Kaaterskill Falls
Haines Falls, NY
A two-tiered 260-foot waterfall painted by the Hudson River School. Use the upper trail and viewing platform; the old creekside path on Route 23A is dangerous.
Kaaterskill Falls near Haines Falls in the Catskills, New York, is a two-tiered waterfall with a combined drop of 260 feet (79 meters); the longest single drop measures 180 feet (55 meters). Thomas Cole visited the area in October 1825, and the falls have been a subject of the Hudson River School ever since. They lie in the North Mountain Wild Forest, a New York State Forest Preserve.
According to Great Northern Catskills the marked trail to the falls is 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) round trip; allow one to three hours. Other sources give different lengths depending on the starting point. According to Scenic Hudson, new stairs and a viewing platform make the visit easier. Park at the Mountain Top Historical Society or at North-South Lake Campground. Parking along Route 23A is prohibited, and vehicles are towed.
Stay on the marked trail, wear sturdy shoes and do not climb on the wet rocks: according to Wikipedia, nine people died here between 1988 and 2021.
- Nearest town
- Haines Falls, NY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.1936, -74.0617
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- North-South Lake CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Kaaterskill Falls
- Devil's Tombstone CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Kaaterskill Falls
- Kenneth L. Wilson CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Kaaterskill Falls
- Phoenicia Black Bear CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Kaaterskill Falls
- Woodland Valley CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Kaaterskill Falls
- Cold Spring LodgeCampsite22 mi from Kaaterskill FallsWi-Fi
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kaaterskill Falls?
Kaaterskill Falls is in Haines Falls, NY, at GPS 42.1936, -74.0617. It is about 8 mi from Hunter.
Can you camp near Kaaterskill Falls?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is North-South Lake Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 18 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Kaaterskill Falls?
Kaaterskill Falls is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns.
What is there to see near Kaaterskill Falls?
Places worth a stop nearby: North-South Lake (1 mi), Olana State Historic Site (12 mi), Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (30 mi) and Historic Huguenot Street (31 mi).
When is the best time to visit Kaaterskill Falls?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)