Facility Overview

Lucifer Falls Parking, also known as the Upper Entrance parking area for Robert H. Treman State Park, is situated at 129 Upper Park Road in Newfield, New York, just minutes southwest of Ithaca. This expansive open-air surface parking facility serves as the premier gateway to Enfield Glen and the iconic 115-foot Lucifer Falls. The lot features paved and well-graded asphalt and packed gravel sections configured to accommodate high volumes of outdoor recreational visitors during peak seasons.

Because this is a completely open-air woodland parking area with no overhead obstacles, canopy overhangs, or parking deck clearance restrictions, it provides unlimited vertical clearance. The facility is fully accessible to passenger sedans, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, camper vans, and standard-length RVs. Designated pull-through and oversized spaces accommodate vehicles towing light trailers or recreational gear, making it a stress-free parking choice for road-trippers and campers exploring the Finger Lakes region.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

The parking area puts visitors within immediate walking distance of the most spectacular geological attractions and historic sites within Robert H. Treman State Park:

• Lucifer Falls & Enfield Glen Gorge Trail: A scenic 0.5-mile walk along the Gorge Trail brings visitors face-to-face with Lucifer Falls, a breathtaking 115-foot cascade carving through towering shale and sandstone cliffs.
• Historic Enfield Grist Mill: Located just steps from the parking lot (under a 2-minute walk), this preserved 19th-century mill offers interpretive exhibits detailing the area's rich milling history.
• Treman Rim & Gorge Trail Loop: The parking area serves as the trailhead for the comprehensive 4.5-mile Rim and Gorge trail system connecting the upper park to the lower swimming area.
• Downtown Ithaca & Ithaca Commons: A scenic 10-to-12-minute drive (approx. 6 miles) northeast brings drivers to Ithaca's bustling pedestrian mall, renowned restaurants, coffee houses, and indie boutiques.
• Cornell University & Ithaca College: Both collegiate campuses are located within a 15-minute drive, making the parking lot a popular weekend excursion spot for visiting students and families.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park & Cayuga Lake Wine Trail: Located within a 10-to-20-minute drive, allowing travelers to easily link multiple Finger Lakes highlights in a single trip.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via New York State Route 327 (Enfield Falls Road). Coming from Ithaca or Elmira via NY-13, drivers turn onto Route 327 North and follow the scenic winding road uphill for approximately 2.5 miles before turning into Upper Park Road, which leads directly to the parking circle and lots. Roadways are well-paved, two-lane rural corridors flanked by lush forest.

While public bus transit (TCAT) primarily services the lower park entrance seasonally along Route 13, private vehicles, ride-shares (Uber/Lyft), and tour shuttles easily navigate to this upper trailhead. Exiting following busy holiday weekends is smooth thanks to dedicated turning loops and clear sightlines onto NY-327.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Stalls: Plentiful marked parking bays on asphalt and compacted stone dust surfaces.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Dedicated accessible parking spaces positioned near the paved paths leading to the historic mill and picnic pavilions.
• On-Site Restrooms & Water: Seasonal modern flush restrooms and potable water fountains located directly adjacent to the trailhead.
• Picnic Grounds & Pavilions: Shaded picnic tables, barbecue grills, and open lawns bordering Enfield Creek within steps of parked vehicles.
• Self-Service Pay Stations: Automated payment kiosks accepting major credit cards, as well as New York State Empire Pass automated scanning/display.
• Trailhead Kiosks & Signage: Detailed topographic trail maps, safety warnings, and distance markers stationed directly at the lot perimeter.

Ideal For

• Waterfall Enthusiasts & Photographers: Provides the shortest, most direct hiking path to view and photograph Lucifer Falls and the dramatic upper gorge.
• Day Hikers & Outdoor Families: Perfect for groups wanting easy access to scenic loop trails, shaded picnic areas, and historic landmarks without navigating steep lower gorge stairs immediately.
• Finger Lakes Road-Trippers & RVers: Spacious, open-air parking designed to welcome larger overland vehicles, campers, and gear-packed trucks.
• Visiting Collegiate Families: An effortless nature excursion for Cornell and Ithaca College students showing relatives the best gorges in Tompkins County.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During peak summer weekends and prime autumn foliage seasons (September through October), this lot fills rapidly between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Arriving before 10:00 AM or after 3:30 PM offers easier parking and quieter trails. An official New York State Parks vehicle use fee is collected daily during peak operating season; valid Empire Pass holders park for free. Because cellular reception in the deep ravine sections of Enfield Glen can be intermittent, download digital trail maps and set your return GPS navigation before descending onto the Gorge Trail.