15 Best Waterfalls in New York (2026 Updated)
Of the 221 named waterfalls in New York, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Taughannock Falls, Rensselaerville Falls, and Kaaterskill Falls. The list spans the Finger Lakes and Western New York, Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, and Tug Hill and the Black River Country.
How We Picked
We ranked the 115 publicly accessible New York waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Taughannock Falls
Trumansburg, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 367 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Towering waterfall in Taughannock Falls State Park that can be seen from several hiking trails." Older records also call it Taghanic Falls and Taughanick Falls. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Trumansburg, about 2.9 miles to the west.
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2. Rensselaerville Falls
Middleburgh, NY · Albany County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 70 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 49 named falls in the Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys region. The nearest town is Middleburgh, about 11 miles to the northwest.
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3. Kaaterskill Falls
Palenville, NY · Greene County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in New York, holding 4.8 stars across 1,560 Google reviews. 89% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "This iconic 260-ft-tall tiered waterfall on Spruce Creek features a lookout & a foot trail." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 79 meters high. Older records also call it Caterskill Falls. It is one of 49 named falls in the Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys region. Buttermilk Falls is only 1.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Palenville, about 2.6 miles to the southeast.
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4. Ithaca Falls
South Hill, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 664 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Accessible by walking trail, this 150-ft. cascade has a natural pool popular for fishing." It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is South Hill, about 1.6 miles to the south.
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5. Salmon River Falls
Pulaski, NY · Oswego County · Tug Hill and the Black River Country
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 344 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 45 named falls in the Tug Hill and the Black River Country region. The nearest town is Pulaski, about 9.5 miles to the west.
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6. American Falls
Niagara Falls, NY · Niagara County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 298 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. Bridal Veil Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Niagara Falls, about 0.9 miles to the northeast.
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7. Awosting Falls
Rochester, NY · Monroe County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 200 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Waterfalls & small pool reachable by short, wooded hikes in Minnewaska State Park." It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Rochester, about 198 miles to the northwest.
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8. Upper Falls
Castile, NY · Livingston County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 32 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "This waterfall along a river in Letchworth State Park features an observation area along a trail." It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. Middle Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Castile, about 3.5 miles to the north.
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9. Lucifer Falls
South Hill, NY · Tompkins County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 144 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Scenic waterfall in Robert H. Treman State Park that drops down from a gorge into a large pool." It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is South Hill, about 5.0 miles to the northeast.
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10. Carpenter Falls
Moravia, NY · Cayuga County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 131 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Roaring falls featuring a 90-ft. ribbon of water tumbling from a limestone overhang." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 90 feet. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. The nearest town is Moravia, about 7.9 miles to the southwest.
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11. Split Rock Falls
Elizabethtown, NY · Essex County · Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 126 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 83 named falls in the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley region. The nearest town is Elizabethtown, about 7.0 miles to the northeast.
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12. Lampsons Falls
Canton, NY · St. Lawrence County · Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 94 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 83 named falls in the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley region. Harper Falls is only 2.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Canton, about 14 miles to the north.
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13. Mine Kill Falls
Stamford, NY · Schoharie County · Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 86 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 49 named falls in the Catskills, Hudson and Mohawk Valleys region. The nearest town is Stamford, about 7.4 miles to the west.
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14. Auger Falls
Lake Pleasant, NY · Hamilton County · Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 69 reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 83 named falls in the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence Valley region. Austin Falls is only 2.9 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Lake Pleasant, about 8.3 miles to the west.
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15. Middle Falls
Castile, NY · Livingston County · Finger Lakes and Western New York
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 62 reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Over 100 ft. in height, this large cascading waterfall can be seen from walkways & viewing decks." Older records also call it Ska-ga-dee. It is one of 44 named falls in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region. Upper Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Castile, about 3.2 miles to the north.
When to Visit New York's Waterfalls
Spring is prime waterfall season across New York. Snowmelt and rain usually push the Adirondack and Tug Hill rivers to their highest levels from April into May, and the Finger Lakes gorges run strongly through spring. Many smaller gorge falls drop to a thin veil in July and August, though Niagara and other large river falls flow steadily all year. Autumn brings outstanding foliage, peaking in the Adirondacks in late September and early October and later in the Catskills and Finger Lakes, and fall rains often restore flows. Winter freezes many falls into ice sculptures, but some Finger Lakes gorge trails close for the season because of ice and rockfall.
Before You Go
Most well-known falls are in state parks managed by New York State Parks or on state Forest Preserve and other lands managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation; the Adirondack and Catskill parks are a patchwork of public and private land, so posted boundaries matter. Popular parks such as Watkins Glen, Taughannock and Niagara Falls charge vehicle fees and become crowded on summer weekends, and Kaaterskill Falls parking fills early. Gorge rims are the chief hazard: shale and limestone edges crumble, ledges are wet and slippery, and fatal falls have occurred at several sites, including the upper ledges of Kaaterskill Falls. Swimming in gorges is often prohibited outside designated areas. Stay on marked trails and behind barriers.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More New York Waterfalls
See all 221 waterfalls in the New York waterfall guide, or browse by town: Trumansburg, Middleburgh, Palenville, South Hill, Pulaski, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Castile.
More New York Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in New York?
Taughannock Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 367 Google reviews. It is near Trumansburg in Tompkins County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 115 publicly accessible New York waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
How many waterfalls are in New York?
Our directory lists 221 named waterfalls in New York. See them all, sorted by town, in the New York waterfall guide.
Why does New York have so many waterfalls?
Glaciers reshaped nearly the whole state, leaving hanging valleys in the Finger Lakes, disrupted drainage in the Adirondacks and steep escarpments in the west. Combined with ample rain and snow, that produces the second-highest count of named falls in our directory.