Visit Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for a peaceful, crowd-free escape with direct, undeveloped access to Cayuga Lake, on of the Finger Lakes. This WMA consists of 287 acres along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Lansing, in Tompkins County, New York.
It features a mature hardwood forest, open grassland fields, cascading streams and waterfalls, and more than 3,400 feet of undeveloped shoreline, making it an excellent spot for birding and hiking.
A 1.5-mile dirt trail allows visitors to seek Bald Eagles, white-tailed deer, various waterfowl, mink, gray squirrels, and many species of songbirds.
From the parking area, you can walk the trail as it skirts three waterfalls. The first is a small five-foot shelf that a seasonal stream flows over.
The second is the waterfall that defines this WMA. It begins with a 15- to 20-foot drop onto a pile of massive boulders, then winds around, under, and over those rocks for another 20-foot drop.
The third waterfall is a 25-foot cascade with a small stone pile at its base.
Cayuga Lake is a designated Important Bird Area by Audubon New York and supports a large and diverse population of waterfowl and other birds.
With its variety of habitats, waterfalls, and the undeveloped shoreline, this WMA is a great destination for wildlife viewing.
Read more about the Finger Lakes.
Photo of Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area courtesy DEC.
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