Great Falls is a waterfall in Passaic County, New Jersey, about 0.5 miles west of Paterson. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.
At a glance
- Location
- Passaic County, NJ
- Nearest town
- Paterson (0.5 mi)
- Visitor rating
- 4.5 from 254 reviews
- Crowds
- Popular
- Coordinates
- 40.91657, -74.18169
Weather at Great Falls
Full NWS forecastForecast for the waterfall's exact location, not the nearest town. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Loading the forecast...
Source: National Weather Service.
Conditions at Great Falls
Sun and Daylight Today
- Sunrise
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- Sunset
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- Golden hour
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Times in New York time. Canyons and steep valleys lose direct sun earlier.
Elevation
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At the mapped waterfall point, from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Expect cooler temperatures than in nearby towns at lower elevation.
Nearest Stream Gauge
Checking for USGS gauges within about 8 miles...
Live discharge in cubic feet per second (ft³/s). The gauge may be on a different stream than the falls; use the trend as a rough guide to how much water is running in the area.
Getting there
Great Falls sits about 0.5 miles west of Paterson in Passaic County. Google lists the address as Paterson, NJ.
Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Great Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.
Land managers vary widely for such a small state. The Great Falls is within Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, run by the National Park Service in an urban setting with street parking and city amenities nearby. Essex County's falls are in county park reservations, while Sussex and Warren county falls fall under state forests and parks such as Stokes State Forest, along with the federally managed Delaware Water Gap area. Some sites are small and have limited parking that fills on fall weekends. Hazards include slick shale and basalt, steep ravine walls, and fast water on the Delaware River. Ticks are abundant in the northwest from spring through fall. At the Great Falls, stay behind the fences along the gorge rim.
What to bring
This checklist is tailored to Great Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of New Jersey. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.
- Offline map and coordinates. Save 40.91657, -74.18169 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
- Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
- Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
- A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
- Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 1,271 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
- Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.
How to prepare
Timing
Northern New Jersey's falls run strongest in spring, typically March through May, when snowmelt and steady rain fill streams in the Highlands and the Kittatinny. The Great Falls is on a large river and flows year-round, but it is most dramatic after heavy rain or snowmelt, and during dry late summers its flow can drop sharply. Summer thunderstorms bring brief surges, while August and September are often low-water months for small ravine streams. Fall foliage in the northwest usually peaks in mid to late October, making autumn a pleasant if lower-flow season. Winter can produce ice along the basalt gorge and in shaded ravines, though footing becomes treacherous. 254 Google reviews make it a well-known stop. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit.
Safety
Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.
Respect the place
Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.
What visitors say
Great Falls holds a 4.5-star average across 254 Google reviews, and 73% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Passaic County. Visitors have shared 1,271 photos.
See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.
History of the area
Watchung Ridges and Northern Piedmont. This is urban and suburban waterfall country. The Great Falls of the Passaic, listed here as both Great Falls and Passaic Falls, roars through a basalt gorge in Paterson, viewed from an overlook and a footbridge within a national historical park that also preserves the city's industrial history. In Essex County, the wooded South Mountain area around Short Hills holds small cascades along stream ravines, including Maple Falls. Pottersville Falls, on the Lamington River where Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties meet, is a small drop in a historic village setting. These falls are easy to reach and make good short outings from New York and northern New Jersey.
Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip
More around here: waterfalls near Paterson · Passaic County waterfalls · all New Jersey waterfalls
Frequently asked questions
Where is Great Falls?
Great Falls is in Passaic County, New Jersey, about 0.5 miles west of Paterson. Its coordinates are 40.91657, -74.18169.
Is Great Falls crowded?
254 Google reviews make it a well-known stop. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit.
What should I bring to Great Falls?
At minimum: offline map and coordinates, shoes with real grip, water and a snack, and a light rain layer. See the full checklist above, which is tailored to what visitors report about this waterfall.
When is the best time to visit Great Falls?
Northern New Jersey's falls run strongest in spring, typically March through May, when snowmelt and steady rain fill streams in the Highlands and the Kittatinny. The Great Falls is on a large river and flows year-round, but it is most dramatic after heavy rain or snowmelt, and during dry late summers its flow can drop sharply.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to visit Great Falls?
Fees and permits depend on who manages the land. Check with the managing agency before you go. Our New Jersey waterfalls page covers access in the state.
Summary
Great Falls about 0.5 miles west of Paterson is rated 4.5 out of 5 by 254 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.
See the full Great Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.