The Finger Lakes are an area of eleven fairly narrow lakes, in the region of the same name, that roughly run from north to south.
Located within New York State, many of these lakes are contained in or around numerous state parks, which collectively provide countless opportunities for outdoor recreational activities like hiking, swimming, fishing and other water based activities.
A number of these state parks lie within easy driving distance of around an hour from the Ithaca, which of course is the home to Cornell University.
If you are looking to escape the pressures of city or university life for a while, they provide an excellent opportunity to get back to nature.
Here are 10 State Parks near Ithaca you should visit when such circumstances arise.
Map of State Parks Near Ithaca NY
Here is a map of the New York state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Ithaca
The 10 state parks near Ithaca outlined below are all within an hourβs drive of the city, making them perfect daytrip and overnight destinations.
1. Buttermilk Falls State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 2 miles southeast of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Ithaca, the charmingly named Buttermilk Falls State Park derives its name from the foamy cascade of Buttermilk Creek, which is formed as it flows towards Cayuga Lake down a steep valley.
Divided into two sections, the upper park possesses a small lake that is good for boating activities and fishing. It also has a number of hiking trails that will take you through dense woodlands and towards the gorge and rim, where there are playing fields and scenic picnic areas.
At the lower section of the park there is a campground, as well as a natural pool which is great for swimming in, and more playing fields. Further beyond lies a wetland area called Larch Meadows which also has a nature trail.
The campground here has one pavilion that can house up to 73 people. To stay here the pavilion costs $100 a night and has a 2-day rental period minimum.
Buttermilk Falls State Park is a 811-acre (3.28 km2) state park located southwest of Ithaca, New York, United States.
Highlights associated with Buttermilk Falls State Park include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Buttermilk Falls State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Robert H. Treman State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 3 miles south of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 105 Enfield Falls Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Official Guide: Robert H. Treman State Park β Home to 12 waterfalls including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls.
Highlights associated with Robert H. Treman State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Robert H. Treman State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Taughannock Falls State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 8 miles north of Ithaca (straight-line).
Taughannock Falls State Park ( tΙ-GAN-Ιk) is a 750-acre (3.0 km2) state park located in the town of Ulysses in Tompkins County, New York in the United States.
Highlights associated with Taughannock Falls State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Taughannock Falls State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Watkins Glen State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 17 miles west of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Watkins Glen State Park is in the village of Watkins Glen, south of Seneca Lake in Schuyler County in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
Highlights associated with Watkins Glen State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Watkins Glen State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Fillmore Glen State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 19 miles northeast of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 1686 NY-38, Moravia, NY 13118
A 30-minute drive north of Ithaca you will find the Fillmore Glen State Park.
Made up of dense woodland that frame a narrow and long gorge, it is known for its fabulous hiking trails that showcase scintillating views, which include five different waterfalls, a gorgeous glen and some unique geological formations. Youβll definitely want to bring your camera along with you if you hike up here.
The park also has a gorgeous swimming pool which is fed by the stream, as well as good fishing opportunities in the inlet at Owasco Lake. During the winter, you can also go snowmobiling and cross-country ski here too.
Fillmore Glen has 60 campsites, as well as three pavilions that can accommodate between 58 and 110 people. It also has a full service cottage at Lake Point, directly on the shore of Cayuga Lake for those who love their home comforts.
Fillmore Glen State Park is a 941-acre (3.81 km2) state park located in the Finger Lakes region of New York adjacent to the Village of Moravia in Cayuga County.
Highlights associated with Fillmore Glen State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Fillmore Glen State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Lodi Point State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 21 miles northwest of Ithaca (straight-line).
Lodi Point State Park (also known as Lodi Point Marine Park) is a 12-acre (4.9 ha) state park in New York State, United States.
Highlights associated with Lodi Point State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Lodi Point State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Bonavista State Park Golf Course
Distance from Ithaca: about 27 miles southeast of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 823 Mountain Road, Owego, New York 13827
Bonavista State Park Golf Course is a 247-acre (1.00 km2) state park and golf course located in the Town of Ovid, just west of the Village of Ovid, New York, United States.
Highlights associated with Bonavista State Park Golf Course include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Bonavista State Park Golf Course guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Keuka Lake State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 32 miles west of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 3560 Pepper Rd, Keuka Park, NY 14478
Reached via a 75-minute drive east, Keuka Lake State Park is the further state park from Ithaca on this list. But it is well worth making the effort to drive over there.
If you love wine this is a great place for you to head to as it is right in the heart of wine country. Radiating an intoxicating charm and beauty, the area provides magnificent views of rolling vineyards, shimmering water and cerulean skies.
A perfect spot for hiking and photography, this pet friendly location allows you to bring a maximum of two pets with you.
There is a big sized camping area in the park which accommodates 150 tents and trailer sites – 53 of which offer electric hookups.
Keuka Lake also has two pavilions which can house up to 75 people each. In addition there is also a picnic shelter here. As well as a docking space and a boat launch ramp too for your convenience.
Keuka Lake State Park is a 621-acre (2.51 km2) state park located in Yates County, New York.
Highlights associated with Keuka Lake State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, a designated swimming area, and a boat launch.
See our full Keuka Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Cayuga Lake State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 34 miles north of Ithaca (straight-line).
Location: 2678 Lower Lake Rd, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Cayuga Lake State Park is a relatively small 141-acre state park which resides east of the village of Seneca Falls, towards the north end of Cayuga Lake.
Situated just over a 45 minute drive north of Ithaca, the park enjoys a picturesque location, with flat terrain around the lakeshore – which is where a lovely beach and beautiful sun lawns are located – and a gentle, verdant, uphill slope to where the cabins and campsites can be found.
The parkβs main highlight is the wonderful views it gives of Cayuga Lake. A great spot for fishing, you can catch carp thrive, bullheads and largemouth bass, in the shallow water that is situated near the park, and lake trout, landlocked salmon, northern pike and small mouth bass, in the deeper water.
Around the lake there are four pavilions for camping, which can accommodate between 36 and 127 people.
Cayuga Lake State Park is a 141-acre (0.57 km2) state park located on the north end of Cayuga Lake, east of the village of Seneca Falls in Seneca County, New York, United States.
Highlights associated with Cayuga Lake State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Cayuga Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
10. Fair Haven Beach State Park
Distance from Ithaca: about 63 miles north of Ithaca (straight-line).
Fair Haven Beach State Park is a 1,141-acre (4.62 km2) state park on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario in upstate New York.
Highlights associated with Fair Haven Beach State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
See our full Fair Haven Beach State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
