10 Best Hiking Waterfalls in the Adirondacks You Must See in 2025

When it comes to chasing waterfalls, the Adirondacks in New York stand out as one of the best destinations in the Northeast.

From roaring cascades tucked deep in the forest to serene falls along family-friendly trails, there’s something here for every kind of hiker.

If you’re planning your 2025 adventures, here are the 10 best Adirondack waterfalls you can hike to—each one worth adding to your bucket list.

Rainbow Falls (Keene Valley)

Rainbow Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the Adirondacks, tucked away in the Ausable Club area of Keene Valley.

• Trail Distance & Time: Around 6 miles round trip, 3–4 hours.
• Parking & Access: Parking at the Ausable Club hiker’s lot in St. Huberts.
• Entry Fees/Permits: No entry fee, but trail access passes through Ausable Club land.
• Nearby Attractions: Indian Head and Fish Hawk Cliffs hikes.
• Hike Type: Moderate, not family-friendly for young kids due to distance.
• Rest Areas: Benches and flat spots along the trail.
• Nearest Town: Keene Valley.
• Camping/Lodging: Nearby campsites at Adirondack Mountain Reserve and lodging in Keene.
• Facilities: Restrooms available at trailhead parking area.

Pro Tip: Visit after a rainfall or spring snowmelt for the strongest flow.

Split Rock Falls

Located near Elizabethtown, Split Rock Falls is a popular stop thanks to its unique multi-tiered cascades.

• Trail Distance & Time: Less than 0.5 miles, 15–20 minutes.
• Parking & Access: Small roadside lot on Route 9.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Free access.
• Nearby Attractions: Boquet River swimming spots.
• Hike Type: Easy, family-friendly.
• Rest Areas: Rock ledges along the falls.
• Nearest Town: Elizabethtown.
• Camping/Lodging: Small campgrounds and motels nearby.
• Facilities: No restrooms on-site.

Roaring Brook Falls

True to its name, Roaring Brook Falls delivers a thundering rush of water as it tumbles down the cliffs near St. Huberts.

The trail is relatively short but offers an excellent payoff with a powerful view of the falls.

• Trail Distance & Time: 0.3 miles to the base, 10 minutes.
• Parking & Access: Pull-off lot on Route 73 near St. Huberts.
• Entry Fees/Permits: No fee.
• Nearby Attractions: Access to Giant Mountain trails.
• Hike Type: Easy, family-friendly.
• Rest Areas: Grass clearing at the base.
• Nearest Town: Keene Valley.
• Camping/Lodging: Campgrounds in Keene, lodging in Lake Placid.
• Facilities: No restrooms on-site.

Pro Tip: Pair this hike with nearby trails in the High Peaks for a full day of adventure.

High Falls Gorge

Just outside Lake Placid, High Falls Gorge is a hiker-friendly spot with well-maintained trails and bridges that provide excellent viewpoints of multiple waterfalls.

• Trail Distance & Time: About 1 mile loop, 45 minutes.
• Parking & Access: On-site parking available.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Admission fee applies.
• Nearby Attractions: Whiteface Mountain.
• Hike Type: Easy, very family-friendly.
• Rest Areas: Benches and picnic tables inside.
• Nearest Town: Wilmington/Lake Placid area.
• Camping/Lodging: Lodging in Lake Placid, campgrounds nearby.
• Facilities: Restrooms and café on-site.

Beaver Meadow Falls

Beaver Meadow Falls is a hidden beauty along the trail system in the Ausable Valley.

• Trail Distance & Time: About 6 miles round trip, 3–4 hours.
• Parking & Access: Ausable Club hiker’s lot in St. Huberts.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Free, but trail crosses private land (Ausable Club).
• Nearby Attractions: Pyramid and Sawteeth Mountain trails.
• Hike Type: Moderate, not suited for small kids.
• Rest Areas: Shaded spots along the trail.
• Nearest Town: Keene Valley.
• Camping/Lodging: Ausable Club campsites and Keene Valley lodging.
• Facilities: Restrooms at parking lot.

Wedge Brook Falls

Tucked into the woods near the Ausable Club, Wedge Brook Falls rewards hikers with a tranquil setting and a beautiful series of drops.

The moderate hike is less busy than the big-name trails, making it a perfect choice if you’re after a peaceful Adirondack waterfall experience.

• Trail Distance & Time: 5 miles round trip, 2–3 hours.
• Parking & Access: Ausable Club hiker lot.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Free.
• Nearby Attractions: Lower Ausable Lake.
• Hike Type: Moderate, manageable for families with older kids.
• Rest Areas: Shady forested sections.
• Nearest Town: Keene Valley.
• Camping/Lodging: Primitive camping nearby, lodging in Keene.
• Facilities: Restrooms at trailhead.

OK Slip Falls

One of the tallest waterfalls in New York State, OK Slip Falls plunges nearly 200 feet into a dramatic gorge.

• Trail Distance & Time: 6 miles round trip, 3–4 hours.
• Parking & Access: Lot off Route 28 in Indian Lake.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Free.
• Nearby Attractions: Hudson River rafting trips.
• Hike Type: Moderate, family-friendly for older kids.
• Rest Areas: Trail benches and scenic overlook spots.
• Nearest Town: Indian Lake.
• Camping/Lodging: Campgrounds in Indian Lake, cabins nearby.
• Facilities: No restrooms on-site.

Bushnell Falls

Bushnell Falls lies along the trail to Mount Marcy, New York’s highest peak, making it a favorite stop for serious hikers.

• Trail Distance & Time: 7 miles round trip, 4–5 hours.
• Parking & Access: Adirondack Loj near Heart Lake.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Parking fee applies.
• Nearby Attractions: Mount Marcy and Johns Brook Valley.
• Hike Type: Strenuous, not family-friendly.
• Rest Areas: Lean-tos along the trail.
• Nearest Town: Lake Placid.
• Camping/Lodging: Johns Brook Lodge, backcountry camping.
• Facilities: Restrooms at Adirondack Loj.

Insider Tip: If you’re planning to summit Marcy, Bushnell Falls makes for a great rest stop and photo opportunity before continuing your climb.

Hanging Spear Falls

The trail leads past Flowed Lands and eventually rewards you with a dramatic cascade dropping into the Hudson River headwaters.

• Trail Distance & Time: 7.5 miles round trip, 5 hours.
• Parking & Access: Upper Works trailhead near Newcomb.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Free.
• Nearby Attractions: Flowed Lands and Lake Colden.
• Hike Type: Strenuous, not family-friendly.
• Rest Areas: Lean-tos at Flowed Lands.
• Nearest Town: Newcomb.
• Camping/Lodging: Backcountry camping and DEC sites nearby.
• Facilities: None at trailhead.

T Lake Falls

T Lake Falls is a hidden gem and one of the tallest waterfalls in the Adirondacks, located in a more rugged wilderness area.

• Trail Distance & Time: 10 miles round trip, 6+ hours.
• Parking & Access: Piseco trailhead parking.
• Entry Fees/Permits: Free.
• Nearby Attractions: Piseco Lake.
• Hike Type: Strenuous, not family-friendly.
• Rest Areas: Open clearings near Piseco.
• Nearest Town: Piseco.
• Camping/Lodging: Campsites at Piseco Lake Campground.
• Facilities: Restrooms at campground.

Conclusion

The Adirondacks are packed with outdoor adventures, but these 10 waterfalls offer some of the best hikes in the region.

Whether you’re chasing the misty spray of Rainbow Falls, venturing deep into the wild for T Lake Falls, or soaking in the beauty of OK Slip Falls, each destination offers something unique.