Deep in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Kaaterskill Falls drops through 2 tiers into a rocky basin below. The waterfall has a combined drop of about 260 feet, making it New York’s highest cascading waterfall. Its upper tier falls 175 feet before the water reaches a rocky shelf, followed by an 85-foot lower drop.
The combined height exceeds the vertical drop of Niagara’s individual falls, although the 2 sites differ greatly in width, water volume, and waterfall type. Steep sandstone and shale walls surround the falls, creating one of the Catskills’ most recognizable landscapes. Visitors and artists have been drawn to Kaaterskill Falls since the early 19th century.
Ancient sedimentary rock shapes Kaaterskill Falls
Kaaterskill Falls lies in Greene County in the eastern Catskills, along Spruce Creek between Haines Falls and Palenville. Forested slopes surround the gorge and waterfall, with hemlock and hardwood forests covering much of the surrounding landscape.
The exposed rocks around Kaaterskill include sandstone, shale, and conglomerate. Their sediments were eroded from ancient mountains in New England and carried by rivers into New York roughly 387 to 384 million years ago during the Devonian Period.
Those sediments eventually hardened into rock. Much later, glaciation and stream erosion helped shape the Catskill valleys and cliffs visible today, while flowing water continues to alter the landscape. The result is a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological change.
The falls plunge downward in 2 stages
Kaaterskill Falls consists of 2 consecutive drops. The upper tier falls approximately 175 feet before reaching the middle pool and rocky shelf. This natural pause creates a dramatic break before the second plunge begins.
The lower tier drops another 85 feet into the rocky basin below. Together, the 2 tiers create a combined drop of approximately 260 feet. That combined height makes Kaaterskill Falls one of the tallest waterfalls in all of New York.
New York DEC describes Kaaterskill as the state’s highest cascading waterfall. That distinction is different from a single free-falling waterfall such as Taughannock Falls, whose main plunge measures 215 feet. Photographers often try to capture both stages in a single frame.
A rocky basin surrounds the lower falls
Kaaterskill Falls descends through layered Catskill sandstone and shale into a rocky basin bordered by steep cliffs. Erosion has helped shape the recessed walls and ledges surrounding the waterfall. Many visitors describe the roar as far louder than they ever expected.
The basin provides a dramatic setting for the 85-foot lower tier, while the taller upper fall rises above the middle pool. Water levels and the amount of spray can change substantially with weather and seasonal conditions. The cool spray offers welcome relief to hikers during warm summer months.
The enclosed appearance of the cliffs has long contributed to the falls’ visual appeal. 19th-century artists repeatedly depicted the waterfall and surrounding rock formations as part of the dramatic Catskill landscape. This effect adds to the dramatic feeling of standing near the falls.
Kaaterskill is New York’s highest cascading waterfall
With a combined 260-foot drop, Kaaterskill Falls is described by New York DEC as the state’s highest cascading waterfall. Its total 2-tier height exceeds the vertical drop of Niagara’s individual falls, although Niagara carries vastly more water and is much wider.
Kaaterskill is also one of the Catskills’ most heavily visited natural attractions. A 2025 stewardship report estimated that the site receives well over 150,000 visitors annually. Its size and easy accessibility set it apart from many smaller nearby cascades.
Its height, long artistic history, and relatively convenient access have helped make Kaaterskill Falls one of the best-known destinations in the Catskill Forest Preserve. That scale is part of what has made it famous for so long.
Artists helped make Kaaterskill Falls famous
Thomas Cole first saw Kaaterskill Falls during his 1825 Catskills trip, which helped establish his reputation as a landscape painter. He created several works inspired by the area, including the 1826 painting “Falls of the Kaaterskill.”
Cole went on to become the founder of the Hudson River School, an influential American landscape-painting movement. His Catskill landscapes helped bring national attention to the region. Kaaterskill Falls became an important subject in the movement’s vision of the American landscape.
Kaaterskill Falls later appeared in works by other artists associated with the Hudson River School, reinforcing the site’s reputation as an icon of American landscape art. The artistic attention helped establish the Catskills as an important subject in American landscape painting.
Fun fact: A 200-step stone staircase at Kaaterskill Falls was built by hand, with individual stone steps weighing as much as 700 pounds.
Current trails provide several ways to see the falls
Visitors can currently reach Kaaterskill Falls from designated access points at Laurel House Road, Schutt Road, and North-South Lake Campground. The former Molly Smith parking area on Route 23A remains closed, and roadside parking there is prohibited.
From Laurel House Road, a roughly 0.3-mile trail leads to an observation platform overlooking the falls. Additional trails and a hand-built stone staircase connect different viewing areas around the falls. Many hikers pause partway down to rest and snap a few photos.
Conditions can be steep, rocky, and slippery beyond the easiest overlook route. DEC tells visitors to remain on designated trails, obey barriers, and never attempt to climb the waterfall or surrounding cliffs. It remains one of the most rewarding short hikes in the Catskills.
Safety remains a serious concern at the falls
Kaaterskill Falls has a documented history of serious injuries and fatal falls. Slick rock, steep drop-offs, and off-trail travel can create hazardous conditions around the waterfall. Officials strongly advise visitors to stay on marked trails and use designated viewing areas.
New York DEC instructs visitors to stay on marked trails, obey posted restrictions, and avoid climbing the waterfall or surrounding rock. Safety improvements over the past decade have included an observation platform, handrails, new trail sections, and a stone staircase.
Rescue incidents still occur. Recent reporting found that at least 4 people died at Kaaterskill Falls between 2015 and mid-2025, while search-and-rescue missions aided 102 injured people within roughly 2 miles of the Laurel House Road trailhead over the same period.
Plan ahead before visiting Kaaterskill Falls
Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most visited destinations in the Catskills, so visitors should have backup plans in place when designated parking areas are full. Parking along Route 23A near the former Molly Smith trailhead is prohibited.
Current access is available from Laurel House Road, Schutt Road, and North-South Lake Campground. Visitors should check DEC notices and weather conditions before leaving because trail conditions and access arrangements can change.
Wear footwear suitable for rocky or wet surfaces, carry water, and remain on designated trails and viewing areas. DEC specifically warns visitors not to climb the falls or continue beyond closed sections. A little planning goes a long way toward a safe and memorable visit.
TL;DR
- Kaaterskill Falls sits in Hunter, New York, and drops in 2 stages, totaling about 260 feet.
- The falls plunge into a natural rock amphitheater that amplifies their thunderous roar.
- At 260 feet, it stands taller than Niagara Falls and ranks among New York’s tallest waterfalls.
- Painter Thomas Cole made the falls famous in 1825, helping launch the Hudson River School.
- The falls have a serious safety record, so hikers should stay on marked trails and platforms.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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