Tinker Falls – Tully, NY

Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn a small commission if you purchase products from our site, at no additional cost to you.

We first visited Tinker Falls in the middle of Winter, and the first thing we saw was a woman scaling one of the towers of ice at frozen Tinker Falls. This is one of the most amazing winter waterfalls that we have encountered so far. This is an incredible waterfall with a cavern behind it that visitors can climb up behind the waterfall. At this time of year, when the cascades are frozen ice towers, it is a splendid sight that everyone should see.

We have visited the falls several times and experienced them in various conditions. During one visit in a very wet spring, the falls were full and flowing beautifully. However, on another visit in the summer, the water level was exceptionally low. Despite the reduced water flow, the waterfall remained stunning. If you plan to visit, your best chances of seeing the falls at their peak are in early spring or after a heavy rain.

Labrador Hollow Unique Area

Tinker Falls is actually part of what is known as the Labrador Hollow Unique Area. “Unique Area” is a very appropriate name for this wild area. This area supports all sorts of outdoor recreation, some of which might surprise you. Even though it was wintertime, we found Labrador Hollow breathtaking and exceptionally peaceful.

When we visited in the summer, we were able to hike up to the hang glider launch site. There are tons of trails, including the wooden boardwalk. Visitors can also visit Labrador Pond.

Learn more about visiting the Labrador Hollow Unique Area

The Waterfall

Tinker Falls, a stunning example of a hanging waterfall, is part of Labrador Hollow; however, it deserves its own post due to its remarkable beauty. Although the waterfall may not be as wide and powerful as some others we’ve visited, it is still incredibly picturesque. The falls are located in a natural amphitheater-like cavern that is spacious enough for hikers to walk behind them. The view from behind the falls is breathtaking, especially when the sunlight hits it at just the right angle.

I recommend wearing microspikes or Yaktrax if you plan to climb up behind the waterfall in the winter, as the path is very slippery and mostly covered in solid ice. It’s also important to note that during our last visit, it was raining, and the steps were extremely slick.

Ice Climbing

During our visit, we observed an ice climbing class in session, with people scaling the ice—this is a unique feature of the park. It’s uncommon to find ice climbing opportunities in New York State, so it was fascinating to see climbers in action. I had never witnessed ice climbing firsthand before, and it looked like a lot of fun. The park allows ice climbing at your own risk, but climbers must use proper equipment, including ropes, helmets, ice axes, and crampons. Additionally, to protect the amphitheater surrounding the falls, rock climbing is prohibited when there is no ice formed.

Trails

The trail from the parking area is relatively short, measuring about half a mile. It follows the path of Labrador Creek, making for a beautiful hike. Along the trail, there are several benches where visitors can sit and rest while enjoying the lovely scenery.

There is a scenic overlook trail that is approximately 2 miles long, leading to the summit of Jones Hill. At the top, there is a clearing in the trees that serves as a launch point for hang gliders, while also offering hikers a beautiful view of the surrounding area. We began our ascent, but the climb proved challenging due to the snow. As a result, we decided to postpone this hike until spring. During our next visit, we successfully hiked to the top of Jones Hill. The view of the valley below was absolutely incredible and definitely worth the effort it took to get there.

Getting to Tinker Falls

Address: 7499 State Route 91, Tully, NY

Google Map Link