Explore Kaaterskill Falls - New York's Scenic Waterfall

Experience the splendor of Kaaterskill Falls, a revered natural wonder and inspiration for America’s greatest artists, via an easily accessible, picturesque hike.

Last updated: May 2024

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Free access; parking may have associated costs depending on the location.
More than 500 Miles from you
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Description

Kaaterskill Falls, located in the heart of the Great Northern Catskills, invites visitors to explore its two-tiered cascading beauty—the highest waterfall in New York State. This enchanting site has inspired countless artists, including Thomas Cole and Washington Irving, making it a pilgrimage for those who appreciate natural beauty intertwined with rich cultural history. The 1.4-mile hike to the falls is a journey through lush forest trails, leading to stunning viewpoints that overlook the verdant Hudson River Valley. Safety is paramount, with well-marked trails guiding your path, allowing you to immerse yourself in the tranquility of the falls without worry. Perfect for a quick escape or a leisurely day out, Kaaterskill Falls offers a glimpse into the sublime, capturing the hearts of all who visit.

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Perfect for

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Itinerary

Arrive at the Mountain Top Historical Society parking or North South Lake State Campground.
Follow the marked trails from the parking area, embarking on a 1.4-mile roundtrip hike.
Reach the viewing platform to observe the upper and lower falls.
Return via the same path, ensuring to follow all safety guidelines.

Location

NY-23A, Haines Falls, NY 12436

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Packing List

Sturdy hiking shoes.
Water and snacks.
Camera or smartphone for photos.
No glass containers; all trash must be carried out.

4.7 ● Google reviews

Beautiful trail. It is a must see if you are up here in the mountains. The waterfall is beautiful. The viewing platform is also great. We went when it was slightly raining, it makes the trail a lot more difficult. Getting behind the waterfall is possible, but you should really be careful when you do it especially since the rocks are slippery.

The hike was amazing….its what you make of it. The smaller waterhole was difficult to get to but the one at the bottom of the fall is on the overlook…..now that was a sight to see. It wasn’t hot enough out for us to get in and swim but it was very nice. We decided to continue down the falls till we reached the road and back just for the sight. We ended up doing 3.5 miles. I loved every bit of it!

A beautiful place to visit. All the free nearby lots were filled so we ended up paying for parking at the camp grounds. Get there early for free parking. The trails were beautiful and worth the visit. We loved sitting by the waterfall and the views of the Hudson valley. Highly recommend exploring!

I loved this place! It was so beautiful! There was quite a few people there! It’s a place you normally see in movies not in real life!

Visiting out of town and plugged the place into the navigation only to arrive at the stop on Route 23a which does not have proper parking. Stopped on the side for a moment only to be momentarily charged at by cops in their patrol vehicles to box us in and tell us we couldn’t park there. We were literally still in our cars. We just complied and waited for the ticket they handed. We were just trying to get to the area where you can actually park and walk to the falls. We had our 78 year old dad and 3 dogs. We won’t ever bother stopping through this area again. It’s just poorly organized and not worth the aggression from local police. I do not recommend this location.

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