The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is a neat feature in the Finger Lakes. While many of the Finger Lakes have a trail or natural area at one end or the other, the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail is unique. The trail is 7 miles long and runs from Penn Yan to Dresden, and there are two stunning waterfalls for visitors to enjoy.
The Trail
This is a great trail for those who have bad knees and need a flat trail but still want to enjoy the beauty of nature. Seven miles is a daunting distance to hike, especially when you have to make a return trip. Have no fear; you don’t necessarily have to hike the entire trail to see the highlights on the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. There are parking areas near each of waterfalls. The Trails are gravel and well-maintained, so this is an excellent place to take a walk with a stroller or wheelchair.
The Waterfalls
There are two beautiful waterfalls on this trail, Seneca Mill Falls and Cascade Mill Falls. Visitors can drive to parking areas along the trail to cut down on the length of their walk, making the trek much more doable. The walk to the Seneca Mill Falls is the shorter of the two. The Seneca Mill Falls is by far the larger of the two falls and is quite stunning. We visited in both winter and spring. The falls were equally beautiful in the spring when they were flowing as they were frozen in winter. You can get fairly close to the falls, and the rubble of the old mill adds just a hint of mystery to the surroundings.
Cascade Falls are not as big as Seneca Falls, but it’s still beautiful. Viewing this waterfall in the wintertime is not as impressive because the snow can hide them. It is kind of hit or miss. The walk to the Cascade Mill Falls is slightly longer than the Seneca Mill Falls. When we visited in the winter, the snow had not been trampled down, and we had to trudge through fairly deep snow to reach the falls. We recently revisited in late spring and were happy to discover that the old mill building has been removed, and there is now a concrete pad for visitors to get a good look at the falls from a safe distance.
Picnic at Keuka Lake Outlet Trail
There are several places along the trails that have picnic facilities. Near the Cascade Falls parking area is a picnic table. At Seneca Mill Falls, there is a picnic pavilion with a grill. There are numerous benches spread out along the trail to allow people to rest.
Out and About with Nova
This is a popular trail for dog walkers, and with good reason; aside from the beautiful falls, it is perfect for walking dogs. The trail is nice and wide, so if you can give other walkers a wide berth. Near Cascade Falls there is another trail (it is actually a road that is no longer used) that runs almost parallel with the main trail. We took this trail a portion of the way to avoid walking by people. (Nova wants to say “hello” to every person and dog she sees.)
I was really happy to see that every dog we passed was leashed. Please leash your dog while walking here. This is not a good location for off-leash dogs.
This is a heavily walked area; please be respectful of other walkers and pick up after your dog and dispose of it properly in the trash receptical. (Don’t leave bagged poop on the side of the trail!)
Getting to the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail
Google Map Link
Have you hiked the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail? Did we miss anything? We would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave us a comment below.
Other Places to Visit
Explore the Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes is one of the most popular destinations in New York State. People come from far and wide to see the beautiful lakes, tour the multitude of wineries and experience the phenomenal scenery and nature of this region. One of the many draws of the Finger Lakes is the multitude of waterfalls and gorges carved out by glaciers and erosion thousands of years ago.
Keuka Lake State Park
Keuka Lake State Park is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes. This beautiful and idyllic park is surrounded by the hills and vineyards. Some of the oldest wineries in New York State are found on Keuka Lake and visitors can take advantage of the many wine tours offered in the region, and then relax on the sandy beach perched on the edge of Keuka Lake.
Garrett Memorial Chapel
The Garrett Memorial Chapel, also known as the “Little Chapel on the Mount” is a lovely little destination that is tucked away in the very center of the distinct Y portion of Keuka Lake. Words just can not even convey the beauty of this hidden gem. In addition to the gorgeous medieval-looking church, the view of Keuka Lake from here is nothing short of spectacular.
