The Adirondacks have some super gorgeous waterfalls, even though waterfalls aren’t necessarily something that the Adirondacks are known for. Some of the most well-known waterfalls in New York can be found in the Catskills or the Finger Lakes but don’t underestimate the waterfalls of the Adirondacks.
Here I have rounded up some of the best waterfalls in the Adirondacks, some of which are popular and some that are lesser-known, however they are all worth visiting!
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is an incredible waterfall located in the AMR area of the Adirondacks. When we visited Rainbow Falls, I couldn’t believe how big and beautiful of a waterfall this was! To visit Rainbow Falls, you must have a permit from the AMR (hikeamr.org). It is quite a long hike at around 9 miles, but can be easily combined with the hike to Indian Head.
If interested in more of the logistics of visiting Rainbow Falls, check out my blog post on Rainbow Falls.
Where: Google Maps Location
Beaver Meadow Falls
Beaver Meadow Falls is another great waterfall in the Adirondacks. It is also located on AMR property and requires a permit, just like the hike to Rainbow Falls. To see Beaver Meadow Falls, take the East River Trail. This is another waterfall that can be easily combined with the hike to Indian Head and Rainbow Falls.
Just as with Rainbow Falls, Beaver Meadow Falls is located on AMR property, so make sure to follow all of the rules of the AMR which can be found on the DEC website.
Where: Google Maps Location
Indian Creek Falls
Indian Creek Falls is located on the trail to Mount Marcy from Marcy Dam. It is often missed because the trail crosses over the creek at the top of the falls, so you can’t see it unless you go slightly out of your way. The waterfall is 25 feet tall. On the trail, you will encounter a calm stream that you will cross. A tree on the other side of the creek will say “Indian Creek” and you will hear the waterfall to your right.
To see the waterfall, once you cross the creek, there is a trail to the right that goes down the hill (the same direction as the toilet). Follow the trail down the hill and you will be able to see the waterfall.
Since the waterfall is quite a walk, I would say that it is not really worth hiking the whole trail to see only the waterfall. However, it is completely worth seeing if you are hiking to Mount Marcy or on the trail there to any other surrounding peaks.
Where: Google Maps Location
Split Rock Falls
Split Rock Falls is located on State Route 9 near the Boquet Primitive Area. It is a roadside waterfall that is relatively easy to access. The location on Google Maps is here, but note that it is about 2 miles south of this point. If driving from south to north, the waterfall will be on the right side of the road. You can park along the road and walk around 20 yards to the waterfall.
Split Rock Falls is interesting in that there is a rock in the middle of the waterfall that divides it into two separate streams making up the waterfall. It is especially pretty in the fall when the surrounding leaves turn a whole range of beautiful colors. It is a nice and easy waterfall to stop and see.
Where: Google Maps Location
Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls is located close to Blue Mountain Lake in the middle of the Adirondacks. There are several Buttermilk Falls throughout New York, so if you are using Google Maps to navigate, make sure you are going to the correct Buttermilk Falls.
Buttermilk Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in the Adirondacks. It is short, but very powerful. In the fall, trees of all different colors surround the waterfall and it is such a magical place. It is free to visit and is only a short walk (around 100 yards) from the parking area.
Where: Google Maps Location
Ausable Chasm
One very popular waterfall area to visit in the Adirondacks is Ausable Chasm. We were not able to visit, but many people recommended it to us and it looks like such an incredible place. It is a chasm (like a canyon) with water flowing through it and different waterways flowing into the canyon, creating multiple waterfalls. There are viewpoints as well as rafting trips.
One thing to note (and one of the reasons that we did not visit) is that it is a bit pricey. While most of the other waterfalls in this post are free to visit or just require paying a small amount to park, Ausable Chasm requires a ticket and the price depends on what activities you plan on doing. A full list of activities and prices can be found on the Ausable Chasm website.
Where: Google Maps Location
Tips for visiting Adirondack Waterfalls
Visit in the spring
Spring is the best time to see waterfalls, especially in New York. The combination of snow melting in the higher elevations and increased rainfall makes the waterfalls the biggest in the late spring and early summer. Some of the waterfalls on this list are very impressive in the spring, but more of a trickle by the end of summer. The time of year you visit will largely impact what the waterfalls look like.
Be prepared for your hike
Regardless the length of your hike, it is important to always be prepared. Some of the waterfalls on this list are relatively close to where you park your car while others are long hikes. Make sure you wear appropriate shoes around the waterfalls as wet rocks make for a slippery time. Also, make sure that you are parking in the right place and have the correct permits to hike to the waterfall you’ve chosen.
Leave no trace
The waterfalls in the Adirondacks are beautiful and it is important that we keep them that way! With increased traffic to spots around the Adirondacks in the past few years, it is more important than ever that we leave no trace. Make sure to follow all of the rules in each location, don’t leave anything you bring, and do not alter anything in the wilderness (no rock-stacking, carving your name, taking rocks, etc). If we all leave no trace, people will be able to enjoy these places hopefully for many more years 🙂
Other New York Waterfalls You May Like
I hope that this guide helps you to visit some of the Adirondacks’ best waterfalls! Let me know if you have any comments or questions below!
Thanks for reading!
-Liz
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