Kaaterskill Falls Hike: Everything You Need to Know
Kaaterskill Falls is easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New York and should be on every bucket list! The 231-foot waterfall is in the eastern Catskill Mountains just north of New York City. Although the Catskill Mountains and surrounding area are home to many beautiful waterfalls, Kaasterskill Falls easily takes the trophy for being the most beautiful and epic.
The trail to Kaaterskill Falls overall is not strenuous and has multiple viewpoints of the waterfall. You can hike to a viewing platform above the falls, to the bottom of the first drop, and to the very bottom of the waterfall, giving you plenty of opportunities to view the iconic waterfall!
If you want to visit Kaaterskill Falls, you are in the right place. Kaaterskill Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in New York, so I know you will love hiking to it. This guide has everything you need to know about the Kaaterskill Falls hike!
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Kaaterskill Falls Hike Overview
Before you begin planning your hike to Kaaterskill Falls, there are a few things you should know.
Kaaterskill Falls Hike Length and Difficulty
The entire trail to the viewing platform and bottom of the waterfall is 2.3 miles round trip with about 400 feet of elevation. The first section of the hike to the viewing platform is easy and mostly flat. Most of the elevation is on the second section of the trail when you descend to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls.
The stone stairs bring you to the bottom of the first and second drops of Kaaterskill Falls, giving you an incredible opportunity to have an up close and personal experience with the falls. The stairs down to the bottom of the waterfall are steep but well-maintained and easy to follow.
If you want an easy hike, I recommend only hiking to the viewing platform above the falls. If you are up for a longer, moderate hike, I recommend hiking the entire trail to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls.
IMPORTANT: Do not travel off-trail. Unfortunately, there have been many deaths and injuries near Kaaterskill Falls from people traveling off the trail. Make sure to stay on the designated, marked trails.
Kaaterskill Falls Trail Parking
The parking for Kaaterskill Falls is at the end of Laurel House Road in Palenville, New York. The trailhead has a fairly big parking lot, but because Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state, the parking lot fills up quickly, especially on the weekends in summer and fall.
I recommend arriving at the trailhead early in the morning or visiting on a weekday to enjoy the waterfall with fewer crowds. We visited on a Friday at 8 AM in May and were the first in the parking lot. We had the waterfall to ourselves for about a half hour before more people arrived.
Is Kaaterskill Falls Dog Friendly?
Yes, the hike to Kaaterskill Falls is dog-friendly! Dogs must be on a leash. Because the trail is well-maintained, it is perfect for dogs. Our dog loved the hike!
Best Time to Hike Kaaterskill Falls
The best thing about the Kaaterskill Falls hike is it is open year-round, allowing you to enjoy the waterfall every season. The best time to visit is late spring and early summer when the water flow is heavy, and there are fewer crowds.
Summer and fall are the most popular times to visit because they have optimal hiking conditions, and the foliage in the fall is gorgeous. Winter is an underrated time to visit Kaaterskill Falls and has the least amount of crowds. The trail in the winter is icy and snowy, so you must have proper hiking gear and traction to enjoy the hike to the bottom of the waterfall.
What to Pack For the Hike
Although the hike to Kaaterskill Falls is not too strenuous, I recommend wearing shoes with good traction and packing layers. Below are a few things I always pack on hikes, no matter the length.
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Where to Stay near Kaaterskill Falls
If you want to stay near Kaaterskill Falls, you can find many hotels and campgrounds nearby for your getaway.
Kaaterskill Falls Hike Guide From the Upper Trailhead
*Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
The best trail to Kaaterskill Falls starts on the upper trailhead off Laurel House Road. The parking lot is pretty big but can fill up quickly on weekends and in the summer and fall. I recommend arriving early to secure a spot and enjoy the hike with fewer crowds.
From the Laurel House Road parking Lot, you will follow the trail past the kiosk and take a left to follow the Yellow Trail. This section of the trail follows an easy-to-follow, wide gravel path, making it great for the entire family to enjoy! Soon you will come to another junction, where you will continue right on the Yellow Trail to the viewing platform.
The viewing platform has breathtaking views overlooking Kaaterskill Falls and the surrounding mountains. Although you cannot see the entire waterfall from the platform, you get an incredible view of the first drop, which is the most dramatic of the two drops. I loved this viewpoint because we could see how huge Kaaterskill Falls is!
If you want to hike to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls, you will retrace your steps to the nearest trail junction and turn right onto the Blue Trail. Please make sure to only stay on designated trails here. Do not be tempted to follow unmarked paths because many people have had fatal injuries traveling off-trail.
Once you cross the bridge on the Blue Trail, you will follow the trail signs leading to the Lower Falls. This section of the trail turns from a wide gravel path to a narrow trail with rocks and roots and begins to climb gradually. At the next trail junction, you will turn onto the Yellow Trail and follow it to the Lower Falls.
Now the fun begins! The trail to the base of Kaaterskill Falls descends quickly down stone steps, which can be slippery when wet. About halfway down the descent, you will see a trail to the right that leads to the bottom of the first drop. This viewpoint is my favorite because you can get an up close and personal experience with the waterfall!
If you want to continue to the base of Kaaterskill Falls, you will follow the trail back to the steps and continue the steep descent to the bottom of the second drop. This viewpoint allows you to see the entire waterfall for the first time on the hike, and you will be in awe!
And you will quickly realize why Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in New York. If you are a photographer, this viewpoint is fantastic for capturing a long exposure shot of Kaaterskill Falls.
I loved the bottom viewpoint of Kaaterskills Falls because it has a stunning view of the falls! Because we arrived early, we were able to have every viewpoint to ourselves and take gorgeous photos without the crowds.
When you are ready to start the hike back to your car, you will retrace your steps up the stone steps to the bridge and follow the wide gravel path on the Yellow Trail back to the parking lot.
Want to make the hike longer? If the hike to Kaaterskill Falls was not enough, you can add Inspiration Point for a 4.7-mile round-trip hike. If you are up for a longer hike, I highly recommend visiting Inspiration Point because the views of the surrounding mountains are beautiful!
If you want to hike to Kaaterskill Falls, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about the Kaaterskill Falls hike. Once you visit Kaaterskill Falls, you will quickly realize why it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New York!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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