New York's Best Waterfalls

New York's waterfalls range from the globally famous (Niagara) to the hauntingly beautiful and little-known (Kaaterskill). The Finger Lakes and Adirondacks are particularly waterfall-rich.

Niagara Falls
The most famous waterfall in the Western Hemisphere — not the tallest (57 meters) but the most volumous, with 3,160 tons of water flowing over the crest every second. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are on the New York side; the more dramatic Horseshoe Falls (90% of the volume) is in Ontario. Niagara Falls State Park, established in 1885, is the oldest state park in the US. The Cave of the Winds attraction allows visitors to stand at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Crossing to the Canadian side is essential for the best view.

Kaaterskill Falls (260 ft)
The highest two-stage waterfall in New York, in the Catskill Mountains near Haines Falls. The upper falls drop 175 feet, the lower 85 feet — combined, they're taller than Niagara. The falls inspired the Hudson River School of painting: Thomas Cole's 1826 painting of these falls launched American landscape art. The trail from Route 23A is steep and popular; a second trail from the North-South Lake campground is longer but gentler.

Taughannock Falls (215 ft)
Near Trumansburg on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes, Taughannock drops 215 feet in a single plunge — taller than Niagara and one of the highest free-falling waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. The gorge walls surrounding the plunge pool are 400 feet tall. The overlook trail gives a top view; the gorge trail leads to the base.

Buttermilk Falls State Park (Ithaca)
Buttermilk Creek cascades 500 feet over a series of gorge falls and slides through Ithaca's gorge system. The swim area at the base of the lowest fall is a beloved Ithaca tradition. Ithaca's famous gorge system — "Ithaca is gorges" — includes Robert H. Treman State Park and Taughannock, all within 15 minutes.

Letchworth Falls
Letchworth State Park's three waterfalls — the Upper (70 ft), Middle (107 ft), and Lower (70 ft) — cascade through the canyon of the Genesee River. The Middle Falls is the most dramatic, with a broad curtain of water visible from the canyon rim road.