10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in New York (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of New York's 221 named waterfalls, starting with Kaaterskill Falls. The list spans the Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, Finger Lakes and Western New York, and Tug Hill and the Black River Country.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 106 publicly accessible New York waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Kaaterskill Falls
Palenville, NY · Greene County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 6,947 photos of it on Google, about 4.5 for every review. 89% of its 1,560 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "This iconic 260-ft-tall tiered waterfall on Spruce Creek features a lookout & a foot trail." The setting includes South Mountain (summit, 0.8 mi) and Santa Cruz Ravine (valley, 0.8 mi). 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.
-
2. Lucifer Falls
South Hill, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 702 photos of it on Google, about 4.9 for every review. 88% of its 144 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic waterfall in Robert H. Treman State Park that drops down from a gorge into a large pool." The setting includes Enfield Glen (valley, 1.8 mi). It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is South Hill, about 5.0 miles to the northeast.
-
3. American Falls
Niagara Falls, NY · Niagara County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,199 photos of it on Google, about 7.4 for every review. 85% of its 298 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Niagara Falls, about 0.9 miles to the northeast.
-
4. Middle Falls
Castile, NY · Livingston County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 371 photos of it on Google, about 6.0 for every review. 87% of its 62 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Over 100 ft. in height, this large cascading waterfall can be seen from walkways & viewing decks." 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.
-
5. Taughannock Falls
Trumansburg, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,173 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 90% of its 367 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "Towering waterfall in Taughannock Falls State Park that can be seen from several hiking trails." 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.
-
6. Bridal Veil Falls
Niagara Falls, NY · Niagara County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 312 photos of it on Google, about 2.9 for every review. 86% of its 109 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Smallest of the 3 Niagara Falls cascades, with a viewing deck & flanked by 2 small islands." It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Niagara Falls, about 1.0 miles to the northeast.
-
7. Ithaca Falls
South Hill, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,977 photos of it on Google, about 3.0 for every review. 84% of its 664 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Accessible by walking trail, this 150-ft. cascade has a natural pool popular for fishing." The setting includes Beebe Lake (lake, 0.8 mi) and Comstock Knoll (summit, 1.0 mi). 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.
-
8. Salmon River Falls
Pulaski, NY · Oswego County · Tug Hill and the Black River Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 969 photos of it on Google, about 2.8 for every review. 88% of its 344 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). It is one of 45 named falls in the Tug Hill and the Black River Country region. The nearest town is Pulaski, about 9.5 miles to the west.
-
9. Hector Falls
Watkins Glen, NY · Schuyler County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 576 photos of it on Google, about 3.9 for every review. 75% of its 148 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "This famous cascade waterfall on Hector Falls Creek can be viewed from a bridge along Route 414." The setting includes Glen Eldridge Tug Hollow (valley, 0.6 mi) and Excelsior Glen (valley, 1.9 mi). It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Watkins Glen, about 2.6 miles to the south.
-
10. Stony Kill Falls
Kerhonkson, NY · Ulster County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 342 photos of it on Google, about 4.8 for every review. 79% of its 71 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it as: "Locale for short, scenic hikes to a cascading waterfall & pool, with views of cliffs & rock dams." The setting includes Lake Awosting (lake, 1.6 mi) and Litchfield Ledge (cliff, 1.7 mi). 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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More New York Waterfalls
See all 221 waterfalls in the New York waterfall guide, or browse by town: Palenville, South Hill, Niagara Falls, Castile, Trumansburg, Pulaski, Watkins Glen, Kerhonkson.
More New York Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in New York?
Kaaterskill Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 1,560 Google reviews. It is near Palenville in Greene County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 106 publicly accessible New York waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Which county in New York has the most waterfalls?
St. Lawrence County, with 42 named falls in our directory, mostly on rivers descending from the Adirondacks toward the St. Lawrence River. Essex County in the High Peaks is next with 22.