I always get excited in the spring because this is prime waterfall chasing season. Several waterfalls in the Finger Lakes area are seasonal and don’t flow at full capacity all year round, but when the snow begins to melt, these waterfalls are gloriously flowing at full force. Canadice Falls is one of these stunning spring waterfalls.
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Hiking the Creek
Ideally, the best time to catch Canadice Falls is in the Spring, when you are just about guaranteed to see it looking its best. However, this is a beautiful creek to visit any time of year. There are numerous smaller waterfalls as the creek twists and turns its way down the gully.
If you decide to hike up the creek, which, incidentally, you will need to do if you want to see the falls from the base, you need to be prepared to get your feet wet. This isn’t too bad in the summer, but it can be fridged in early spring. On our last visit in early April, there was still ice on many of the rocks. The creek is also a good indicator of how full the falls will be. If the smaller falls are flowing at all, there is water flowing over Canadice Falls. If the creek is dried up, the falls will be nothing more than a trickle.
Wildlife in the Creek
We visited with our kids a few years ago, and they had an absolute blast exploring the creek and finding all sorts of critters. This is a fun place to just cool off in the summer and take your time exploring the area.
Please note that this creek and the surrounding area are on state land, and it is illegal to hunt or remove any historical artifacts or remains.
Viewing the Falls from Above
If you aren’t up for a creek hike, there is a trail that follows the gully from above and provides a bird’s eye view of the falls from the top. This trail also allows visitors to walk beyond Canadice Falls and follow the creek as it continues further up the gully.
Getting to Canadice Falls
Canadice Falls is located on state land, so there aren’t any markers to show people driving past where it is, aside from a few small DEC signs.
GPS location: 42.728374, -77.564292
Other Places to Visit in the Area
Ultimate Guide to Canadice Lake
The Finger Lakes are rich with the history of the Seneca Indians, who once lived along the shore of almost every lake. Canadice is no exception. In fact, a large amount of archeological evidence suggests Seneca Indians lived on both shores of this lake. Many people have found artifacts in the creekbeds of tributaries running in and out of Canadice Lake.
Harriett Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, or just Spencer Park as it is known to locals, has one of the best views in all the Finger Lakes. This view draws people from far and wide to come and appreciate the sheer beauty of seeing Honeoye Lake from the top of one of the surrounding hills. The park offers other great things to visitors besides the incredible view.