New York State has over 100 beautiful waterfalls, and there are so many to explore right in our own backyard of eastern New York!

What You Need To Know

  • May has been pretty rainy so far for the Capital Region, making for ideal viewing conditions

  • There are over a dozen waterfalls to explore within a reasonable distance from Albany

  • If hiking alone, make sure you always tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to be done

Between rainy weather and snowmelt, spring is the best time to explore waterfalls in New York State. As of May 6, 1.31 inches of rain has already fallen in Albany.

The recent rainy and cooler weather means rivers and waterfalls should be flowing nicely around the Capital Region.

Beautiful waterfalls

There are over a dozen waterfalls within a day trip from Albany that vary from easy to difficult!

Kaaterskill Falls is located in the Catskills, just less than an hour away from downtown Albany. This hike is one of the more popular ones because of its beauty, reasonable mileage and difficulty.

If you're short on time and want a big reward for a shorter hike, this is your waterfall! It is only 1.2 miles round trip. However, it is difficult, so make sure you prepare before leaving the house.

Cohoes Falls is located closer to Albany and does not require a hike at all. You can drive right up and witness this natural beauty with very minimal effort. Found less than half an hour north of Albany, this waterfall stands nearly as tall as Niagara Falls in western New York! It's a must-stop on our waterfall tour.

Are you looking for a day trip outside of the Capital Region but still within a reasonable distance? Bash Bish Falls in Taconic State Park is perfect.

The 1.6-mile hike usually takes people about an hour between the trek and time spent at the falls. What's cool is you walk from New York into Massachusetts to view this split cascade! It's the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts!

Heading northwest of Albany, you'll find Plotter Kill Reserve in Schenectady County. This 2.2-mile figure-eight trail features a gorge and three waterfalls, the tallest being 60 feet high.

Located in Washington County in the Lake George area, Shelving Rock Falls is a beautiful way to explore the area! You can find this 1 mile out and back hike on the east side of the lake, located not too far from the popular Sleeping Beauty hike that overlooks Lake George.

Waterfall tips

Typically on a day trip, you hope for beautiful sunshine. However, when photographing waterfalls, you want a cloudy, overcast day! Sunshine can create uneven shadows on waterfalls, so when planning a waterfall hike, make sure to go on a day with decent cloud cover.

These are only a handful of the many beautiful waterfalls that are an easy day trip away from Albany. I highly recommend checking these out this spring and summer while also researching to find more beautiful places to enjoy!

Happy hiking!