Robert H. Treman State Park

For thousands of years, Enfield Creek has carved a deep gorge through the shale hills southwest of Ithaca, creating the waterfalls, pools, and narrow passages that define Robert H. Treman State Park. Trails follow the creek past 12 waterfalls, including 115-foot Lucifer Falls, and connect the park’s lower swimming area with the historic Old Mill in the upper park.

The experience changes depending on where you begin. Start at the lower entrance for the stream-fed swimming area, then take a longer climb through the gorge. Use the upper entrance to explore the Old Mill and take a shorter hike around Lucifer Falls.

Choose the Lower or Upper Entrance

Lower Park

The main entrance at 105 Enfield Falls Road places you near the park office, picnic areas, playground, bathhouse, and natural swimming area. From here, the Gorge Trail climbs beside Enfield Creek toward Lucifer Falls and the upper park.

Start here if swimming is central to your visit or you want to hike the gorge from bottom to top. The climb includes long flights of stone stairs and more than 500 feet of elevation change.

Upper Park

The upper entrance near the Old Mill provides quicker access to the narrowest part of Enfield Glen and the overlooks around Lucifer Falls. A roughly one-mile loop using sections of the Gorge and Rim Trails offers a shorter option, though it still includes steep stone staircases and uneven surfaces.

No park shuttle runs between the two entrances. If you hike from one end to the other, plan to retrace your route, return by the Rim Trail, or arrange transportation.

Hike the Gorge and Rim Trails

The Gorge Trail stays close to Enfield Creek, passing cascades, pools, stone bridges, and walls of layered shale. Lucifer Falls marks the transition from a narrow upper gorge to the broader, wooded lower glen. Below the falls, overlooks offer a view along the gorge toward the lower park.

The current park trail map lists the Gorge Trail at 2.12 miles and the Rim Trail at 2.09 miles. Together, they create a loop of roughly 4.2 miles. The Gorge Trail offers the closest views of the waterfalls; the Rim Trail runs mainly through woodland above the creek and serves as the return route for many hikers.

Both routes involve sustained elevation change, and the gorge’s stone stairs may be wet. Wear footwear with good traction, carry water, and allow more time than the mileage alone might suggest. Remain on marked trails and behind barriers; climbing gorge walls or entering the creek outside the guarded swimming area is unsafe.

The Gorge and Red Pine Trails generally close from late November until late May, though weather and hazardous conditions may shift those dates. The Rim Trail and other routes may also close when conditions require it. Check the park’s trail update before leaving home.

Robert H. Treman Trail Map

Lucifer Falls

At Lucifer Falls, Enfield Creek drops 115 feet through the gorge. The Gorge Trail approaches the waterfall closely before climbing beside it, while the Rim Trail and cliff staircase provide higher viewpoints. This part of the park also reveals how the creek shifted course and continued to cut through the sedimentary rock after the glaciers retreated from the Finger Lakes region.

The Old Mill and CCC Stonework

Built in 1839, the Old Mill once stood at the center of the hamlet of Enfield Falls. Exhibits inside explain the milling process and the community that developed around Enfield Creek. An archaeology walking-tour brochure, when available, identifies former homes, a hotel, and other traces of the hamlet.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built much of the park’s trail infrastructure during the 1930s. Carefully fitted stone stairways, retaining walls, bridges, and overlooks follow the contours of the gorge. The short CCC Memorial Trail near the upper park offers another way to examine this work.

Swimming at Enfield Falls

At the lower entrance, Enfield Creek feeds a natural pool beneath the park’s waterfall. A bathhouse and lawn are nearby. Swimming is permitted only when lifeguards are on duty and only within the designated area.

Swimming is generally available daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., from late June through Labor Day weekend. Water quality, weather, environmental conditions, or staffing can cause a same-day closure, so check the alert on the official park page before driving.

Before You Go

• Location: 105 Enfield Falls Road, Ithaca, Tompkins County
• Hours: Open year-round from dawn to dusk
• Vehicle entry: vehicle fee, collected seasonally; the Empire Pass is accepted
• Restrooms: Available in developed areas; seasonal availability may vary
• Pets: Up to two pets are permitted in most outdoor areas unless signs indicate otherwise. Keep them supervised and on a leash no longer than six feet, and carry proof of rabies vaccination. Pets are not allowed in the guarded swimming area, playgrounds, or buildings.
• Accessibility: New York State Parks identifies accessible fishing, shelters, showers, and swimming facilities. The gorge routes include stairs, grades, and uneven surfaces. Contact the park office at 607-273-3440 to discuss current conditions and specific access needs.

Fees, swimming hours, and trail conditions can change. Confirm the latest information on the official park page before your visit.

NYS Parks Website

What is your favorite thing to do in Robert H. Treman State Park?

I’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.