Right now
Right now as of Nov 7, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $5 per car (pay station, summer dates).
Status note (Nov 7, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on Nov 7, 2026 the NY State Parks page said "Open year-round, with restrictions. Call 315-423-3744 for specifics." Park hours are sunrise to sunset. The page does not say what the restrictions are, so call before you go. What the status labels mean
Chittenango Falls is a 167-foot cascade on Chittenango Creek in Chittenango Falls State Park, near Cazenovia, NY. You can view it from the top, then take a loop trail into the gorge to a footbridge. The park publishes no trail length. The park page lists $5 per car at a summer pay station, with 2025 dates still posted. The park is open year-round with restrictions, so call ahead.
About Chittenango Falls
Chittenango Falls is the main attraction of Chittenango Falls State Park, a 193-acre park in Madison County, east of Cazenovia Lake. New York State Parks lists the falls at 167 feet.
The park credits "glacial sculpting over 400 million-year-old bedrock" for the falls. Wikipedia says the water cascades over that rock, and Chittenango Creek flows under a wooden bridge at the bottom.
The park is also home to the Chittenango ovate amber snail, which Wikipedia calls endemic and endangered. Stay on the trails to protect its habitat.
Wikipedia says the falls once marked the boundary between the lands of the Oneida and Onondaga peoples. In 1784, the Oneidas described it as "a Place where the Water runs over a Ledge of Rocks."
Our map pin for the falls is the Main Entrance pin from the NY State Parks page, so treat it as approximate.
Getting there and parking
The park's Main Entrance is at 5241 Gorge Rd (Route 13), Cazenovia, NY 13035. Our directions button uses the Main Entrance pin from the NY State Parks page.
We found no official distance or drive time from nearby cities, so we don't give one.
Hours and the park office
The park is open sunrise to sunset. The park office is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm, at (315) 423-3744.
Paying at the pay station
The vehicle fee is paid at an automated pay station that gives no change. Bring coins, $1 or $5 bills, or a credit card. See the fee box above for rates and dates.
Map and nearby falls
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OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Chittenango Falls trail: the gorge loop and footbridge
NY State Parks describes one route. Visitors "view the falls from the top, walk the winding trail into the gorge, view the falls from the footbridge," then return up the other side.
The park publishes no length for this loop, and neither does Wikipedia. Check the official trail map for the route layout.
From the top of the falls
Wikipedia says you can view the falls from the top, either from the side of the creek or from a small viewing rail.
Into the gorge and across the footbridge
The park's winding trail drops into the gorge to the footbridge below the falls. Wikipedia says Chittenango Creek flows under this wooden bridge at the bottom of the falls.
Back up the opposite side
The return follows "the small trail on the opposite side of the gorge," per the park. Wikipedia calls it a steep uphill trail with several viewing spots along the way.
The park gives no difficulty rating. We call the loop moderate because of the descent into the gorge and the steep climb back. View the official trail map before you go.
Dogs
Up to two pets are allowed in day-use areas unless a sign or directive prohibits them. NY State Parks says pets must be supervised and "either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length."
Staff may ask for proof of rabies inoculation. Pets are not allowed in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools, spray-grounds or guarded beaches, though service animals are exempt. The page lists no trail-specific rule.
Accessibility
The park page gives no accessibility details for the trail or viewpoints. It lists accessible pavilion and shelter rentals and asks you to call (315) 423-3744 for more information.
When to visit
The park page says the park is "open year-round, with restrictions." It does not say what the restrictions are, so call (315) 423-3744 before a visit.
Winter
Wikipedia says the trail to the viewing bridge closes in winter because of ice. The views from the top stay available, it adds. Confirm the trail status with the park office.
Summer: fees and pavilions
The pay station runs in summer, from 7am to 7pm. The latest posted dates are for 2025, May 23 to Sept 1.
The park has two pavilions that hold 25 or 100 people, priced $50 to $200. Shelter rentals run mid-May to Labor Day, 9am to sunset. Book through Reserve America.
Camping
There is no camping. Wikipedia says the park's campground closed in the mid-2000s, though some camping guides still list it.
NY State Parks publishes no best season for the falls' flow, so we don't name one. Wikipedia says about 45,000 people visit the park each year. For another state park falls in New York, see Lucifer Falls.
| Height | 167 ftNote: 167 ft per NY State Parks; Wikipedia also gives 167 ft and says the falls cascade over roughly 400-million-year-old bedrock |
|---|---|
| Trail | Loop from the top of the falls (NY State Parks). A winding trail drops into the gorge to a footbridge view, and a small trail climbs back up the opposite side. No trail length is published |
| Difficulty | No official rating: NY State Parks publishes no difficulty for this trail. We call it moderate because the park describes a "winding trail into the gorge" and Wikipedia calls the return "a steep uphill trail" |
| Entry fee | Vehicle entry fee: $5 per car daily and $35 per bus, paid at an automated pay station from 7am to 7pm. The park page still shows the 2025 dates (May 23 to Sept 1, 2025); no 2026 dates were posted as of Nov 7, 2026. Empire Pass $80 |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed for day use; $5 per car at a pay station during the summer fee season |
| Parking | Main Entrance, Gorge Rd (Route 13) |
| Dogs | Allowed in day-use areas unless a sign or directive prohibits them: a maximum of two pets, supervised, crated or on a leash of 6 ft or less. Staff may ask for proof of rabies shots. Not in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools, spray-grounds or guarded beaches (service animals excepted). No trail-specific rule is listed |
| Swimming | Not listed. The park page lists fishing, hiking and picnicking as activities but does not list swimming |
| Wheelchair / stroller | The park page gives no accessibility details for the trail or viewpoints. It lists accessible pavilion and shelter rentals and asks visitors to call (315) 423-3744 for more information |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; the park is open year-round with restrictions, and the pay station runs in summer |
| Crowds | About 45,000 visitors a year, according to Wikipedia |
| Managed by | New York State Parks, Chittenango Falls State Park (Central Region) |
Safety and swimming
Stay on the trails. Wikipedia calls the Chittenango ovate amber snail, which lives in this park, endemic and endangered.
The return trail climbs steeply out of the gorge, per Wikipedia. Take it slowly, especially when the ground is wet.
Respect winter closures. Wikipedia says the trail to the viewing bridge closes in winter because of icy conditions.
Swimming is not listed among the park's activities, which are fishing, hiking and picnicking. Ask the park office before entering the creek.
In an emergency, call 911. The park office is at (315) 423-3744. Our waterfall safety guide has more on gorge trails.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Chittenango Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Cazenovia.
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Photos
Chittenango Falls FAQ
Is Chittenango Falls open now?
As far as we can tell, yes. On Nov 7, 2026 the park page said "Open year-round, with restrictions," with hours from sunrise to sunset. It does not list the restrictions, so call (315) 423-3744.
How tall is Chittenango Falls?
167 feet, according to New York State Parks. Wikipedia gives the same height.
How long is the Chittenango Falls trail?
No length is published. The park describes a loop: view the falls from the top, walk into the gorge to the footbridge, then climb back up the opposite side.
How much does it cost to visit Chittenango Falls State Park?
The park page lists $5 per car and $35 per bus at a pay station, 7am to 7pm. The posted dates are for summer 2025. It is not listed as free, so check before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Chittenango Falls?
Yes, in day-use areas unless a sign prohibits them. NY State Parks allows up to two pets, supervised and crated or on a leash of 6 feet or less.
Can you swim at Chittenango Falls?
Swimming is not listed. The park page lists fishing, hiking and picnicking as activities. Ask the park office at (315) 423-3744 before entering the water.
Is there camping at Chittenango Falls State Park?
No. Wikipedia says the campground closed in the mid-2000s, although some camping guides still list it.
Is the gorge trail open in winter?
No, according to Wikipedia. It says the trail to the viewing bridge closes in winter because of ice, though you can still view the falls from the top. Call the park to confirm.
Nearby waterfalls
Ithaca Falls49 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen150FT
Taughannock Falls50 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen215FT
Buttermilk Falls52 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Lucifer Falls55 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen115FT
Watkins Glen67 mi straight-line, by our mathSeasonalPLUS 60FT
City guides: Waterfalls near Ithaca, NY
Sources
- NY State Parks: Chittenango Falls State Park (status, hours, fees, pets, trail description, pavilions; read Nov 7, 2026)
- NY State Parks: Chittenango Falls State Park official trail map (PDF)
- Wikipedia: Chittenango Falls State Park (acreage, visitors, campground, snail, history, winter trail; read Nov 7, 2026)
Last verified Nov 7, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with New York State Parks, Chittenango Falls State Park (Central Region) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.