Taughannock Falls State Park
Park Information
The falls are formed by a rock bed creek
entering the lake and surrounded by a glen with walls climbing to 400 feet
(120 meters). The cataract has a drop of 215 feet (66 meters), one of the
highest east of the Rocky Mountains slightly higher even (25 ft., 8 m)
than Niagara (American side), but they cannot be compared because it has
much smaller volume. Taughannock is interesting year round - the falls and
gorge create a natural amphitheater with dense spray rising from the bottom
often shrouding the lower part of the cataract in mist. The name "Taughannock"
originates either from that of the Delaware Indian chief Taughannock or
as the Delaware word taghkanic ("great fall in the woods").
Directions
The park is located about 8 miles
North from Ithaca or 4 miles South from Trumansburg along Route 89. From
the New York State Thruway, take Exit 41 to 318 East for 4 miles. Head
South on Route 89 for 35 miles.
The park is also accessible from
Route 96 in the center of Jacksonville. Where Jacksonville Road intersects with Rt. 96 (Trumansburg Road), head South on Jacksonville Road (opposite side of the Gas Station) about 3 miles and take a right onto
Park Road just after Gorge Road.
Park Operations
The Park is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk with camping from
Mid April thru Mid October. The Rim trail closes in winter.
Facilities
The hiking trails offer spectacular
views and unique geological formations including 215' Taughannock Falls,
which is 33 feet taller than Niagara and is the highest vertical single
drop waterfall in the Northeastern U.S. It can be seen from two lookout
points: one from below at the end of the 3/4 mile Gorge Trail, the other
from above at the falls Overlook on Taughannock Park Rd. The Park size
is 783 Acres with 76 Campsites (16 electric, 60 with no utilities), and
10 cabins. Also available is boat launching, tie-up docks, (seasonal berths),
beach swimming on Cayuga Lake, and bathhouse.
Swimming is available only in designated
life guarded area
Bikes are not permitted on the hiking
trails but there is a bike path just outside the park
Picnic areas have tables and fireplaces
Hot Showers and flush toilets are available
There is a concession stand
Picnic shelters are on the premises
Permitted activities are posted in park
office
The park offers summer music concerts
There is Fishing in the creek and the
lake
Boat rentals are available
Special Passes
Special Passes to Taughannock and
other New York State parks are available to New York residents. The Empire
Passport provides unlimited vehicle access to nearly 200 state parks in
NYS for an annual fee). Empire passports are available at
any state park, regional DEC office or by writing: Passport, State Parks
and Recreation, Albany, NY 12238. Parks are free to people who are 62 years
and older during weekdays, Monday through Friday.
Contact
Information
Call the park office for more information:
(607) 387-6739
For camping call: 1-800-456-2267
A site note: This web site is not
in any way connected to Taughannock or any other State Park. This is not
official park information but rather well researched content from a local
resident who wishes to share the beauty of the park with the general public.
All of the graphics were hand created particularily for this web site (with
the exception of the "Lenape Seal" of the Delaware tribe) and all of the
photos were taken by myself. Thanks for visiting, hope
you enjoyed yourself and found the information on this site useful.
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