Many folks think the tallest New York waterfall is the United States side of Niagara Falls. But guess what? It’s not! That distinction belongs to Taughannock Falls, just north of Ithaca. It rises 33 feet higher from its base than does the otherwise massive Niagara Falls, which is the fourth-largest cascade in the world by volume. We are a bit surprised too but trust us, once you arrive at the base of the falls you will see just how majestic of a natural wonder this really is. So let’s take a closer look at this unexpected and beautiful waterfall!

There’s a state park outside of Trumansburg (north of Ithaca) on the shores of Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

As you enter, Taughannock Falls State Park seems similar to most any state park.

You’ll find ample green space with picnic areas, pavilions, and grills.

Campsites and cabins that overlook Cayuga Lake are also available in the park.

There are several lovely trails crisscrossing the wooded park.

Some skirt the shores of the massive lake and afford hikers sweeping panoramas across the water.

One trail, in particular, stands out from the others.

The Gorge Trail follows Taughannock Creek upstream from where it flows into Cayuga Lake.

As you walk, you’ll notice that, over time, the stream has carved a massive gorge into the bedrock of the park.

And the farther upstream you hike, the higher and steeper the rock walls become, towering over the trail, the creek, and the trees that grow along its banks. The trail itself is a relatively easy hike the path is nice and shaded most of the way as it opens up closer to the falls. The trail itself is a 1.8-mile round trip with only 183 feet of elevation gain.

The trail is also beautiful. Right near the start, you will see the water cascading down in stunning horsetail patterns. The simple moving current is a relaxing backdrop as you continue toward the end destination.

Once you arrive at the bridge you are only a few short steps to the base of the waterfall. You get your first glimpse of the waterfall from here which makes for a great spot to take pictures. You will be able to see the whole gorge framing the focal point which is the key feature of this hike.

You’ll hear it long before you see it, but at the end of the trail, you’ll enter a massive bowl and behold Taughannock Falls.

There is a viewing platform where you can get close to the pool of water but because of the weak and unpredictable rock wall, they do not permit you to get closer. The view is spectacular and although New York has some pretty amazing waterfalls this one does rank pretty high on the list.

At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state.

And it rises three stories higher than the much better-known Niagara Falls. Aside from the base of the falls, there is also a high lookout spot along the rim of the gorge where you can see the whole scope of the falls. We would suggest taking advantage of both but the lookout higher up only requires a couple of stairs as opposed to a hike.

We New Yorkers can count ourselves lucky to have this towering waterfall all to ourselves, without having to share it with Canada or the rest of the world. Head over to Taughannock Falls State Park‘s website for more information about visiting the falls and the park, maps, or to make camping reservations. Make sure to download the AllTrails app and get the Gorge Trail map so you can track your progress as you hike. It is always helpful to know before you go so also check out this Adventuring in the Moment video when we saw this beautiful waterfall:

While visiting the park, take some time to explore the area, including the city of Ithaca, which is considered one of the best places to live in New York - and the entire country.