Location
United States
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Rock
About Potter's Falls
Potter's Falls is a waterfall on Six Mile Creek in the gorge above Ithaca, New York, within the City of Ithaca's municipal watershed and close to the reservoir dams that supply the city's drinking water. The creek drops over shale ledges into a pool, with flat rock slabs around it where people sunbathe. User-submitted listings describe a long-standing skinny-dipping tradition at the pool, but this is not a beach and there is no sand. The gorge is wooded, steep and unsigned in places. The city and local tourism material say swimming in this part of the watershed is strictly prohibited and that the gorge is patrolled, with tickets issued; Ithaca's fire department also warns that swimming in gorges is illegal outside guarded areas, and there have been rescues and drownings in Six Mile Creek. Anyone visiting should treat it as a scenic hike rather than a swimming or sunbathing spot.
Getting there
Most hikers start from the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve on Giles Street in Ithaca, where there is limited roadside parking, and follow the Six Mile Creek trail upstream past the second dam. The path is easy at first but becomes steep, narrow, rooty and eroded beyond the dam, with drop-offs and fallen trees. Do not follow map apps to Six Mile Creek Road, which leads to restricted city dam property posted no trespassing. There are no facilities, and the route is not suitable for children, pets or anyone with limited mobility.
What visitors say
Hikers who reach the falls describe a dramatic, wooded setting and clear pool, and user listings mention skinny-dipping on calm days. Many more reports focus on the difficult and sometimes hazardous trail past the second dam, snakes and ground bees, and confusion about where to park. Local coverage stresses that swimming is banned and enforced, so expectations of a relaxed nude swim are often not met.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Swimming is prohibited in the Six Mile Creek watershed above the city's water-supply dams, and local sources say violators are ticketed; the Ithaca Fire Department warns that swimming in gorges is illegal outside guarded areas. There is no official tolerance of nudity, and New York's exposure law applies.
Naturism at Potter's Falls sits under United States's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
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Approx. 42.4189, -76.4636
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Potter's Falls?
No. It lies in Ithaca's water-supply watershed, where swimming is prohibited and the area is patrolled.
Is it a nude beach?
No. It is a waterfall pool in a gorge. Some online listings describe skinny-dipping there, but it has no official or tolerated nude status.
Where do I park?
Hikers usually use roadside parking at the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve and walk upstream. Do not drive to the dam area on Six Mile Creek Road.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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