We decided to check out some waterfalls in the Finger Lakes region this spring, after lots of rain and getting some beautiful weather. After doing a short hike at Taughannock Falls in the Ithaca area, we decided to check out the nearby Robert H. Treman State Park. We had no problems finding the park with Google Maps.
You have to pay $8 per car to enter the park, and if you plan on visiting more than one park in a day, save your receipt, as you can use it to enter any other New York State Park without having to pay again.
We parked by the main area of the park, which has a short walk to what is normally the swimming area. I highly recommend checking the NYS Park website before visiting the park, as we knew there was no swimming due to rain. However, it was clear that a lot of visitors were planning on swimming, which would be a disappointment to make the trip only to find out that there would be no swimming.
We decided to hike the gorge trail. I had been warned that there were a lot of steps, and remember thinking it couldn’t possibly be that many stairs. However, there are MANY stairs here, so consider yourself warned!!
We started on a difficult trail, which is the hike to the top of the gorge.
The hike up the gorge trail is definitely a challenge. We reached the first lookout, and then continued up the final sets of stairs. I really had to push myself up those last few flights of stairs, and we finally made it. You can see down on the right hand side where the rim trail is along the water (and where we had an easy hike back to the parking lot).
The rim trail is really neat. It is interesting to see the walkways constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) many years ago. Some of the views are just surreal.
We found these trail markers very informative. This map was useful but moreso was the map along the gorge trail, since that part of the trail is so challenging (and allowed us to pace ourselves).
Visit Robert H. Treman State Park at https://parks.ny.gov/parks/135/details.aspx
Check out our other New York State hikes: https://www.anationofmoms.com/travel/new-york-hikes
I absolutely LOVE places like this. That waterfall is amazing, too! What a gorgeous place to spend some quality time with the family!
This has such unique rock formations. What a cool place! The tough parts of the trail definitely sound like they’re worth it.
We love to hike and this place is gorgeous! Too bad you can’t swim though that would feel great after a long, hot hike!
That looks like an amazing place to explore with the family. I would love to check it out and see it in person.
Those are a lot of steps but the view of the waterfall seems worth the effort. How many hours did it take you to complete the trail?
Oh my wow!! This park is gorgeous!! I love those water falls and the stairways!!
Living in downstate NY, we have a fond appreciation of parks like this when we do go upstate to visit. We’ll have to mark this one for our next trip!
I adore waterfalls and we have very few in Missouri. I would love to see this gorgeous state park.
Waterfalls are one of my favorite things to see while traveling. I will have to make note of these parks and how to enter!
It’s absolutely beautiful there, I’m going to visit family in NY I’m a few months I’ll have to check it out. I love adventure.
It is so beautiful! It has been a long time since I hiked there, but it looks as pristine and natural as ever!
What a beautiful place to spend the day with! It looks relaxing and so neat.
This is such a beautiful place! $8 per car isn’t bad at all! I would love to take my kids there!
What a really gorgeous park. I would love to take a visit to this park with the kids!
This is a spectacular spot and we’ve with our kids and dogs. We experienced a near catastrophe when our exuberant beagle hopped up with the intent of jumping off the stone wall (and over the ledge). My son had a firm grip on her leash thankfully! The next visit, the dogs stayed home.
This does seem like such a lovely and relaxing place to visit with my family. Terrific photos.
What a gorgeous state park! You are lucky to have so many places within a distance that you can enjoy these wonders! Fun to explore, even if you couldn’t swim!
This is absolutely breathtaking. I would to hang out there and explore for a day or two.
What a beautiful place. I love waterfalls.