Not everything worth seeing in the Finger Lakes requires a long drive or a ticket. Sometimes it just requires knowing where to look. Carpenter Falls sits within the Bahar Nature Preserve. It’s tucked into the gorge landscape of the Skaneateles Lake watershed. And it’s one of those places that stops you in your tracks the moment you arrive.
Bear Swamp Creek drops a dramatic 90 feet over the caprock shelf. It crashes into a deep pool far below. The scale of it is genuinely surprising for somewhere so close to the village. Furthermore, thanks to recent state improvements, a 630-foot elevated boardwalk now leads from the parking area to an observation platform overlooking the falls. This makes the experience accessible to visitors of all abilities. You can be standing in front of one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the region within ten to fifteen minutes of arriving.
For those who want more, the trails offer considerably deeper rewards. The historic Old Jug Path follows the south rim of the gorge. It runs along a 100-foot-deep ravine through mature hardwood and hemlock forest. Continue along and you’ll find Angel Falls — a beautiful 62-foot waterfall that cascades over gradual ledges. Beyond that, the trail eventually reaches the strikingly blue shore of Skaneateles Lake itself. The full hike involves a 431-foot elevation loss, so factor in the climb back up.
The preserve is beautiful in every season. In autumn the forest canopy turns spectacular. In winter, meanwhile, ice and snow transform the falls into something genuinely magical. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and admission is free.
Find the parking area on Appletree Point Road, off Route 41A south of Skaneateles.