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There’s a new reason to plan that long-overdue Finger Lakes escape and this one comes with waterfalls and lake access.
New York State’s newest official state park, Three Falls State Park, is a 90-acre stretch of waterfront on Cayuga Lake that is soon to be one of the region’s most compelling outdoor additions. The site, formerly a Scout camp called Camp Barton, sits just north of Taughannock Falls State Park (known for its towering gorge) and adds even more scenic payoff to this part of the lake.
Three Falls State Park is centered around (you guessed it!) three waterfalls, including the 128-foot Frontenac Falls, which cascades down through a wooded gorge before meeting the lake. Add in a half-mile of shoreline and you have a setting that feels ideal for a long weekend of hiking, kayaking or simply sitting still and enjoying nature.
The park is still in development, but plans released by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation show a thoughtful build-out that includes restored camp cabins, new docks and kayak launches, expanded trail systems and designated waterfall viewing areas. There’s also a planned nature center, plus rentable spaces for events and small gatherings.
Of course, not everything is being touched. Conservation is a major part of the plan, especially in protecting the nesting peregrine falcons and preserving the surrounding gorge and upper woodlands. That means some trails will be rerouted, invasive species removed and certain areas intentionally left wild.
If you’re already planning your visit, the park is located near the village of Trumansburg, about 20 minutes from Ithaca. If you’re driving from the city, plan for roughly four to five hours upstate. Once complete, the park will include a permanent parking area with more than 100 spaces, which will make it far easier to access some of the region’s more tucked-away trailheads.
There’s no official opening timeline yet—the project will roll out in phases as funding is secured—but even in its early form, Three Falls State Park is already positioning itself as a quieter, less crowded alternative to its famous neighbor down the road.