You’re probably familiar with Kaaterskill Falls. At 260 feet, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in New York. It’s been a major tourist attraction in the area for over 200 years. What you may not know is that this two-tiered waterfall has a tragic history and is said to be haunted by the ghost of a dog named Vite.

The falls are absolutely stunning and have quite the history. American naturalists John and William Bartram visited Kaaterskill Falls on their 1753 trip through what is now upstate New York.
Andy Arthur/Flick
What really gained national popularity for the falls was a mention in Washington Irving's 1819 story "Rip Van Winkle." In the story, Rip Van Winkle described the shock of seeing the falls after waking up from his 20-year slumber.
Famous artist Thomas Cole painted the falls many times throughout his career. He viewed the Kaaterskill Falls area as an idyllic wilderness and even compared it to the Garden of Eden.
Thomas Cole (Public Domain)/Wikimedia Commons
Cole's style of art was eventually known as the Hudson River School.
Halfway up the falls, there is a plaque dedicated to a dog named Vite. According to legend, Vite's owner walked down the lower level of the trail. Unable to find him, poor Vite panicked and leaped down the falls to his death.
Phil King/Flickr

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The plaque describes Vite as the "Bayard of Dogs," a reference to a 16th-century French knight known as the Chevalier de Bayard. It is said that he was an incredibly kind and good man who could do no wrong.
ScubaBear68/Flickr
Supposedly, every year on June 19, the anniversary of his death, you can hear barking from near the falls as Vite's ghost searches for his master.
Phönix Gnu/Wikimedia Commons
Whether you believe in this tragic tale or not, the falls are incredible and definitely worth a visit.
Ashwin Visvanathan/Flickr

For more information about the Kaaterskill Falls, check out the Great Northern Catskills visitor page.

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Kaaterskill Falls, Hunter, NY 12436, USA