This was one of my favorite stops during a day visit near the Adirondacks and absolutely worth the ticket price. The waterfall itself is stunning, and the experience of getting to it makes it even better. There are wooden walkways built around the falls that let you get incredible views from multiple angles. The walk can feel a little nerve wracking at times, especially if you are not great with heights, but everything felt very stable and secure. Once you step out and see the waterfall up close, it is completely worth it. The sound, the views, and the overall atmosphere are amazing. There is also a small gift shop on site, which was a nice touch. Overall, this was a great experience and a place I would absolutely recommend if you are in the area. read more

High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

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Love love, love, love, love the experience please note that it is not free. I wasn't aware of the cost when I got there, but whatever the cost is, it was worth it. They give you spikes to put on your shoes so you don't slip and slide which I loved it was snowing where we went, but it was beautiful cold but beautiful. I would highly recommend you taking your time to enjoy the nature I would love to visit again when it's not snowy and frozen. read more

High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

Such a cool place. If you're in the area I recommend checking this place out. There is a path alongside the water and falls, where you can safely walk, while having amazing views. This is definitely worth it! read more

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This is an amazing short walk in the Adirondack. This is a deep crevice formed from the Ausable River with several waterfalls. You walk on wood and steel walkways and bridges and there are a few spots with glass for the brave. You can also do the nature trail which is a bit longer walk. The gift shop was very cute with all the usual clothing, stickers, toys, rocks and souvenirs. They had a small cafe with appetizers, salads, burgers and sweets and they had a milk shake bar as well. Our hamburgers were delicious, juicy and cooked perfectly with very fresh toppings. read more

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High Falls Gorge is the kind of place that makes you stop mid step just to take it all in. Tucked away in the Adirondacks just outside Lake Placid, it's one of those natural gems that manages to be both exhilarating and peaceful at the same time. The waterfalls are stunning! Powerful, roaring, and full of life. The walkways and bridges are thoughtfully designed, making everything easily accessible without sacrificing that wild immersive feeling. There are options for shorter casual trails or longer routes if you're up for more adventure. Either way, you're surrounded by breathtaking scenery. We had a blast! Nature therapy at its finest. read more

While state trails offer the charm of free access, paying for admission at High Falls Gorge grants you a curated high-quality experience that you simply won't find on most state trails. From safety, scenic views and family-friendly amenities, accessibility and preservation efforts, a visit to High Falls Gorge is more than just a hike- it's an experienced design for those who want to enjoy nature and its finest form, with the added benefit of excellent service and comfort. read more

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My first reaction upon getting out of the car was pretty much 'they really charge FIFTEEN dollars?!?' My thought upon leaving was 'I see why they charge for admission,' and this is to say that it met our expectations. Parking is aplenty and it's an easy walk across a gravelly parking lot to the main lodge/gift shop which is where you pay the admission fee and get a wrist band (pictured). At the time of our visit the nature trail was closed, but we were told that we weren't missing much. There's an "easy path" and "waterfall walk," but unless you're accompanying a person in a wheelchair, I would say the waterfall walk would be the reason for visiting this thrilling site. Basically there are a literal cascade of four falls - main falls, mini falls, rainbow falls, and climax falls. The waterfall walk, a 1/2-mile loop, takes you around the rocky edges of the massive falls through steps, bridges, and jaw-dropping platforms that caused me bladder cramps simply looking over from a distance. I don't believe an adjective would be enough to describe the force and size of these falls, but suffice to say that I was thoroughly amazed and thrilled! Apparently they're closed for some time during winter months and it changes every year, so I would check their website or social media before planning a winter visit. Would definitely go back. read more

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Ideal nature walk with limited stairs, relatively short commitment, and big payoff. Perfect pulloff for families and those who want a little fresh air and an optional waterfall spray facial. :) Fabulous. read more

Really cool place. You have to pay to walk the trail but definitely worth it if you've never done it before. The gorge has breath taking views and cool trails around the falls. read more

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Highly commercialized and very busy. There's a short hike, down to the gorge, plus an optional hike through the woods. They offer a nice picnic area, fire pit, a restaurant (limited hours). Beautiful view. Clean, safe, well done. Nice gift shop. read more

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High Falls Gorge is absolutely beautiful and fun to visit. At $13/pp, this is totally worth a stop! There is plenty of parking and it's easy to find. The entrance is also the exit/gift shop with a bar and restrooms inside. In the hot summer months, get yourself something cold to drink and wear sunscreen. It's not completely covered in shade throughout the walk. The walk is about 30 minutes total and there's an extra nature trail that is more of a real hike than the stairs on the gorge. The stairway trail is pretty neat with picture perfect areas. It's cliffside and has glass floors in some areas of the walk (although, very dirty so you can see much). There are also plenty of benches throughout so you can take it all in and not feel rushed by the other visitors. This is a great stop on your trip up to the mountains and worth the quick visit! read more

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Was very pretty and got very nice pictures. Area was under construction and we received a discount for it but it really wasn't worth it.

Closed March - April and also closed every Wednesday & Thursday during open season. Call ahead before going read more

This is 4 stars if you have small kids, if you don't I don't know if it's worth the price tag. We came when they first opened to avoid crowds and heat. I think for two adults it was $25, that is a bit pricey for maybe a 1/2 mile jaunt. If you do the optional mile long trail perhaps it's worth it, but we had a 3 and 2 year old in tow. The falls are beautiful, no doubt there and there are placards explaining a bit about how they were formed and other nature tid-bits. It was overall nice and the trails and bridges seemed well maintained. Admittedly I am scared of bridges but didn't feel unsafe on these. It does get crowded and so it was a bit of a pain when you wanted to get to certain observation points and wait for people to take their photos, etc. So I suggest coming early. Overall without kids, 3 stars, with toddlers 4 stars. read more

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The first stop during our fall foliage tour package. I enjoyed the view, the short walk to the falls and the ambiance of the place. I found though the admission price a bit much comparing to other places I have visited that has the same amenities. It has cute restaurant / café / gift shop and recommended as hang out places while waiting for the rest of our company. I heard that they are open all year long except of course during holiday. A good place to stop by when you are in the area. read more

High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

Such a beautiful hike/walk. It was a rainy day but the waterfall views were amazing! The trail is well maintained and kept clean. The staff is friendly & informative. There's different intensities of trails of stairs are an issue but the "harder" trail was easy enough for younger kids (just a few areas of stairs but fully gated for safety) The only reason we didn't give 5 stars was the restaurant was closed (due to staffing issues ) there was an area that was closed for the day due to a wedding being held there- what a fun place for such an event! read more

Great place to check out. The waterfalls are so beautiful. Easy and simple trail! read more

High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

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Views are nice but not worth the money. Go hike Owens pond or other nature trails in the area.

High Falls Gorge is an excellent opportunity to see Adirondack waterfalls with minimal hiking. Contrary to the negative reviews, my husband and I enjoyed ourselves. The day was much hotter than normal, so we decided to forego the nature trail and stick to the water-ways but there were ample photo opportunities and plenty to make the trip and cost (~$15 pp) worth it. Pro-Tip: Bring a picnic lunch and buy drinks from the outside bar to enjoy a view of the river after your hike. read more

For a 45 minute walk around the gorge it's a bit overpriced. That being said, my children thought it was very cool so I'm glad we went. It's inferior to the Ausable Chasm, but still fun to do with the family as a morning activity. read more

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Beautiful walk along the falls. Nice gift shop and sitting area on your way out. Only a half mile down And back trail currently. read more

High Falls Gorge - Walk way over the falls - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

Very great little 45 minute hike with an additional nature trail, my family and I went here for something to do near Lake Placid for the morning, this was just the place. For 13.1 a person, the person who made the prices may definitely be a runner, you get access to the trails and gorgeous views of falls. It kinda felt like a mini Niagara but you had to pay lol. There are places where you could see the water underneath you with a glass flooring but you have to wait your turn. There is a wooden pathway you take along the falls, the great thing about this park is that they are trying to make it more handicap accessible which is very nice, I think they should also expand the staircases because it can get very crowded and you have to wait your turn. But otherwise, really great views for really great pricing. They have a really nice gift shop with a variety of outdoor items and kid friendly items as well, would definitely go back here again! read more

High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

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We stopped here on a whim a few years ago. Beautiful easy hike. The falls were gorgeous.

The falls and gorge are beautiful and worth the price of admission. The trails and walkways are well done and have educational signs about the environment. However, my experience was ruined by falling for the "$100 mystery bag" for $20 in the gift shop! I thought it would maybe be a High Falls tee shirt or some other item, maybe a mug, then a bunch of little things I'd donate or give to my grandkids. The woman in the shop said they were worth at least $50. Imagine my surprise when I opened it to discover a bunch of Dollar Store crap and gift emporium garbage, none of which was actually from the gift shop. I felt totally ripped off and embarrassed that I fell for the scam. It soured my whole visit. So do go to the falls, but avoid the gift shop. read more

We stopped here to visit the Gorge and it was beautiful. Definitely worth the admission cost. Then we decided to have lunch in their restaurant. We were extremely surprised about how much food we got and how delicious it was for the price. Definitely a place to have lunch and view the Gorge if you're on a trip near there. read more

This is a great winter outing, hike is not strenuous and they give you yak tracks to wear over your shoes so you don't slip or slide at all. Really enjoyed sitting by the fire and enjoying a roasted marshmallow at the end. Staff was very friendly. read more

Amazing shop and beautiful groomed trails. This is perfect if you have kids or want to take a break from intrepid mountain climbing and just soak up the views read more

If you are debating between HFG & Ausable Chasm - go for the latter. HFG is good for a family outing, but if you hike around Adirondacks, you will see many such beautiful falls without paying the $11 entrance fee. Having said that, we had a perfectly pleasant 1.5 hour outing, meandering around the walkways of HFG and getting some nice summer pics ;) Visited the Ausable Chasm last year and it is definitely more fun, has better walkways and the mile long rafting experience gets my thumbs up. HFG is great for young kids and families visiting with elderly parents/grandparents. read more

High Falls Gorge - High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

If you want to see some cool waterfalls and dramatic rock formations up close, this is your place. The views at High Falls Gorge are stunning and it's truly amazing to think about how the falls have changed the landscape over time. The raised walkway along the falls is really cool and a very easy walk for people of all ages and abilities. That being said, a common point mentioned in the reviews here is the elevated price of admission - but that's the beauty in owning fantastic private property and making a business out of it, I guess! read more

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Went here in September... I am not from the area. Great place to take my 4 year old daughter . Was well paved and short enough for her to handle the whole thing. I enjoyed the gift shop and I bought a mystery bag there and liked what was inside . Workers were friendly and I was okay with the price of admission, yes I know many other falls in the surrounding area are free to the pu but I enjoyed this one being so maintained and kid friendly that it was worth it for me. It's good to know they were still open on a rainy day . Some areas of the path had chairs to sit with a view of the water and it would have been great to bring some food and sit there for a little while. read more

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We stopped here on a snowy February day on the way to board at Whiteface Mountain. It was BEAUTIFUL in winter, not a long hike which was perfect for a cold snowy day. Trails and outlooks were very safe and they provided over the shoe cleats to prevent slipping. We set off alone on well documented paths. Coffee/cocoa/tea and unlimited s'mores pkgs were also included in the $13.50 fee. The provided roasting sticks and had an enormous fire going not to far from the main building with seating. For $3 more you can purchase a hot dog (that you roast yourself over the fire) lunch that was delicious. Can't lie- best s'mores ever. This is the perfect mini adventure for families with kids, older folks or just people (like us) who enjoy beautiful waterfalls and winter landscapes without the hassle of a day long trek. Also worth noting: -Clean restroom facilities -Privately owned & operated by owners -Gift shop on premises read more

This place is gorgeous and absolutely stunning! We loved it and the view exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend it it is worth every penny. read more

Price is kind of high, but for wanting to easily see some water falls with kids it fits the bill. It took maybe 45 min tops but my 4 yr old isn't the speediest of walkers. One encounter with the staff didn't leave me with the warmest of feelings but not everyone is a ray of sunshine. Worth it if you have room to spare in your budget. read more

High Falls Gorge - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

What a great way to see waterfalls without an all day hike up a mountain. The young gentlemen working the admission desk could not have been any more professional, helpful and knowledgeable. I asked questions, being concerned about my bad knees. It was all explained, with no pressure to follow up with sales. I decided to give it a try, since there was an easy trail that avoided the ten stairways while still providing views of the falls. Happily, my knees held out and we were able to follow the regular trail. The scenery is breathtaking and the signage well maintained and informative. Youngsters are given a special brochure with four questions that are answered on the signs. They get to choose a prize at the end if they answer the questions. We got one wrong, but my grandson still got a prize, so he was happy and actually read all of the information along the way! There were lots of photo ops and a really nice walk. A piece of advice: Bring some bug spray. It was a humid day and there were a few biting. read more

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October 6, 2022. Great outdoors. Nice walk, clean, beautiful viewing and photos. Nice gift shop and things to purchase. Staff was great.

Our first visit to the Lake Placid area included maybe a dozen different waterfalls, but these are special for allowing you the opportunity to see from all angles via intricate walkways and bridges. As an added bonus, there's no fear of slipping on wet rocks. If you have small kids prone to falling or on the less adventurous side, this is the place for you. The comments about price should probably take the engineering, construction and maintenance of the many walkways and bridges. I sort of see it like a lift ticket, the skiing is free, but the lift costs money. Worth doing once. read more

This place was pretty cool. The waterfalls were amazing and the boardwalk to get around was super cool too. I felt like a little kid running up and down the stairs to have my mom take pictures of me from different bridges around the falls. There is also a nature trail that you can do separately (with no views of the fall) but is a nice little hike to get your monies worth. My parents aren't really in shape and were able to manage the 1-mile walk around the falls that had a number of stairs (they do have benches for you to rest on in some places). Entrance for an adult is $11.25 plus tax, but it's worth doing at least once while you're in the lake Placid area. There is a nice little gift shop and cafe inside and a little wood burning stove for the colder months. They also have snowshoes to use while you're hiking around in the snow but I don't know if you have to pay extra for them because I was there in August and obviously didn't need them. Overall, these falls were really pretty and it was a pretty cool experience. It has beautiful falls and neat bridges. If you go while it's raining, you'll pretty much have the place to yourself: otherwise, I would assume it gets pretty crowded. read more

High Falls Gorge - Beautiful falls and neat bridges. - Cafes Near Me - Wilmington, New York

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The falls themselves are beautiful but the price to pay to walk around in less than 30min is disappointing. Something to experience once but if you miss it there are better opportunities throughout the area. Many more desirable hikes and walks available without cost, just seek them out from the locals. read more

Came in here while camping in the Adirondacks, after researching things to do in the area apart from the actual camping. There website states it's the best hike in the area. There is a cute little gift shop and cafe area where you pay for entry to the walk and the hiking portion. The cafe has drinks and snacks as well as food options. The gift shop had some adorable merchandise and gift options for ADK lovers and camping lovers. The gorge walk was amazing. There is an "easy" and a "difficult" path for those who cannot or don't want to go up and down stairs, etc. they gave informative signs all over the place. They also have a hike that you can do in addition to the gorge walk, it's a little more vigorous and a large part is uphill. I thought the admission was a little expensive but it was worth it. Gorgeous views. I would love to go back in the winter and see it all frozen! read more

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Enjoyed our visit! Trails were well maintained, we did the waterfall trail and the more rigorous trail.