© 2000 Jon Binder
Overview
Ratings (ratings explained)
Power: 8/10
Beauty: 5/10
Ease of Access: 10/10
Ithaca Falls, as the name suggests, is located in Ithaca, NY, just west of the Cornell University campus in the Fall Creek Gorge. The falls are very high and wide, and are quite spectacular, especially in high water.
Photos
Ithaca Falls in moderate water
Directions
Ithaca Falls is visible from the Lake Street bridge over Fall Creek. A small parking area is located at the corner of Falls Steet and Lake Street, and a path leads the short distance from here along Fall Creek to the base of the 150 foot falls.
To reach this intersection and the parking area, travel north from NYS route 79 in downtown Ithaca on Cayuga or Tioga Street to Falls Street. Turn right onto Falls Street, and continue down to the parking area on the right, just before the end of the road.
Description
Ithaca Falls is not a falls to go to if you want a remote, wilderness type of waterfall. However, it is the place to go to if you want to see a spectacular waterfall with essentially no physical effort. While the falls' surroundings limit its beauty, the power and size of the falls makes it a worthwhile destination, especially since it doesn't take long to enjoy the falls. In high water, it is difficult to get anywhere close to the base of the falls without getting soaked from the spray.
As the picture demonstrates, it is tough to find the right time of day to get a good picture with the right amount of contrast.
Pay attention to signs warning of lead deposits discovered in the area, but don't let this stop you from going.
Fall Creek Gorge has severall other waterfalls upstream from Ithaca Falls, which are a part of the Cornell University campus, and are included on a separate page of the site.
<< Back to List of New York Waterfalls
Page Last Revised: February 20, 2002
