State guide ·
2026 Waterfalls in New York
New York waterfalls at a glance
- 3 waterfalls, with trail distances from 0.1 to 2.6 miles: 1 drive-up overlook, 1 easy walk and 1 moderate hike. None requires a permit.
- The tallest is Kaaterskill Falls at 260 feet. Best seasons: year-round (Niagara Falls), spring runoff (Taughannock Falls) and fall color (Kaaterskill Falls).
- Editor’s top pick: Kaaterskill Falls (260-foot tiered waterfall, moderate hike of 2.6 miles, best for fall color, no permit needed, dogs allowed).
New York's waterfall scene is anchored by Niagara Falls — the most famous waterfall in North America, with a US-side state park (drive-up Bridal Veil and American Falls) and a Canadian-side broader Horseshoe view. Beyond Niagara, Taughannock Falls outside Ithaca is a 215-foot vertical plunge (taller than Niagara's American Falls) accessible by an easy 1.9-mile gorge trail. Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills is a two-tier 260-foot waterfall with a moderate 2.6-mile hike.
If you only have a single trip in upstate New York this season, target Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills — a 260-foot two-tier drop reached by a moderate 2.6-mile hike.
Editor’s picks
Editor's picks across New York's headline waterfalls — start in the Catskills, then the Finger Lakes and Niagara:
- Kaaterskill Falls — the 260-foot two-tiered Catskills waterfall central to the Hudson River School of 19th-century landscape painting — 2.6-mile loop via the Laurel House Road trailhead, peak fall foliage mid-October to early November.
- Taughannock Falls — the 215-foot Finger Lakes plunge taller than Niagara's American Falls — easy 1.9-mile gorge trail outside Ithaca.
- Niagara Falls — the marquee North American waterfall — drive-up Bridal Veil and American Falls on the US side.
All waterfalls in New York
Waterfall type
Difficulty
Amenities
Kaaterskill Falls
Greene County, NY
Kaaterskill Falls is a 260-foot tiered waterfall in Greene County, New York, reached by a moderate hike over 2.6 miles.
Niagara Falls
Niagara County, NY
Niagara Falls is a 167-foot block waterfall in Niagara County, New York, reached by drive-up access over 0.1 miles.
Taughannock Falls
Tompkins County, NY
Taughannock Falls is a 215-foot plunge waterfall in Tompkins County, New York, reached by an easy walk over 1.9 miles.
Featured picks
Niagara Falls
Niagara County, NY
Niagara Falls is a 167-foot block waterfall in Niagara County, New York, reached by drive-up access over 0.1 miles.
Kaaterskill Falls
Greene County, NY
Kaaterskill Falls is a 260-foot tiered waterfall in Greene County, New York, reached by a moderate hike over 2.6 miles.
Taughannock Falls
Tompkins County, NY
Taughannock Falls is a 215-foot plunge waterfall in Tompkins County, New York, reached by an easy walk over 1.9 miles.
Type coverage
Easy itineraries
Questions about waterfalls in New York
Which New York waterfalls are in this guide?
We list 3 waterfalls in New York: Kaaterskill Falls (260 feet), Taughannock Falls (215 feet) and Niagara Falls (167 feet).
What is the tallest waterfall in New York?
Of the 3 waterfalls we list in New York, Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest at 260 feet.
Which New York waterfalls can you drive to?
Niagara Falls is the only drive-up waterfall of the 3 we list. The other 2 take a walk or hike: Taughannock Falls (easy, 1.9 miles) and Kaaterskill Falls (moderate, 2.6 miles).
Do you need a permit to visit waterfalls in New York?
No. None of the 3 waterfalls we list in New York requires a permit.
When is the best time to see waterfalls in New York?
It depends on the waterfall: Niagara Falls is good year-round, Taughannock Falls is best during spring runoff and Kaaterskill Falls is best for fall color.
What types of waterfalls are in New York?
Each of the 3 is a different type: Kaaterskill Falls is a tiered waterfall, Taughannock Falls is a plunge waterfall and Niagara Falls is a block waterfall.
Can you bring dogs to waterfalls in New York?
Yes. All 3 waterfalls we list in New York allow dogs.
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