New York is home to many stunning waterfalls–even a fiery one that’s the only one of its kind in the world!–but there aren’t any you can swim in…or are there? Less than five hours from NYC you’ll find Lower Falls, and yes, you can actually swim in it!
Lower Falls, or Enfield Falls, is located in Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca, New York. It’s a 70 foot waterfall at the foot of the Enfield Glen and, unlike most other waterfalls, you can swim in the large pool directly at its base.
The pool even has a diving board and lifeguard!
Basically, we just found the next best thing to add to your summer bucket list!
And while Lower Falls is probably the most exciting portion of Robert H. Treman State Park, it’s just a small slice of what the park has to offer. To truly experience the park, hike any of the trails or check out Enfield Glen, the scenic highlight of the park with craggy gorges and winding trails.
In total there are twelve waterfalls in the park, including the massive Lucifer Falls which stands 115 feet tall! Plus, further up in the glen are countless flumes and plunges to check out.
Robert H. Treman State Park was donated to New York State in the 1920s by Robert Treman and his wife Laura after they built stone walkways and bridges. Though once only 380 acres today the park is 1072 acres.
If you’re looking for the best place to cool off this summer, let it be here!
📍 105 Enfield Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
🚗 4.5 hours from NYC by car