What comes to mind when you think of New York? Perhaps skyscrapers and crowded city streets? How about waterfalls? Probably not! But there are so many New York State Parks with waterfalls, stunning scenery, hiking trails, and opportunities for outdoor adventure that we absolutely recommend the area for your next outdoor adventure family getaway!
From dramatic plunges and cascading gorges to hidden gems tucked away in the woods, these parks are home to some of the state’s most breathtaking natural wonders. The number of easy to moderate trails with waterfalls, as well as other jaw-dropping areas in the parks, are plentiful, making New York State Parks a great option for families.
Living in New York for over 30 years, I have had plenty of chances to explore them, and have compiled a list of my favorite New York State Parks with waterfalls to help you with planning your trip to the area!
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
What To Know About Visiting New York State Parks
- Most New York State Parks charge a day use fee (usually falling between $7 and $10). Be sure to check for your specific park before your visit. Most parks take cash or card.
- If you plan on visiting many New York State Parks, consider getting an Empire Pass. The Empire Pass allows unlimited entry into most state parks. There are options for an annual pass, multi-year pass, and lifetime pass.
- Most New York State Parks don’t charge an entrance fee in the winter months, so keep this in mind if visiting during that time.
- If you are camping, you must purchase fire wood on-site or locally to prevent introducing invasive species.
- Swimming is allowed in most New York State Parks, but only in designated swimming areas and at designated times (summer months). Any swimming outside of these areas may be prohibited, or swim at your own risk.
12 New York State Parks With Waterfalls
Watkins Glen State Park
| Finger Lakes Region |
One of the most unique and beautiful state parks in New York is Watkins Glen State Park. No matter how many times we visit, it never gets old! The park sits right next to the NY racing village of Watkins Glen. Hiking the Gorge Trail is the main highlight of a visit to Watkins Glen, but you can also enjoy biking, camping, swimming, playgrounds, pavilions and grilling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
The Watkins Glen stream descends 400 feet over cliffs and is home to 19 waterfalls. Of note are the Rainbow Falls, the most well-known of the waterfalls, and Cascade Cavern, which visitors can walk through behind the waterfall and up a spiral staircase. The trail is about 1.5 miles one way and takes 1-2 hours to complete.
Aside from the Gorge Trail, you will find many other options for hiking, including the 2.5 mile North Rim Trail and the 2.6 mile South Rim Trail. You can also combine the trails to explore more of the park.
There is a shuttle bus that runs from the lower to upper entrance from mid-May to mid-October. You can take the shuttle up and hike downhill through the Glen, hike up and take the shuttle back down, or hike both ways.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
| Hudson Valley Region |
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located on the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge in the Hudson Valley region of New York. The park is home to many natural features, including multiple streams and waterfalls, three sky lakes, cliffs and ledges, and dense forests.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is large and features 50 miles of trails for hiking and biking. For a good waterfall trail, consider the Awosting Falls trail. It is about 1.1 miles with an elevation gain of 118 feet, making it a great option for families. Rainbow Falls is another good waterfall to see, but the hike is more challenging at 5.1 miles with an elevation gain of 426 feet.
Sam’s Point is one of the most popular areas in the park, being the highest point of the Shawangunk Mountains. The area features Lake Maratatanza, ice cave crevices, cliffs, and scenic views. There is a small parking area, but it tends to fill up quickly. This area is also where the 187 foot Verkeerder Falls is located.
Other activities at the park include biking, swimming, picnicking, rock-climbing, bouldering, and a nature center. In the winter months you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
New York State Parks with Waterfalls: Taughannock Falls State Park
| Finger Lakes Region |
Taughannock Falls State Park is one of my favorite New York State Parks with waterfalls. The trail to reach the falls is flat and easy, but the park also offers some more challenging hiking trails if you are up for it. You will also find a wide variety of other outdoor activities to enjoy while visiting the park.
Taughannock Falls falls 215 feet over a rocky cliff that extends 400 feet above the gorge. The Gorge Trail that takes you to the base of the falls is 1.5 miles round trip and flat. At the end of the trail you will come to a pedestrian footbridge that will take you to an platform at the base of Taughannock Falls.
The North and South Rim Trails make a 2.5-3.1 mile loop that is a little more challenging. As you complete the hike, you will be treated to views looking down into the Gorge and of Taughannock Falls from above. You can also view the falls from an observation deck near the visitor’s center without any hiking required.
Other activities at Taughannock Falls State Park include hiking, camping, picnicking and grills, swimming, a playground, stand up paddle boarding, and canoe and kayak rentals. In the winter you can enjoy ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing.
Robert H. Treman State Park
| Finger Lakes Region |
Robert H. Treman State Park is home to some of the best waterfalls in Ithaca, New York. The park is centered around Enfield Glen, which was carved out by glacial waters 12,000 years ago. Lower Falls and Lucifer Falls are the most well known, but the gorge takes you past several smaller cascading falls.
There are nine miles of trails in the park. The Gorge Trail is about 2.2 miles one way and extends through the entire Glen and past cascades, plunges, and flumes. The Rim Trail is another option for families and takes you along the top edge of the gorge. Other hiking trails include the Red Pine Trail and a portion of the Finger Lakes/ North Country Trail.
The 115 foot Lucifer Falls is one of the main highlights in the park. You can reach it by starting at the upper park entrance (the easier options) or by hiking from the lower park entrance. Lower Falls is another popular spot in the park that is easily accessible from a parking area. Lower Falls is a 70 ft. waterfall with a swimming area at its base.
Other activities in Robert H. Treman State Park include camping, picnic areas and grills, swimming, guided educational gorge tours, and a playground.
Letchworth State Park
| Western New York |
One of the absolute best New York State Parks with waterfalls and one we could visit over and over again, Letchworth State Park is a must visit! The park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East, and it is not hard to see why. With three main waterfalls and lots of other outdoor activities, there is no shortage of things to do.
Located along the Genesee River in Livingston and Wyoming County, the park spans 14,427 acres and is home to a highway running through for a scenic drive, hiking trails, overlooks, great viewpoints, camping areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a snack bar.
The park features three main waterfalls-the Upper, Middle,and Lower Falls. The falls are easily accessible from parking areas, or you can hike part or all of the Gorge Trail. The entire trail is 7.5 miles one way with an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet, but you can choose to complete it in sections.
Activities within the park are plentiful and include hiking, swimming, camping, biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, white water rafting, kayaking, hot air balloon rides, snow tubing, and a nature center.
There are also educational programs offered throughout the summer, including programs about the park’s nature and geography, guided hiking tours, and kid-focused programs, making it a great option for families.
Fillmore Glen State Park
| Finger Lakes Region |
We chose Fillmore Glen State Park for a camping spot when visiting some of the Ithaca waterfalls, but were delighted to discover all the park had to offer! Fillmore Glen State Park features lush woods surrounding a long and narrow gorge.
The park features five waterfalls, making it one of the best New York State parks with waterfalls. The Cowshed Falls, named after the cows that were once said to take refuge in the area, is the most popular falls. It is easily accessible near the swimming area. The waterfall is about 50 feet total, with the main falls and an upper and lower drop.
There are three main trails in the park-the North Rim, the South Rim, and the Gorge Trail. The Gorge Trail is the one to do if you want to see the waterfalls and cascading creek. It is about 1.3 miles one way, beginning with an ascent of about 150 ft. before leveling out into a more flat gravel pathway. The trail near the ends becomes less defined, connecting to the South Rim trail to take you back down (about another mile).
Other activities at Fillmore Glen State Park include camping, picnic areas and grills, playing fields, a swimming area, and ball fields. Another interesting spot in the park is the Millard Fillmore cabin replica, a replica of the birthplace of the 13th US president.
New York State Parks with Waterfalls: Buttermilk Falls State Park
| Finger Lakes Region |
Another one of the best New York State Parks with waterfalls is Buttermilk Falls State Park. Located in Ithaca, the park centers around the Buttermilk Creek and cascades/waterfalls along the creek as it flows towards Cayuga Lake.
Buttermilk Falls is the main highlight of the park. Reaching the falls is easy from the lower parking area. The walk is flat and there are bathrooms available. The swimming area at the base of the falls is also accessible from the parking area, open during the summer months.
The Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail is one of the best in the park and is accessible from the swimming area. Along the trail, there are about nine other, smaller waterfalls, cascades, and plunges. The trail is a combination of a dirt/gravel trail and staircases. The Gorge Trail is about 3/4 of a mile with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. You can connect it with the Rim trail, either taking the Rim trail back down (like we did), or starting with the Rim trail and taking the Gorge Trail down.
Other hiking trails in the park include the Bear Trail (3/4 mile), the Larch Meadow Trail (3/4 mile), Lake Treman Trail (1.5 miles), and the Owl Creek Trail (3/4 mile). Aside from hiking, other activities in Buttermilk Falls State Park include camping, swimming, picnic areas and grills, a playground, a lake, and ball fields.
John Boyd Thacher State Park
| Capitol Region |
Located near New York State’s Capitol, John Boyd Thacher State Park features two waterfalls that you can walk behind along the Indian Ladder Trail. The park also treats you to views of the Hudson-Mohawk valleys, Adirondack Mountains, and Green Mountains.
The Indian Ladder Trail is about 1.1 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 318 feet. It is a moderate trail, with the most difficult part being at the beginning and the mid-way point if you choose to do it as a loop. This is because you will need to climb a set of stairs to descend or ascend from the Helderberg Escarpment.
The two main waterfalls you will see along the trail include the Mine Lot and Outlet Creek waterfalls. The waterfalls fall from a high ridge above the trail and the trail actually winds behind the waterfalls.
They are a sight to see, but are dependent on water levels/flow. One time when we visited there was not more than a drizzle, while the other time it was actually a sizeable waterfall.
Other activities in the park include biking, camping, disc golf, grills and picnic areas, climbing, plenty of other hiking trails, a nature center, a playground, and in the winter months snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.
Niagara Falls State Park
| Western New York |
Undoubtedly one of the best New York State Parks with Waterfalls is Niagara Falls State Park. The state park, sitting right on the border of Canada and New York, surrounds the world famous American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls. The park features walking trails and access to downtown Niagara Falls where you will find shopping and dining.
Niagara Falls is the apex of four of the Great Lakes flowing into the Niagara River Gorge. The falls were formed about 12,500 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. The falls were formed by melting glaciers that carved out the Great Lakes and the Niagara River. Today, the river connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
Trails throughout the park take you to overlooks with views of the falls (although the best views are found on the Canadian side). While in the park, take the opportunity to get even closer to the falls with a Cave of the Winds tour or Maid of the Mist tour.
The Cave of the Winds tour takes you in an elevator down 175 feet to a series of wooden walkways along the American Falls. The Maid of the Mist is a boat ride that takes you alongside the American Falls and up close to the Horseshoe Falls.
The park also features plenty of hiking trails to enjoy. Niagara Gorge hiking trails begin at the Niagara Gorge Trailhead Center and take you down into the gorge and along the Niagara River. Goat Island features easy, family-friendly hiking trails, some of which takes you to overlooks of the falls.
New York State Parks With Waterfalls: Stony Brook State Park
| Finger Lakes Region |
Stony Brook State Park is another one of the best New York State Parks with waterfalls in the Finger Lakes region. It is located in Dansville, not too far from major cities including Buffalo, Rochester, and Ithaca. It is also only about 20 miles from Letchworth State Park, another one of our favorite NYS parks.
The Gorge Trail in Stony Brook State Park features three main waterfalls. The trail is about 1.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. It takes you through a narrow, rocky canyon that has cascading waterfalls throughout the trail. There are steps and footbridges along this trail. The three waterfalls are the Lower (40 ft.), the Middle (20 ft.), and the Upper (45 feet).
The Rim Trails take you along the top of the towering cliffs overlooking the stream and waterfalls. The combo West and East Rim hike is about 2.3 miles in length with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. If you want to do each trail separately you can. The West Rim Trail is about 0.85 miles one way and the East Rim Trail is about 1.5 miles one way.
Other activities at Stony Brook State Park include camping, sports fields, a playground, swimming, tennis courts, picnic tables & grills, and in the winter snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.
Chittenango Falls State Park
| Central New York |
Chittenango Falls State Park is one of the smaller New York State Parks with waterfalls, but the unique scenery and nearby unique attractions makes this park a must visit! The main attraction is Chittenango Falls, but there is also a small playground on site, two pavilions, grills, a creek, and access to hiking trails.
Chittenango Falls is a 167-foot waterfall created by glacial sculpting over 400 million years. You can view the falls from the top or take the winding path down into the gorge and foot board where you will get stunning views at the foot of the falls. One side of the path is a dirt path, while the other is a staircase. You can make it a loop, or go back up the side you came down.
Chittenango is the birthplace of Frank Baum, the author of the Wizard of Oz. All around town you can see signs of the town’s connection to the Wizard of Oz with signs, a museum, and a yearly Wizard of Oz festival.
Pixley Falls State Park
| Central Region |
Pixley Falls State Park is one of New York’s smaller parks at 133 acres, but is definitely worth a visit. Located in Boonville and sitting at the foothills of the Adirondacks, Pixley Falls State Park features a 50 foot waterfall and mountain stream that you can hike beside.
The trail to the falls is short at 0.7 miles round trip. There is some elevation gain on the return trip (about 80 feet) but nothing too strenuous. For a longer hike consider the 1.4 mile Red Trail Loop or the 1.4 mile Green Trail Loop. We definitely recommend hiking along the stream, there are plenty of cool like potholes and “mini-caves” carved into the rock formations along the stream. The park also offers picnic tables and grills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which New York State Park has the tallest waterfall?
Taughannock Falls State Park is home to Taughannock Falls, which drops 215 feet, making it the tallest single-drop waterfall in New York, even taller than Niagara Falls.
Are New York State Parks with waterfalls free to visit?
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle entrance fee during peak season, although some parks offer free pedestrian access. Fees vary by park and season-be sure to check before your visit.
Which New York State Park has the most waterfalls?
Watkins Glen State Park is known for having 19 named waterfalls along its famous Gorge Trail.
Can you swim near waterfalls in New York State Parks?
Some parks, such as Robert H. Treman State Park and Buttermilk Falls State Park, offer designated swimming areas. Swimming is only permitted in approved locations. Be sure to check guidelines for each park you visit.
What is the best time of year to visit New York waterfalls?
Spring and early summer typically offer the strongest water flow, while autumn provides beautiful fall foliage and colorful scenery. The winter months offer some great opportunities for winter sports. The best time to visit depends on what you are looking for.
Are dogs allowed at New York State Parks with waterfalls?
Most New York State Parks allow leashed dogs in designated areas, though some trails, gorge paths, and swimming areas may have restrictions. Always be sure to check with your specific park before visiting.
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
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