There’s no denying how much we all love New York – being residents here is proof enough! But like so many of our favorite things in life, there will always be both pros and cons. Scattered throughout the Empire State, you can find a variety of dangerous locations, some of which have become so deadly that they’re now completely off-limits to the public. Are any particular places coming to mind? Let’s see if any of them made our list:

1. Canajoharie Falls
Canajoharie Falls, Canajoharie, NY 13317, USA
Edward Smathers/YouTube
Those who live in the village of Canajoharie have long known of the dangers that lie at Canajoharie Falls. But time and time again, out-of-town visitors end up making their way to this nature spot to learn of its harmful ways for themselves. Between 2001 and 2004, three people died while jumping into the falls, an adventure frequently sought out by adrenaline seekers. While there are "No Swimming" signs posted all around the falls, they seemingly go ignored as deaths continue to happen here.

So, what makes this particular waterfall so deadly? At the base, there's a stone ledge that's not visible. Each year local police officers hand out endless tickets to those who trespass in this area of Wintergreen Park, hoping to prevent any further losses.
2. Devil's Path
Miguel Vieira/Flickr
A roughly 20-mile long hike in the Catskills, the Devil's Path trail is one that is considered to be one of the most difficult hikes along the Eastern Coast. Not only is the trail one that's lengthy, it's also considerably dangerous if you hadn't already figured that out from its name.
3. Kaaterskill Falls
Kaaterskill Falls, Hunter, NY 12436, USA
ScubaBear68/Flickr
One of New York's tallest waterfalls is also one of our most dangerous. For longer than we care to speak of, this particular waterfall has had the DEC and local fire department making regular rescues and visits. Made up of two tiers, those who have come to explore the area often make the accidental mistake of losing their footing too close to the edge at the top of the first or second tier, dying from the lengthy fall. Like always, when it comes to exploring New York you'll want to be cautious and prepared for your adventure.
4. Taconic State Parkway
Wikimedia Commons
A place we deemed as being the most deadly road in New York, the Taconic State Parkway is one of our least favorite roads to have to travel on. The 104-mile long parkway saw 2,080 crashes during a three year period ending in 2014 and has also seen thousands of commuters speeding, especially in the areas of Westchester and Putnam. If you're going to have to make your away along this particular stretch of the state, be sure to keep your eyes on the road and to be a safe driver as always!

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5. Salmon River Falls
Salmon River Falls, Orwell, NY 13302, USA
Dave Pape/Flickr
So beautiful yet so dangerous, Salmon River Falls in Oswego County is another scenic location that has seen its fair share of troubles. Over the past 20 years the 110-foot waterfall has seen at least five deaths and is a place many locals consider to be a danger.
6. Newburgh
Newburgh, NY 12550, USA
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
A location that always seems to make the top of our lists when it comes to dangerous spots, the city of Newburgh is a place best enjoyed during the daylight. While the area has plenty to offer and is loved by many, it also has a history of alarming statistics that are a bit troublesome. According to findings, Newburgh is only safer than 8% of America's cities!
7. Adirondack High Peaks
David Steltz/Flickr
This one couldn't just be narrowed down to a single Adirondack mountain because numerous High Peaks have their own dangers and difficulties. Especially during our winter months, taking on the challenge of hiking any one of our tallest mountains is something that should be taken with extra caution. If you've ever had the pleasure of hiking any one of our 46 tallest mountains in this region, then you know just how drastic the weather can be. Even if you explore these trails during our warmer months, you shouldn't be too surprised to find snow capped mountains surrounding the summits or dangerously slippery trails leading you to the top.
8. New York City's Broadway
Seth Werkheiser/Flickr
Another road that you'll want to be careful traveling on, the 33-mile long road that runs through Manhattan, the Bronx and onward from Yonkers is one that has seen an unfortunate amount of death. From 2008 to 2010 Manhattan's 13-mile stretch of Broadway saw a devastating total of 13 pedestrian deaths. Wasn't the number 13 supposed to be unlucky? Another area of Broadway you'll want to avoid is the two-mile long stretch that runs through the Bronx, infamously known for its considerable amount of pedestrian deaths in recent years.
9. Plotter Kill Preserve
The Plotter Kill Preserve, Mariaville Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306, USA
m00by/Flickr
A 632-acre nature preserve that's a true gem of Schenectady County is also one that has long been considered quite dangerous. Some years ago, the county decided to do something about the preserve's safety issues and announced it would be getting a $600 dollar safety upgrade for trail improvements. The issue with this park is that many "unofficial trails" have been created over the years by those who have explored the area, leading uninformed visitors off the dedicated paths and into dangerous areas you'd normally want to avoid.

Are there any locations that you’ve explored in New York that you feel should’ve made this list? Now that you know what’s dangerous and deadly, read about these 13 Things That Not Many People Realize Are Actually Illegal In New York!

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More to Explore

Dangerous Places in New York

| February 12, 2022

What are the most dangerous towns in New York?  

New York is generally one of the safer states to live in overall; it’s got a violent crime rate of 3.48 per 1,000 residents, whereas the national average is 4 per 1,000 residents. Your odds of being the victim of a violent crime here are 1 in 287. That being said, New York, like anywhere else, does have its trouble spots – towns and cities with higher-than-average crime rates. Among them is the town of Hudson, which has a population of just over 6,000 people and saw 366.4 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2020. Then there’s Oneida, which has a population of 10,849 and saw 617.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in the same year. More dangerous still is the town of Watertown, which has a population of 24,624 people and saw 735.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2020. As for THE most dangerous towns/cities in New York, the top three are Albany, Newburgh, and Buffalo, which has the #1 slot. For more information on this data and then some, check out this article.

What are some dangerous things in nature in New York?  

New York is beautiful, but it’s also home to some true wilderness and dangerous natural things that every outdoorsy person ought to be cautious about. For example, one of the most dangerous natural things in New York state is, simply, the winter temperatures. Oftentimes in January, the high temperature is a mere 6 degrees Fahrenheit, which is cold enough to kill anyone not sufficiently protected from the elements. Worse still, nighttime lows and temperatures during snowstorms are known to plunge well below zero relatively often! Other risks of New York’s natural world include dangerous and/or predatory critters in our seemingly endless woods and forests; the larger ones include bears, bull moose, and buffalo. Some of the tinier guys ought not to be underestimated either, though – beware of snakes, spiders, and venomous critters! Another risky part of life in New York’s natural world includes hiking injuries like falls and drownings. Yikes!  

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