These are some of my repeat favorites that are within easy reach of Syracuse. Most are easy access state run waterfalls that don’t require much in the way of technical hiking. Care is still needed though. I broke my leg at one of these waterfalls a few years ago. I’ve added links for more info and directions should you feel like checking these out. Feel free to let me know your favorites. I’m always up for new places to explore and photograph.
1. Taughannock Falls- 215′ drop makes this the highest single drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.
2. Chittenango Falls- 167′ drop. High flows create a wall of spray that make it difficult to photograph in Spring.
http://nysparks.com/parks/130/details.aspx
3.Salmon River Falls- 110′ drop. The trail to the base is rather steep. Access to the top of the falls is much easier. Use caution on top, as there’s no fencing to stop people from getting too close to the edge. Yes, people have died here. Ice climbing is popular downstream where the trickle builds up nicely in winter. See second photo.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/63578.html
4. Tinker Falls- 30′-50′ drop. There’s a lot to do here. Hike behind the waterfall, head 2 miles to the top of Jones Hill where a hang gliding clearing is that overlooks Labrador Pond. There’s also a good amount of connecting trails (North Country Trail and Skyline). This is where I broke my leg a few winters ago.
http://cnyhiking.com/TinkerFalls.htm
5. Watkins Glen Gorge- Schuyler County. One of the coolest places to be at sunrise. I’ve photographed this place twice a year for the past 3. If only they would let me in during winter. If you want to photograph it and don’t care much for people, don’t go any other time than very early. Just watch out for the crazy runners.
http://nysparks.com/parks/142/details.aspx
6.Eagle Cliff Falls (Havana Glen)- 40′ drop. Down the road from Watkins Glen in the town of Montour- Schuyler County
http://nyfalls.com/waterfalls/havana-glen/
7.Niagara Falls- 70′ to 188′ drops- the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls
8. Hector Falls- 50′ upper section. Schuyler County. I haven’t photographed the lower section that drains into the lake yet.
http://nyfalls.com/waterfalls/hector-falls/
9. Letchworth State Park- Multiple drops with cliffs reaching 600 feet. Livingston & Wyoming Counties. This giant park is 17 miles long. You could spend 3 days here and not see everything.
http://nysparks.com/parks/79/details.aspx
10. Buttermilk Falls- various drops. The largest is at the entrance. Located in Ithaca- Tompkins County.
http://parks.ny.gov/parks/151/details.aspx
If you’re interested in a timelapse that has several of these falls in it-
Eternal Flame Falls in Chestnut Ridge Park belongs on the list. It’s not a large falls, but certainly one of the rarest water fall formations in the world (given that a natural gas, methane flame sits in a grotto behind the falls).
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos! I loved them all. You are a remarkable photographer. So sorry to hear about your broken leg. What a terrible thing to happen while out hiking/photographing in winter.
LikeLike
You are so kind. Thank you, Susan.
LikeLike
would love to have these mapped out
LikeLike
This is great!! So glad I saw it, even though I had grown up in upstate NY and my last name is Tinker, I’d never heard of Tinkers Falls! Definitely going to check it out when I go up to visit next!
LikeLike
Sounds like destiny!
LikeLike
Must check out Katrina Falls off katrina falls rd. In Rock Hill, NY! It is amazing, someone bought the property but the owner is really nice and let’s you back. There’s also another large falls at the end of katrina falls rd. Hidden within the hiking trails of wolf creek
LikeLike
Thanks, Tim. If I find myself down that way I’ll be sure to hit it up.
LikeLike
Hi Tim,
I’ve been curious about Katrina Falls for ten years but never had to nerve to trespass. How’d you access it? Thanks!
LikeLike
Check out Pixley Falls State Park in Booonville NY on Route 46. It’s a lovely little falls, a nice picnic spot, and a nice walking trail. A great local spot that should not be forgotten..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I grew up with the Salmon River falls. My brothers and they’re friends have foolishly jumped off of them too. They are dangerous if not proceeded with caution. I am glad though that the falls are recognized for the beauty that they hold. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
I live in GA now, but when people ask where I’m from and I reply, ” Upstate NY ” ,I can see the glazed over look in their eye, because I know they’re thinking of ‘NYC’……this my friends, IS upstate NY! !!
Thanks again Stu, for the trip down memory lane 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely breathtaking!!!! I’ve been to 5 of these, plus ‘our’ ( I grew up in LaFayette, NY) smaller Pratts Falls & Ithaca Falls. Would love to revisit them and see the others one day. Awesome photography!!!! Upstate NY at its finest. Thanks so much for sharing these !!!!!
LikeLike
Kimberly, thanks so much for sharing your faves.
LikeLike
I can’t believe that Salmon Creek or Ithaca Falls didn’t make the list. Both are more impressive in my opinion than Buttermilk Falls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Anthony, Sadly I haven’t photographed Ludlowville or Ithaca Falls yet. Everything I’ve seen of them is impressive for sure. Thanks for pointing them out.
LikeLike
Beautiful,thanks for sharing some of God’s beauty. I have been to some,need to visit the others,thank you for the ideas for places for me and the family to visit.
LikeLike
Stu, very nice photos. What about the falls at AuSable Chasm just south of Plattsburgh near Keeseville?
LikeLike
Awe man. I’ve been wanting to go there for awhile now. I’m putting it on the 2016 list.
LikeLike
If you have not seen Talcott Falls , your missing another beautiful one, up on Rte 11 after Adams Center but before Watertown, somewhat hidden behind trees off the road , but there is a small sign to bring attention to it . You pretty much the last time i was there was park close to the high way and walk a short ways to be able to see it. Absolutely well worth the time
LikeLike
Hi Terri, I was in the Adams area when you posted this yesterday! I’ve been wanting to see that one for a bit. Hopefully this spring it’ll happen. Thanks!
LikeLike
I believe you can see Niagara from near the bottom – a tunnel walk ( mandatory rain gear), takes you nearly behind and under – maybe not what you totally hoped for, but worth doing…
LikeLike
Hi Stu, thank you for all the wonderful photographs. You might want to try Bucktail Falls – small but easily accessed and the setting is perfect in the spring with lots of budding greenery to frame the falls. I captured them from several different perspectives last spring and I was quite pleased with the results. Read more here:
http://www.cnyhiking.com/BucktailFalls.htm
LikeLike
Your last picture of Niagara Falls is mislabeled. It is the American Falls in the foreground, the Horseshoe (or Canadian Falls) are in the background. The photo is taken from the Prospect Observation Tower on the American side of the Niagara River.
LikeLike
Hey Dan, love the flow in your photo. I’ve been in the summer when it’s just a trickle. You can see it in the time lapse video at the end .
LikeLike
Love your photos but how could you omit our spectacular Kaaterskill Falls ! Highest in the state – higher than Niagra Falls. We have a new observation deck. Come see! Haines Falls too!
LikeLike
Wow, that’s a beauty. I’m definitely going to visit that one this year. Thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you so very much for posting these photos and video. I grew up in Upstate – but have been away for many years and due to health problems couldn’t do much hiking even if I could get back there. These photos effectively recreate the beauty I so enjoyed there. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
High Falls in Chateaugay NY is a 120′ drop.http://www.nnywaterfalls.com/chateaugayriver/highfalls/
LikeLike
Cool. I’ve heard of but never visited High Falls.
LikeLike
Down stream from Hi falls is King Falls. A swimming spot we could walk to from the road.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotta love NY wilderness. I’m from the Chauatauqua area, so i’ve never been to any of these but Niagara Falls, and i’ve moved out of the area. but i love things about home 🙂 can’t wait for next summer so i can look into exploring south western Missouri (where i moved to)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stu, they somehow let photographer Dewey Neild into Watkins Glen in the winter for photos for his calendar. I don’t know how he gets in. Dewey is from Ithaca.
LikeLike
Thanks, Joel. I actually work with the park (gift shop) and am friends with the folks at the chamber. I still can’t get in!
LikeLike
Wow,like to know how Dewey duz it.!?
LikeLike
Thank You
fantastic Blog
Good Louck
_)_)_)
LikeLike
Stu, What are you using to move the camera so smoothly in the time lapse video? That is so cool.
LikeLike
Hey Kevin, I did a bunch of research on motorized camera sliders and ended up buying one from Revolve Camera. It’s fairly priced at $500 compared to others. Here’s the link if you’re interested http://www.revolvecamera.com/
LikeLike
I definitely understand about convenience. While I am grateful to have a Penzey's near me, I sometimes grumble about how it is on the side of town farthest away from me and it is quite a drive to get there. I keep a list of spice needs in my kitchen and only go about once every 2 or 3 months. Then I stock up!
LikeLike
I am so glad that I grew up within a half an hour of half of these waterfalls. They really should have the Montour Falls on here too. It is breathtaking during the spring thaw.
LikeLike
Hey Marissa, I think one of the coolest views is when you turn the corner in Montour and see the falls at the end of the road. I unfortunately don’t have any worthy photos from that point of view.
LikeLike
There is a way to get into Watkins Glen gorge in the winter if you don’t mind a long walk in. Drive up rte 329, turn right onto whites holllow rd, take immediate sharp right turn onto unmarked road that was paved once upon a time, since as far as it will let you, then walk the road until you get to an old entrance to the hiking trails. You can then follow trail from there down into the gorge.
LikeLike
These are possibly the most beautiful pictures of God’s good earth that I have ever seen.
LikeLike
Joseph, thanks so much! You are too kind.
LikeLike
Stu, I have been meaning to thank you for taking the pictures of Letchworth. As you probably already know Johanna had one framed for me for Christmas. It is amazing, as all of your pictures are, and thank you for this memory for all the Teller’s. Carole
LikeLike
Carole, I’m so happy that you like it. I found out yesterday that the trestle will stay up until the new bridge is completed some 75′ away. They estimate it taking three years so maybe I’ll get some new photos of it. Thanks again.
LikeLike
Beautiful photos! These are some of my favorite spots in NY! Some of them I still need to visit – thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for checking them out. Love your photos of Owls Head, btw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Beautifully captured the wonderful falls. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you for checking them out!
LikeLike
Taughannock Falls is a steeper drop than Niagara Falls?
LikeLike
It is taller than both the American and Horseshoe Falls but not nearly as enormous regarding water flow. I’d love to see Niagara from the bottom.
LikeLike
I think one of the most beautiful views of Niagara Falls is in the winter, viewing the falls from the Canadian side
LikeLiked by 1 person