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Ithaca Falls Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,972 Google reviews · Running trail in Ithaca, New York · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Ithaca Falls Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This park with a 150-foot waterfall also features ruins of 19th-century mills & areas for fishing.
What runners say about Ithaca Falls Natural Area
“The location offers breathtaking views, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers that create a picturesque backdrop.”
“Wildlife was sparse, but a few hardy birds added life to the serene scene.”
“It is only a few minutes walk from the parking, making it a pretty easy walk to view the fall upfront.”
Ithaca Natural Falls offers a fantastic, easily accessible getaway. Parking is a breeze, located right off the main road, making it incredibly convenient. From there, it's just a short walk to witness the impressive, giant falls.
amid a crisp winter chill, I made a beeline for Ithaca Falls Natural Area—drawn by the promise of frozen waterfalls in the Finger Lakes' gorges. Located off Lake Street in the Fall Creek neighborhood, this 1.5-acre spot is an effortless add-on for visitors, mere minutes from downtown or Cornell.
Small little area, but quite beautiful and magnificent in itself. One of the many falls in Ithaca. Nice little area to fish, but mostly a quaint little getaway to find some solace.
Great waterfalls and suspension bridge, but you can't go between the two easily, especially not without a vehicle (hilly!) And don't bother with the gorge trail as it is not much of a trail but 125 steps down with no good view of anything, and you have to climb back up that again.
Trail conditions & character
“amid a crisp winter chill, I made a beeline for Ithaca Falls Natural Area—drawn by the promise of frozen waterfalls in the Finger Lakes' gorges.”
“Parking is very limited and tight, and is the same throughway for entrance and exit, making it a bit chaotic.”
“Still, as a first-time visitor, it's a 5-star winter gem—raw, accessible, and quintessentially "Ithaca is Gorges.”
“Wildlife was sparse, but a few hardy birds added life to the serene scene.”
“Great waterfalls and suspension bridge, but you can't go between the two easily, especially not without a vehicle (hilly!”
Plan your run at Ithaca Falls Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Phone+1 607-272-1313
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Ithaca
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ithaca Falls Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,117 reviews
Hiking area featuring a short trail that leads to a waterfall.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,279 reviews
Part of the Cornell Plantations Path, this walkway offers views of the the gorge & its waterfall.
Stewart Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,217 reviews
Lakefront park with golf, tennis, playground, carousel, athletic fields, duck pond & spray pool.
Mulholland Wildflower Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 276 reviews
Designated in 1970, this nature park offers trails, waterfalls, rock formations & wildlife viewing.