Outdoor Recreation in Ithaca
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Perfect running trails. Breathtaking waterfalls. Beautiful shores. Unforgettable memories. Outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County. Find peaceful shores to enjoy an afternoon picnic beside, biking trails through incredible forests, and hiking trails that lead you to the base of unbelievable waterfalls. Ithaca may be a mini-city in the southern tip of the Finger Lakes, but you can always enjoy some outdoor adventure to get you back in touch with nature.
All four NY State Parks in Tompkins County are open. Please take note of the safety protocols provided here: parks.ny.gov/covid19
Ithaca-area State Park visitor updates:
- Parking will be limited by 50% and restricted to parking lots only (no lawn parking). Follow signs and markers at each individual park.
- Camping and overnight stays in cottage, cabins, and in marinas are not open at this time; a date has not yet been set for when camping will be available.
- Face masks are required in areas where social distancing may not be possible such as trail heads and viewing areas.
- Swimming is not yet open, swimming at Taughannock Park may be be open in early June.
- Some bathrooms are open with every other stall/sink roped off for non-use to comply with social distancing. Restrooms will be closed for sanitizing several times a day. Some bathroom facilities, including Taughannock Overlook Visitor Center, are closed.
- Picnic tables will be reduced by 50% and spread out, please maintain this spacing.
- Most boat launches are open across the region.
State Park Trail updates as of May 30, 2020:
- Rim Trails at Buttermilk, Robert Treman and Taughannock are open; Taughannock Gorge Trail is open. Please take not of signage indicating one way hiking.
- At Robert Treman, The Gorge Trail and Red Pine Trail are closed until early June. Due to flood damage in swim area, swimming will not be opening until approximately June 30, to allow time for both the masonry repairs to be completed as well as the annual deep water safety work.
Virtual Experiences
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology Live Cam
- ICG@Home activity series from Ithaca Children's Garden
- Cayuga Nature Center & Smith Woods Video
- Podcast about Cayuga Nature Center Visit
- Discover Ithaca Children's Garden Video
- Gardening Online Courses from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
Whether you want to launch your kayak into Cayuga Lake, follow a path through the trees, or play a round of golf on one of the beautiful greens, Ithaca won’t disappoint. Make your vacation here all about the outdoors and choose one of the many Ithaca camping options available to take it all in from sun up to sun down!
