Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls is the waterfall that put the Catskills on the map. Water drops in two stages through a wooded cleft in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest, falling roughly 260 feet in total, which makes it one of the tallest cascades in New York State. In the nineteenth century it drew painters, poets and honeymooners, and Thomas Cole and his Hudson River School colleagues made it a symbol of American wilderness. Today it draws hikers from across the region, who come for a trail that is short by mountain standards and delivers a dramatic view at the end. The falls are free to visit and sit on state land managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Most visitors start from the roadside lot on Route 23A near Haines Falls and walk down to the base of the lower falls, a distance of roughly a mile round trip on a rocky, uneven path with a few steep sections. From the lower viewing area you see the full height of the upper drop, and in spring or after rain the sound and spray are impressive.

A second approach starts from the Laurel House Road side and follows the creek above the falls, a longer and more demanding walk that rewards you with a view from the top of the upper cascade. Wherever you start, wear shoes with real grip, because the rocks near the water are slick and every season brings rescues from people in sandals.

The falls have become so popular that the state and local towns have had to manage the traffic. Parking along the highway shoulder has been restricted in recent years, and the approach has changed from season to season, so check the Department of Environmental Conservation page for the Kaaterskill Wild Forest before you set out. Arrive early on weekends, especially in summer and during fall color, when the small lot fills long before midday. Weekday mornings and shoulder seasons are much calmer and give you the best chance at a quiet view.

Good timing makes a real difference to the sight. Spring melt and a day or two after heavy rain produce the strongest flow, while late summer can leave the upper fall a thin ribbon. Winter transforms the cliff into a column of ice, but the trail is dangerous without traction devices and the lower approach can close, so treat a winter visit as an experienced-hiker outing. In autumn the maples and beeches around the gorge turn gold and red, and the combination of color and water is why this spot appears on so many postcards.

The falls make a natural pair with the rest of the Kaaterskill Wild Forest. A short drive away are the cliffs and lake beaches of North-South Lake, the lookouts above the Hudson Valley that so impressed early travelers, and the village of Tannersville with its painted storefronts. Bring water, a layer, and a plan for lunch in town, since there are no food services at the trailhead. Dogs are welcome on leash, though the steep stone steps can be hard on small ones.

A few safety notes are worth repeating because they decide whether the day goes well. Cell service is patchy in the cleft, so tell someone your plan, carry water and a light first-aid kit, and turn back if the weather changes or the rocks are wet. The falls are also a great place to slow down: sit on a flat rock away from the edge, listen to the water, and notice how the cliff walls hold the cool air even in July.

Photographers should bring a small tripod or steady a phone on a rock for long exposures, which turn the water into silk without any editing.