Everyone In New Jersey Must Visit This Epic Waterfall As Soon As Possible
By Kristen|Published April 02, 2018
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Kristen
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Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
When it comes to waterfalls, New Jersey may not have Niagara, but we do have a few stunners. Buttermilk Falls and Silver Spray near the Delaware Water Gap are favorites among hikers and Hemlock Falls really shines after a storm. The star of the state however is the Great Falls, located in Paterson. People are often skeptical of the city, but the falls are fairly separate from more urban areas and are easily accessible from Route 80. I visit whenever I can to take photos…it’s always worth the trip. Even in the winter, the waterfalls offer something special.
The Great Falls and surrounding area are protected as part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. While the falls have been instrumental in New Jersey development and industrialization for years, National Park status was established in 2009.
An impressive 77-feet tall, this is actually one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi by width and volume. The falls were formed about 13,000 years ago, when the ice from Glacial Lake Passaic receded.
In 1778, Alexander Hamilton visited the falls and recognized their potential for industry. The town of Paterson was established around the falls, chosen by Secretary of Treasury Hamilton to be the nation’s first planned industrial city. The falls powered cotton, paper and silk mills and were vital in the development of the Colt Revolver. They were used as a hydraulic power source for the manufacturing plant.
The water powered system at Great Falls was one of the first in the nation and was designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, engineer-planner of Washington D.C. Construction began in 1792 and was completed in 1864.
Great Falls National Historic Park is a 118-acre site, with the falls at the center. You can also find several restored mills, water flow raceways, a welcome center and gift shop. The Paterson Museum is within walking distance. Admission to the park is free and tours are offered.
A fun fact about the Great Falls? They’re the spot where Sam Patch, the "Jersey Jumper," got his start. In 1827, the 20-year-old mill employee decided to make the jump from the top of the falls for show. He survived and soon became a legend. He performed many miraculous jumps, even becoming the first man to survive a trip over the Niagara Falls. His career spanned two years, until he ruptured a blood vessel making a 125-foot jump in Rochester, NY.
If you haven't been to the park recently, you may be pleased with the changes. Why not take a tour and find out? A self-guided audio tour can be downloaded through the Mill Mile App. If you'd prefer a tour guide, meet at the visitors center at 2 p.m., Monday-Friday or at 11 a.m./2 p.m. on Saturdays. Tours are only canceled for extreme weather and last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
To see the falls up close, walk across one of the fantastic footbridges, providing spectacular views. Perhaps you’ll catch one of the falls’ famous rainbows. The waterfall is beautiful all year long and I absolutely recommend that you visit ASAP. If you want to wait until it gets a little warmer, watch this video drone video by Nicholas Ardino in the meanwhile:
To discover some of New Jersey’s hidden waterfalls, click here.
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