Triphammer Falls is a 55-foot waterfall on Fall Creek in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, pouring out of Beebe Lake just below Beebe Dam on the Cornell University campus. It can be seen from a footbridge a short walk from campus parking, and gorge trails lead past it to more falls downstream.
The falls
Below the dam spillway, Fall Creek drops over natural ledges of 18, about 5 and 32 feet into the gorge, leaving out the height added by the dam. The long-published figure is 80 feet, and Cornell Botanic Gardens still uses that figure. The gorge walls are Devonian siltstone and shale.
Getting there
The falls are on Cornell land managed by Cornell Botanic Gardens, whose grounds are open dawn to dusk. There is no admission fee. The simplest view is from the Triphammer Footbridge or the neighboring road bridge. An accessible approach starts at the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center lot, when space allows. As of September 2026 the lot's pay station is disabled and parking is paid through ParkMobile zone 4119, at $1.50 an hour or $10 a day plus a $0.45 transaction fee.
For a longer walk, the Fall Creek Gorge loop from Forest Home Drive is 1.6 miles, rated moderate, with 352 feet of gain on dirt paths and stairs; Triphammer views begin about 0.1 mile from the start. Check current gorge trail conditions before setting out.
When to go
The falls are open year-round. Flow runs all year, lower in late summer and reduced by diversion at Beebe Dam.
On site
Swimming is prohibited, and dogs are welcome on a leash. Besides the bridges, a route along the north rim behind Risley Hall leads to an overlook. Falls from cliff edges, falling rocks and hidden currents are hazards in the gorge; stay on marked trails.
History and name
The name comes from a triphammer forge that worked here in the 1820s, and Ezra Cornell built the first dam at Beebe Lake to harness the creek for waterpower. The current footbridge over the falls opened on December 9, 1997.
Nearby
Fall Creek keeps dropping through the gorge below: Rocky Falls is about 0.2 mile away, Foaming Falls about 0.3 mile and Ithaca Falls about 0.6 mile. Judd Falls, on Cascadilla Creek, is also about 0.6 mile away.
Distances are straight-line.