These 15 Waterfall Hikes In New York Will Enchant You With Natural Beauty
Don’t go chasin’ waterfalls…or maybe, you should this time.
Why does chasing waterfalls feel like the ultimate main-character move? New York is packed with hikes where the reward isn’t just steps on your watch… it’s a full-on rushing, mist-in-your-face moment. These New York waterfall hikes turn an ordinary walk into a “wait, is this real?” kind of adventure.
Some trails are short and sweet. Others make you earn it a little. But every single one ends with that magical sound of water crashing down and that cool breeze that makes you forget about emails and deadlines.
You’ll climb rocks, cross wooden bridges, and probably stop for way too many photos. And honestly? No regrets.
Because when you’re standing in front of a waterfall, everything else can wait.
Kaaterskill Falls, Catskills
Kaaterskill Falls is the drama queen of the Catskills, and honestly, she earns it. Two tiers tumble a combined 260 feet, creating a wide curtain of water that booms into a rocky bowl. The hike is short and steep, with stone steps and railings guiding you to safe viewpoints where the mist freckles your face.
Start at the Laurel House Road lot for the upper platform, then follow the marked trail for lower angles and classic postcard shots. Morning light slices through the gorge beautifully, and weekdays feel calmer. Wear grippy shoes since wet rock here behaves like banana peels on ice.
Respect the posted barriers, because rescues happen too often when people wander. You will still score epic photos without flirting with the edge. After your visit, swing through Tannersville for coffee and a pastry victory lap.
Taughannock Falls, Finger Lakes
Taughannock Falls is so tall it feels like a magic trick. The 215 foot plunge drops through a cathedral of shale and sandstone, framed by striated cliffs that glow warm in the sun. Follow the flat Gorge Trail along the creek, and the falls slowly reveal themselves like a curtain lift.
If you want the grand vista, drive up to the rim overlook for a face-to-face with that vertical drop. In spring, snowmelt pumps up the flow, while summer offers wading along the creek stones. Even on busy days, the amphitheater hushes the crowd with echoing thunder.
Pack a light jacket since the breeze funnels cool air through the canyon. Leave time for nearby wineries, because the Finger Lakes do post-hike sips like pros. Your camera roll will absolutely run out of restraint here.
Watkins Glen State Park, Gorge Trail
Watkins Glen is the rock star you hear about and still somehow underestimates. Nineteen waterfalls squeeze through a two mile gorge, slipping under stone bridges and sliding beside staircases chiseled into the cliff. Rainbow Falls drips like lace, and yes, you walk behind the cascade.
Start early to have the tunnels and archways mostly to yourself. The steps add up fast, so bring water and take your time. Every turn delivers a new composition, like nature hired an architect with a flair for drama.
Trail openings can be seasonal, so check status before you go. Non-slip shoes are your best friend on the perpetually damp rock. By the end, you will swear the park staged the moss for your photos.
Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca
Buttermilk Falls greets you right at the entrance with a frothy tumble into a broad pool. The Gorge Trail climbs beside terraced cascades carved into soft stone, with playful ledges and wavy textures. On warm days, the lower area buzzes with swimmers when lifeguards are on duty.
Hike the loop by ascending the gorge and returning on the Rim Trail for big sky views. After rain, the water thickens and the park’s namesake makes perfect sense. In drier spells, details emerge in the sculpted channels and potholes.
Footing can be slick, so keep those steps deliberate. Bring snacks, because the picnic spots invite lingering and people watching. Ithaca’s coffee scene is minutes away, which is my favorite kind of trailhead perk.
Robert H. Treman State Park, Lucifer Falls
Robert H. Treman turns the volume up with Lucifer Falls, a towering cascade tucked into a stern, sculpted gorge. The Gorge Trail strings together bridge crossings, winding stairs, and cliff hugging paths that feel daring but safe.
Water rushes over shelves of shale, sending silver curtains into a deep bowl.
Start at the upper lot for sweeping overlooks, or from the lower lot to build anticipation as the canyon narrows. Spring delivers power, autumn brings color, and summer shows off swimmable areas when staffed. Every season has a mood here.
Check trail conditions, because the gorge section is seasonal and weather dependent. Keep extra layers for the cool canyon air and stash a headlamp just in case. Reward yourself with Ithaca ice cream afterward, because leg day deserves sprinkles.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Awosting Falls
Awosting Falls feels like a clean white curtain hung across the Shawangunks. The short carriage road stroll brings you to a broad plunge framed by pines and laurel, with mist catching sunlight like glitter. After rain, the roar fills the bowl, and in winter, ice forms delicate chandeliers.
Pair the falls with a loop around Lake Minnewaska or a cliff top viewpoint for big Hudson Valley drama. The park is popular, so arrive early for parking and unhurried photos. Even on busy days, the falls area hums with calm.
Wear layers because the wind sneaks through the notch. Keep an eye out for mountain laurel blooms in late spring. If you leave without a new phone wallpaper, we need to talk.
Indian Brook Falls, Adirondacks
Indian Brook Falls is the quick win you crave on a busy day. A short woodland path leads to a graceful cascade sliding over mossy tiers into a clear pool. Birds chatter overhead, and the forest smell is that perfect pine and earth blend.
Because the approach is easy, it makes a lovely add on before bigger Adirondack hikes. After rain, the water livens up, but even in dry spells, the site feels serene. Bring a thermos and take a quiet sit on the rocks.
Watch footing on slick patches and mind seasonal bugs. Early morning light makes the moss glow electric green. You will be surprised at how quickly your brain shifts to vacation mode here.
High Falls Gorge, Adirondacks
High Falls Gorge is the easy button for big waterfall energy. Boardwalks and sturdy bridges escort you beside roaring drops carved by the Ausable River, with zero route finding stress. The chasm walls loom close, amplifying the sound into a happy, echoing boom.
It is a pay to enter private attraction, but the infrastructure means nearly everyone can savor the views. Interpretive signs add geologic context while your camera tries to keep up. The scene glows in peak foliage when reds and golds catch the spray.
Wear a light jacket, since the gorge funnels cool, damp air. Pair your visit with nearby Whiteface or Lake Placid for a full day. If you love safe thrills, this place feels like a theme park for waterfall nerds.
Shelving Rock Falls, Lake George Area
Shelving Rock Falls is a mellow wander with a big payoff. The trail is easy, family friendly, and threads through airy woods before reaching a pretty, multi tiered cascade. Water ribbons over flat shelves, inviting you to linger for photos and snacks.
Continue downhill to Lake George for bonus views and a breezy shoreline break. The area has old carriage roads, so you can extend the outing without much effort. Even on warm weekends, you can find a quiet corner near the stream.
Pack bug spray and watch for wet roots. The sound here is more hush than roar, which pairs nicely with conversation or a good daydream. It is the picnic blanket of waterfall hikes, and that is a compliment.
Rainbow Falls, Ausable Chasm Area
Rainbow Falls brings the spectacle, especially on sunny mornings when mist spawns arcs of color. The cascade thunders through a tight gorge near Ausable Chasm, with historic stonework adding old world flair. When the light hits right, the spray looks like confetti for your camera.
Several roadside viewpoints make this a quick stop, though parking can be limited. For more context and trails, combine with a visit to Ausable Chasm’s maintained paths and bridges. The power here feels immediate, like you are standing beside an engine.
Bring lens wipes because droplets will find you. Mind traffic if you explore roadside pull offs, and respect any posted restrictions. Catch a rainbow and it is basically a guaranteed good mood for the rest of the day.
Eternal Flame Falls, Western NY
Eternal Flame Falls feels like nature’s inside joke. A small natural gas seep feeds a flickering flame tucked behind a dainty cascade, so water and fire share the same tiny stage. The ravine trail can be wet and scrambly, which keeps the adventure meter interesting.
Go after a dry spell for easier footing, or embrace the muddier, livelier version after rain. Bring a lighter in case the flame is out, as many hikers gently re light it. The reveal never fails to inspire a grin.
Wear waterproof boots and expect to get splashed. Keep kids close on the slick rocks and be considerate with the flame’s alcove. It is quirky, photogenic, and totally Western New York in the best way.
Chittenango Falls State Park, Central NY
Chittenango Falls looks like a giant wedding cake carved from limestone. The 167 foot torrent spreads over stepped ledges, fanning out into a foamy showpiece you can view from multiple angles. A trail descends to a footbridge at the base where the spray freshens your mood instantly.
Up top, the overlook gives you the whole scene in one gulp. The gorge trail is short but can be steep and slick, so take your time on the switchbacks. In spring, the flow is muscular, and in autumn, the trees turn the whole amphitheater golden.
Parking is easy, and picnic spots tempt a long lunch. Watch for posted closures after icy weather. You will leave plotting a return visit with new friends in tow.
Bash Bish Falls, NY Massachusetts Border
Bash Bish Falls straddles the state line, and the New York approach is a scenic, gently graded stroll. Twin drops leap into a clear pool surrounded by boulders that look theatrically placed. The sound ricochets off the cliffs, creating a soft roar that follows you down the path.
Parking arrangements vary by side, but the New York lot usually gives a less steep approach. Arrive early on weekends to avoid closures when lots fill. Rangers enforce safety rules because slippery rocks and powerful currents demand respect.
Stay behind barriers and soak up the view without risky hops. Bring a wide angle lens to capture the narrow gorge and the double plunge. It is a border crossing your camera will definitely approve.
Niagara Falls, Western NY
Niagara Falls is the headliner you already know, but seeing it from the U.S. side on foot still drops jaws. American Falls and Bridal Veil roar so fiercely the mist becomes weather. Trails and platforms in Niagara Falls State Park let you sidle up to the action safely.
Time your visit for golden hour when the light turns the spray into peach and gold clouds. If you want wet and wild, Cave of the Winds puts you practically in the splash zone. Boat tours amp the drama, but even a simple stroll along the rim is unforgettable.
Expect crowds and bring patience. The constant thunder is a free, 24-7 soundtrack that makes conversation shouty but fun. Honestly, it is impossible not to grin like a tourist here.
Verkeerderkills Falls, Shawangunks
Verkeerderkills Falls feels like a secret stashed high on the Shawangunk Ridge. The waterfall drops in a clean ribbon off pale conglomerate, throwing mist that smells like rain and lichen. Getting there along the trail is scrambly in spots, with open ledges, blueberry bushes brushing your shins, and long views that make you pause.
You hear the falls first, then the path tips to an airy perch beside the plunge. Stay back from the crumbly edge and take it in from safer angles. On dry days, the rock glows chalky white.
After rain, the flow swells and roars.