Gorge Trail

The Gorge Trail at Taughannock Falls State Park follows Taughannock Creek through a stunning shale gorge to the base of one of the most impressive waterfalls in the eastern United States. At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls drops farther in a single unbroken plunge than Niagara Falls, earning its distinction as the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The trail travels along the flat gorge floor, flanked by towering stratified shale walls that have been carved over thousands of years by the relentless action of water and ice. Interpretive signs explain the Finger Lakes geology, including the glacial history that deepened the gorge and the sedimentary layers visible in the cliff faces. As the trail approaches the amphitheater at the base of the falls, the scale becomes increasingly dramatic, with the gorge walls rising over 400 feet on either side. The mist cloud surrounding the plunge pool is visible from the trailhead on high-flow days. Spring runoff creates a particularly powerful spectacle, while autumn foliage reflected in the creek pools makes October visits equally memorable. The relatively flat terrain and short distance make this an accessible journey suitable for most visitors, and the payoff at the falls is extraordinary by any measure.