Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning your dream waterfall hike.

Waterfalls will typically be at their peak after a fresh snowmelt or rainy period—making spring the perfect season to visit Upstate New York.

New York is known for it’s lush, green environment that usually gets a considerable amount of rainfall throughout the year, making it a great waterfall destination.

I used to live in New York and spent five years exploring the natural wonders of the state.

Personally, waterfall hikes are some of my favorite. There’s really something powerful standing beside a roaring waterfall pouring gallons upon gallons of water beside you.

It’s a reminder of how incredible nature can be.

This lists consists of a variety of different hikes, ranging in their level of difficulty, with some waterfall destinations requiring significant effort to get to.

Here are my recommendations of some of the coolest waterfalls scattered across the beautiful state of New York.

*Simply Shauna content is written 100% by a human and is not AI generated. All blog posts and recommendations are based on my real experiences and things I’ve actually done.

1. Rainbow Falls

Where: Keene Valley, NY

Trail difficulty: Hard (if you also hike to Indian Head)

Trail length: 10.9 mi

AllTrails link: Indian Head and Rainbow Falls

I discovered rainbow falls during my hike to Indian Head, arguably one of the best hikes in the state, and I’m glad I took the detour.

Although if you don’t want to walk all the way to Indian Head, you can just hike to the falls and back to shorten the trip.

This waterfall is massive, especially if you hit it in the spring or during a rainy season.

You can get pretty close to this one and really feel it’s power.

Note that parking reservations are required to park at the AMR lot, which you can learn more about here.

2. OK Slip Falls

Where: Indian Lake, NY

Trail difficulty: 6.8 mi

Trail length: Hard

AllTrails link: OK Slip Falls Trail

Getting to this waterfall was such an adventure, since it’s a bit more remote than other waterfalls in the state.

Even though this trail is rated as moderate, there are some very steep scramble sections on this trail.

There are ropes to help you safely navigate this trail, but I wouldn’t attempt this trail unless you are a confident hiker.

If you do make it, the views will pay off!

As pictured, there is a viewing point before you make the descent to the base of the falls so you can get multiple perspectives.

3. Kaaterskill Falls

Where: Palenville, NY

Trail difficulty: Moderate

Trail length: 1.7 mi

AllTrails link: Kaaterskill Falls from Laurel House Road

This is my absolute favorite waterfall hike in New York. When I lived there, I did this hike probably about four times—it’s that good!

If you could only do one waterfall hike, this is the one I’d recommend, and it’s only 2 hours away from New York City.

What I like most about this hike is that the trail takes you to the top of the falls, the middle point where you can walk behind the main section of the waterfall, and to the very bottom where you can see all the tiers.

Be prepared to encounter stairs if you choose to hike all the way down to the base of the falls.

This is one of the most popular destinations in the state and it can get very crowded on the weekends so plan accordingly.

4. Taughannock Falls

Where: Trumansburg, NY (near Ithaca)

Trail difficulty: Easy

Trail length: 1.1 mi

AllTrails link: Taughannock Multi-Use Trail

Taughannock Falls, which is in Taughannock Falls State Park, is the tallest free falling waterfall in New York.

In fact, it’s the tallest waterfall in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains.

This is definitely a bucket list item for all waterfall chasers.

What’s nice about this trail is that it’s accessible for non-hikes and is only about a mile long.

The trail will take you directly to a viewing platform where you’ll get exceptional views of the waterfall.

5. Split Rock Falls

Where: New Russia, NY

Trail difficulty: Moderate

Trail length: 0.5

This is a hidden beauty that you would drive right past if you weren’t looking for it.

To get there, you’ll want to drive for about 2 mi up Route 9. You’ll see a pull off along the right side of the road for parking.

It's basically a roadside waterfall that doesn’t have a proper hiking trail, but you will have to hike down a rather steep hill through the woods to get down to the falls.

It’s a fairly popular swimming hole among locals in the summer although I would use caution when visiting this waterfall.

6. Outlet Falls (Thacher Park)

Where: Voorheesville, NY

Trail difficulty: Moderate

Trail length: 1.1 mi

AllTrails link: Indian Ladder Trail

Outlet Falls is found on the Indian Ladder Trail at Thacher State Park located in the small town of Voorheesville about a half hour west of Albany, NY.

This trail is relatively easy with the trail length totaling 1 mile taking about 40 minutes to complete, although be prepared for a lot of stairs to go down and to get back up.

Online it is referred to as an out and back trail, but I usually turn it into a loop by following the Escarpment trail at the top of the stairs that follows the edge of the cliff back to the parking lot.

The trail is often closed due to maintenance, so be sure to call the visitor center prior to your visit to verify it’s open to the public.

Thacher park is a great place to spend the day after your waterfall hike with plenty of open space, picnic tables, a playground and grills.

7. Watkins Glen - Rainbow Falls

Where: Watkins Glen, NY

Trail difficulty: Moderate

Trail length: 2.3 mi

AllTrails link: Glen Creek Gorge Trail

Watkins Glen State Park is a popular park located on the Southern end of Seneca Lake—the Finger Lakes Region.

To see this iconic waterfall flowing under the little arched bridge, you’re going to want to follow the Glen Creek Gorge Trail.

You’ll see other cool water formations during this hike that make the walk totally worth it.

It’s GORGE-ous!

8. Eternal Flame Falls

Where: Orchard Park, NY

Trail difficulty: Easy

Trail length: 1.2 mi

AllTrails link: Eternal Flame Falls Trail

This is probably the most unique waterfall I have ever been to!

Behind this tiny waterfall is a small hole that emits natural gas. When lit, a flame appears.

The trail is located in Orchard Park, NY about a half hour south of Buffalo.

If you’re into natural oddities, you’re going to want to check this out.

9. Bash Bish Falls

Where: Copake Falls, NY

Trail difficulty: Easy

Trail length: 1.5 mi

AllTrails link: Bash Bish Falls from Taconic State Park

Technically, this waterfall is in Massachusetts, but the trailhead starts in New York.

This trail starts on the edge of the NY/MA state line, and you’ll actually cross into the other state on the trail.

I loved hiking to this waterfall because it looks and feels like a magical fairy pool.

The trail feels like a leisurely stroll through the woods along a babbling brook—so peaceful.

Make sure you include this beauty in your waterfall bucket list.