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New York State has more waterfalls than I ever imagined. I keep thinking that we will eventually run out of waterfalls to chase and then we discover another one. I am excited to share this waterfall because it knocked our socks off. Most of the waterfalls we find are decent-sized and beautiful, but this stunning waterfall was just massive with a large cavern behind it and a deep pool under it. The craziest part is that it is hidden in plain sight just beneath a public park. The jury is out on the actual name of these falls. I have seen both Ludlowville Falls and Salmon Creek Falls.
Salmon Creek Waterfall
This waterfall took my breath away. We see lots of waterfalls, and while they are all spectacular in their own way, few of them are as massive as this one without being in a large state park or swarmed with visitors. Ludlowville Falls seems like it is hidden away from the world. If I hadn’t known that the waterfall was there already, we could have driven right by without ever seeing it.
The waterfall is wide, especially on the left-hand side, where it is like a curtain. The rest of the falls flow over the rocks that jet out from the right side of the waterfall. This creates a gorgeous multi-drop fall, looking both rustic and beautiful.
There is a large cavern behind the waterfall. There is only a narrow strip of rock to walk across, so it isn’t easy to reach, especially in the winter when the mist from the falls makes everything icy and slippery. If you’re not careful, you might take an untimely dip in the deep pool under the falls.
We have seen this waterfall in both the winter and the summer; both seasons leave their mark on this spectacular waterfall. It is incredible to see the ice and snow covering these falls. In the Summer, the blue-green water is hypnotic, and there is tons of wildlife here. We saw a painted turtle and a water snake on our last visit.
The Trail
The trail that leads down to the falls is on the park’s right side. It is pretty obvious once you reach the back of the park. While the trail isn’t long, there are large rocks at the top that visitors must climb down. Nothing too challenging, but you will need to be limber. The day we visited was chilly, but there wasn’t a single snowflake on the ground. Yet once we approached the waterfall, the trail became super icy. Everything around us was encased in thick ice. In the winter, I would not recommend trying to walk down the trail toward the pool without microspikes, yaktrax, or at the very least, very good hiking boots.
Ice Cleats Traction Snow Grips for Hiking and Walking
Don’t let the ice and snow stop you from enjoying the breathtaking beauty of winter. These traction grips help outdoor adventurers explore icy terrain safely.
When we returned in the summer, it was mud that greeted us. And I mean a lot of mud! This is definitely a hiking boots/sneakers destination. However, climbing down to the waterfall was much easier in the Summer, even with all the mud. We were even able to get into the cavern behind the falls. This seems like it would be an excellent swimming hole on a hot day.
Ludlowville Park
Ludlowville Park is a lovely little town park. There is a gazebo, a playground, a basketball court, and a picnic pavilion. If you aren’t up to taking the trail down to view the falls, you can see them from the top over the fence at the back of the park. This is a really small park, and the parking lot can only accommodate 3-4 cars at most.
Getting to Ludlowville Falls
When you google this location, you will want to google “Ludlowville Park.” If you google “Ludlowville Falls,” it will pull up two choices; “Salmon Creek Falls” and “Ludlowville Park.” We naturally selected “Salmon Creek Falls.” However, this lead up to the top of the falls, but in a decidedly residential area, clearly not meant for people to get out and explore. Select Ludlowville Park as your destination.
Address: 75 Mill St., Lansing, NY 14882
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Other Places to Visit
Robert Treman State Park really is a gorgeous park. It is quite different from other state parks that I have visited. It has a tremendous amount of stairs but the scenery here is worth the effort.
Swimming holes and creek pools are a cherished part of many people’s summer memories. They seem to be harder and harder to find these days. We came upon one quite by accident and it was a fantastic discovery. This is a beautiful spot and hidden gem that seems to be well-known to locals but is kind of off the radar for everyone else.
Best Waterfalls in 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 many waterfalls and gorges carved out by glaciers and erosion thousands of years ago.
Most Spectacular Fall Drives for Views of Amazing Foliage
One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is to drive around and just admire the intensely beautiful foliage. There are places in New York where the drive is normally incredible but in the fall they are just spectacular.
There appears to be a surplus of Long Point State Parks in New York State. There are 3 in fact. The one that we recently visited is on Cayuga Lake. This is the smallest of the three but it is just as lovely and charming. Long Point State Park allows visitors to enjoy a splendid view of Cayuga Lake as well as enjoy all the amenities available there. Explore miles of trails, a stunning beach, a vacation cottage rental, and an excellent boat launch.