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Three Woods Falls is definitely one of the most unique destinations we have visited and one of the most stunning. The preserve, owned by the Central New York Land Trust has something that no other destination we have found does, three large waterfalls that can be viewed all in a line across the top part of the Onondaga Escarpment. It is not something you see every day and it makes this hidden gem an absolute treasure.
Update: As of January 1st, 2024 – Three Fall Woods is closed to the public until Spring.
The Waterfalls
Three Falls Woods gets its name from the three most prominent waterfalls that all sit in a row at the bottom of the back wall of the escarpment. The falls from left to right are named Staircase Falls, Tall Twins Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. There are two other falls smaller falls, Little Twins and Cascade Falls. It might sound redundant but If you love waterfalls, this is definitely the place to visit.
We visited in winter and the frozen waterfalls were just breathtaking. The smaller waterfalls were still running but the three main waterfalls were completely frozen and looked remarkably beautiful. We were able to climb right up to these falls. Winter here is really just amazing.
I want to come back and visit again in the late Spring and early Summer when these falls are supposedly at their most magnificent. After seeing them in winter, is hard to imagine anything topping that.
We managed to make it back in early spring when the snow melted. It was everything I hoped it would be. I have been told that this creek will dry up in the middle of the summer but when it is flowing over the three waterfalls, this is just a spectacular place to visit.
Trails
The trail in from the parking lot is easy enough to follow but after that, it can get confusing. The trails aren’t marked very well and we did get lost once on the way back to our car. That may have been due to the fact that it was winter. The main area of the preserve where the falls are looks like a giant bowl. This was created by the glacial activity thousands of years ago. The cliffs are high on all sides and while there are several foot trails down, the safest way down is to walk the rim of the cliff until it begins to recede. There is a trail that leads into the center.
There is a creek that runs through the center. If you are hiking here in the winter, it might not be completely obvious where it is. Always proceed with caution. It is always a good idea to wear microspikes or yaktrax when hiking in areas like this. They will help protect you from losing your footing in slippery places.
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.
We took a foot trail down between the falls. It was steep but not unmanageable and then took the rim trail. back. Unfortunately, once we reach the top after climbing out, we took the wrong trail back to the car. We somehow ended up on the pond trail and found ourselves down the road from the parking lot. The trails here can be slippery and muddy, especially after a good hard rain. Make sure to always wear proper footwear here.
Unique Geographical Features
500 million years ago, this entire area was an ancient sea, and the rocks and cliffside are filled with the fossils of the coral reef that once existed here. The limestone has split in multiple places and trees and moss can be seen growing out of them. When you are standing in the middle of the bowl, the cliffs that surround you on three sides are an impressive sight.
When we came back during the spring, we were able to climb up and explore the cliffs. Also, we found that under the snow was a field full of rocks covered in moss. My son joked about how the rocks reminded him of the enchanted rocks in the movie Frozen.
The Pond and Wildlife
There is a pretty pond that we stumbled upon quite by accident. It was of course frozen when we saw it but it looked like it would be pretty in the warm weather. It also seemed like it would be a good place to see wildlife. The Three Falls Woods is known for its excellent bird watching. The ample supply of water also would attract other animals.
Getting to Three Falls Woods
Address: 4618 Sweet Rd, Manlius, NY 13104
Google Map Link
Other Places to Visit
Tinker Falls
This lovely waterfall is located in the Labrador Hollow Unique Area. It is also one of the most spectacular winter waterfalls we have encountered.
Have you visit Three Falls Woods? What did you think of it? Do you have a favorite waterfall? We would love to hear from you. Leave us a comment below.
I appreciate these pictures so much. I grew up on Glencliff, in the 70s and these woods and falls were our playground. We spent all our time in the woods and we felt like we owned them and the Falls as kids. We had 2 routes to the Falls, through the fields or through the trail in the woods. The Falls would flood the fields in the spring, overload the creek and flood many homes downhill. Glencliff was a dead end street up until about the time I was graduating high school. It was the best childhood and I’m so glad to return to the land grant when I visit NY.