Dogs are also able to use this trail. I urge anyione with a senser of awe and adevntulre to come here and have awesome memories iof their stay; but please, prepare yourself and gailn experience before you tackle the terrain that awailts you. Tricky in winter at parts - would recommend poles/crampons (we survived in just boots), but definitely worth it to go all the way to the top platform! These beautiful two-stage falls are the tallest in the state of New York. I”ve hiked the Catskills for the past 40 years and live about 30 minutes from the falls. Directions from Hunter, NY: At the junction of SR 23A and Kaaterskill Creek, parking is uphill to the west. Can someone please update me on this? If so, please contact me @ [email protected] . I want my friends to be able to see the view from the top with me this year, we won’t go until the trail is open again. From here on out, 50% of the proceeds generated from the purchase of sweet custom gear from Hike the Hudson Valley’s online store will be donated to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, the organization that makes so many of our adventures possible. (Then you can volunteer, donate, or shop, depending on your mood.). Although the tragedies that occur each year at Kaaterskill seem to garner the headlines, there is no shortage every year of the mountains claiming the lives of the unwary or unprepared. See these tragic headlines that occurred after the initial safety improvements (more fencing and signage were added in late 2017): I do not know the individual circumstances in all of these incidents, but when you read many of these stories, a common thread emerges: almost all (maybe exactly all?) We are interested in using some shots of the Historical Carvings in a new TV series. You can also subscribe without commenting. In any event, thar be Kaaterskill Falls: 260 feet of two-tiered awesomeness. Today was in the 40s and there was no ice or snow on the trail. I think the thing I most appreciate about the time and effort put into this site is being able to judge whether a chosen hike will pleasantly challenge my abilities or if it ventures into the do-not-do-this-you-will-have-a-stroke-and-die range. This trail is a short hike to a waterfall. Yes, what deep memories of this waterfall. Thanks for the kind words, George, and glad this page reminded you of happy memories. My wife and I hiked around the blue trail up to Inspiration Point and came back around The views are absolutely incredible! Thanks so much, Donna — hope you find some other adventures worth trying out here! Glad you had a great day out there! To get to the plunge pool at the bottom of the main falls go back up the carriage road and you will come to a new footbridge on your right that takes you safely across the stream. It is just a mile(ish) hike off of Route 23A making it an easy trip to one of the highest waterfalls in New York. Reco parking at the the Scott road parking lot. The difficulty increases as reach the waterfall but there are stairs put in and the trail is very well marked. Much appreciated! “Access to the falls will only be allowed from the Kaaterskill Falls trailhead located on NY Route 23A. Hike through Kaaterskill National Forest to New York's tallest waterfall at 260 feet. Directions to the trailhead: From Palenville, take Route 23A west as it climbs into the Catskills beside Kaaterskill Creek. The nearest towns are Hunter, NY, Tannersville, and Haines Falls, all located around a … Walk over Spruce Creek on the Route 23A bridge, then find the trailhead kiosk on your left, at the base of Bastion Falls. Continue up the hill another .3 miles to find the large parking area on your left. Yes, there are joys to behold: I remember watching sunrise over Slide Mtn. The parking area is busy due to this being one of the more popular hiking trails in the Hudson Valley, so arrive early. **UPDATE August 2018** The DEC has adopted some new common-sense safety regulations at Kaaterskill Falls that shouldn’t at all affect the behavior of responsible hikers, including staying six feet from cliffs edges, not entering the water within 150 feet and the top of the falls, and not being allowed to play music except with earbuds (thanks especially for that one, DEC!). I would not go without good traction shoes. The trail leads to the snowmobile trail that run around Kaaterskill High Peak and Round Top. Do not park illegally or you may get towed. Once you wander off-trail, though, all bets are off. And if you give it a go, I hope you all have a great time! Subscribe: Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail. I was wondering does anyone know what the orange tape around the trees is? Beautiful views and a great temp for a winter hike. The trail to Kaaterskill Falls remains relatively flat and easy for the first third of the hike to the base. I don’t think it’s open but, honestly, it wouldn’t be a good idea. What a thrill to see the falling water and the rock mountain as your drone slowly ascends and descends. I thank you so much for this drone video.! The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from April until October. Hang in there and stay safe, everyone! The path is studded with old deteriorating railroad ties. Yes I have back on November 14th. We just missed each other — I brought the kids here on Saturday, and they loved it. While the trail guide below is still perfectly valid, I recommend you check out my updated trail guide for Kaaterskill Falls II (upper trailhead), which is, in my opinion, a much better route. Great views to be had even away from the falls. You did a fine job presenting this amazing location, Kaaterskill Falls. I will see your other posts Mike. We are NOT serious hikers, but I am looking for an easy morning walk before lunch in nearby Woodstock. Please don’t do it. 5. Wow, harsh much? The entrance to the trail that leads to Kaaterskill Falls is located on … Poet's Ledge, Wildcat Falls and Buttermilk Falls are points of interest on the trail. Great place to visit….I’ve been coming to these falls as a kid and still enjoy it 40 years later. There are two parking areas, the lower one has the better views but required more trekking. Thanks for the awesome guide. Upper Kaaterskill Falls Trail (0.3-miles, loss of 200′ to the platform, yellow marked) Laurel House Road Parking | Scutt Road Parking The Upper Kaaterskill Falls trail [g1] from the Laurel-House Road parking area to the observation deck is .3 miles of 7% grade with 541 feet greater than 8% (the slope of a standard ramp). Kaaterskill Falls Hiking and Parking Guide. A three-mile hike will take you from the parking lot, to the base of the falls, up to a viewing platform above the falls … I wish you could have flown behind the water along that midway ridge behind. A short walk brings you to the observation platform overlooking the falls. Hiking to Kaaterskill Falls – Walking the Hwy 23A Road. Follow the Yellow Trail as it ascends steeply, with the creek off to your left. Kaaterskill Falls is one of the Catskills most famous and frequented destinations. Chad, I can clearly picture the moments I was there with family and friends. I very much enjoyed my trip and look forward to your update. Be sure to stop at the midpoint view of the falls, you’re able to get relatively close and it’s stunning. I can’t recall how the trail was like and not sure if bringing our one year old is possible. If we stay on the trail and abide by recommendations, are we at risk? The trails are narrow and steep and the rocks can be slippery. If you stay on the marked trails, there is no greater danger here than you’ll find on your average staircase. The 260-foot, two-tiered waterfall is the highest in New York and is tucked away within one of the many cloves that form the eastern escarpment of the Catskill Mountains. Beautiful pictures and great info. Inspiration Point was the best East facing view I’ve seen so far in the Catskills. 4. Note: Kaaterskill Falls is closed to the public, but the viewing platform is open. Things you need to know: This hike can be dangerous. I just couldn’t leave writing of this quality without a comment! Very informative. I’m having a hard time finding the official policy on swimming here, but I believe that if it was ever legal to swim here, that must have been a long time ago. Kaaterskill Falls Access From the Laurel-House Road parking area: 0.3 miles to the observation platform overlooking Kaaterskill falls. Steps alot of them. The waterfall is running at a trickle right now since we haven’t had much rain. Does anyone know how many miles it is from the base enterence up the overlook and back? Took 15 min get a parking spot but worth it. Wonderful writing! Hudson Valley trail closures and parking restrictions due to COVID-19. I’ve read about accidents and unfortunate deaths at this site. Hi Kylie — Here’s a link to a shot from the site’s Facebook page that shows the falls slowed to a trickle on August 30. That will depend on individual comfort level and preparedness — there are tough/steep stretches that can be tricky and slippery. May you have many more strokeless adventures out there . Whew, that was heavy. Drivers here are generally respectful, and they expect to see hikers along this section, but to me, it’s not an ideal way to start and end a hike. Does anyone have still images or video clips of the Historical Carvings on the rocks? Here’s one great way: Visit the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference homepage and click on Volunteer, Donate, or Shop! Wonderful views and a fantastic short and easy 20 minute hike. Thank you, Jean! **UPDATE May 2018**  When you’re done basking in the mist of the falls from the awesome vantage point at the bottom of the falls, you can either retrace your steps back to your car (once again exercising caution on the section along Route 23A), or continue venturing up the path to the bottom of the upper falls, or head all the way up to the viewing platform at the very top (to the left of the falls). The hike to Kaaterskill Falls is short at 1.4 miles roundtrip, and hikers are strongly encouraged to stick to the marked path due to the treacherously slippery rocks located at the top of the falls. So keep it in mind for an added bonus to your day! Head left at the fork to reach the final viewing platform for the falls. We opted for the upper lot which was pretty packed. Up is a lot of cardio, down is pleasantly calm. Background you can feel free to skip: If you’re the kind of person who likes a good waterfall and you haven’t visited Kaaterskill Falls yet, you really should get in the car right now and just start driving toward the trailhead. I’ve visited Kaaterskill a few times, and during 2016 the upper trail was closed for maintenance. Beautiful!!! Following the signs from the upper viewing area, the trail passes through the woods and past an area where a hotel once stood decades ago. Thanks. Great guide and suggestions! I’m working on a site revamp now, and will be putting a heavier focus on sustainability, Leave No Trace, and leaving the trails we all love in better shape than we found them. Look sharp out there while supporting the trails! Hi, Pure Logik! First visited the Falls in 2001,incredible experience. (You can see my trail guide for Kaaterskill’s upper trailhead for more details on the platform and scenery at the top.). thank you. I like to think of this site as a (tiny little) force for good in the world, and as such, your comment did indeed bum me out. A very nice vantage point, especially for families with smaller children. This is a historically significant location painted by Thomas Cole as well as other artists of the Hudson River School. We are camping at North South lake this weekend with some friends and were looking for a easy/moderate hike to take the kids on-Gary. signs in the world are not going to make some people more cognizant of the dangers inherent in hiking. While my first Kaaterskill trail guide is still perfectly valid, the construction around the upper trailhead at Kaaterskill Falls have made that old route, in my opinion, totally obsolete.. One more note of caution: Kaaterskill Falls is not a well-kept secret. This brings me many memories of my time spent here since 1973. Happy Trails. (If you visit in late summer, you might find things not nearly as energetic. Cars will be expecting you to walk along the left side of the road, so that’s where you should try to be. That quote was in reference to the surprising amount of traffic buzzing right past Kaaterskill Falls on a cold November evening, but I understand your frustration with some of the most popular natural places around here being crowded. Newburgh hiker falls to death at Kaaterskill Falls in Greene County, New Jersey teen falls to his death at Kaaterskill Falls in Greene County, Woman Falls, Suffers Head Injury at Kaaterskill Falls, Two Hurt in Separate Incidents at Kaaterskill Falls. Quick Note: When you park, if you have to park along the road, stay to the right of the white line. I wouldn’t say we were hiking, but we were there for hours, relaxing and imbibing the beauty and the peace of the extraordinary place. I come back year after year and will never stop being amazed. We parked at the Laurel House lot thanks to Jennifer’s comment…. Now I’m bringing two of my adult kids to see the sight I always wanted to, and I’ll see it myself, too. A family friendly walk in the woods to see an awesome waterfall! Favorite waterfall hike in the area!Beautiful trail along the water leading up to a stunning waterfall and not too crowded. The safety features here do NOT protect you if you choose to wander off-trail. Or just wear whatever you have already. Several words of caution (updated May 2018): The trail used to end right here, and I devoted several paragraphs warning hikers not to wander off-trail, due to the many deaths and injuries that regularly occurred (and still occur) at Kaaterskill Falls when people try to create their own trails. Today a friend and I did the entire thing and would love to know .. Hi, Amanda! Required fields are marked *. Finally! My goal for this site is to provide solid information (mixed with questionable humor) to outdoor enthusiasts that will help make their lives better, and to increase appreciation for the natural beauty of our area. Really appreciate the kind words. From the parking area, carefully walk downhill along Route 23A, making sure traffic can easily see you. Seems a bit longer then that.. It takes advantage of all the new awesomeness at Kaaterskill Falls, and saves you the road walk detailed below. The hiking trail around and to the falls is a perfect for novice hikers like myself - not always a defined path, but nothing too strenuous. Parking lot right off the road is small and getting to the trailhead was the scariest part walking along the road. Please leave a comment! Come prepared in order to make the most of your trip. Chicago teen Abraham Mendoza dies in fall from N.Y. waterfall, Dutchess County woman, 23, falls 180 feet to her death in Greene County; 2nd fatal accident on trail this summer, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference homepage, https://hikethehudsonvalley.com/hikes/kaaterskill-falls-ii-upper-trailhead/, NYC Escapes: Your Ultimate Catskills Weekend - Jessie on a Journey, 50 Things to Do in Westchester This Fall - Wee Westchester, https://www.facebook.com/NYSDEC/posts/10154171081585956, http://www.watershedpost.com/2015/kaaterskill-falls-closed-summer-2015, http://nynjtc.org/map/catskill-destinations-kaaterskill-falls-trail-map, Another nice write-up (with user comments) on. It was VERY icy but doable if you go slow and be careful. It takes advantage of all the new awesomeness at Kaaterskill Falls, and saves you the road walk detailed below. But the danger is real, I have seem first hand how weather affects the area. What area are these carvings supposed to be in? I’ll update the trail guide above with links when it’s ready.). Just wanted to give you a heads up that the Trail Conference now has a free map and guide for the Falls and for the area around it – http://nynjtc.org/map/catskill-destinations-kaaterskill-falls-trail-map. Appreciate you taking the time to make my day – happy adventures to you! DEC will prohibit public access past the wooden fences at the base of the falls. BRING WATER AND SNACKS. Whatever route you choose, happy adventuring out there! Make sure to go up to the second level (favorite spot), worth the stairs! This was my second hike ever… we’re new to the east coast… so I don’t have much to compare it to, but WOW is this a great spot. There is no “safe” mountain hike when you are wearing flip flops, flats, most sandals, and most tennis shoes. Artist's Rock, Sunset Rock, and Newman's Ledge via Mary's Glen Trail, Palenville Overlook and Sleepy Hollow Loop, North Point & North Mountain Ledge to Stoppel Point, Artists Rock and Sunset Rock via Escarpment Trail, Kaaterskill High Peak via Roundtop Mountain, Kaaterskill Falls, South Mountain, and North Point Loop, Escarpment Loop, Kaaterskill Falls, Bastion Falls, and South Lake Loop, Inspiration Point to Katerskill Falls Loop, Kaaterskill Rail Trail to Kaaterskill Falls, Katterskills High Peak Loop via Snowmobile Trail. Specifically famous ones like one from Ulysses S Grant? If you click the links to read about the individual accidents here, the problems invariably occur when people venture off-trail. But, at high water you will see the same view as the pictures displayed below. Stay safe. I did venture to the edge,very carefully, going sideways-outstanding view. my dad has been coming to the falls since the 70s i first saw and experienced the falls when i was around 16 and we ignored the main trail head at the bottom of the falls and went strait to lorrel house rd and walked around the top of the falls i dont rema=ember iif we climbed down that day or not but we have done it on at least 2 occasions and i have led groups to every point between the top and bottom i love to float in the pond in the middle of the 2nd tier not all that deep but 8 foot in the middle also have seen the memorial carved in the rock on the way down on the left side of the falls if you are looking up its is NOT advisable to look for it it is very hard to find and VERY dangerous to get to but it is incredible to see it carved there by members of a mans union after he jumped to his death at the turn of the last century it is a butiful site and i love to camp at the top at the small camp sites provided and spend days during the summer here enjoying the site and unwinding, Hey Mike, Drive past the overcrowded and dangerous parking lot up from the lower trail head. There is a huge system of trails offering multiple payoffs. I’ve never seen or heard of tape used as a trail marker – probably because it can be easily removed. Will follow your recommendations on my next visit and get this trail guide updated one of these days, hopefully soonish. Moderate hike. This trail is part of the Long Path stretching from Fort Lee, NJ to Thacher Park near Albany. Walk back down hill to reach the trailhead on the north side of the road. Please be very careful here. Cliff ledges, steep rocky trails and rocks made slippery from a nearby waterfall’s spray are dangerous. Please stay on the trail. Thank you so much for all this great information (and beautiful picture). Great lesson in: write what you feel. Usually, Lake Creek is at low water, and the view is disappointing. In my experience, orange tape is used to mark trees that need attention/to be cut. WHAT A VIEW!! Is it safe to carry her with us to revisit? This hike can be kid friendly, but watch children closely as the trail can be slippery. In fact, putting in railings and stairways are more likely to make people think “this is 100% safe” and leave their common sense in the parking lot. I was there with my siblings and great friends. The Northern Catskills Mountain in Greene County of upper New York state holds one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the east coast. Follow the stairs up to the Escarpment Trail (blue). lovely, short waterfall hike. All the railings, stairways and WARNING! Hike along the new trail for about 10 minutes. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference offers concise, excellent advice on hiking during this crisis here: The New Hiking How-tos. I’ve seen people who seem to believe that the wilderness is a form of video game that can be safely enjoyed in comfort; but, it takes a lot of preparation and a healthy respect for the environment. We hustled to get off the road as quick as we could, slightly harried and very surprised at the volume of traffic in a pretty remote area. Even after the improved signage, trail extensions, and safety fencing were installed, several people have gotten killed or hurt here. Cool but enjoyable November hike up to falls and around to Inspiration Point with a loop to back side of Falls. You can continue up 23A and park at the Laurel House lot of of North Lake Rd. This is a very popular spot to bring (leashed) pooches. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE UPPER FALLS ARE OPEN YET? This is one of the most popular hikes in the area, in part because everyone likes waterfalls, and in part because it’s a relatively short hike to a huge, 260-foot payoff, divided over two drops. Best waterfall in the area! With the exception of last weekend, we haven’t had much rain since then, so I don’t expect the situation would be too much improved now. I know it’s been dry lately so I wanted to know if the falls were worth going to right now. Thanks so much for sharing! Here is some aerial footage I shot this past October: Hello Chad. Your email address will not be published. There is a fair amount of parking. We visited on July 23 and the platform is completed at the top of the falls. While the trail guide below is still perfectly valid, I recommend you check out my updated trail guide for Kaaterskill Falls II (upper trailhead), which is, in my opinion, a much better route. Absolutely! Great views, was very muddy in certain areas. If you go all the way up to the viewing platform, you’ll add about 1.6 miles and 400 vertical ft of ascent to your day. I’ve seen photos of the platform at the top of the falls, and it looks fantastic, but can’t find anything official on the completion of the other work. This 1 1/2 mile trek to the top of Kaaterskill Falls is on a flat path that starts behind the Mountain Top Historical Society on Rte 23A. This was a week day, no other hikers around. The Kaaterskill Falls area is beautiful, but you have to respect the wilderness. It looks like they were working on a pretty solid (and safe) way to get to the top where you can swim in the giant pool at the base of the falls at the top. At the intersection with the trail to Layman’s monument, walk to the right trail There is a new 200 step staircase to get you down to the money shot. Jennifer! Are the trails open all year round? Or there they are? Hope you guys have a great trip! 2. Realizing I had made a stupid move, turned around and started to gently slide down on my butt while grabbing every sapling available. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/kaaterskill-falls-trail Haines Falls, as we called out general destination. BASTION FALLS Bastion Falls is the most accessible and most prominent waterfall in Kaaterskill Clove, dropping 71 feet in two steps along Lake Creek adjacent to where Route 23A makes a horseshoe curve at the trail to Kaaterskill Falls. While you may feel like you’re starring in a live-action version of Frogger to get from the parking area to the trailhead, once you’re there, this hike is pure awesomeness, hugging the energetic Spruce Creek the entire way as it cascades down the hill. Enjoyed all the peoples initials and dates-including a couple of old artists.One more item, 2 teens were sitting on the edge,to the right of the stream,legs dangling, just “shootin’ the breeze”-crazy, crazy! I will work on getting that hike written up here as soon as I can. It’s an awesome spot if you’re up for it! A herd path from the snowmobile trail … And whatever you do, don’t attempt to hike Kaaterskill Falls Trail in your high-heels. When I read about you in the paper, let it be because you won the Nobel Prize, not because you visited Kaaterskill Falls. … Although there’s a lot of hiking around the water, swimming is also discouraged. The upper falls and viewing platform can also be accessed from Laurel House Road. In the summer you will want to check the water level because there might not be much water in the falls, and during periods of more rain the trail may be muddy. Kaaterskill Falls - 1.4 miles, moderate. Do not protect you if you stay on the HiketheHudsonValley.com Google map covered these New regulations in this article “... Flowing heavy, took some beautiful Long exposure photos, at high water you will see the falling water the. Catskills most famous and frequented destinations the better views but required more trekking the New awesomeness Kaaterskill... View i ’ d strongly recommend trekking poles to help make sure you your. Base of the white line walk in the woods to see them myself are stretches. 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