These are our favorite waterfalls that we have visited in Upstate New York. These are in no particular order, although Watkins Glen is an amazing park where you can see 19 waterfalls on a short hike!  Taughannock is also incredible, as it is taller than Niagara Falls.

1. Watkins Glen State Park (Watkins Glen)

This is probably my favorite!  19 waterfalls to see in one park, and so beautiful.  I loved the trail here, which winds through tunnels, over bridges, and even under waterfalls.

Taughannock Falls State Park, NY

2. Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg, NY (Ithaca area)

Amazing waterfall that is taller than Niagara Falls!  It is amazing to stand at the viewing platform and feel the force of the water coming down, which creates a cloud of mist!

Robert H. Treman State Park, NY

3. Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca, NY

This is a beautiful park with great waterfalls – but be prepared for some hiking.  My legs got quite a workout on this trail and the kids were not thrilled about all the stairs!

Hyuck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY

4. Hyuck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY  (Capital Region)

This is a lovely hike and a beautiful waterfall to check out.  Note that parking fills up quickly, so we spent some time trying to find a place to park.

5. High Falls Conservation Area, Hudson, NY

This is a nice, short hike that is easy to get to the falls.  The only downside is that you can’t get very close, and you can really only view it through the trees (as you can see from the picture above).  I liked that it was a short hike, and I recommend visiting Art Omi nearby if you want to make a day trip of it.

Eternal Flame

6. Eternal Flame Falls, Orchard Park, NY (Buffalo area)

This isn’t a huge waterfall, but if you are in the Buffalo area, it is a great spot to check out to see a naturally occurring eternal flame.

Thacher Park Indian Ladder Trail

7. Thacher Park Indian Ladder Trail, Voorheesville, NY (Capital Region)

Very scenic, short hike with some neat waterfalls.  The falls can be near dry in the drier months.

Niagara Falls Fireworks

8. Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls around the world.  It is incredible to see in person! If you are not close to the falls as far as driving distance, consider 3-day Niagara falls tours from New York. This way, you do not have to worry about transportation.