On September 28, 2025, I visited Camp Barton and wrote a Substack post about my experience visiting the area so many years after being a camper and a counselor there.
New York State purchased Camp Barton in December 2024, giving local municipalities the opportunity to manage it. The Village of Trumansburg and the Towns of Covert and Ulysses formed the Three Falls Local Development Corporation (LDC) to ensure public access to the lake, and give visitors opportunities for recreation just up the road from the far larger Taughannock Falls State Park.
In that Substack post, I theorized they'd name the park Frontenac Falls State Park. Well, I discounted two other waterfalls on or near the property, and this week, New York State's office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation announced the park would be named Three Falls State Park (press release).
There's now an informative website for Three Falls State Park at threefalls.org, where you can find the park's conceptual plan, meeting minutes, and more information about the collaboration between the Village of Trumansburg and the Towns of Ulysses and Covert.
The conceptual plan document is comprehensive, so here's a quick Q&A about what you'll find in it.
Where is this park, and what makes it special?
It's a 93-acre former Boy Scout camp (Camp Barton) on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, about 5 minutes from Trumansburg and 20 from Ithaca. It's one of the only public access points to the Cayuga Lake waterfront, and it also features a gorge with three waterfalls, creeks, and rich wildlife habitat.
Will there be lake access for kayaking and paddleboarding?
Yes — waterfront improvements include an ADA-accessible kayak launch, kayak racks, and a refurbished dock. The plan even mentions the possibility of seasonally renting rack space, making it a convenient hub for light watercraft.
What hiking will be available?
The main offering will be a rehabilitated gorge trail at creek level leading to the waterfalls, plus a network of nature trails through former woodland campsites. The old rim trail is being decommissioned for safety and to protect a nesting pair of peregrine falcons in the gorge.
Is this a good place to run?
The ADA-accessible loop around the central field will connect the lodge, pavilions, parking, and waterfront — a solid flat loop. The nature trails and gorge trail will add more varied terrain for trail runners.
Can I rent the space for an outdoor event?
Absolutely — event rentals are actually a cornerstone of the park's financial plan. The former dining hall is being renovated into an event lodge with a commercial kitchen, capable of hosting up to 250 people for weddings, parties, and similar gatherings.
What other rentable spaces will there be?
Beyond the main lodge, there will be several smaller pavilions available for day-use rental, including one with a bandstand for outdoor concerts. A lakefront camping area with individual or group-rentable cabins is also planned for later phases.
When will the park actually be open and usable?
Phase 1 (years 1–2) focuses on critical infrastructure — demolition of unsafe structures, utility upgrades, parking, and restrooms. More recreational amenities like trails, the lodge, and waterfront improvements come online in Phase 2 (years 2–3).
How much is all of this going to cost?
The total estimated construction cost across all four phases is about $11.9 million. Phase 1 alone is roughly $1.9 million, covering the most urgent safety and infrastructure needs.
Will the natural character of the place be preserved?
Very intentionally so — community feedback strongly pushed back against over-development, and the plan responds by removing most existing campsite structures, keeping the upland woods largely as conservation land, and concentrating new development in areas already disturbed. The goal is a park that feels distinct from the more developed Taughannock Falls State Park nearby.