When people think about New York they tend to focus on New York City. But there’s so much more to the state than tall buildings and taxi cabs. New York state is full of beauty and there’s so much nature to explore!

Two of the best seasons to visit New York and explore the state are summer and fall. This is when the plants are in bloom, the state’s lakes are open and waterfalls rush. Yes, there are waterfalls in New York! Aside from the famous Niagara Falls, New York has many waterfalls to explore. And many can be seen on the state’s best hiking trails.

This guide covers the five best waterfalls in New York. It also includes hikes to view the waterfalls.

Rainbow Falls

(Watkins Glen, NY) The first waterfall on my list is special for two reasons. First, it’s my favorite waterfall in New York. Second, it’s located along a hike that features 19 waterfalls in total! So you can go to see Rainbow Falls, and also catch some other beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Rainbow Falls is located in Watkins Glen State Park along the Gorge Trail. The state park is in a town of the same name, Watkins Glen, that’s situated on Seneca Lake in The Finger Lakes region of New York. The park is roughly a 90-minute drive from Rochester and a four hour drive from New York City.

The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is one of the most popular, and picturesque, hikes in New York. It’s a short 1.5 mile hike through a 400-foot-deep gorge. I consider the Gorge Trail an easy to moderate hike, but it is steep. You’ll have to climb over 800 steps along the hike. Even if you get winded along the way, you’ll be making a lot of stops to take pictures and admire the waterfalls!

Rainbow Falls is located around .7 miles into the hike. A very cool aspect of this New York waterfall is that you can walk underneath it! It’s a fun experience and the most breathtaking part of the hike.

Buttermilk Falls

Taughannock Falls

Awosting Falls

Buttermilk Falls

(Ithaca, NY) We’re staying in the Finger Lake’s region for the second of my favorite waterfalls in New York, Buttermilk Falls. This hike is located in Buttermilk Falls State Park in the college town of Ithaca. There are five different trails that wander through this park. They’re all gorgeous, and they all will pass by beautiful waterfalls!

The park gets its name from the Buttermilk Creek that runs through the area and flows down a valley into a gorge, which the trails are situated along. The Buttermilk Falls hike is pretty similar to the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail; there are steep areas and stairs in parts. I highly recommend the classic gorge trail in the park.

Taughannock Falls

(Trumansburg, NY) Rounding out the beautiful New York waterfalls in The Finger Lakes region is the magnificent Taughannock Falls. This waterfall carves a 400 foot deep gorge and has a 215 foot plunge. This show stopping waterfall is the tallest in New York State. Yes, even taller than Niagara Falls!

This waterfall is located in a state park of the same name, Taughannock Falls State Park, and there are a few different vantage points and trails to view.

One of my favorite trails here is the gorge trail, the quickest trail from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall. It’s a heavily trafficked 1.9 mile mostly flat walk. It’s a very easy hike, basically a walk on a wide and flat trail, that takes you right to the base of the waterfall. Dogs are allowed here, which I love! The view at the end of this trail is beautiful, right in front of the waterfall!

Another view of Taughannock Falls that I love is from the top looking down. This isn’t really a hike, but it is a great view that shows the grandeur of this waterfall. This vantage point can be reached from the visitors center parking lot. To the right of the visitors center you’ll find a paved walkway that leads to a landscaped overlook.

Since the first three New York waterfalls listed are located in The Finger Lakes, I highly recommend planning a weekend trip to this area. In addition to the beautiful waterfalls and fun hikes, The Finger Lakes are known for lake activities and wineries. You can read my comprehensive travel guide to The Finger Lakes here.

Awosting Falls

(New Paltz, NY) Located a short drive from New York City is Minnewaska State Park, where Awosting Falls is located. This waterfall is a 60 foot plunge into a beautiful pool. It’s located right off the road and the base can be reached via an easy 10 minute hike.

A one mile heavily trafficked trail brings hikers down to the base of the waterfall. It’s an easy hike, but it is an uphill walk on the way back. This is a very popular spot due to the hiking ease. Keep in mind that it can get very crowded during high season.

Kaaterskill Falls

The final spot on my list of New York waterfalls is located in the Catskills. Kaaterskill Falls is a two-stage waterfall, with an upper plunge of 175 feet and a lower plunge of 85 feet.  This waterfall is located close to New York City and is a popular destination today, as it also was years ago. Kaaterskill Falls have been depicted in books and poems from the early 19th century and in paintings created by members of the Hudson River School.

This impressive waterfall can be viewed both from above and below. An overlook at the top of the waterfall can be reached via an easy .03 mile walk to a viewing platform. From the top of the waterfall, there is a moderate-to-difficult hike down to the bottom.

If you want to start at the bottom of the waterfall and hike up, you’ll need to park in a small lot off the mountain roadway about a quarter-mile from the trailhead. You’ll have to walk along a busy and narrow stretch of mountain road, so exercise caution if you choose to start from the bottom.

You’ll know you’ve reached the trailhead when you see a smaller waterfall; this is Bastion Falls. The hike up is an easy-moderate short half a mile to reach the base of Kaaterskill. If you’re visiting on a nice weekend you’re likely to find many other people enjoying the views and admiring the waterfall from its base.

I hope you enjoyed my guide to five epic waterfalls in New York!