Robert H. Treman State Park
A lovely mix of waterfalls, hiking, camping, and swimming makes this New York state park the ideal summer getaway.
Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, Robert H. Treman State Park is a full day of summer time adventure and a very short drive from Ithaca, NY.
This state park truly stuns with its natural beauty. The crown jewel is the dramatic Enfield Glen. Twisty paths snake along the gorge, passing by a dozen cascading waterfalls and stone staircases, with the 115-foot-tall Lucifer Falls being the showstopper. The park also features over nine miles of hiking trails, camping, and swimming in a waterfall-filled pool.
The Gorge and rim Trails
These two trails (each about two miles) form a loop that covers both sides of Enfield Glen and the gorge. The highlight, as noted, is the towering Lucifer Falls. The trail takes you to a top vantage of the falls, then travels down and alongside Enfield Creek, as it cascades downstream. The trail continues into the glen, with a very special micro-climate; the temperature can be several degrees cooler here. If adventuring in May and June, look for the Gray Petaltail dragonflies darting in and out of the glen.
Enjoy the Cliff Stairways for their beauty, as they connect the two trails and bring you to the Lucifer Falls overlook point.
There is significant elevation gain on the trail (over 800 feet), so please do bring plenty of water and take your time. There’s also so much natural beauty here, plan on close to a half day of hiking, especially if you bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the trail.
Camping and swimming
The park offers 70 camping spots for both tents and RVs. You’ll need to reserve ahead of time though Reserve America. Rates are around $30 per night, with slightly higher prices for out of state residents. The camping season is relatively long for the northeast, running from mid-May all the way until mid-November. There are also 14 cabins to rent, which have electricity and electric heat.
The swimming experience here is very unique, with a large natural pool that fills from a real waterfall from the Enfield Creek. Enjoy the soothing sounds of falling water while swimming and cooling off from the summer heat. Don’t feel like getting wet? Don’t worry, there’s a beach for you as well to soak up the day.
Geology landscapes
Towering rock formations with layers of ancient Devonian shale and sandstone give the park a special layer cake like feel, as the water flows over these rocks. Visually stunning, the Enfield Creek is working quickly here, you can see old deep plunge pools, where once there was a waterfall.
The Old mill
You can tour and enjoy exploring the restored mill, once part of a small hamlet of industry in the 1800’s. Intriguingly, the mill was actually built by Robert Treman’s great uncle, over 75 years before Robert purchased, and subsequently donated the land that would become the state park.
