Right now
Right now as of Nov 6, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $10 per car, April into November.
Status note (Nov 6, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on Nov 6, 2026 the NY State Parks page said "All trails, including the Gorge Trail, are now open for the season". The Oct 13, 2026 trail map says Gorge Trail closures occur "generally from late November until late May." Call (607) 273-3440 before a late-November visit. What the status labels mean
Lucifer Falls is a 115-foot, multi-tiered waterfall in Enfield Glen, inside Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca, NY. It is a short hike from the Upper Entrance on the Gorge Trail. That trail closes for winter, generally from late November to late May. New York State Parks charges $10 per car from April into November. Swimming is allowed only in the lifeguarded area of the lower park.
About Lucifer Falls
Lucifer Falls is on Enfield Creek in Enfield Glen, the gorge New York State Parks calls the park's scenic highlight. Robert H. Treman State Park is in the town of Enfield, Tompkins County, with an Ithaca mailing address.
"Winding trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls," the park says. The trails lead, the park says, to where visitors can see "a mile-and-a-half down the wooded gorge." Wikipedia describes Lucifer Falls as a multi-tiered cascading waterfall.
The map pin for the falls is approximate. It comes from Wikidata, and we found no official coordinates for the falls. The directions button uses the park's Upper Entrance instead.
Lucifer Falls is one of several waterfalls around Ithaca. Ithaca Falls is a very short walk in the city, and Taughannock Falls is another state park falls in the area.
Getting there and parking
For Lucifer Falls, start at the Upper Entrance. The park's Gorge Tour begins in the upper park, and Wikipedia calls the falls "a short hike from the western portion of the park."
Upper Entrance: the Lucifer Falls upper trailhead
The official trail map shows parking, a ticket booth, a historic building and restrooms in the upper park, where the Gorge Trail starts. Ithaca Trails calls this lot "Upper Robert H. Treman State Park (Old Mill)."
Our directions use the Upper Entrance location from the NY State Parks page. Ithaca Trails places its upper-park pin in a different spot, so follow the park signs on arrival.
Main Entrance and the lower park
The Main Entrance is at 105 Enfield Falls Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. The trail map shows the swimming area, parking and the park office in the lower park. From there, the Gorge Trail follows Enfield Creek up to Lucifer Falls.
We found no official distance or drive time from downtown Ithaca, so we don't give one.
Park hours and day-use entry
The park is open year-round, dawn to dusk. See the fee box above for the 2026 vehicle fee and its collection window.
We found no reservation or timed-entry rule for day use. For conditions before a visit, the park asks you to call its office at (607) 273-3440.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Lucifer Falls trail: the Gorge Trail from the Upper Entrance
The Gorge Trail runs along Enfield Creek between the upper and lower park. It is 2.12 miles on the official trail map, dated October 13, 2026, which shows all trails as approximate.
Ithaca Trails gives a shorter 1.5 miles, without saying whether that is one way, and about 30 minutes of hiking. It rates the trail moderate for its stone staircases and "an elevation change of over 500 feet."
From the Upper Entrance to Lucifer Falls
The park's Gorge Tour "begins in the upper portion of the park and travels through the ¼-mile narrow rocky section," according to NY State Parks.
The route then passes "115-foot Lucifer Falls and into the wide and wooded lower gorge." The park calls the hike "moderately difficult with 3 staircases." Its tours last about one and a half hours.
Views of Lucifer Falls open up along the Gorge Trail, and the Rim Trail has more overlooks, according to Wikipedia.
Gorge and Rim loop
The Gorge Trail can become a loop by joining the Rim Trail back to the lower trailhead, says Ithaca Trails. The Rim Trail is 2.09 miles on the trail map, the same figure Ithaca Trails gives. Buttermilk Falls, another gorge park near Ithaca, has a Gorge and Rim loop too.
Short on time? Start at the Upper Entrance and turn back after the falls. Want all 12 falls? Plan for the 4.5-mile round trip Wikipedia describes. Ithaca Trails rates the Rim Trail easy to moderate, with an earth surface.
Other park trails
The trail map also lists the Red Pine Trail (0.79 mile), the CCC Memorial Trail (0.49 mile) and 5.15 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail/North Country Trail. NY State Parks counts nine miles of hiking trails in the park.
Dogs and drones
Up to two pets are allowed in campsites and day-use areas, unless a sign or directive prohibits them. NY State Parks says pets must be "supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6 feet in length."
Pets are not allowed in playgrounds, buildings, boardwalks, pools, spray-grounds or guarded beaches; this does not apply to service animals. Ithaca Trails tags the Rim Trail dog-friendly on leash but gives the Gorge Trail no such tag.
The park page does not mention drones, and neither does the trail map. Ask the park office before you fly one.
Accessibility
NY State Parks lists an accessible waterfall and an accessible swimming beach among the park's amenities, but it does not say which waterfall. The Gorge Tour route has three staircases, so it is not a wheelchair route.
When to visit
The park is open year-round, but the Gorge Trail is seasonal. The October 13, 2026 trail map says: "Seasonal trail closures occur generally from late November until late May on the Gorge and Red Pine Trails."
The map adds that "other trails may also be closed due to hazardous conditions." On November 6, 2026, the park page still said all trails, including the Gorge Trail, were open for the season.
Winter: the Rim Trail
The Rim Trail stays open year-round, per Ithaca Trails, and Wikipedia mentions Rim Trail overlooks of the falls. If you plan to visit from late November, call the park office at (607) 273-3440 first.
Fall 2026: swimming, camping and shelters
The 2026 swim season, from late June to Labor Day weekend, is over. The 2026 camping season was listed as May 15 to Nov 7, and the shelter season ended October 29.
The park has campsites and cabins, and the 2026 season was listed to end Nov 7. Cabins need an advance reservation, and the park strongly recommends one for campsites. Book through ReserveAmerica or 1-800-456-2267. Campsites were listed at $20 to $24 on Nov 4, 2026.
NY State Parks publishes no best season for the falls' flow, so we don't name one.
| Height | 115 ftNote: 115 ft per NY State Parks; Wikipedia also gives 115 ft and calls it multi-tiered |
|---|---|
| Trail | Short hike from the Upper Entrance through the park's ¼-mile narrow rocky section (NY State Parks). The Gorge Trail is 2.12 mi on the official trail map (Oct 13, 2026) and 1.5 mi per Ithaca Trails; the Rim Trail is 2.09 mi |
| Difficulty | Moderate: NY State Parks calls the Gorge Tour "moderately difficult with 3 staircases" |
| Entry fee | Vehicle entry fee: $10 per car and $35 per bus on the park's fee table as listed Nov 4, 2026, collected April 1 to November 30. The park page text says fees are collected from April to mid November. Empire Pass $80 |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or reservation for day use; vehicle entry fee from April into November |
| Parking | Upper Entrance for Lucifer Falls |
| 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. Not in playgrounds, buildings, boardwalks, pools, spray-grounds or guarded beaches (service animals excepted) |
| Swimming | Not at Lucifer Falls. Swimming is allowed only in the lifeguarded area in the lower park at Enfield Falls. The 2026 swim season (late June to Labor Day weekend) is over |
| Wheelchair / stroller | NY State Parks lists an accessible waterfall and an accessible swimming beach among park amenities but does not name the waterfall. The Gorge Tour route has 3 staircases |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; the Gorge Trail is generally open late May to late November (park trail map) |
| Crowds | No crowd figure is published |
| Managed by | New York State Parks (OPRHP), Robert H. Treman State Park |
Safety and swimming
Swimming is allowed only in the lifeguarded area, which is at Enfield Falls in the lower park. Do not swim at Lucifer Falls or anywhere else in the gorge.
Even in season, the park says swimming "is not guaranteed and closures can occur due to water quality, weather, environmental reasons or lifeguard availability."
Near the falls, the Gorge Trail passes through a ¼-mile narrow rocky section with stone staircases, per NY State Parks. Take the steps slowly, especially when the rock is wet.
Respect trail closures. The trail map warns that trails may close "due to hazardous conditions," and the Gorge Trail generally closes from late November.
Bow hunting for deer is permitted in season in designated sections of the park only, NY State Parks says. Hunters must sign in each day at the park office or upper contact station. Ithaca Trails lists hunting as not allowed on the Gorge and Rim trails.
In an emergency, call 911. The trail map also lists State Park Police at 1 (877) 851-6086 and the park office at (607) 273-3440. Our waterfall safety guide has more on gorge trails.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Lucifer Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Ithaca.
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Photos
Lucifer Falls FAQ
How long is the Lucifer Falls trail?
No source gives the distance from the Upper Entrance to the falls. NY State Parks says the Gorge Tour starts in the upper park and passes the falls after a ¼-mile narrow rocky section. The full Gorge Trail is 2.12 miles on the trail map; Ithaca Trails lists 1.5 miles.
Where is the Lucifer Falls upper trailhead?
At the Upper Entrance of Robert H. Treman State Park, which Ithaca Trails calls the Old Mill lot. The trail map shows parking, a ticket booth and restrooms there. The Main Entrance is at 105 Enfield Falls Rd., Ithaca.
How tall is Lucifer Falls?
115 feet, according to New York State Parks. It is one of 12 waterfalls in Enfield Glen.
Is there a fee at Robert H. Treman State Park?
Yes. The fee table listed $10 per car and $35 per bus on Nov 4, 2026, collected April 1 to November 30. The park page text says April to mid November. It promotes the $80 Empire Pass for day-use entry at most State Parks.
Can you swim at Lucifer Falls?
No. Swimming is allowed only in the lifeguarded area at Enfield Falls in the lower park. In 2026 that area was open from late June to Labor Day weekend, and the season is over.
Are dogs allowed on the Lucifer Falls trail?
NY State Parks allows up to two pets in day-use areas, crated or on a leash of 6 feet or less, unless a sign prohibits them. Ithaca Trails tags the Rim Trail dog-friendly on leash. It gives the Gorge Trail no such tag.
Is the Gorge Trail open in winter?
Usually not. The Oct 13, 2026 trail map says Gorge and Red Pine closures occur generally from late November until late May. Ithaca Trails lists the Rim Trail as open year-round. Call (607) 273-3440 before you go.
Why is it called Lucifer Falls?
We found no official source that explains the name. New York State Parks and the park trail map do not say where it comes from.
Nearby waterfalls
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Sources
- NY State Parks: Robert H. Treman State Park (hours, trail update, swimming, camping, pets, hunting; read Nov 6, 2026; fee table read Nov 4, 2026)
- NY State Parks: Robert H. Treman State Park trail map (NYSOPRHP GIS Bureau, Oct 13, 2026; read Nov 6, 2026)
- Ithaca Trails: Robert H. Treman Gorge Trail (read Nov 4, 2026)
- Ithaca Trails: Robert H. Treman Rim Trail (read Nov 4, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Robert H. Treman State Park (read Nov 4, 2026)
- Wikidata: Lucifer's Falls, Q134089028 (coordinates; read Nov 4, 2026)
Last verified Nov 6, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with New York State Parks (OPRHP), Robert H. Treman State Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.