Chittenango Falls State Park – Cazenovia, NY

Chittenango Falls is a seriously impressive waterfall with multiple viewing areas. The waterfall is 167 feet tall and is comprised of a series of drops to form an awe-inspiring view from the bottom. Chittenango Falls State Park is a beautiful park, not just for the falls but the surrounding area makes a great place to spend an afternoon.

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Chittenango Waterfall

We are very fortunate to live in a state that not only has lots of lakes and rivers but waterfalls too. Chittenango waterfall is one of the more massive waterfalls in the area. Visitors to the park can observe the falls from the top, which while pretty is nothing compared to the incredible view that awaits you at the bottom.

The walk to the falls is not the easiest. Although it is a relatively short walk, the terrain is extremely uneven in places. The steps may have been even at one time, but it is obvious that frost has caused them to shift and make this a dangerous walk for people who don’t have good coordination or aren’t quite steady on their feet. While the upper portion of the park is accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers, the trail down to the falls is not.

There are some good vantage points along the way down that are extremely picture-worthy. Once you reach the bottom, the best view is from the bridge that crosses the River. It was surprisingly empty on the day we visited and we were able to get some good pictures.

Fun Fact: Chittenango Falls is home to a rare and endangered snail called the Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail. This is the only place in the world where this species of snail is found.

Chittenango River

There are some places before you enter the park where you can park and take a walk in the river. The Chittenango River is quite shallow and full of rocks. This is a nice place to relax and enjoy the scenery or explore the wildlife, which although small, is abundant in this river.

If you cross the street from the parking lot of Chittenango Falls State Park, there are trails that lead to the river above the falls. This is really a beautiful area to explore and there are lots of small falls and large rocks. You can hike the river up a ways and enjoy some truly idyllic natural beauty.

Enjoying the Park

Chittenango Falls State Park has an abundance of picnic areas as well as a pavilion. This is a really gorgeous place to enjoy the loveliness of this amazing park. There are tons of picnic tables and grills for picnicking and family get-togethers. I found the park, regardless of the falls, to be a really nice park. It was quiet and just truly beautiful. When you add in the falls, it was nothing short of stunning.

Wintertime at Chittenango Falls

I love winter waterfalls, and Chittenango Falls didn’t disappoint. I was happy to discover that the gorge trail was open. Traditionally, the gorge trails of most state parks are closed this time of year.

The distance to the bridge at the bottom, where you can see the waterfall in all of its glory, is less than a 1/4 long. However, there are lots of steps that descend quickly into the gorge. There is a viewing area about halfway down with a fantastic view of the falls. You can get a good view without having to go all the way to the bottom if you decide the hike down is too much for you.

Of course, if you decide to visit in the middle of winter when the vast number of steps down to the bottom are covered in ice and snow, you will want to be prepared by wearing good, sturdy boots and obviously warm winter clothing. If you are unsteady, hiking poles will come in really handy here. I always recommend wearing ice cleats if you want to be more sure footed.

Address

2300 Rathbun Rd. Cazenovia, NY

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