No this isn’t clickbait. It’s very real. We went camping in New York and saw 50+ of the most gorgeous waterfalls in New York. It only took 3 days. This itinerary is pretty intense but it’s totally worth it. The great thing about this itinerary is that you can easily opt to skip waterfalls or add a few extra days to make your days milder. We camped with our extended family and it wasn’t uncommon for a family to stay behind once in a while. Keep reading to learn exactly how we did it, cost breakdown, and more.
Weather in Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, NY is the hottest during the months of July & August. If you choose to go during these months make sure that you bring plenty of water with you. I also highly recommend exploring when the sun is less intense (early morning or evening).
*We went in July and there were heat advisories almost every day we were there.
Map of Places to See 50+ New York Waterfalls
I know this map only lists 11 places and I promised 50+ waterfalls. Believe me when I say many of these places have numerous waterfalls. Watkins Glen, for instance, has 19 waterfalls! Buttermilk Falls State Park has 10, Cascadilla Falls State Park has 8, and Robert H. Treman State Park has 12 waterfalls. If you love beautiful places & waterfalls, this is the trip for you!
Helpful Resources We Can’t Live Without
Accommodations- We love and swear by HiltonHonors, but when we want to stay someplace different, we use Hotels.com. You can search for deals on hotels, cabins, houses & more.
Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.
Other Favorites-
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3-Day Itinerary- 50+ Waterfalls in New York
This is the itinerary that we used to see waterfalls in New York. Please feel free to change it up so that it accommodates your family’s needs. Be sure to tell us what changes you made in the comments.
My sister opted to stay a night or 2 in Canada to see Niagara Falls on her way back to Michigan. We had already been there so we opted to skip it and head straight home.
What to Pack for Hiking & Camping in New York
This camping/hiking trip doesn’t call for any specific camping/hiking gear. If you’ve been hiking/camping before, you can skip over this list. If it’s your first time camping or hiking, I definitely recommend checking out this list of helpful gear to bring with you.
Things to Pack for Camping
Tent
Fire Starters
Lighter/Matches
Sleeping Bag
Mattress
Water Bottle
Food
Cooler – We use this cooler. It is expensive but it is amazing. I’ve seen them for amazing prices at Home Goods. So if you are interested in one, keep your eyes peeled. If that is out of your budget give this one a try.
Portable Stove
Pillow
Dishes
Trash Bags
Trash Can
Chair or Hammock
Mosquito/Tick Repellent
Sunblock
Things to Pack for Hiking
Hiking Shoes – Men’s Women’s Kids (You can also hike in tennis shoes, just make sure that they have good tread)
Hydration Backpack (We have & love this one. We also have an expensive hydration backpack. We don’t notice a difference between the 2 and if something happened to our expensive one, we would buy one of these to replace it.)
Mister Fan
Hiking Clothes – Men’s Women’s Kids (When looking for hiking clothes, look for moisture-wicking. Moisture-wicking clothes will keep you cooler and dryer)
Snacks
Hat
Fun stuff my kids have in their hiking backpacks (this stuff isn’t necessary, but it might boost your child’s excitement for hiking if you include it in their bag) – Slingshot, lots of snacks of their choice, mister fan, compass, binoculars, & a small notepad & pen to write down stuff they see.
Where to camp in New York – Robert H. Treman State Park
Robert H. Treman State Park – HANDS DOWN!! This campground not only offers miles of trails but also has one of the best swimming holes we have ever been to. My family had so much fun camping in New York at Robert H. Treman State Park.
Robert H. Treman address: 105 Enfield Falls Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone Number: (607) 273-3440
Robert H. Treman State Park Amenities
- Campsites, Cabins & Lodging (Accessible) – Most of the campsites were small and offered little privacy from your neighbors. If you would like a more private campsite, I recommend calling to book your campsite.
- Fishing (Accessible)
- Grills
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
- Playgrounds
- Showers (Accessible) – Some of the cleanest bathrooms/showers I have seen camping!
- Swimming Beach (Accessible) – Enfield Falls swimming hole was such a cool experience. It’s a stream-fed swimming hole with a waterfall and diving boards. The seating area is pretty small and fills quickly. If you will be spending most of your time watching your kids, I recommend getting there sooner rather than later as it fills up pretty quickly. This didn’t bother us because we just needed a small spot for our towels. We spent most of our time in the water.
- Waterfalls (Accessible)
Bringing dogs? Know before you go
Yes, dogs are allowed at Robert H. Treman State Park.
- You must provide your dog’s rabies record.
- Dogs must be supervised at all times & on a leash no longer than 6ft.
- Pets are not allowed in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools, and spray-grounds or guarded beaches.
Day 1 – Robert H. Treman & Taughannock Falls
Robert H. Treman Rim/Gorge Trail
We decided to hike the rim/gorge trail at Robert H. Treman State Park. It was 4.7 miles round trip. This trail was tough. I don’t know if it was the heat/humidity or if it is just a hard trail. Right at the beginning, we were hit with an incline that didn’t seem to end. The waterfall (Lucifer Falls) at the end was beautiful, but it was in direct sun and since it was so hot we got to look at it for a good 30 seconds. No one in our group thought this hiking trail was worth it. However, we may have had a different opinion if there wasn’t a heat advisory with 90% humidity. If you decide that you want to take this trail, I recommend that you pack plenty of snacks and water and take your time. The trail follows a river and has plenty of spots for kids to play in it. I wish I had known that beforehand as it may have made our hike more tolerable. The upper loop trail is much shorter (~1 mile) and you can still see Lucifer Falls. We really wish we had taken that trail instead.
If hiking during the hot summer months, try hiking early morning or late evening but before sunset to avoid intense afternoon heat.
Address -105 Enfield Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone Number – (607) 273-3440
Cost– $9 for parking
Campsites: $18-$28/night +$5/night for Non-NYS residents
Dog-friendly – Yes, on a leash.
Handicap friendly – No. The rim/gorge trail is not wheelchair accessible.
Best time to visit – Spring, Summer, or Fall. Summer can get hot and crowded. The gorge trail is closed during the winter.
Parking – Parking lot
Time spent there – About 3 hours. We took our time. It was hot so we took our time and cooled off in the streams when we could.
Taughannock Falls State Park
After dinner, we decided to go to Taughannock Falls. This trail was 1.9 miles round trip and worth it! The trail was very flat and ran alongside a very shallow, almost empty river. Not only was the waterfall amazing, but the kids had so much fun running in the riverbed. Taughannock Falls is the tallest waterfall (single-drop) east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a whopping 215 ft. tall!
Address -1740 Taughannock Blvd. Trumansburg, NY 14886 Phone Number – (607) 387-6739
Cost– FREE for the overlook, $7 to park
Dog-friendly – Yes, on a leash
Handicap friendly – Yes, the overlook and gorge trails are wheelchair accessible.
Best time to visit – Spring, Summer, or Fall. Summer can get crowded & Taughannock Falls can slow to a trickle. Seeing Taughannock Falls after a good rain is the best.
Parking – Parking lot
Time spent there – 1.5 hours (We had the base of the falls to ourselves so we stayed a while)
Day 2 – Watkins Glen, Shequaga Falls & Hector Falls
Watkins Glen
We planned on waking up early to go to Watkins Glen, but it was raining. So once the rain stopped we headed out. At Watkins Glen, we took the Gorge trail to the south rim trail to loop back. It was 2.6 miles of pure awesomeness and 19 beautiful waterfalls! Watkins Glen should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list. Everyone enjoyed it, even the kids. It does get very crowded and hard to move. I recommend going as early as possible on a weekday to avoid crowds. After that, we headed to see 2 roadside waterfalls. They were Hector Falls and Shequaga Falls.
Address -1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 Phone Number – (607) 535-4511
Cost– $8 for parking
Dog-friendly – No
Handicap friendly – No. There are stairs and narrow walkways
Best time to visit – Spring, Summer, or Fall. If possible avoid the weekends. Watkins Glen is busy on the weekends and the pathways become hard to maneuver.
Parking Area– Parking lot
Time we spent there – 2 hours
Shequaga Falls
Shequaga Falls is a 156 ft. waterfall that is on the side of the road. It is perfect for those in a hurry because you can quickly drive by. If you have extra time feel free to park and see it up close.
Address -(N 42.34453 / W 76.85136) Take Rt. 14 to Montour Falls and turn west onto W Main St. You should see the Falls at the end of the road.
Cost– FREE
Dog-friendly – Yes, on a leash.
Handicap friendly – Yes, there is a paved walkway.
Best time to visit – Year-round. It is rarely dry.
Parking – Park along Genesee St.
Time we spent there – 10-15 minutes
Hector Falls
Hector Falls is a 165 ft. waterfall along the side of the highway. This waterfall is also perfect for those who don’t have much time.
Address – Hector Falls and Rt 414 : (N 42.41802 / W 76.86677)
Old Mill Falls on Hector Falls Creek: (N 42.41887 / W 76.85044)
Cost– FREE
Dog-friendly – Not recommended because the waterfall is along a busy highway
Handicap friendly – Yes
Best time to visit – Spring or Fall but open year-round
Parking – Park along the side of the highway just before or after Hector Falls
Time we spent there – 15 minutes
Day 3 – Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca Falls & Cascadilla Falls
Buttermilk Falls
The first hike was the Buttermilk Falls rim/gorge trail. This trail was a short hike at 1.5 miles round trip. Buttermilk Falls rim/gorge trail consisted mostly of stairs. My poor mom had to turn back as she has bad knees and couldn’t handle the stairs. While there are a lot of stairs, this trail was so much fun and filled with impressive waterfalls. There are many spots where you can walk or play in the water/waterfalls. Just be sure you are careful. My nephew slipped and broke his arm.
Address – 106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone Number – (607) 273-5761
Cost– $8 parking fee
Dog-friendly – Yes, on a leash.
Handicap friendly – No, there are steps
Best time to visit – Spring, early Summer, or Fall. The trails close after November.
Parking – Parking lot
Time we spent there – 3 hours. We took our time playing in the water. We also had a few hiccups. My mom’s knees couldn’t do all the stairs and my nephew hurt his arm.
Ithaca Falls
We call Ithaca Falls the best bang for your buck. The trail (if you want to call it that) was 0.2 miles round trip. You can actually see the waterfall from the road, but you get a much better view if you take a short walk to see it up close. Ithaca Falls is huge and stunning.
Address – Ithaca Falls, Ithaca, NY 14850 Next to Cornell University
Cost– FREE
Dog-friendly – Yes, on a leash.
Handicap friendly – Yes, from the sidewalk
Best time to visit – Year-round
Parking – Parking lot
Time we spent there – 30 minutes.
Cascadilla Falls
Cascadilla Falls in the Ithaca area was my favorite of the day. At just 1.1 miles round trip, it was a relatively easy trail with some stairs. Along the way, you will pass 9 stunning waterfalls. There is no swimming or playing in the water, but it’s still beautiful.
Address – Cascadilla Gorge Trail Ithaca, NY 14850 Located on Cornell University Campus.
Cost– FREE
Dog-friendly – Yes, on a leash.
Handicap friendly – No, there are stairs
Best time to visit – Spring, Summer & Fall
Parking – A small lot off of Linn St.
Time we spent there – 1 hour
How much did we spend?
Camping for 4 nights at Robert H. Treman State Park – $132 (We actually only paid $66 because we shared a campsite with my sister.
Food – $100
Gas – $250
Park Entrance Fees – $23
Total– $439
Tips to save money at New York State Parks –
- If you plan on visiting more than one New York State Park in a day, you may pay for the first park and then use the same receipt at any other State Park that you visit that day.
- New York State Parks accept the National Park Service’s Every Kid in a Park pass upon presentation. This will give 4th graders free entry into all the State Parks.
Other Nearby Waterfalls
There are so many incredible waterfalls in the State of New York, it’d be a shame not to share them. While most of these natural wonders remain on our bucket list, we have seen a few of them. Hopefully, I’ll get to writing about our experiences there soon.
Check out the best waterfalls for kids
New York / Canadian Border Area
- Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Falls consists of 3 famous waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls & American Falls). - Eternal Flame Falls
There is a small grotto at the base of the waterfall that emits natural gas. This gas can be lit to create a flame. This waterfall is very unique in that you see a flame behind the falls.
Finger Lakes Region
- Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park follows along the Genesee River as it flows through deep gorges and over several waterfalls including Middle Falls. This gem is also known as the Grand Canyon of the East. - Chittenango Falls State Park
167 ft. waterfall that you can view from the top or get a gorge view from the pedestrian bridge viewing platform. - Watkins Glen, Robert H. Treman State Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca Falls & Cascadilla Falls (all mentioned above) are also located in this area.
Upstate New York Waterfalls
- Kaaterskill Falls
2-stage waterfall on Spruce Lake in the Kaaterskill Mountains. It is also the highest cascading waterfall in New York. - Ausable Chasm
The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks! This is the oldest and largest natural attraction in the Adirondacks. It features waterfalls, a sandstone gorge, and more. - Bash Bish Falls (On the Massachusetts and New York border)
The highest single-drop waterfall in Massachusetts. - High Falls Gorge
Features include waterfalls, hiking, glass floors, and more. - Rainbow Falls
This is a beautiful waterfall that is accessed through private property. It is accessible to the public through a conservation easement.
Despite the heat, this was one of our favorite camping trips. Who knew the waterfalls in New York would be so breathtaking? My biggest and best tip would be to go when the temperature is cooler, but not too cool because you have to swim in that swimming hole. It’s the best!
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Pin For Later: Camping in New York
