For those who come just for the waterfalls, the park delivers with some of the more unique cascades in the state. Carved out of the Onondaga escarpment, Upper and Lower Akron Falls are formed out of irregular, cracked layers of thick limestone. Water and ice erosion have expanded natural cracks in the limestone, allowing the creek to flow between and under the resulting large blocks of the bedrock. As a result water seems to flow out of the cliff face from random nooks and crannies.

Upper Akron Falls, which is generally inaccessible, consists of two side-by-side, U-shaped overhangs, separated by a pillar of higher bedrock. The northern section drops nearly 20 feet over a large cave formation. Years ago this cave was blocked off by steel bars, but erosion destroyed the barrier and now only rusty remnants of it can be found about the creek bed. The section to the south, also an overhanging drop, only flows at times of heavy rain. Click here to see an aerial view of the Upper Falls.

Lower Akron Falls is easily visible from the viewing area half-way down the trail that leads to the creek. Lower Falls drops straight down through a channel and disperses as it hits the cliff face near half of the way down. Complemented by the many other drips and drops from the cracked cliff-face, it can take on many diverse shapes and sizes depending on the flow of Murder Creek. At times of high flow the entire crest of the cliff carries water, but this will only happen during a quick winter thaw or extended heavy rain.

Trails
Difficulty: Moderate to Lower Falls; Difficult to Upper Falls.
Markings: Trees along the trail are marked with paint. The official park trail is lined with stonework.
Distance: Less than 1000 ft to the Lower Falls viewing area. Less than a half mile to get a good glimpse of the Upper Falls.
To reach Lower Akron Falls, start at the trailhead near the parking lot at Shelter #4). Follow it to the right to reach the falls viewing platform. If you go to the left, you can reach the creek and walk to the right and up the creek to get a better look. You can also get aview of the crest of the falls from the small parking area above it.
To reach Upper Akron Falls, start at the parking area above Lower Falls and follow the fence to the east (towards State St). Cross Murder Creek on the State St bridge and immediately turn left to follow the creek to west. You may have to hack your way through the brush, but in early Spring we were able to follow a narrow trail. Be extremely careful here: it is very difficult to tell where the cliff is. The rocks here are not stable and may collapse. Proceed with caution. You may be able to catch a glimpse of the crest of the Falls from the trail, but there is a way to scramble down to the cliff to the creek bed if you proceed a bit further. It's a bad idea to enter that cave under the falls. Those limestone blocks are loose and ready to fall.

The Village of Akron was founded in 1829 and incorporated in 1849. The abundance of limestone and gypsum found in the Onondaga escarpment, and water power from Murder Creek, provided the village with a thriving cement industry. In 1918 Morton Perry purchased a small dairy in Akron and began producing ice cream (read about the history of Perry's Ice Cream)

As with many of New York State's great parks, it was the Great Depression and Roosevelt's resulting New Deal plan that brought upon intensive development to Akron Falls Park. In an effort to provide jobs to young, unemployed men in the country, the Civil Works Administration (CWA) lead the development and rehabilitation of public properties around the country. Akron Falls Park was the result of a 90-man operation over several years; during which they carved out trails and roads, built bridges, fences and pavilions, as well as dammed the creek at the western end of the lake to create a fishing pond. Most of the stonework seen today is a result of that effort. For those familiar with The Civilian Conservation Corp's similar work at other State Parks (such as Letchworth or Watkins Glen) will notice a different style to the construction here. This is due to both the natural resources available in the different regions, and the fact that the CCC and CWA were different agencies under different management.

Erie County acquired the Park in 1947, expanded the park to 248 acres, and added playing fields and additional picnic facilities.

Akron is home to several limestone Caves, both natural and left over from the cement industry that once mined here. Some are on private land and even being used (for mushroom farming). Others are explorable and probably dangerous. Use caution.  More info.

The Akron Escarpment Natural Area, is located along a run of the Onondaga escarpment near the Akron airport (yes, airport). You can park off of Scotland Rd to reach a trailhead (map) or at the ball field on John St (map).

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