences. A mostly flat, paved, seven-mile tract of wooded trail offers options for fishing, hiking, biking, even horseback riding, as well as snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the wintertime (see restrictions and regulations).

The trail touches on local history as it runs between Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake along the long-faded Fall Brook Railroad, following the historic Crooked Lake Canal which once connected the lakes.

The descent is gradual, taking you through a deep gorge, and makes for hikes that aren’t too strenuous no matter which direction you’re headed.

With waterfalls resulting from the ruins of historic mills, the trail also provides some interesting glimpses into the past. With spots for picnics and photos, the trail is a wonderful diversion from the hectic pace of everyday life. You can even rent bicycles to ride, or kayaks for a paddle in the outlet for other fun outdoor activities.

Take in Natural Wonders From Your Car

The Finger Lakes region contains numerous falls and runoffs cascading down hillsides that you can view from your car as you drive. Some of the most popular are found below.   

Hector Falls

One of the wonderful views from Seneca Lake enjoyed by boaters as well as folks sailing on Schooner True Love or on a Captain Bill’s dinner cruise, are the beautiful Hector Falls plunging down a hillside hight above the lake. If you aren’t able to get out on the water, you can still enjoy the natural beauty of Hector Falls on the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway, a 19-mile stretch of road that ambles past vineyards and a variety of beverage producers (from wine, craft beer, and distilled products).

Please Note: while pulling over near the falls allows you an up-close glimpse at this natural wonder, getting out of your vehicle is strongly discouraged and can be extremely dangerous, as the Scenic Byway is a rural highway with high traffic flow.

SheQuaGa Falls (Montour Falls)

Not far from Watkins Glen and Seneca Lake, you’ll find quiet little Montour Falls which was developed on the site of a former Seneca Indian village, Queanettquaga, also known as Catherine’s Town after a prominent Seneca Indian resident and leader, Queen Catharine Montour.

When you arrive in downtown Montour, you are instantly struck by the breathtaking backdrop of SheQuaGa falling over 150 feet at the end of the road. If the scene looks familiar, you might have seen it on the Hallmark Channel, as the falls appear during opening credits in some episodes of one of the popular Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.

Gorges, Glens, and Gullies

Some of the best falls in the region are in places even some of the locals don’t know. These falls sometimes require hiking along streams and creeks, and passing through private land. In order to maintain the natural integrity of these wild spaces and out of respect for nature and any landowners, please be mindful to carry out whatever you carry in.

The Ithaca area is known for its gorges and waterfalls like Buttermilk Falls.

One of the best resources for information on waterfalls is NYFalls which provides location details,  historic information and back stories as well as a list of over 600 locations and 2,000 waterfalls, plus beautiful images to give you an idea of what you might discover when you visit.

For additional information on some of the “top waterfalls” in the Finger Lakes, visit GoFingerLakes.

SUSTAINABILITY

Good stewardship is really pretty simple, but can have a big impact on the environment, on wildlife, and on other people. Please be considerate of others, respect wildlife (wild is in the name for a reason), dispose of waste by taking with you what you bring in (“Take-In, Take-Out”), and leave what you find (please do not remove vegetation or wildlife from its natural setting).

Please help preserve these wonderful natural resources by being responsible stewards of the land and waterways you enjoy. And remember, the amount of water flowing depends on recent and current weather conditions, so the falls do not look the same all the time.