As we welcome the winter months, New Yorkers all around our state will finally see the real heart of winter. With below-freezing temperatures and snow storms coming at us left and right, the entire state of New York is finally beginning to look like winter. While we generally aren't fond of the frigid temperatures we experience during this time of year, we can't help but swoon over how drastically our landscapes change. Turning familiar scenery into new experiences, check out why these frozen waterfalls in New York are more than worth chasing during the winter. So trade your hiking clothes for a snowsuit and plan a trip to any one of these incredible frozen wonderlands.
1. Chittenango Falls
If you find yourself out in the town of Cazenovia, taking a scenic detour to Chittenango Falls is an absolute must. Hidden away behind a quiet and winding back road, Chittenango Falls is the star of this local state park. Cascading down 167 feet, seeing a waterfall as tall as this one during the winter is an incredible sight that will steal your breath away. Easy to access, you'll find plenty of stunning overlooks in this quaint park that will give you a great view of the falls without even having to do any major hikes through the snow. Chittenango Falls is certainly a beautiful waterfall at any time of the year but will be transformed in an incredible way during the winter months.
Learn more about the Chittenango Falls State Park
2. Mine Kill Falls
In the town of North Blenheim where you're just over an hour away from destinations like Albany and Cooperstown, Schoharie County is home to Mine Kill State Park. The beautiful 500-acre state park features Mine Kill Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that breathtakingly cascades through one of New York's mange gorges. Throughout the park, you'll discover plenty of short trails that will lead you to the falls, where during the winter you'll get to see icicles dripping all along the gorge. This waterfall is so amazing that it made it into our list of 13 waterfalls to chase in New York.
Make sure to check out the Mine Kill State Park website for any more information.
3. Ithaca Falls
One of the many natural wonders that you can visit in our state's City of Waterfalls, Ithaca Falls is part of a public park along Fall Creek. Once you stand before Ithaca Falls, you'll be amazed by the size of this natural wonder — cascading down 150 feet with a width of 175 feet. This particular waterfall is one that's quite popular to visit in town, but during the winter, you'll be more likely to have this entire waterfall all to yourself. Make sure to make it on your calendars because Ithaca Falls is gorgeous in the fall as well.
Learn more about the lovely Ithaca Falls.
4. High Falls Gorge
Up north in the Adirondack Mountains, you'll often find that some of the region's best waterfalls are ones that require quite a bit of a hike to reach. Fortunately for New Yorkers, there are easily-accessible places like High Falls Gorge that will put you right in front of jaw-dropping natural wonders. The private park allows visitors to get an up-close look at four major Adirondack waterfalls along the Ausable River, taking you along cliffside boardwalks that are unlike any others that you'll find in New York. If you have ever been you know how amazing High Falls Gorge really is.
For more information about the park and to get your tickets to this epic location please visit the High Falls Gorge website.
5. Kaaterskill Falls
Kaaterskill Falls is a destination that visitors often have a love-hate relationship with due to the fact that this waterfall can be seen as quite dangerous, but as long as you hike responsibly and be sure to stay on the trails and pay attention to the signage, there's no reason why you should avoid enjoying the beauty of this noteworthy waterfall. Considered to be the largest waterfall in New York, Kaaterskill Falls is a two-tier waterfall that cascades down 260 feet in the Northern Catskill Mountains. Those who are interested in checking out this waterfall will get to pick from two different options when it comes to exploring Kaaterskill Falls. Some who visit here will choose to hike to the base of the waterfalls as seen in the picture above, while others will choose to hike to the top of the falls where you can enjoy a beautiful overlook platform that allows you to see the falls from above as well as the amazing mountains that surround the falls. Which do you prefer? Whatever way you choose, Kaaterskill is one amazing waterfall in any season.
Learn more about the Kaaterskill Wild forest.
6. Akron Falls
Sure you can plan a trip to famous destinations like Niagara Falls if you're out in Western New York, but if you're looking for something smaller that you can plan on having all to yourself, incredible wonders like Akron Falls are more than worth the visit. Part of Akron Falls Park in Erie County, a short trail in the park will quickly lead you to this 40-foot waterfall that looks like something out of Narnia during the wintertime. Magical, huh? Check out the easy trail leading to Akron Falls.
Learn more about the history and surrounding area of Akron Falls.
7. Taughannock Falls
To our friends out in the Finger Lakes, we forever envy the fact that you have such quick access to amazing natural wonders like Taughannock Falls. Just outside of Ithaca, Taughannock Falls State Park is an unforgettable park to visit once winter rolls around. Hike into this mesmerizing New York state park and you'll get to see the tallest single-drop waterfall in the northeast region completely frozen over during our winter months. At 215 feet tall, Taughannock Falls is one waterfall you absolutely must plan a trip to in the winter if you haven't already visited. Even if you go during the summer Taughannock Falls is simply beautiful.
Make sure to check out the Taughannock Falls State Park website for more information.
8. Shelving Rock Falls
As we previously mentioned, our Adirondack waterfalls are often not the easiest to get to, but Shelving Rock Falls is one hike that's short and sweet. All it takes is a half-mile hike through the woods to reach Shelving Rock Falls. The waterfall flows down over 50-feet and is just a quick walk away from the shores of Lake George in Fort Ann. During the summer you'll usually find lots of visitors at this waterfall, cooling off in the base of it and enjoying the mist of the falls, but during the winter you usually won't find too many people soaking in the views of Shelving Rock. This is one relaxing adventure you won't regret taking! Even if you do visit Shelving Rock Falls in the warmer months to cool off this is a must-see waterfall.
9. Eternal Flame Falls
One of, if not the most, unique waterfalls in New York, Eternal Flame Falls is hidden away in Chestnut Ridge Park. The small-town park is one that comes to life during the wintertime, with curious explorers often hiking their way out to Eternal Flame Falls to see the true definition of fire and ice. For those who are unfamiliar with this waterfall, all throughout the year, the waterfall features an actual flame inside of it — something you can only find in a few other places around the world. Be sure to explore this one-of-a-kind waterfall this winter but if you can't make it in the colder months this flame will still be lit and waiting for you.
Learn more about Chestnut Ridge and the area where you can find Eternal Flame Falls.
10. Indian Brook Falls
Editor's note: This trail is now closed.
Easy to find down in the Hudson Valley, Indian Brook Falls is right by the Constitution Marsh in the town of Garrison. Where you're secluded away and right within the beauty of the Hudson Highlands, Indian Brook Falls is a great frozen waterfall to visit when you don't have a whole lot of time to dedicate to an outdoor adventure. If you're ready to take a quick winter stroll through the woods that will lead you to a beautiful frozen waterfall, keep Indian Brook Falls in mind!
Out of these 10 frozen waterfalls, how many of them have you already crossed off of your bucket list during the winter? Be sure to share your favorite waterfalls with us in the comments!
Did you know that the longest elevated pedestrian walkway in the world resides in New York?
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!