Best Waterfalls In New York: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
Lisa Sammons
Author
We all know the Empire State is absolutely stunning. Whether you’re visiting the Big Apple or checking out our more rural areas, there’s honestly nothing like a road trip through New York to make you appreciate the beauty of our great state. If there’s one natural wonder that’s particularly plentiful here, it’s our beautiful waterfalls in New York. You’ll find so many whitewater cascades here that it can be hard to keep track of them all! Don’t fret, though: that’s what we’re here for. If you want to hunt down the best of the best in New York waterfalls, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of our favorites:
Tallest Waterfalls In New York
New York State is teeming with waterfalls, from upstate New York’s Adirondacks all the way to our eastern regions, and even the tiniest of these cascades is quite beautiful. Still, there’s something especially impressive about a weekend getaway to one of the tallest waterfalls in New York as it plunges down to its destination. If you’re looking for the biggest of the big, we think you’ll love these:
1. Taughannock Falls
Taughannock Falls is the crown jewel of the state park that shares its name, and lies not too far from Ithaca. This is the highest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains at 215 feet, and it's quite the impressive sight! You can get a great view of the falls from both the Gorge Trails (open year-round) and the North Rim Trails (closed in winter).
2. Kaaterskill Falls
These two cascades making up Kaaterskill Falls are 260 feet in height. This is one of the most magnificent sights in the Catskill Mountains. The falls first gained national fame as a setting in Washington Irving's famous story "Rip Van Winkle," published in 1819. They were also an immensely popular subject for painters in the Hudson River School. Several trails are available that provide great views of the falls, including a wheelchair-accessible gravel path.
3. Verkeerder Falls
Sam's Point Preserve is one of our favorite spots for a day trip in New York. The 4,600-acre section of Minnewaska State Park has unique scenery. The ice caves here are quite popular, but make sure you don't miss a visit to Verkeerder Falls. At 187 feet in height, it's the largest waterfall in Sam's Point Preserve.
4. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls State Park is recognized as the oldest state park in the country, and it's also regarded as one of the very best. There's a lot to see at this magnificent park that lies right along the USA's border with Canada. The park spans more than 400 acres, and the trio of waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls are incredibly powerful. More than 3,160 gallons of water flow over the falls each second. The location is pretty convenient, as it’s not far from several major cities, including Rochester.
Best Waterfall Hikes In New York
Hiking is a great activity, but it can sometimes be pretty exhausting. Nothing gives me a pick-me-up like the sight of a natural wonder along a trail… like maybe a waterfall? If you’re looking for a great bit of inspiration on some of the prettiest hiking trails in our most unique areas, we think you’ll love these epic waterfall hikes. If you’re a big fan of hiking in New York, you definitely want to consider a free trial of AllTrails+, which has all kinds of great benefits, like downloadable trail maps and turn-by-turn travel guides along your trail, from the trailhead all the way back to the parking lot.
5. Croton Gorge Dam
The Croton Dam is a man-made waterfall, but that doesn't make it any less impressive. The dam is about 200 feet high and is incredibly powerful, with a strong water flow that makes for beautiful photos, no matter the season. The dam is surrounded by a park that has a playground and hiking trails, making it great for the entire family.
6. Mine Kill Falls
Mine Kill State Park is a beautiful spot tucked away in the Schoharie Valley. The waterfall for which the park is named is about 80 feet high, and the park has plenty to entertain the whole family, including miles of hiking trails. In addition to the big waterfall, there are several smaller cascades here worth checking out.
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7. Eternal Flame Falls
This waterfall isn't too far from Buffalo, and the park that it calls home is definitely worthy of an adventure. At more than 1,200 acres in size, there's tons to explore here. The hike that leads to Eternal Flame Falls is about 1.4 miles, but is considered moderately difficult because the terrain is pretty rocky. The 30-foot waterfall is stunning, but what makes it really remarkable is that it's got a flame behind it. The flame burns nonstop thanks to gas that's emitted from the rocks.
8. Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls State Park has two sections, an upper and a lower. You'll find a campground, hiking trails, picnic areas, playing fields, and more, plus a beautiful wetland area with a nature trail. The falls themselves are named for the appearance of the constantly-churning waters, which almost look like buttermilk froth. The park has unique shale and sandstone formations that make for beautiful scenery, and features ten waterfalls in total, though Buttermilk Falls is the tallest. There are lots of great Ithaca falls and this one is pretty close to the city.
Accessible Waterfalls In New York (No Hiking Required)
Maybe you’re not in great shape, or maybe you’re a wheelchair user or out with young kids. Whatever the reason, even the most ardent of hikers among us sometimes need an easy-to-access waterfall visit that doesn’t require traversing miles of trails. Here are a few of our favorites:
9. Hector Falls
Hector Falls is one of the most easily-accessed falls in the Finger Lakes region: it's right along NY-414. There's no official parking area, but there's a small shoulder off the side of the road where a few cars can park to get a better glimpse of the falls. Hector Falls is about 165 feet in height and cascades down into Seneca Lake. During the summer, the falls tend to dry up pretty dramatically into a mere trickle, so it's best to visit after heavy rains, if possible.
10. Shequaga Falls
Shequaga Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls near Buffalo. The falls measure about 156 feet in height and can be easily spotted from your car, or reached after a quick walk. This area has quite a few smaller falls, and also isn't too far from the beautiful Watkins Glen State Park.
Best Waterfalls Near New York City
NYC may not be the state capital, but it’s definitely the Empire State’s most-visited tourist attraction. Sure, it’s one of the world’s most bustling metropolises, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of nature in the greater NYC area. Here are some of the best waterfalls near New York City:
11. The Ravine in Central Park
Central Park is, of course, world-famous for being one of the most stunning bits of nature tucked away in the sprawling metropolis that is New York City. The Ravine area is home to three beautiful waterfalls. It's surrounded by trees that somehow manage to block out the city's constant hum and make you feel like you entered a magical forest. Though this entire area is man-made, it really feels like you're deep in the woods, and the waterfalls are just as beautiful as any you'd find out in nature.
12. Fishkill Overlook Falls
Fishkill Overlook Falls lies along Fish Kill Creek, only about an hour and a half outside of the Big Apple. This is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Hudson Valley, and it's conveniently located right inside the city of Beacon. If you love waterfront dining, you won't want to miss a visit to Roundhouse Restaurant, which provides an amazing view of the falls through floor-to-ceiling windows.
It was so tough to narrow down this list to just a dozen! What’s your favorite waterfall in New York – did it make the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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