The trail itself is great, falls are beautiful and def worth seeing . Nice moderate trail, with options to make it longer if you want to. A few things ruined it for me. The crowds on the trail itself The parking and getting blocked in by other selfish cars who didn't want to wait for a space The trash on the trail . (Leave no trace , smdh) I'd totally love to go back but definitely on a random off-time during the week. I almost wish it would be permit only, or charged a parking fee or something to regulate the #s of people on weekends . Not only are the crowds annoying, but it makes it unsafe as well - more likelihood for accidents / denting cars while trying to manuever out of your blocked in space etc. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - July - Hiking Near Me

The trail to the upper fall was relatively easy and short. However, there were quite a few slippery steps to reach the lower fall. The views along the trail was magnificent and the falls were absolutely heart stopping. This park had no entrance fee and parking was plentiful. 100% worth spending at least half a day here. We loved it. read more

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We did the little mini hike to the waterfall and back, via the highway parking and walking next to the freeway. IT was super confusing getting there, but once we started on our (snowy December) walk, it was like walking in a winter wonderland. After a quick walk, you warm up and the weather doesn't bother you much anymore. Not too much elevation, and distance wise it's about 2 miles in and back. The waterfalls when its frozen is so wonderful to see - this hike is definitely worth it, albeit it's easier if you go with someone who's been here before because we definitely spent a good 30 minutes trying to find the entrance to the hike. read more

Amazing Family Day Hike and swimming! Great for kids and adults. LOVE LOVE LOVE Park at the bottom and HIKE up to the Falls. The hike is NOT difficult. read more

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I loved this waterfall, especially because you can swim here! I came here early on a Saturday around 11am. The trail to the falls is short but it can't get a little muddy. There was a few people on the trail and more when we got to the falls. Perfect place to relax on a hot day. Try to be careful because there are some dangerous spots for little kids. Parking does get harder to find later in the day so try to come early. Experience Level: Easy Total Hiking Time: 1 hour Elevation: 800 feet Distance: 1.7 miles read more

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Classic. It will take your breath away when you turn the curve of the road and see these falls from the roadway. Please don't be an idiot while driving and be safe when you try to park in the completely treacherous parking lot. It's way too tiny for the boatloads of tourists that try to cram in here. The falls have a good amount of scramble. Get ready to use your hands in some spots. Be careful because rocks can get slick from these lovely waters. Be extra careful if you have bad knees. A walking stick or poles are a big help. Do the hike to the falls at the end and you'll be in for a treat. read more

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Hiking experience was wonderful here! Family friendly trail for kids and beginners! For an autumn time hike, the tree leaves with colors of orange, yellow, and red are so beautiful from the summit. Little waterfalls and running water makes it super relaxing to hear. Great for a small picnic with pretty views. read more

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We were unlucky and arrived in mid-November directly after the first snowfall of the season. We're from the city and don't have the right hiking gear to do this in snow, slush, and ice. If it's winter you're going to need real hiking boots. In summer, I think we could have gotten by with sneakers. Still, it was stunning simply to stand at the bottom of the falls and take in their beauty. There is a parking lot near the bottom of the falls (maybe 20 parking spots?), and then you walk around a curving road to get to the falls. It's a little dangerous because you have to walk on the road, but there are signs for drivers and there will be other pedestrians. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - A winter view of the falls from the bottom. You can park and walk here from the road without hiking. - Hiking Near Me

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The waterfalls are absolutely beautiful and worth seeing, but I recommend getting there early in the morning to avoid crowds. By 10:30 in the morning, it was packed. It was hard to get a couple good photos of the waterfalls because the influencers were out in full force ruining photo opportunities by being front and center to post things on their social media. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Hiking Near Me

Such a fantastic waterfall! It's the largest in the Catskill Mountains. There are two places to access the falls...one is almost at the base and can be reached through this listed address on Route 23, and one is at the top, which is essentially behind the falls. There's a camping spot up there called North/South Lake, which if you plug it in, will get you an address closes to the top. This time we chose to enter where we could reach at the base (after heading down some rocks). We felt this was safer for the kiddos, plus rock jumping is always a blast and a favorite with our crew! A good time was had by all. This section of the falls would definitely be a great place to hit up for a little dip on a hot day. There wasn't a huge undertow even after a rainfall, so I would feel safe and confident utilizing it as a swimming hole. I remember thinking I would love to come back and pack a picking and some small games too. There are definitely some flat areas you could set up shop and just chill for a bit after hiking. *Water shoes are best for this particular area. Something waterproof, but with traction. The falls themselves didn't frighten me, but rather getting to them from the highway did. There's a lot just below the falls and one just around the bend at the top. I would suggest parking at the top lot. The journey down, unlike the journey up has SOME guardrails at SOME points, so it seem like the safest option of the two, especially with small children. Either way, please be careful!! Cars definitely zoom around there and be sure to cross before it gets dark. Definitely stop by if you're in the area!! It's so beautiful and so peaceful. A great way to spend a couple of hours while in the Catskills. read more

Short hike but beautiful falls!! Went with my family of all ages and we all really enjoyed it! read more

Starting from the trail base of the small waterfalls along the road side I scaled up the trail that hugs the stream to the under side of the two large waterfalls. Then I climbed even higher to the vista point. It was epic! This is somewhere between intermediate and expert level difficulty. Not for beginners or people who are out of shape! read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Not for beginners! - Hiking Near Me

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Such a beautiful landscape, and less then 3 hours outside of the city! Sometimes being caught in this microcosm that is Long Island you forget that in a short drive you can be breathing fresh air, taking in breath taking sites and be surrounded by pure, green nature. I definitely recommend this spot! Has a relatively easy hike, that I was able to complete most of, even with a knee injury. Parking is adequate, if you pass the ice cream shop... you are headed the right way. Enjoy! And please tread lightly and leave the trails immaculate for others to experience! read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Falls - Hiking Near Me

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Beautiful views and not too long of a hike. Pretty crowded, most people were wearing masks. Parking had a bit of a wait, get there early for a spot! read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Waterfall - Hiking Near Me

Nice trail and a bit rocky so becareful. I went to the top and all the way to the bottom of the falls. Not too many people and it was a little difficult to swim. Water was at calf level. Very relaxing and a little challenging but I'm not in the best shape and I made it. Definitely worth experiencing. Parking sucks so get here early. Main lot was full so we had to park at scutts parking lot and walk this trail to the falls. A little farther than the main parking lot. read more

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Nice easy and short walk to see the falls. Good signage to locate the trailhead. Generous parking with portable rest facilities. The falls are spectacular. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Kaaterskill Falls. - Hiking Near Me

Never a disappointing visit to Kaaterskill Falls. The view is spectacular and is a perfect hiking spot.

Good place to wonder in the woods and enjoy the view of waterfalls. I would recommend. Fresh air and beautiful sides. read more

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This place is beautiful!!!!! It was definitely a journey to get here but we made it. We went during Labor Day weekend and many people were also visiting. Parking is hard to find so we ended up parking the car about 1.5 miles away from the park and hiked instead. Make sure to wear proper shoes, have bug spray, hydrate and most importantly enjoy the views! read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Hiking Near Me

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Beautiful!!! We got there early, so we were able to park in the small parking area. We walked against traffic towards the entrance. Our friend said this was super easy mode (for him!)... then I saw the stairs. For a very out of shape person, I made it. Then I was rewarded with a beautiful view. read more

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Perfect weekend getaway from the city. Copious amounts of nature, rivers and outdoors at each turn. Great hiking trails. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Hiking Near Me

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Don't come here unless it's been raining fairly heavy for at least 24 hrs to 48 hrs in advance,.this water fall has a huge bonus if it's been raining and that's the rapids in the stream leading up to the lower level of this waterfall . Niagara.This place is only 2 hrs from Manhattan.Be careful if you're climbing the side's because many people have fallen and died. read more

The dopest of all the waterfalls, best to go early during the weekend so there's not a tourist rush

When you research Kaaterskill Falls before coming, there are a lot of warnings that may put you off. People die on these trails REGULARLY. Like more than once a year. That's scary. And I've hiked lots of scarier trails. After further research though, it looks like the state has done a lot to improve the safety of the trails and it's often those people who go off-trail who are injured or killed. So we braved it. We parked in the Laurel House parking lot and did the SUPER easy hike to the upper viewing platform. This part of the trail was renovated last year and the challenge level is as easy as it comes. You could do this trail in a wheelchair. Then we ventured down to the lower falls which was a steeper and less well-kept trail. I can see how it would be more dangerous in the rain as most of the trail requires mild scrambling over rocky terrain. We arrived at the lower falls and were able to swim in a small pool of EXTREMELY cold water before heading back. It was here that we saw some of the dangerous behavior that surely led to the injuries sustained by many previous visitors. Teens were scrambling up rock walls to get directly below the falls. Several people were sitting at the top of the falls with their legs dangling over the edge. There really should be a park ranger in this area of the park to curb some of this behavior and prevent thick-headed kids from taking big risks in such a dangerous area. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Swimming area at bottom of falls - Hiking Near Me

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These falls are beautiful!!! The hike from the bottom is definitely worth the view!! There are steep staircases/rocks made of stairs, so I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 5 or 6. We hiked it with babies/toddlers on our back and it wasn't too bad of a hike!! There's an AMAZING view about 1/3 of the way up, looking up at the falls. This would be a great picnic area and you can swim. And then all the way at the top there's a pretty view of the mountains too! There's a platform at the top and you can look down at the falls or out at the Mountain View. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Hiking Near Me

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Wonderful hike first thing this morning. Beautiful falls and great hiking trail. There are rather large rocks that are slick when raining but overall a fairly easy climb. I saw several small children doing it with no problems. I know there are signs about deaths and these are true but seems to me ever since they upgraded to some steps and a roped side railing in one spot you would have to be purposefully getting close to ledges for this to be a problem. Stick to the marked trail and you will have no issues! Nonetheless do be careful as slip injuries could happen pretty easily on the numerous large slick rocks. Directions: We parked at the lower side of the falls and made the trek all the way to the top area viewpoint. This is about 1.25 miles but not highest difficult as you are generally stopping off to take pictures in several spots. For reaching this parking lot get to Palenville and follow 23A west until you reach a "horseshoe" in the road (obvious on google maps, I requested a change to the location of this on Yelp so hopefully they will move it as for now it is showing the falls in Palenville). Right past the horseshoe on the left side of the road is a smallish parking lot and you can just walk back down the road to trailhead. I know you are able to keep driving past this spot to skip straight to the top (Laurel House road) if you prefer but I would suggest doing this beautiful hike from the bottom unless you or someone in your group is unable. Have fun! read more

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Beautiful place. Don't go on the weekend. They bus people up from NYC. That's not true but it's kind of true. Don't act like an idiot. Be careful. read more

Absolutely loved this hike. It's been on my list of falls to visit for a couple years now. First the parking. You'll need to park at the top of a hill in a small parking lot (free). You'll walk approximately 1/2 mile down the side of the highway to get to the trailhead. Be careful of vehicles along the narrow road because they do not seem to slow down for pedestrians. Once you arrive at the trailhead, you're greeted by a small waterfall, a logbook, and signs indicating the dangers of this trail. It's a 1/2 mile hike up to the top of the falls. While many hikers have been critically injured or killed on this hike, there's reasons, and I'm sure a lot had to do with carelessness, improper shoes, and not respecting the warnings. Wear proper shoes! While this isn't a strenuous hike, you wouldn't want to wear sandals. Many of the rocks and roots are slick from water and could be dangerous. Watch your footing and take your time! There were parents with small children as well as pets, so it's not like this is for experienced hikers only. You just have to take your time and watch where you're going. When you arrive at the top, you can go further up using a staircase. Again, go slow. A wrong step or not watching where you're going could certainly critically injure or kill you. Sitting at the bottom and watching many others up top, I saw why there are signs talking about safety. It isn't advised to see how close you can get to the edge of the falls. All in all an amazing hike! read more

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Beautiful spot unreal the water was amazing wasn't crowded had the top falls all to our selfs definitely will be back

We had things planned to visit Kaaterskill Falls from NYC for a hiking trip. Despite the rainy forecast, my friends and I didn't let the rain ruin our day and just decided to go for it. In the end, I'm glad we did! We drove up and parked in the lot along Route 23A just as the other reviews state. From there, you walk along the route and you start seeing the waterfall. The directions are not clear, but you do have to cross over the railing and start heading to the Kaaterskill Fall post/stand. Over there, we were able to find a bunch of walking sticks that people leave (I highly suggest you utilize it). From there, you can officially start your hike upwards. They make it helpful for you to stay on path by posting yellow/blue circles on the trees. If you see those, you know you are on the right track. Also as an fyi, you can take the horse trail and it will still lead you up/down the mountain without the steep incline/decline. I found it to be gradual and less tiring, so I suggest that if you can find it. Once in a while, you do see the posts where you can find the miles/direction to different locations. During the hike, my friends got to visit the different tiers of the waterfall. Because it was rainy, the hike was very muddy. But the rain didn't last all day. It was intermittent, so it wasn't too bad. I think that because of the rain, it wasn't too hot and it wasn't too crowded, which was a blessing in disguise. We also visited Layman's Monument along our hike to Inspiration Point. I still don't know if we did in fact visit Inspiration Point because we didn't exactly see a sign for it, but because we got lost, we did see other things along the way. Also, we found small orange salamanders on the path. Hiking in Catskills was quite an adventure. It is quite a steep hike at times, but it is still pretty cool. read more

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Words can not describe the beauty of the falls. I flew in NY for a TLC weekend with my other half. I arrived on the 18th of October. He lives in Flushing Meadow. We decided to make a day trip to hike and see the falls on Friday the 19th of October. Our trip took us three hours one way from Flushing Meadow. Skies were clear, and the high for the day was 62 degrees. We used GPS and didn't encounter any issues. Prior to going we read reviews and tips, and the most important tip that I will mention here is parking: If you are able to visit the falls during the week, the parking flow is favorable. We arrived to a parking lot which placed us at the lower section of the trail head. The lot was full but there were two cars leaving (lucky us). We learned when we arrived to the section close to the overlook that there was parking at the top of the trailhead as well, so if you do not see parking available on the lower, continue on and you will eventually arrive to the upper trail head lot. Parking IS NOT allowed anywhere but in the parking lots...absolutely no side of the road parking. Warning: Since you will pass the lower part of the falls and the sign that says Kaaterskill Falls Trail Head once you park, you will have to walk back to it. There is not a sidewalk, or a section for anyone to walk....and there are cars and 18 wheeler's maneuvering the road. Please please be mindful if you have small children with you. The lower section is right off of the road. We walked up too it and both said um, is this it...we were expecting a hike....we looked up and saw sections that looked like you could access it, so we signed in, and we took one of the natural hiking sticks the person before us left behind for the next person to use. We began our incline which was not difficult but a little tedious, and we finally arrived to what I will refer to as the 2nd section of the waterfall. We were in awe at how beautiful it was. We sat on a huge boulder with other hikers and we all shared snacks which was fun. My boyfriend actually started it by asking if anyone wanting pistachios then everyone else chimed in. I have to share that this trip was our first date, and it will always be embedded in my thoughts. It was absolutely beautiful, peaceful and serene. We decided to head up to the next section, but right before doing so we were told that there are 150++ steps ahead of us...we walked and walked....no actual steps. We came around the bend and there were the steps which led us to the next section. Looking up at the top was a cascading fall and at the top you could see frozen ice, and if you looked down you could see a drop. This area is dangerous and lives have been lost due to instagramer's trying to get as close to the drop as possible.....We stopped for photos before continuing on which involved a longer commute which was an overlook of the falls. NOTE: We did not see any small children during our hike. We did see infants attached to their parents back. There are certain sections such as the lower which is perfect for smaller children to see. Parking near the overlook at the top of the trail head would also be okay with small children. In either case be very mindful with them. I would not recommend taking small children to hike from the lower to the upper sections. We had on hoodies with vests and my vest was off and in our backpack before we finished half of the hike and I was considering removing my hoodie as well. My boyfriend helped me over several obstacles and on the way up and coming back down near the lower falls he helped me along. It is definitely worth the entire trip from start to finish.. read more

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Beautiful falls, really breathtaking. We parked in the Laurel House Road lot, which I recommend. There were tons of spots there, and no walking on the road is involved, as I think it is with the other lots. You can do a quick walk to the viewing platform, then a 20-30 minute moderately challenging hike down to the lower falls, where you can swim and lay out on the rocks. Wear good shoes (we had sneakers). You'll be walking over and climbing up some rocks that could get slippery. Just take your time and it's totally worth it! We hiked to North South Lake after and took a dip in the water. Great day! read more

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Before I type my rant, I will start with my rave. First, the view of the waterfall is just amazing. The view within the amphitheater is even more mind blowing. Throughout all of my travels, Kaaterskill Fall hands down is the BEST waterfall in the Northeast. Yes. You read that right. I've been to Iceland, Death Valley, Antelope Canyon, etc and this place is right up there. I'm not going to go into any specifics but if you want to see something breathtaking, this is the place to go. Now on to my rant. It seems like the the fatalities and injuries that have occurred in the area recently have brought to the attention of lawmakers and now they are building fencing around the "dangerous" areas. Apparently the fencing will block folks from doing off trail hiking. As I understand safety is the first priority, I truly believe safety within itself should be the first priority for anyone that hikes there. If people would just follow this simple rule, there wouldn't be a need for the fencing. I am hoping these fences will not obscure the amazing view of this place. Not to be mean but these type of folks are ruining it for everyone else. In any other country, places like this don't have fences or restricted areas. If you assume the risk, be smart and vigilant! Tips: Be smart and vigilant. If you are hiking in an area where you can get injured or even die, then you need to concentrate and focus at the task at hand. Don't talk to your friends. Don't take selfies, etc. No distractions. Get to where you're going first. WEAR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR. Do NOT wear flip flops. Do NOT wear running shoes. Wear hiking sneakers or boots. The rocks there are VERY slippery and most of the fatalities that have occurred in the areas are due to folks slipping on rocks. If you're a parents and plan on bringing your kids, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not have them hike off-trail. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing a kid having trouble climbing down a steep mountain because the selfish parent wanted to check out the restricted areas. read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Took this right after sunset. - Hiking Near Me

Like Nettiee M., we almost got a parking ticket ($100) until someone warned us to be careful since patrol officers tend to give tickets around the area for anyone parking illegally. -- SO CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED! However, once your parked at the designated parking area, which is a bit of a walk from the waterfall, the view is absolutely spectacular and well worth it. When you arrive, you'll be welcomed by the sight of the first Fall which is not very impressive but a prelude to the next one which is even more striking. Once you jump over the ramp, look for the signs and it will direct you to the next Fall which is a bit of a hike to get too. The trails can be a bit steep so make sure you wear really good shoes that are well equipped for hiking especially if you're planning to reach the Fall's top tier. According to my friend, many people have slipped and die as a result. Unfortunately, I was one that decided not to go to the top as my shoes were not supportive enough for this hike and it didn't help that we had torrential rain the day before. Instead a few of us decided to enjoy the Fall from the second tier and for me that was good enough! read more

The falls were stunning yesterday, and the hike is a pretty short and easy one, though there are steep areas. I can definitely see why so many people die here--if you stay on the trail it is pretty safe, but it is very tempting to go off the trail to go into the cavern behind the waterfall or go close to the ledge to get a better view and for the pictures. The parking area is small, cramped, and unorganized, and this is a very popular destination. You also have to walk along the highway a short distance before reaching the trailhead which could have potentially been dangerous if we had encountered drivers who ignored the signs to watch out for people. I would recommend coming here a day or so after it rains on a weekday, because this place would have been magical without so many people there. There are three levels of waterfalls with two (?) pools that you can take a dip in. I'm considering taking another trip here in a month or so for the fall foliage! read more

Wonderfully gorgeous falls, an absolute 5 star for the view. But of course, with beautiful view comes popularity, and with popularity comes difficulty for parking and a gathering of a bit of crowd in the warm weathers at the end of the trail - bottom of the cascading falls. Both the trail leading to the Kaaterskill Falls and designated parking lot (as indicated by google maps) are right off the 23A highway - very easy to spot. We read about the potential $100 fine for parking outside designated spots and was about to leave because all the spots (and more) were taken at 10 am on a holiday morning, as we were making our way down 23A and past the trail head, we found another lesser known parking lot! We were able to find an empty space there and walked up to the trail (took about 5 minutes) which is marked by a small fall at the trail head. From the trail head, it's about 0.5 miles to the Kaaterskill falls. The hiking itself wasn't extremely difficult or strenuous since it was rather short, but there is an elevation and at certain points it could be steep, sometimes you do have to get on hands to climb up some rocks or over logs. It is not an easy trail in the sense of walking on almost flat ground, but most people do make it to the end, kids and adult alike. I would recommend carrying stuff in a backpack and keeping hands free for balance and occasional support. (I saw someone carrying a small dog with one hand while trying to balance climbing up and that looked rather dangerous.) It is a 'dead-end' ish trail which means hikers going to and from takes the same trail, there are a lot young kids and families and courtesy is highly appreciated instead of trying to rush past someone. The End of the Trail marker is at the foot of Kaaterskill Falls, a cascading two tiered fall in all its sparkling glory. Take some time, enjoy the view and relax. Many people stops here to dip their feet in the shallow waters but many do continue on off the trail. The off-trails up the falls is comprised of rather steep climbing of rocks (which I would not recommend climbing with a dog in one hand), we didn't choose to do it because going off trail erodes the mountain where not meant to, and in other reviews many do mention the potential death warnings. It took us about 45 minutes roundtrip where 15 minutes was spent relaxing next to the falls and photographing. Overall, short and sweet trail with spectacular views! read more

Kaaterskill Falls - Small fall off the highway - Hiking Near Me

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The most amazing place ever to hike, and with breathtaking views. Kaaterskill Falls is one of the tallest falls around the tri-state. It is a must see. If you live around Northern NJ and want to see something you can't find around here. Take a trip. It is only 1 1/2 away. read more

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This place is definitely a hidden gem of New York City! It's a great day hike. With amazing scenic views of the mountains and falls. This is a must due if you're ever in New York here's a few teasers I left below! And mind pics can't describe reality of it read more

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Super easy hike with a great reward. Invest only a short half mile to enjoy a large waterfall with cool refreshing water and plenty of large boulders to sit on. My friend and I even climbed a boulder to gain a new perspective of the waterfall. We really enjoyed our time. Although you are restricted from climbing to the tallest point, the second level is enough excitement. It can be a bit steep and slippery at times, especially on the way back down but use caution and it will be cake! We parked about half mile south of the trail start on Route 23A. Be careful when walking alongside the road and stay behind the railing when possible. Bring a bathing suit if you would like to stand under the falls or swim! This is one thing I will remember should I stop by in the future. read more

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Great day trip! Just only an hour or two drive from NYC. A bit of a hike (beginner/intermediate) to get to the falls but totally doable with able-bodied kids and adults. There is a small parking area at a look-over/Viewing site nearby (around the corner) from the entrance to the trail, but the parking is very limited (can maybe hold 15 cars comfortably) so please plan on coming early. The parking area is very dangerous because it's on a curve of a major road in that area, so PLEASE BE CAREFUL! This place gets very popular during the warm weather months. The falls are really beautiful and some of the best I've ever seen and been in. Prob the next best in NY after Niagara Falls. read more

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