Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
4.5
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- Michael KSan Jose, California1,144 contributionsBest place to properly view Ithaca FallsThere are two ways to view Ithaca Falls. One way is on the lookout on Lake St. bridge. This is the easiest but the view is partially obstructed by trees. The other way is to hike down to the Ithaca Falls Natural Area. This affords the best view and you can get as close as you want to the water.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 22, 2023
- say11782Sayville, New York16 contributionsAmazing falls! Easy walk in.So easy to get to. We were on limited time- this was the perfect spot. Short walk in. Not difficult at all. Falls were spectacular and free! Well worth it. Absolutely beautiful. The whole Cornell and Ithaca falls area is beautiful.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 25, 2024
- WhinbrookGreater London, United Kingdom734 contributionsThrilling sites but visitor centre map incorrectAmazing that these waterfalls are in the town limits of Ithaca. Not many places can boast that! It was quite a thrill to view them even if the official falls walking map we got from the visitor centre has an numbering error resulting in some confusion and wasted travelling time trying to gauge which waterfall is which. And the visitor centre knows of this printing error and can't be bothered to point it out.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 26, 2024
- ChrisHFrederick, Maryland550 contributionsNice visitTwo adults visited Ithaca Falls in downtown Ithaca late on a Sunday in mid-August and enjoyed the scenery. There is free parking available across the street. The falls are partially visible on the bridge across from the parking lot. We also took the short fairly easy walk up the gorge trail to the base of the falls for better pictures. Pretty impressive falls for inside a city.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 5, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
279 reviews
Excellent
201
Very good
70
Average
8
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Terrible
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Gregory M
Westchester, IL336 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
There are a number of water falls located in the Ithaca, NY area. It is an easy drive to various falls and most are a short walk from the parking areas. It was a pleasant afternoon enjoying the beauty of nature. Most are located on state parks and there is a $4 entrance fee if you go before 6 pm.
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nzggator
New York99 contributions
Oct 2020
I visited a handful of Ithaca waterfalls last week and Ithaca waterfall was my favorite. I loved how big the Ithaca falls were. Make sure to bring a lunch or a snack as you would want to just sit and relax while watching these incredible falls. I had no problem finding free parking around the area. Afterwards I left my car and walked around Ithaca as finding a parking spot can be hard to find. Just be warned Ithaca can be very hilly. Everyone seemed to be keeping there 6 feet distance. In Ithaca the foliage was amazing. Come to Ithaca falls you will have a fantastic time!
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theoljohnnyboy
New Florence, PA1,586 contributions
Aug 2020
We found out about this location at the Taughannock Falls VC and decided to check it out as it was close by. It is easy to find, an easy walk, and a nice view at the end. No admission costs, however no swimming and lead in the soil take away some of the fun from this location.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisH
Frederick, MD550 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Two adults visited Ithaca Falls in downtown Ithaca late on a Sunday in mid-August and enjoyed the scenery. There is free parking available across the street. The falls are partially visible on the bridge across from the parking lot. We also took the short fairly easy walk up the gorge trail to the base of the falls for better pictures. Pretty impressive falls for inside a city.
Written September 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whinbrook
Greater London, UK734 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Amazing that these waterfalls are in the town limits of Ithaca. Not many places can boast that! It was quite a thrill to view them even if the official falls walking map we got from the visitor centre has an numbering error resulting in some confusion and wasted travelling time trying to gauge which waterfall is which. And the visitor centre knows of this printing error and can't be bothered to point it out.
Written June 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shifra w
toronto4,651 contributions
Jun 2023
This is a very nice natural area adjacent to Ithaca Falls, where you can take a short hike to the base of the falls and get a better view, not blocked by foliage on the street.
It is strewn with rocks, so wear good shoes.
It can also be wet and slippery as you approach the falls.
There is a chain to grab onto at that point.
Stay in the designated area and do not wander off. There is a sign saying that some of the roped off areas are contaminated by lead.
This can be a very good place to take pictures.
It is strewn with rocks, so wear good shoes.
It can also be wet and slippery as you approach the falls.
There is a chain to grab onto at that point.
Stay in the designated area and do not wander off. There is a sign saying that some of the roped off areas are contaminated by lead.
This can be a very good place to take pictures.
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jinxminx
Takoma Park, MD455 contributions
Aug 2019
This waterfall blew my mind. It is gorgeous, and it is basically right in town. Completely free.
There is a parking lot sort of up a hill, it's not really marked too well, but it's free and right there, just before you get to the falls. There's another little lot as well. Once you park, it's just a short little walk to the falls.
The notable thing about the walk are the warnings. First of all, DO NOT SWIM. Do not even think about it. You will get sucked under into some little whirlpool and divers will have to risk their lives recovering your body, is the gist of that. Also, the area up the hill used to be an ammunition factory and the soil is lead contaminated, so don't go touching that hillside. There are plenty of warning signs, just keep an eye on little ones.
Once you have braved those dangers, bam, there is the magnificent waterfall! In the DC area where I live waterfalls this big are vanishingly rare, and you would be hiking for miles to get to one. But here's this one, just sitting there right in town.
We saw a lot of waterfalls on this trip to Ithaca and upstate New York, definitely more than I'd seen in the rest of my life put together, and this one was one of my favorites, and no hiking required.
There is a parking lot sort of up a hill, it's not really marked too well, but it's free and right there, just before you get to the falls. There's another little lot as well. Once you park, it's just a short little walk to the falls.
The notable thing about the walk are the warnings. First of all, DO NOT SWIM. Do not even think about it. You will get sucked under into some little whirlpool and divers will have to risk their lives recovering your body, is the gist of that. Also, the area up the hill used to be an ammunition factory and the soil is lead contaminated, so don't go touching that hillside. There are plenty of warning signs, just keep an eye on little ones.
Once you have braved those dangers, bam, there is the magnificent waterfall! In the DC area where I live waterfalls this big are vanishingly rare, and you would be hiking for miles to get to one. But here's this one, just sitting there right in town.
We saw a lot of waterfalls on this trip to Ithaca and upstate New York, definitely more than I'd seen in the rest of my life put together, and this one was one of my favorites, and no hiking required.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN5,776 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
Ithaca Falls (I’m referring to the town and large waterfall proper) is very quirky and pretty, but I enjoyed Robert H. Treman Park (also further out in Ithaca) better. This place, full of nature, Cornell University, little shops and restaurants, is definitely worth a visit, but I think the main falls is overrated. The main trail going to the base of the falls wasn’t even open when I went. There is supposed to be a mural project, which I plan to visit later. Definitely a college town as well!
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwo911turbo
Jamestown, NY473 contributions
Jul 2021
I've been there several times at different times of the year. It was always great to see and heard the the falls. Beautiful in the winter and fall. Everyone if in Ithaca should take an hour to walk to the base of the falls.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
San Jose, CA1,144 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
There are two ways to view Ithaca Falls. One way is on the lookout on Lake St. bridge. This is the easiest but the view is partially obstructed by trees. The other way is to hike down to the Ithaca Falls Natural Area. This affords the best view and you can get as close as you want to the water.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I see on the map there is horseshoe falls and rocky falls, can you get there from the parking lot off lake st? If, so how far? ty
Written January 23, 2024
Hi, where do you park for Ithaca falls nature area? How long is the trail? ty
Written January 21, 2024
There's a small parking area off Lake Street. You have to drive up a driveway to the car park. The trail is very short. Just walk about 150 yards along the creek to the base of the falls.
Written January 21, 2024
Hi, where do you park for Ithaca falls natural area? How far to walk to the falls? ty
Written January 21, 2024
Parking is almost directly across the street from the falls. At the most 1/4 mile walk to the falls some steps.
Written January 22, 2024
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