Kaaterskill Falls

The falls drop in two stages with a plunge pool between, most of the height in the upper one, and the total figure usually given is around seventy-nine metres, which makes it higher than Niagara though with far less water. It was one of the earliest scenic attractions in the country: the Catskill Mountain House brought visitors from the 1820s, Thomas Cole painted it, and the hotel operator sometimes dammed the stream and released it for a fee so guests would see a fuller flow. The site has a poor safety record, and viewing platforms and a stairway were built in 2016 partly in response. Parking is restricted to designated lots.

What you'll find

• Two tiers totalling about 79 metres - with a plunge pool between.
• A Hudson River School subject - painted by Cole and others.
• A viewing platform and stair - built in 2016 for safety.
• Flow that varies sharply - strong in spring, thin in late summer.

When to go

April to June for flow; October for colour. Two to three hours.

Practical notes

Climbing on wet rock near the edges is dangerous - the marked routes exist for that reason. Roadside parking is prohibited and enforced. Late summer flow can be a trickle. Foliage weekends fill the lots by early morning.

Nearby

North-South Lake is above; Catskill village is east.

Key facts