9 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in New York (2026 Updated)
These 9 New York waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Taughannock Falls, Upper Falls, and Kaaterskill Falls. The list spans the Finger Lakes and Western New York, Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, and Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley.
How We Picked
We started with the 9 publicly accessible New York waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Taughannock Falls
Trumansburg, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why hike it
On the trail: "Towering waterfall in Taughannock Falls State Park that can be seen from several hiking trails." It is rated 4.9 stars by 367 Google reviewers. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Trumansburg, about 2.9 miles to the west.
-
2. Upper Falls
Castile, NY · Livingston County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why hike it
On the trail: "This waterfall along a river in Letchworth State Park features an observation area along a trail." It is rated 4.9 stars by 32 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Middle Falls and Lower Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Castile, about 3.5 miles to the north.
-
3. Kaaterskill Falls
Palenville, NY · Greene County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why hike it
On the trail: "This iconic 260-ft-tall tiered waterfall on Spruce Creek features a lookout & a foot trail." It is rated 4.8 stars by 1,560 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Buttermilk Falls and Plattekill Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. South Mountain, a summit 0.8 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 49 named falls in the Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys region. The nearest town is Palenville, about 2.6 miles to the southeast.
-
4. Ithaca Falls
South Hill, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why hike it
On the trail: "Accessible by walking trail, this 150-ft. cascade has a natural pool popular for fishing." It is rated 4.8 stars by 664 Google reviewers. Comstock Knoll, a summit 1.0 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is South Hill, about 1.6 miles to the south.
-
5. Awosting Falls
Rochester, NY · Monroe County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why hike it
On the trail: "Waterfalls & small pool reachable by short, wooded hikes in Minnewaska State Park." It is rated 4.8 stars by 200 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Stony Kill Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Rochester, about 198 miles to the northwest.
-
6. Middle Falls
Castile, NY · Livingston County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why hike it
On the trail: "Over 100 ft. in height, this large cascading waterfall can be seen from walkways & viewing decks." It is rated 4.8 stars by 62 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Upper Falls and Lower Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Castile, about 3.2 miles to the north.
-
7. Lower Falls
Castile, NY · Livingston County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why hike it
On the trail: "A scenic, powerful waterfall is the draw to this state park, which also features hiking trails." It is rated 4.8 stars by 28 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Middle Falls and Upper Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Castile, about 3.5 miles to the northwest.
-
8. Rushton Falls
Canton, NY · St. Lawrence County · Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley
Why hike it
On the trail: "Scenic waterfall featuring small cascades viewed from a hiking trail in Willow Island Park." It is rated 4.7 stars by 6 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Cascade Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 83 named falls in the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley region. It is right in Canton.
-
9. Stony Kill Falls
Kerhonkson, NY · Ulster County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why hike it
On the trail: "Locale for short, scenic hikes to a cascading waterfall & pool, with views of cliffs & rock dams." It is rated 4.6 stars by 71 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Verkeerder Kill Falls and Awosting Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 49 named falls in the Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys region. The nearest town is Kerhonkson, about 3.3 miles to the north.
When to Visit New York's Waterfalls
Spring is prime waterfall season across New York. Snowmelt and rain usually push the Adirondack and Tug Hill rivers to their highest levels from April into May, and the Finger Lakes gorges run strongly through spring. Many smaller gorge falls drop to a thin veil in July and August, though Niagara and other large river falls flow steadily all year. Autumn brings outstanding foliage, peaking in the Adirondacks in late September and early October and later in the Catskills and Finger Lakes, and fall rains often restore flows. Winter freezes many falls into ice sculptures, but some Finger Lakes gorge trails close for the season because of ice and rockfall.
Before You Go
Most well-known falls are in state parks managed by New York State Parks or on state Forest Preserve and other lands managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation; the Adirondack and Catskill parks are a patchwork of public and private land, so posted boundaries matter. Popular parks such as Watkins Glen, Taughannock and Niagara Falls charge vehicle fees and become crowded on summer weekends, and Kaaterskill Falls parking fills early. Gorge rims are the chief hazard: shale and limestone edges crumble, ledges are wet and slippery, and fatal falls have occurred at several sites, including the upper ledges of Kaaterskill Falls. Swimming in gorges is often prohibited outside designated areas. Stay on marked trails and behind barriers.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More New York Waterfalls
See all 221 waterfalls in the New York waterfall guide, or browse by town: Trumansburg, Castile, Palenville, South Hill, Rochester, Canton, Kerhonkson.
More New York Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in New York?
Taughannock Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 367 Google reviews. It is near Trumansburg in Tompkins County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 9 publicly accessible New York waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in New York?
Our directory lists 221 named waterfalls in New York. See them all, sorted by town, in the New York waterfall guide.
Why does New York have so many waterfalls?
Glaciers reshaped nearly the whole state, leaving hanging valleys in the Finger Lakes, disrupted drainage in the Adirondacks and steep escarpments in the west. Combined with ample rain and snow, that produces the second-highest count of named falls in our directory.