The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is expanding the main parking area at Tinker Falls in Cortland County to improve access and address safety concerns at one of Central New York’s most popular hiking destinations.
DEC officials announced work is underway at the Route 91 trailhead in the Town of Truxton. Once completed, the expanded lot will accommodate approximately 45 vehicles, more than doubling the current capacity of about 20 cars.
“Tinker Falls is a beautiful, easily accessible hiking spot that has grown significantly in popularity,” DEC Region 7 Regional Forester Chris Sprague said. “Oftentimes on busy days, the main lot at Tinker Falls will fill and cars park on the shoulder of Route 91, creating a potentially dangerous situation. This expansion will improve access and safety for everyone enjoying the waterfall and hiking trails.”
Construction is expected to take up to three weeks. During that time, the main parking lot will be closed.
Visitors can instead use the auxiliary parking lot located about 100 yards south of the main lot on Route 91 or park at the Labrador Hollow Unique Area main lot on Labrador Crossroad. Tinker Falls can be reached from the Labrador lot via a short hike along the Skyline Trail.
Tinker Falls is located within the Labrador Hollow Unique Area, east of Tully. The area includes several accessibility features, including a wheelchair-accessible fishing and viewing platform on Markham Hollow Road, an accessible boardwalk trail loop near the Labrador Hollow parking area, and an accessible trail leading from the Tinker Falls parking area.
DEC officials noted that the accessible parking area at Tinker Falls will remain open throughout the construction project.
