HomeCascadilla Gorge

Please note: Because its narrow trails make safe use challenging during COVID-19 containment, we ask everyone to strictly abide by our mask-wearing rule and to keep 6 feet of distance whenever possible. Cascadilla Gorge is now open for the season.

Cascadilla Gorge is truly a "gorges" display of rock, water and trees. Cascadilla Creek drops 400 feet from campus to downtown Ithaca, carving through bedrock—shale, siltstone and sandstone—exposing sedimentary rocks that were deposited 400 million years ago.

Cascadilla Gorge was originally preserved and donated to Cornell University by Robert H. Treman in 1909 to support public use, education, and enjoyment.

Printable Map

Cascadilla Gorge Trail

The Cascadilla Gorge Trail passes through the gorge of ancient bedrock past six waterfalls. Find trail routes on the mobile-friendly website ithacatrails.org.

View Cascadilla Gorge Trail

Self-guided Tour

Explore the natural and cultural history of Cascadilla Gorge with a Google-driven map that provides images and information at various points of interest. Search for "Pocketsights Tour Guide" in the App Store or Google Play Store.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

A Landscape Shaped by Water

Water in many forms has shaped Cascadilla Gorge and the Finger Lakes landscape we enjoy today.

How the gorge was formed

MORE ABOUT CASCADILLA GORGE

Natural Heritage of Cascadilla Gorge

More about the plant communities of Cascadilla Gorge.

Cascadilla Gorge History

Cascadilla Gorge was originally preserved and donated to Cornell University by Robert H. Treman in 1909.

Gorge Safety

Please respect and use the gorges safely.

Find more to explore! Check out our interactive map

Explore Map