How To Find The 10 Best Waterfalls In New York State

Many people consider New York state to be filled with yellow taxi cabs, towering skyscrapers and Kevin McCallister’s favorite place to set up traps for Harry and Marv in Home Alone. But NY is so much more than its flagship city. In fact, this state is literally overflowing with waterfalls.

In this guide, we’re going to show you the top 10 waterfalls in New York you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

Our NY Waterfalls Experience

Kristen grew up in the Finger Lakes region of NY and we temporarily lived in the area when Mark first moved to the US in 2019. Photographing waterfalls in New York was how we spent a lot of our time during the pandemic and they taught us so much about landscape photography. Read more about us.

We’ve visit most of the waterfalls on this list with the exception of a few because they are spread out all through beautiful upstate New York. So the good news is, no matter where you’re planning to visit, you can probably find one of these amazing falls nearby. We featured the waterfalls on this list in alphabetical order as well as included hotel and restaurant recommendations. We’ll update this guide as we visit more gorgeous cascades in the future.

READ: Best waterfalls in the Finger lakes

What’s The Famous Waterfall In New York?

The most famous and biggest waterfall in New York is Niagara Falls. It’s located in the western portion of the state near Buffalo and what makes Niagara Falls impressive other than its massive size is the large amounts of water that flows over every second.

There are multiple waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls with the largest crest of the falls approximately 2,200 ft (670m) wide and about 180 ft (24m) in height. Many of the daredevils who decide to go over Niagara Falls come into contact with the bottom of the river before coming back to the surface of the Niagara River after their jump.

Tallest Waterfall In New York

Located in central New York near Trumansburg, Taughannock Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in the northeastern United States. It stands an impressive 215 ft in height which makes it 33 ft higher than the famous Niagara Falls.

The photo above was taken in late summer after a drought when the water was running extremely low. You can expect much more water from Taughannock Falls during the spring and early summer.

Now, let’s dive right into the 10 best waterfalls in New York state (pun intended)!

1. Chittenango Falls

• Height: 167ft (51m)
• Crest: Varies – staircase cascade
• Waterway: Chittenango Creek
• Location: Chittenango Falls State Park (Madison County)
• Nearest Major City: Syracuse (about 40 miles)

The 167 ft Chittenango Falls is located within Chittenango Falls State Park about 40 miles northeast of Syracuse in upstate New York. The 193-acre state park showcases 400 million year old bedrock, native endangered species and a beautiful wooden bridge.

But there is no swimming or wading allowed below Chittenango Falls because this waterfall is home to the Ovate Amber Snail. It’s the only location in the world where this species of snail has been found as a live specimen. So it’s critical you do not go anywhere near the base of the falls because the snails live under the rocks. If you step on a rock, you could ultimately crush the snails.

We love Chittenango Falls because it offers visitors an extremely picturesque waterfall with cascading drops directly into the creek and surrounding Onondaga Limestone. To reach this waterfall, you only have to walk about 10 minutes from the parking lot. Or you can walk down into the gorge section of the trail to view the falls closer up.

Our Chittenango Falls Recommendations

We recommend you stay and eat near Syracuse if visiting Chittenango Falls as part of a larger New York road trip. If you’re new to the area, we highly recommend the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. It’s become one of Mark’s favorite restaurants since moving to America!

Hotels near Chittenango Falls (distance from the falls):

• Aloft Syracuse Inner Harbor – 23 miles
• Embassy Suites by Hilton – 20 miles
• Marriott Syracuse Downtown – 23 miles
• The Parkview – 22 miles

Where to eat near Chittenango Falls:

• Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse – Steak, classic entrees and cocktails 
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que – Amazing BBQ joint that never disappoints
• Francesca’s Cucina – Extensive Italian menu with garden patio
• Kitty Hoyne’s Irish Pub – Irish cuisine served in an old-world pub
• Otro Cinco – Spanish and Mexican plates with craft beers + wine
• Pastabilities – Homemade pasta dishes and Italian-American fare

READ: Best things to do in the NY finger lakes region

2. Eternal Flame Falls

• Height: 30 ft (9m)
• Crest: Varies
• Waterway: Shale Creek
• Location: Chestnut Ridge State Park (Erie County)
• Nearest Major City: Orchard park (4.5 miles)

Chestnut Ridge State Park is home to one of the most extraordinary waterfalls in all of New York with a stunning fusion of fire and water. Eternal Flame Falls features a small grotto to the right side of a 30 ft waterfall cascade and inside this grotto, you’ll find a natural gas spring that creates a flame about 4 to 8 inches in height.

When the flow is heavy, the water pours over the small flame creating a magnificence spectacle. The first time you see this waterfall in person, you realize it looks exactly like the photos you see online which is not always the case.

Chestnut Ridge Park sits on about 1,200 acres of gorgeous rolling hills in Erie County wedged between Eighteenmile Creek and the western branch of Cazenovia Creek. As you approach the waterfall, you’ll notice a rotten egg smell which is the natural gas found in the area. The entire hike to Eternal Flame Falls is about a 1.0 mile out and back trail that takes about 40 minutes to complete.

READ: Where to find Eternal Flame Falls

Our Eternal Flame Falls Recommendations

We visited Eternal Flame falls on an early Sunday morning right before a Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium at Orchard Park. You could also combine this waterfall with Niagara Falls which is only about 40 miles to the north. Here are a few recommendations:

Hotels near Eternal Flame Falls (distance from the falls):

• Hampton Inn (East Aurora) – 11 miles
• Hampton Inn (Hamburg) – 8 miles
• Holiday Inn Express (Hamburg) – 8 miles
• Staybridge Suites (West Seneca) – 11 miles
• The Fields of Eden Inn – 11 miles

Where to eat near Eternal Flame Falls:

• Bella Pizza Boston – Oversized slices, Italian staples + family combo meals
• Cozy Thai Restaurant – Family-owned Thai cafe with traditional meals
• JP Fitzgeralds – Busy Irish sports pub with 20+ TVs + popcorn machine
• The Grange Community Kitchen – Seasonal salads, pizza + steak
• Ted’s Hot Dogs – Long-running chain serving hot dogs + fast-food

Travel Tip: If this is your first time in Buffalo, we recommend you visit the Anchor Bar. It’s the official home of the original buffalo style chicken wing and one of Kristen’s favorite restaurants!

3. High Falls Gorge

• Height: ~30-35 ft (9-11m)
• Crest: Varies
• Waterway: Ausable River
• Location: Wilmington, NY (Essex County)
• Nearest Major City: Lake Placid (about 8 miles)

Different from the other waterfalls in New York, High Falls Gorge is a 22-acre privately owned nature park featuring numerous falls and hiking trails. As you walk along the main trail, you’ll pass by 4 waterfalls including Main Falls, Mini Falls, Rainbow Falls and Climax Falls.

We like High Falls Gorge because this 1.0 mile loop is relatively easy with only a few stairs involved. Parking is usually stress free because there is an oversized lot with plenty of spaces. The adult entrance fee for High Falls Gorge is $18.00 and $14.00 for children. It will take about 45 minutes to walk the waterfall trail.

Our High Falls Gorge Recommendations

If you’re planning to stay near the High Falls Gorge, there are plenty of accommodation and restaurant options. We always stay in Lake Placid or Wilmington when visiting the gorge.

Hotels near High Falls Gorge (Distance from falls):

• Adirondack Spruce Lodge (Wilmington) – 4 miles
• Cobble Mountain Lodge (Lake Placid) – 7 miles
• Mirror Lake Inn (Lake Placid) – 9 miles
• The Haus (Lake Placid) – 9 miles
• Town House Lodge (Lake Placid) – 9 miles

Where to eat near High Falls Gorge:

• Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe – Breakfast + lunch
• Big Mountain Deli & Crêperie – Breakfast eats + sandwiches
• County Bear – Diner in Wilmington with large portions
• Lisa G’s – Creative American fare with global twists
• Smoke Signals – Barbecue favorites with a lakefront patio (our top choice)

READ: Visiting High Falls Gorge near Lake Placid

4. Kaaterskill Falls

• Height: 231ft (70m) – 2 waterfalls
• Crest: Varies
• Waterway: Spruce Creek
• Location: Catskill Mountains (Greene County)
• Nearest Major City: Woodstock (about 20 miles)

Kaaterskill Falls is a whopping 231 ft tall and is considered to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in Catskill Park (also known as the Catskill Forest Preserve). At the base of Kaaterskill Falls, there are large boulders along with additional smaller cascades as the creek continues down into the gorgeous valley making this a picture perfect spot.

We like Kaaterskill Falls because it features an upper ribbon like waterfall which drops 167 ft (51m) into a curved amphitheater gorge before plummeting another 64 ft (20m) into a lower yet wider plunge waterfall. If you visit this beautiful New York waterfall, be sure to take in the surrounding forest that creates a natural frame around the mighty waterfall. There are numerous parking lot and trail combinations you can take to reach the falls.

Our Kaaterskill Falls Recommendations

If you’re interested in staying near Kaaterskill Falls, you have several accommodation options ranging from quaint B&B’s to entire cabins for rent. Depending on your needs, you may also want to consider staying in the town of Woodstock for more amenities.

Hotels near Kaaterskill Falls (distance from falls):

• Catskill Mountain Lodge (Palenville) – 8 miles
• Mountain Treasure B&B (Maplecrest) – 12 miles
• The Catskill Cabin (Elka Park) – 3 miles
• The Sunview Motel (Tannersville) – 4 miles
• Rota Lodge (Elka Park) – 7 miles
• Woodstock Way Hotel – 20 miles

Where to eat near Kaaterskill Falls:

• Garden Cafe Woodstock – Vegan + seasonal outdoor seating
• Jagerberg Beer Hall and Tavern – Bavarian cooking with beer
• Jessie’s Harvest House – Salads + large plates
• Pancho Villa’s – Mexican fare with extensive menu
• Red Onion – New American eatery in a historic farmhouse
• Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company – Pub fare with an Italian twist

5. Letchworth State Park

Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth’s deep gorge is flanked by towering rock cliffs as high as 600 ft through which the Genesee River flows towards Rochester and eventually Lake Ontario. Letchworth was voted the best US State Park in 2015 and it’s easy to see why once you visit.

This state park features 3 stunning waterfalls with each offering a unique perspective of the park so we couldn’t pick just one. You can hike over 60 miles of trails throughout the 17 mile stretch of Genesee River inside Letchworth State Park. However, the three stunning NY waterfalls including Lower, Middle and Upper Falls are the stars of the show and you should prioritize seeing all 3 during your trip.

READ: Our popular guide to Letchworth State Park

Letchworth Lower Falls

• Height: 30 ft (9m)
• Crest: 70 ft (21m)
• Waterway: Genesee River
• Location: Letchworth State Park (Wyoming County)
• Nearest Major City: Rochester, NY (55 miles)

Lower Falls at Letchworth State Park is the smallest and least visited waterfall but it’s arguably the most picturesque.

We like Lower Falls because you cross a beautifully ornate bridge following a stone path hugging a cliffside until you reach the observation area. In the autumn season, the gorge around Lower Falls radiants vibrant colors and it’s absolutely stunning from every angle you look.

Travel Tip: Park anywhere between Inspiration Point and Lower Falls Trailhead to reach this waterfall. But keep in mind, you’ll have to descend and then ascend 127 uneven steps in order to see Lower Falls.

Letchworth Middle Falls

• Height: 107 ft (33m)
• Crest: 250-300 ft (76-91m)
• Waterway: Genesee River
• Location: Letchworth State Park (Wyoming County)
• Nearest Major City: Rochester, NY (55 miles)

The tallest, widest and most powerful of the three Letchworth waterfalls is Middle Falls. There are several viewpoints so you can choose the perspective you like most and we recommend you try to visit them all if possible.

Our personal favorite viewpoint is Inspiration Point because this vista is back far enough to open up the landscape so it includes the Genesee River and Upper Falls complimented by its 200 ft high bridge. Inspiration Point is also the best place to watch sunset at Letchworth and the ideal place for astrophotographers to set up at night.

When you’re ready to get up close and personal with this waterfall, head to Middle Falls Lookout. You can stand a stone’s throw away from the drop and walk into a rounded observation platform directly in front of the falls. The chances of being soaked by water vapor are high to certain at this New York state waterfall.

Travel Tip: You can hike along the Gorge Trail to Inspiration point. Or you can also park just 50 meters away near the Glen Iris Inn if you don’t want to walk the trail.

Letchworth Upper Falls

• Height: 70-80 ft
• Crest: ~200 ft (horseshoe)
• Waterway: Genesee River
• Location: Letchworth State Park (Wyoming County)
• Nearest Major City: Rochester, NY (55 miles)

Rounding off the Letchworth waterfall trifecta is narrow horseshoe shaped Upper Falls. Due to its shape, Upper Falls typically showcases a billowing cloud of water vapor that slightly obscures the left portion of the falls as you look at it. This creates a slightly eerie and cold element, particularly on overcast rainy days.

But the outstanding feature of Upper Falls isn’t naturally created by erosion, it’s a steel arched railroad bridge built by man. The bridge forms the perfect frame behind the waterfall and if you time it just right, you might see a freight train crossing. Be sure to walk around the Upper Falls area, including standing directly in front and walking up the nearby stone stairs to its side for the best views.

Travel Tip: For minimal walking, park at either the Middle or Upper Falls parking lot. If you park at the bridge, you’ll have to descend gradual steps to reach the front view of Upper Falls.

Our Letchworth Recommendations

Letchworth is surrounded by the smaller towns of Dansville, Geneseo and Mount Morris. You can eat and stay in any of these nearby towns, but it may require a short drive.

Hotels near Letchworth State Park (Distances from the visitor center):

• Glen Iris Inn – Located inside Letchworth State Park
• Letchworth Farm – 8 miles
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – 19 miles
• Temple Hill Bed & Breakfast – 23 miles

Where to eat near Letchworth State Park:

• Glen Iris Inn – Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a historic inn
• Brian’s USA Diner – American fare with breakfast, burgers and classics
• Mamma Mia’s – New York style pies and Italian staple
• Questa Lasagna – Fresh authentic Italian cuisine 

READ: Visiting Stony Brook State Park (about 20 miles from Letchworth)

6. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is New York’s major show stopping waterfall, but did you know it’s actually made up of 3 individual waterfalls? All 3 of these are sourced from the Niagara River which flows between Lake Ontario in Canada and Lake Erie in Buffalo, New York. The US and Canadian border runs straight through the Niagara River.

Here are the waterfalls that make up all of Niagara Falls:

American Falls

• Height: 183 ft (56m)
• Crest: 830 ft (253m)
• Waterway: Niagara River
• Location: Niagara Falls State Park (Niagara County)
• Nearest Major City: Niagara Falls, NY (2.0 miles)

The American Falls (also known as Rainbow Falls) is the larger of the two waterfalls located on the American side of Niagara Falls. You’ll find the American Falls between Prospect Point and Luna Island.

American Falls is impressive because it’s 830 ft (253m) if measured straight across the brink. But it becomes 949 feet (29m) if measured along the zig-zag brink. This waterfall has a flow rate of 140,000 gal/sec and only makes up about 10% of the total flow of Niagara Falls when combined with Bridal Veil Falls (the next waterfall on this list).

Bridal Veil Falls

• Height: 181 ft (55m)
• Crest: 56 ft (17m)
• Waterway: Niagara River
• Location: Niagara Falls State Park (Niagara County)
• Nearest Major City: Niagara Falls, NY (2.0 miles)

Bridal Veil Falls is the smaller of the two falls on the American side. This waterfall is also sometimes known as Luna Falls or Iris Falls. If you plan to walk through the Cave of the Winds at Niagara Falls, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with this New York state waterfall.

Horseshoe Falls

• Height: 173 ft (53m)
• Crest: 2,200 ft (670m)
• Waterway: Niagara River
• Location: Niagara Falls State Park (Niagara County)
• Nearest Major City: Niagara Falls, NY (2.0 miles)

Horseshoe Falls is the largest waterfall in upstate NY. It stretches from the US border all the way to the Canadian border. If those facts don’t dazzle you, Horseshoes Falls pushes through about 600,000 gal/sec or 90% of the water flow of Niagara Falls. Most of this waterfall is located along the Canadian side, but you can get very close to it at Terrapin Point on the American side.

Our Niagara Falls Recommendations

The American side of Niagara Falls is best if you want to be close with these famous NY falls. But if you want a great vantage point, the best way to see Niagara Falls is from the Canadian side. Below we’ve listed hotel and restaurant recommendations located on the American side of Niagara Falls.

Hotels near Niagara Falls (distance from falls):

• Comfort Inn & Suites (Niagara Falls) – 5 miles
• Gorge View – 1 mile
• Hampton Inn (Niagara Falls) – 1.5 miles
• Holiday Inn Express (Grand Island) – 7 miles
• Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino – 1.5 miles
• The Cadence – 1 mile

Where to eat near Niagara Falls:

• Donatello’s – Pizza, chicken, sandwiches plus a weekly fish fry
• Gadawski’s – Family-owned bar serving Polish + American dishes
• Marketside Restaurant – Cozy, modest diner with simple menu
• Michael’s Restaurant – Homestyle pastas, meats + American fare
• Pho Golden – Authentic Vietnamese cuisine

READ: Tips for visiting the US side of Niagara Falls

7. Rainbow Falls

• Height: 91ft (28m)
• Crest: Varies
• Waterway: Ausable River
• Location: Ausable Chasm (Essex County)
• Nearest Major City: Plattsburg (about 15 miles)

Similar to the High Falls Gorge, Rainbow Falls is a private attraction located at the head of the Ausable Chasm of upstate New York in an area known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. You can see a wonderful view of Rainbow Falls from the bridge located along Route 9 just outside the hamlet of Keeseville. But if you want to explore more of this area, you’ll have to pay the entrance fee.

We like Rainbow Falls at Ausable Chasm because it’s one of the oldest natural attractions in the United States (est. 1870) and you can visit 7 waterfalls as well as explore multiple caves. Popular points of interest include Rainbow Falls, Elephant’s Head, Column Rock, Hyde’s Cave and the Mystic Gorge. Guided tours are also available.

Our Ausable Chasm Recommendations

Your best options for accommodation near Ausable Chasm are in Plattsburg or Wilmington. Restaurants can be found scattered throughout the area. If you want to hike Mount Marcy or go to lake Placid, you might want to head towards Wilmington. Read our guides about day hiking Mount Marcy or the best things to do in Lake Placid next.

Hotels near Ausable Chasm (distance from falls)

• Adirondack Spruce Lodge (Wilmington) – 25 miles
• Best Western PLUS (Plattsburg) – 15 miles
• Holiday Inn Express (Plattsburg) – 15 miles
• Hungry Trout Resort (Wilmington) – 27 miles

Where to eat near Ausable Chasm:

• Anthony’s Restaurant & Bistro – Upscale European-style fare
• Hungry Bear Restaurant – Fast paced breakfast + lunch
• Livingood’s Restaurant & Brewery – Extensive menu + beer
• Pasquale’s Restaurant And Bar – Family Italian restaurant
• Texas Roadhouse – Chain steakhouse with a southwestern spin

READ: Inspirational waterfall quotes

8. Rainbow Falls

• Height: 101 ft (31m)
• Crest: 20 ft (6m)
• Waterway: Glen Creek
• Location: Watkins Glen State Park (Schuyler County)
• Nearest Major City: Rochester, NY (81 miles)

Watkins Glen is one of the most spectacular gorges we’ve ever seen. This gorge trail will make you feel as if you’ve been transported into another world. And although the Gorge Trail boasts 19 waterfalls, none compare to the spellbinding scene at Rainbow Falls. We’re talking front cover of nature magazines imagery here. It’s one tough act to beat in the best New York waterfall race.

Rainbow Falls features a wafer thin but wide sheet of water plunging from the ledge while meeting a triple cascade in smooth plunge pools below. We enjoy this waterfall because you’ll walk directly underneath a wall of water. Prepare to be awe-struck but also expect large crowds. Rainbow Falls is roughly 1 mile into Gorge trail from the main entrance. The total Gorge and Rim Trail loop is around 3 miles with about 800 steps.

READ: Walking the Gorge trail to Rainbow Falls

Our Watkins Glen Recommendations

The main entrance to Watkins Glen State Park is located within the village of Watkins Glen (they are named the same and it can be confusing). But this means you are spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels and restaurants.

Hotels near Watkins Glen (distance from park entrance):

• Budget Inn Watkins Glen – 1 mile
• Lakeside Resort – 3 miles
• Longhouse Manor B&B – 3 miles
• Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel – Less than 1 mile
• Watkins Motel – Less than 1 mile

READ: Best hotels in Watkins Glen

Where to eat near Watkins Glen:

• Babcha’s Pierogies – Homemade Pierogies, cabbage rolls and kielbasa
• Blue Pointe Grille – Lakefront dining located in the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
• Curly’s Family Restaurant – Long standing country-style American eatery
• Jerlando’s Ristorante – Family-run ristorante and pizzeria styled to look like an Italian piazza
• Nickel’s Pit BBQ – Delicious BBQ meals, craft beer, live music and patio in a historic building
• Thai Elephants – Traditional Thai dishes in a family-friendly setting

READ: Best things to do in Watkins Glen Village

9. Salmon River Falls

• Height: 110ft (34m)
• Crest: Varies (usually 3 parallel sections)
• Waterway: Salmon River
• Location: (Orwell, NY) Oswego County
• Nearest Major City: Syracuse (about 45 miles)

Salmon River Falls is a gorgeous waterfall located in the Salmon River Unique Area about 50 minutes from Syracuse. You can hike the gorge trail, river bed trail or the upper falls trail to experience this NY waterfall. If water is running well in the spring or when the river is high, Salmon River Falls will transform into one single raging waterfall instead of the three tame streams you see in the photo above.

We like Salmon River Falls because this plunge waterfall is usually divided into three individual sections with spectacular cascades towards the base. It’s a bit different from the other New York waterfalls on this list because the water flow is controlled by a hydroelectric dam about a mile upstream from the falls.

Due to it’s located near Syracuse, use the same hotel and restaurant recommendations from the #1 spot on our NY Waterfalls list, Chittenango Falls.

Travel Tip: Salmon River Falls and Chittenango Falls are about a 1 hour drive (60 miles) apart so you could easily visit both of these waterfalls in one day.

10. Taughannock Falls

• Height: 215 ft (66m)
• Crest: 30-40 ft (9-12m)
• Waterway: Taughannock Creek
• Location: Taughannock Falls State Park (Tompkins County)
• Nearest Major City: Ithaca, NY (9 miles)

Taughannock Falls is one of the most visually impressive waterfalls in New York. The spectacular single drop plunge waterfall plummets 215 ft into a deep bowl-like depression in the Earth. It can be viewed close up from the drop zone or from an incredible viewpoint hundreds of feet away.

You can walk along a flat gorge trail or the creek bed when its dry enough to reach the base of Taughannock Falls. In spring and early summer, the falls will be crashing over the ledge as seen in our photo above. The hike to the base of this NY waterfall is 1.5 miles round trip and is very flat making it an easy walk. Or you can visit the Taughannock Falls Overlook which requires no walking and is one of our favorite views in New York.

Our Taughannock Falls Recommendations

Trumansburg is just a 4 mile drive from Taughannock Falls State Park and features a number of highly rated restaurants.

The stunning Inn at Taughannock Falls is an extremely popular accommodation choice when visiting. It’s perfectly located right at the entrance to the Taughannock Falls Gorge trail and is nestled within a gorgeous property overlooking the lake.

>> Book the Inn at Taughannock here <<

However, it can be difficult finding availability at the inn. So the perfect alternative is a historic bed and breakfast we’ve also stayed at called the Glass Magnolia in Interlaken, just a few miles from Taughannock Falls. The hosts are extremely welcoming and friendly, plus the homemade breakfast was excellent.

>> Book the Glass Magnolia here <<

Where to eat near Taughannock Falls:

• New York Pizzeria – Brick oven fired pizza + soups, salads and pastas
• Hazelnut Kitchen – Seasonal dishes from local ingredients
• Atlas Bowl – Healthy pub grub, vegetarian and vegan

Heading to Ithaca? Don’t miss our popular guides:

>> Visiting Taughannock Falls State Park
>> How to make the most of Buttermilk Falls State Park
>> Finding Lucifer Falls at Robert H. Treman State Park

We’ve included hotel and restaurant recommendations in these guides so if you plan to visit the finger lakes region as part of a larger trip, you’ll have everything you need.

New York Waterfalls Photography Tips

While smartphones today can easily cut it for social media platforms, in order to take home some truly memorable images you need a mirrorless or DSLR camera. Waterfalls are one of our favorite types of photography because you can really change how an image looks using a camera. Running water is the same as falling water so these tips remain true for both.

• Use a mirrorless or DSLR camera and lens with focal length to suit the scene. Personally, we love Sony mirrorless cameras, but every photographer will have their preference.
• When shooting close up views like Rainbow Falls or underneath Taughannock Falls, use a wide angle (12-35mm). While Middle Falls from Inspiration Point at Letchworth would be better at 50-80mm.
• Shoot 0.3 second to 3 second exposures using shutter speed priority mode with ISO as low as possible (100). Start at 1 second and then at faster or slower shutter speed until you’re happy with how the water looks.
• You’ll need a tripod for stability as well as to capture the silky waterfall effect. A tripod will let you shoot long exposures with a clear image. If you don’t use a tripod, your long exposures will be blurry.
• Alternatively, use a fast shutter speed like 1/1000th to freeze water droplets as they fall. You can then hand-hold without tripod or blur.
• If you’re just starting out, shoot in RAW & JPEG. You can use your jpeg now but once you have more experience you will be grateful for the RAW file you can go back to and edit in post.
• Visit early in the day before intense daylight but if its bright, use an ND filter to stop down the light or CPL filter to dim any glare.
• Check for spray on your lens regularly and clean it off with microfiber cleaning cloths if necessary.

READ: Best photos spots in the US

New York Waterfalls Interactive Map

Use our interactive map to move around the state and find the 10 best NY waterfalls as well as our nearby recommendations. Each of the waterfalls are listed in bright red along with restaurant recommendations (maroon) and hotel recommendations (blue).

You can also access our NY waterfalls map via this link here.

The Morgan Conclusion

There are over 2,000 waterfalls in New York and many of these waterfalls are found within localized regions of the state. It can be overwhelming, but you can visit many on this list during the same trip if you plan well. Here is a quick overview with our recommendations if you’re struggling to make a decision on what to see:

• Largest waterfall – Niagara Falls
• Tallest waterfall – Taughannock Falls
• Most picturesque – Rainbow Falls at Watkins Glen
• Waterfalls without hiking – Chittenango Falls, Niagara Falls, Taughannock Falls, Middle Falls at Letchworth
• Most adventurous – Ausable Chasm trail
• Nature lover – Katerskill Falls
• Most unique – Eternal Flame Falls

More From The Finger Lakes Guides

• Best places to visit in the NY Finger Lakes
• Cool things to do in the city of Ithaca, New York
• Tips for visiting the Corning Museum of Glass
• Hiking the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail to Rainbow Falls
• Amazing things to do in the Village of Watkins Glen
• Fun things to do at Letchworth State Park NY
• Guide to hiking in Chimney Bluffs State Park
• How to hike to Taughannock Falls near Ithaca, NY
• Robert H. Treman Gorge to Lucifer Falls Loop hike
• How to visit Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca, NY
• Everything you need to know about Grimes Glen Park
• Guide to visiting Stony Brook State Park in Dansville, NY
• Where to find the best Finger Lakes waterfalls

More From Upstate New York

• How to hike Mount Marcy, the highest peak in NY
• Beautiful fall foliage at Mount Marcy
• Adventurous things to do in Lake Placid, New York
• Guide to visiting High Falls Gorge in Lake Placid
• Where to find Eternal Flame Falls in NY

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

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We hope this guide featuring the best waterfalls in New York state inspires you to see these falls yourself!

Please let us know if you have questions about planning a trip to NY in the comments below.

Happy Waterfall Hunting,

Mark and Kristen

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