Waterfalls are one outdoor attraction that might be even better in the rain. So, rain or shine, Pixley Falls is a beautiful spot for a short hike and picnic.
The small state park roughly 30 miles north of Utica has a picnic pavilion near the main entrance. Farther down the short road are individual picnic tables with garbage cans. There is a loop trail that’s less than one mile which includes up-close vistas of the park’s 50-foot waterfall along with views of the Lansing Kill and smaller, tiered cascades.
The trail is easy to follow and, according to the AllTrails app, is about 0.7 miles long with less than 100 feet of elevation gain. The most well-trodden part of the trail from the parking lot to the falls has some loose gravel as you descend a hill, but that becomes packed dirt with some mud as you get closer to the creek and falls.
One of the nicer features of this intimate park is the picnic tables, which are right at the base of Pixley Falls. Surrounded by the forest with the layered falls in the background, memory-making meals can be enjoyed in the warmer months on one of the two picnic tables right near the falls.
Unlike some of the more popular falls in New York state, you won’t likely run into many other people when you visit Pixley Falls, though it is a popular place for residents, especially in the Utica and Rome communities.
Some activities allowed in the park include hiking, fishing, hunting and having a picnic. The park no longer offers camping.
There is one picnic pavilion that can accommodate up to roughly 50 people. The price to rent the pavilion ranges from $50 to $75. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com.
Pets are allowed in the park. A maximum of two pets are allowed in the day-use area. Pets are to be supervised at all times, according to park rules.
Pixley Falls is part of the 2024 Central Region Geocache Challenge taking place from May 25 to Nov. 11.
Pixley Falls State Park is open year-round, but with limited services during the winter months since roads and parking lots might not be plowed.
Cellphone service inside the park is spotty, so it might be wise to get directions to your next destination before entering the park.
A photo of Pixley Falls is featured in “100 Years: We’ll See You Out There,” an exhibit celebrating the 100 years of New York state parks and historic sites. The exhibit is in the State Street tunnel that connects the concourse with the state Capitol in Albany.
Pixley Falls is a perfect place to stretch your legs while heading to either the Thousand Islands or points in the southwestern section of the Adirondack Park. When staying in the Tug Hill Region, the falls are just one of the attractions you can visit.
Around Pixley Falls
For canal history buffs, nearby the park is the Black River Canal. The canal was completed in 1855 with 109 locks along 35 miles connecting the Black River to the Erie Canal. You can learn more about the history at the Black River Canal Museum in Boonville.
If you enjoy winter activities, the Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) maintains a cross-country ski trail along the canal that goes right through the Pixley Falls park. The 13-kilometer trail goes through the Boonville Gorge and includes a warming hut.
Foodies might be interested in nearby New York regional goodies such as tomato pie, chicken riggies and half-moon cookies in Utica. For those not familiar, tomato pie is basically a sheet-pan-style pizza with a generous amount of delicious sauce on top and a sprinkle of cheese. Chicken riggies are a creamy, spicy chicken-and-pasta dish. And half-moon cookies are tender chocolate-cake-like cookies with chocolate and vanilla frosting. Also, roughly 40 minutes north of Pixley Falls is Croghan Meat Market, which dates to 1888 and is known for Croghan bologna, a unique ring-shaped bologna with ingredients including beef, pork, garlic and spices.
Pixley Falls State Park is perfect for nature lovers, waterfall lovers and history lovers. Pick up some of the regional cuisine and have a picnic with the sound of the falls serenading you.
