This is a list of waterfalls in New York that I know about but have not visited personally. Every waterfall in this list includes as much information as I know. If you know more about a particular waterfall or know of a waterfall not on this list, please let me know using the Submit a Waterfall form.
Falls of Portage Canyon (upper, middle, and lower falls), Letchworth State Park, Genesee River, lower - 30 ft, middle - 107 ft, upper - 70 ft. Seneca Indians called the land around the Portage Canyon "Seh-ga-hun-da (Vale of the three falls). Portage Canyon contains three impressive and well known Letchworth waterfalls. Scott Ensminger has published a guide book to the 24 waterfalls in Letchworth State Park. Directions : Route 390 near Perry and Castile. Submitted by : Kathy Dedrick.
Nevele Falls, 50 feet, on grounds of Nevele Hotel in Ellenville, accessible by walking up the downhill ski slope or on other side. Some climbing needed. Called Nevele because it was discovered by eleven school teachers one summer and they named it by spelling eleven backwards, hence nevele. Directions : From New York City, take the NYS Thruway to Harriman Exit 16, enter onto Route 17(Quickway) and travel West to Exit 113(Wurtsboro). Take the off ramp and make a right on to Route 209(North); the Nevele is 12 miles on the right side. Submitted by Alan Slomowitz.
Niagara Falls, Niagara River, city of Niagara Falls. The most famous waterfall in America.
Kaaterskill Falls, Kaaterskill Creek, North-South Lake State Park, town of Haines Falls, 175'(first cascade) and 85'(second cascade), narrow fall of water in two cascades in a steep, wooded gorge. Essentially unchanged from the description presented in Henry David Thoreau's journals. Considered by some writers the best natural attraction in the Catskill Mountains. Usually dries up in August and September. Very popular with ice climbers in the winter. Popular with nude swimmers in the summer. Directions : NYS Thruway to Rt 23A west. Watch for right hand turn to N-S Lake State Park. Submitted by David M. Galvin. Addition to these directions : Access can be made from both the main road where there is a parking lot near the base of the main falls (1/2 mile easy hike into the
woods) or from the top near the camp ground entrance. From the top it's about a 10+ minute walk from where you park at the end of a "dead end" road.
South Kaaterskill Clove, Kaaterskill Creek tributaries, Kaaterskill Wild Forest,Palenville, three falls of about 100' plunging into Kaaterskill Clove on the opposite side of the Clove from Kaaterskill Falls. The tops of these can be reached via a three mile hike on the Long Path (Hillyer Ravine, Wildcat Ravine, and an unnamed falls at the three mile mark). All three tend to dry up during dry weather. Access to the base of the falls requires bushwacking skills or climbing equipment. They all offer nice views, fewer people than Kaaterskill Falls, and probable instant death to the incautious sightseer. Directions : NYS Thruway to Rt 23A West about twelve miles. Look for parking area and trailhead for the Long Path going south. Submitted by David M. Galvin.
