Robert H Treman State Park

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Robert H Treman State Park is an incredible natural treasure situated just 10 minutes from the heart of Ithaca, New York. Famous for its awe-inspiring gorge, picturesque waterfalls, and vibrant forested areas, this park provides visitors with a perfect mix of adventure and tranquility. Featuring a well-kept campground and charming rustic cabins, it serves as an excellent destination for camping lovers as well as those wanting to explore one of New York’s best hiking paths. Join me as I outline a day’s itinerary, highlighting the best of Robert H Treman State Park!

Entrance Fee:

$10 / vehicle. Fees are collected April 1st through November 30^th, 6:00 am through 6:30 pm.

Lodging:

There is a campground with 70 campsites, of which 11 have electric hookups, while the remaining 59 do not. Additionally, there are 14 rustic cabins available for seasonal rental. For the 2026 season, both camping and cabin accommodations will be available from May 15th to November 7th. Advanced reservations are required for the cabins and are strongly encouraged for the campsites. Make reservations here- Camping at Robert H. Treman.

For those seeking hotel options, the park is conveniently located just 10 minutes from downtown Ithaca, where a variety of hotels are available.

Dining:

There are no dining options available within the park. There are large picnic areas near both the Upper and Lower Entrances if you bring in your own food.

Again, downtown Ithaca is just 10 minutes away and has a wide variety of food options.

Personal Recommendations: Thompson and Bleecker, Ithaca Bakery, and Ithaca Ale House.

Know Before You Go:

The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Most of the trail is wet, rocky, and slick. Wear shoes with good traction.
Dogs, on leash, are allowed on the hiking trails.
Late June through Labor Day, swimming is allowed at Lower Falls.
I recommend downloading an AllTrails map for the trail on this itinerary. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
Please remember to follow Leave No Trace principles.

1 Day Itinerary

Gorge/Rim Loop

Distance: 4.5 miles round-trip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: +800 ft

Trail Access: Park in the Lower Falls Lot via Park Rd

Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash

Restrooms at Trailhead: Yes

This park has two entrances: the Upper Park Entrance and the Lower Park Entrance. For this trail, I recommend parking at the Lower Park Entrance near the Park Office. Since this trail is a loop, you can start on either the rim or gorge trail from this lot. I suggest tackling the Gorge Trail first for an easier route, as the elevation gain is more spread out.

Almost immediately, you’ll encounter several switchbacks and four staircases. I know I said this was an easier route, and I promise it is! As the trail levels out, you’ll catch an obstructed view of Lower Falls on your left. Don’t worry about the obstructed view; I’ll guide you to a much better vantage point at the end of the hike.

Continuing through the serene forest, you’ll experience several ups and downs. While you won’t see much water at first, the ground cover on the forest floor is so enchanting that it looks straight out of a fairy tale. At around the 1.2-mile mark—just when you might start questioning if this trail is worth it—you’ll begin walking alongside the water, starting with a few small but lovely waterfalls.

At approximately 1.5 miles, you’ll reach a trail junction with the Red Pine Trail (which is a much less scenic route to the same spot). Stay left to continue on the Gorge Trail. Shortly after, you’ll encounter two short waterfalls, with a bridge over the second, smaller waterfall. Do NOT cross this bridge, as it leads prematurely to the rim trail, causing you to miss the best part of the park.

Just after passing the bridge, you’ll start ascending out of the gorge and will be rewarded with spectacular views. Follow the stone stairs all the way up, with the 115-foot Lucifer Falls on your left. The next section of the trail is my favorite as you wind through massive stone walls past several smaller waterfalls before reaching the narrowest part of the gorge. There, you’ll walk along a stone walkway, likely needing to stop every few seconds to take in the beauty of the cascading water beside you.

After this, you’ll arrive at the picnic area and the Old Mill. Here, you can explore the mill, use the restrooms, rest your legs, and check out the small waterfall behind the mill before heading to the Rim Trail to return to the Lower Park Entrance Lot.

The Rim Trail begins with a steep ascent to an obstructed view of the narrowest part of the gorge. Continue past the viewpoint and the trail junction with the North Country Trail until you reach arguably the best view of Lucifer Falls, along with a fascinating look at the path you just took through the gorge. After enjoying this incredible overlook, you’ll descend into the “staircase section,” appreciating the descent rather than what could have been a challenging climb up.

At the bottom of the staircase section, there’s a short spur trail leading to the base of Lucifer Falls. You’ll only be able to see the lower third of the falls, but I still think it’s worth a visit! The remainder of the trail down is relatively uneventful, aside from a few steep areas. Once you reach the cabin area, turn left onto the road and then veer left again onto the path leading towards the dam and Lower Falls.

There is a narrow walkway across the dam area, along with a large platform that brings you very close to the falls- the promised unobstructed views I was writing about earlier. During the summer, swimming is permitted at Lower Falls, so the weekends are usually very busy. However, during our last visit in the fall, we had the place to ourselves. After enjoying the falls, follow the wide paved path by the bathhouses and picnic area to return to the parking lot.

*This is one of my favorite NY trails, and it is absolutely worth doing the entire loop. However, if you only want to see the park’s main attraction- Lucifer Falls, it’s just a few minutes from the Upper Park Entrance Lot. Park near the Old Mill.

Have an incredible adventure!

Looking for another New York itinerary? Check out our Watkins Glen State Park Itinerary!