How To Hike High Falls Gorge Trail In Upstate New York

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Stunning waterfall running through narrow canyon with colorful trees and wooden boardwalk High Falls Gorge near Lake Placid Where Are Those Morgans

High Falls Gorge is one of our favorite places to visit near Lake Placid. After slowly meandering around the gorge’s wooden boardwalks and bridges during our first New England fall foliage road trip, we went back for a second visit a few years later. Overall, we think it’s a fantastic natural attraction for families and couples because it’s fun, picturesque and so easy to explore.

In this guide we show you exactly how to visit High Falls Gorge near Lake Placid NY, based on our experiences.

Our Experience

Photo of Mark and Kristen Morgan standing together on a bridge with a view of High Falls Gorge NY in the background
Here we are taking an obligatory selfie at the best viewpoint in gorge

Our first trip to High Falls Gorge was in early October 2020, the day after hiking Mt Marcy. It was during covid, so the welcome center was closed and we paid through a window outside. Lake Placid was eerily quiet, and we had the whole gorge to ourselves. But things were back to normal during our second visit in late September 2023. Everything was open, alive and kicking, and the gorge was a bit busier.

We’ve seen a million gorges and waterfalls around the world since starting this travel blog in 2018. Some required a ton of effort to reach, whereas others were nice and easy. High Falls Gorge is one of those super easy places to visit, which is part of its appeal. The hike is short and enjoyable, we had no issues parking and the entry fees were reasonable. Read more about us.

READ: The places you can’t miss in Lake Placid NY

What You Need To Know

Photo of a large gravel parking area next to trees and a distant mountain under a clear blue sky at High Falls Gorge in Upstate NY
The parking lot was nearly empty the second time we visited in 2023

Okay, let’s get right into it. Here are the most important things to know before you visit:

  • High Falls Gorge Trail is a 1 mile roundtrip hike
  • There are 4 different waterfalls to see
  • Wooden boardwalks transport you around the gorge
  • Half the trail is accessible but the other half has steps
  • Dogs are not allowed on the property (except service dogs)
  • Two glass bottomed areas are open in the summer
  • There’s also a nature trail on site (separate hike)
  • Use this map of the gorge to see the layout
  • High Falls Gorge is 7.7 miles drive from Lake Placid
  • Little Whiteface Cloudsplitter Gondola is just 1.5 miles away
  • Whiteface Mountain auto road is 7 miles away

Parking

As you pull into High Falls Gorge, you’ll find a huge gravel parking lot with plenty of spaces right alongside the main road (NY-86). There’s also an overflow parking lot on the grass nearby for the busiest periods like weekends in summer and holidays.

Our first visit was during covid so tourist numbers were way down, but even the second time the lot barely had any cars parked when we arrived. And that was during fall foliage season, which is a busy period in the Adirondacks.

Entry Fees

High Falls Gorge has slightly different ticket prices for winter and summer. You can either book online in advance at the official website, or you can just pay in person when you arrive (we paid in person both times). Here are the prices:

  • Summer – Adult (13+) $18.25, Child (4-12) $14.25, Kids (under 4) Free
  • Winter – Adult (13+) $18.50, Child (4-12) $14.50, Kids (under 4) Free

Wait, the difference is 25¢? You’d just make it the same year round, right?!

Opening Hours

High Falls Gorge opens at 9:00am year round, but it has different closing hours between 3:00pm-4:00pm depending on the date you visit during the year (here are the opening hours). But here’s the most important part:

  • Open: Friday-Tuesday
  • Closed: Wednesday-Thursday

Be aware that the gorge is closed every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the year. It’s also closed on Easter Day and Christmas Day, plus it closes on two separate dates each year for maintenance, for a total of 4 days closed annually.

Boardwalk Trail

Next, let’s walk through our hikes into the gorge so you know what to expect.

1. Park And Pay

Photo of a tourist at the entrance to a building painted yellow next to tall evergreen trees on a sunny day
Here’s Mark at the entrance

We pulled into the large parking area, got a space near the entrance, grabbed our camera and tripod, packed a bottle of water and headed for the main building. During our first visit the building was closed due to covid. But second time around it was all open, so we had a look around inside at gifts, clothes and a coffee shop before paying for entry (it was $15.25/adult at the time).

2. Cross The River

Photo of a hiker crossing a wooden bridge towards a forest on a sunny day
Here’s Kristen crossing the bridge right after the entrance

After paying, we crossed a wide wooden bridge over the Ausable River towards an attractive forested area. Half way across we stopped to look up and down river because the leaves in trees on either side were popping with color. On the far side we reached a T-junction and took the right turn to follow a mesh fence alongside the river.

3. Main Falls

Photo of a hiker walking down a steep metal staircase into a gorge with a river running through
This was Kristen walking down to the Main Falls viewing platform

After a minute or two following the very obvious path, we reached a metal staircase descending steeply to a viewing platform. Only one group at a time were allowed down, but it was empty so we went for it. At the bottom we had a clear view of Main Falls splitting into two around a huge protruding granite rock.

4. Into The Forest

Photo of a hiker walking around a switchback on a gravel hiking trail inside a forest
Here’s Kristen walking around a switchback on the short forested part of the hike

We went back up the steps and then crossed the river on a long metal bridge. On the other side, we looked back through trees and overgrown vegetation to see different perspectives of Main Falls. Next, the trail descended and turned back on itself, with views of the boardwalk on the other side which we’d get to later. The trail then zig-zagged through the forest for a few minutes with no views.

5. The Best Viewpoint

Photo of High Falls Gorge near Lake Placid NY with heavy contrasts between shadows inside the gorge and sun beams bursting in from one side
The sharp contrast between shadows and sunlight bursting into the gorge was a highlight for us second time around

Eventually we reached another bridge crossing the river and when we looked to the left we immediately realized this was the best viewpoint in High Falls Gorge. It was a pretty awesome scene with Mini Falls, Rainbow Falls and Climax Falls all crashing through the narrow bottlenecked ravine. We took a bunch of photos and spent a few minutes watching the powerful waterfall.

6. Gorge Boardwalk

Hiker walking up a metal staircase connected to a cliff wall inside a ravine
Here’s Mark walking back up and out of the gorge near the end

Next, we continued upstream following the narrow boardwalk that was tightly hugging a steep vertical cliff wall. We walked up steps and around corners until reaching a closer vantage point of Main Falls. There were two glass bottomed platforms along this section, which gave us butterflies when we stood on them! A few more steps later we were back on the wooded trail leading to the entrance.

7. Nature Trail

Photo of a hiker entering a nature trail with a sign stating rules for the hike
This was Kristen entering the nature trail after we’d finished with the waterfalls

The first time we visited High Falls Gorge, we didn’t hike the Nature Trail. But second time around we decided to give it a go. It’s a 1-mile loop hike through a forest with steep inclines and around 300 ft elevation change. It was okay, but it didn’t lead to anything. So we’d say only do it if you really want the extra exercise, but even then there are much better hikes to do nearby.

More High Falls Gorge Photos

We took a bunch of photos that will give you a better idea of what to expect when you arrive, here are just a few more:

Photo of a coffee shop and gift store with wooden walls and tiled floor
This was the gift store, coffee shop and cafe inside the entrance building
Photo of an information board inside a natural ravine in Upstate New York
There are information boards like this throughout the hike
Photo of a hiker walking through a flat forested section of the High Falls Gorge Trail in Lake Placid
Here’s Mark walking alongside the river near the beginning of the trail
Photo of a hiker stood on a wooden boardwalk above the narrow High Falls Gorge in Lake Placid
Here’s Kristen on a wooden boardwalk above the river
Photo of High Falls Gorge in Lake Placid with waterfalls crashing through a narrow gorge next to a wooden boardwalk and sunlight bursting in from above
We took this photo from the best viewpoint on the bridge half way around the trail
Photo of a hiker walking across a wooden bridge with low hanging trees forming a natural frame
Here’s Kristen crossing back over the bridge towards the exit

The Morgan Conclusion

What we like: It’s so easy to visit High Falls Gorge. There’s plenty of parking and the waterfall trail is short. It took us maybe an hour at the most first time around, then 1 hour 30 minutes second time when we added on the nature trail. Our favorite part was the waterfalls view from the bridge half way around. Surprisingly, the hike only has a 4.3/5 on AllTrails. We’d say it’s closer to a 4.5/5.

What we don’t like: The price is slowly but surely creeping up, and we think they need to be careful about how expensive it gets (despite the economic climate). It can get a bit crowded on the boardwalks during busy periods, but they can be avoided. Also, we don’t think the nature trail is worth doing.

Is High Falls Gorge worth it? Yes, we think High Falls Gorge Trail is well worth doing all things considered. It’s a quick and simple place to visit near Lake Placid, and it’s great for families with kids. The boardwalks are fun to explore and the waterfall views are excellent, especially for keen photographers.

More From Upstate New York

Want more New York content? Head over to our New York Travel Guides to explore the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks and the best of NYC.


We hope our guide to High Falls Gorge helps with planning your visit to Lake Placid!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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