Kaaterskill Falls
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Destination Overview:
A short, steep hike takes you to the base of one of New York State's tallest waterfalls.
Though Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the Catskills, it's also one of the most dangerous, due to visitors ignoring posted warnings to hike only on marked trails.
Park Description:
Tucked away in one of the many cloves that cut through the eastern escarpment of the Catskill Mountains, Kaaterskill Falls is one of New York State's tallest waterfalls, and one of the most spectacular sites in the Catskills. Kaaterskill Falls is protected as a "forever wild" Forest Preserve area under the New York State constitution.
Kaaterskill Falls is an extremely popular destination, and parking can prove difficult. The Kaaterskill Falls Trail begins on Route 23A from the bridge in front of Bastion Falls, a small waterfall adjacent to the road. There is no dedicated pedestrian walkway from the parking areas to the trailhead, so be careful as you walk along the narrow, winding mountain road to this path. For this reason, this trail isn’t recommended for dogs.
While it's just a short hike to the falls, the climb is steep and involves slippery rocks, roots, and other obstacles. Visitors should be well-prepared:
- Wear sturdy footwear
- Bring plenty of drinking water
- Keep safety precautions in mind
The trail takes you to the base of the two-tiered falls and ends there. From this vantage point, you may look up and be tempted to climb higher. Don't. The section above this point is extremely dangerous and is where most accidents happen. In recent years, deaths have occurred when hikers have gone around the fence at the end of the trail. Enjoy the view and descend down the hill to your car safely, ready to choose your next beautiful hike in the area or grab some lunch down the road.
Know Before You Go
- A short but steep hike to the base of a beautiful waterfall.
- Wear athletic shoes or hiking boots. No sandals.
- Be careful of slippery rocks.
- Do not attempt to hike farther than the marked trail.
- Bring your own water. The water in the stream is not safe to drink without purification.
- Dogs are not recommended on this trail.
- Save this hike for the warmer months. From November to April, Kaaterskill Clove can fill with snow and ice, making a simple hike too dangerous to attempt without the proper gear. Crampons, ice axes, and other winter climbing equipment—plus the knowledge required to use them safely—are all essential during winter months.
New Regulations in Effect Aug. 15, 2018
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced on Aug. 15, 2018, the adoption of new regulations designed to improve public safety and enhance the user experience at Kaaterskill Falls and three nearby areas that have experienced a substantial increase in public use in recent years.
The new regulations complement previously announced safety and accessibility improvements at Kaaterskill Falls. The newly adopted regulations impact all or parts of four areas; the Kaaterskill Falls Riparian Area (in the town of Hunter, Greene County), the Kaaterskill Clove Riparian Corridor (in the towns of Hunter and Catskill, Greene County), the Platte Clove Riparian Corridor (in the town of Hunter, Greene County, and the town of Saugerties, Ulster County), and the Colgate Lake Wild Forest Area (in the town of Jewett, Greene County).
At all four areas, the new regulations:
- ban all camp fires and portable stoves (except when camping at designated campsites or otherwise camping in accordance with DEC regulations);
- prohibit glass containers except for the storage of medicines;
- ban the use of audio devices without the use of headphones/ear buds (except at designated camp sites or otherwise camping in accordance with DEC regulations, and not audible outside the immediate area of the campsite);
- ban the possession of alcohol (except when transporting to, or camped at, designated camp sites or where otherwise camping in compliance with DEC regulations);
- prohibit the public from entering restricted areas, as designated by signage.
At Kaaterskill Falls, they:
- prohibit the public from going within six feet of cliff edges, except on marked trails, and prohibit the public from entering the water within 150 feet upstream of the falls.
- prohibit the public from going within six feet of cliff edges, except on marked trails, and prohibit the public from entering the water within 150 feet upstream of the falls.
The regulations also prohibit the possession of portable generators within the Kaaterskill Clove Riparian Corridor, the Kaaterskill Falls Riparian Area, and the Colgate Lake Wild Forest Area, except at designated campsites or where otherwise camped in compliance with DEC regulations.
Read the full press release in our News Center.
Alert details:
Know Before You Go
- A short but steep hike to the base of a beautiful waterfall.
- Wear athletic shoes or hiking boots. No sandals.
- Be careful of slippery rocks.
- Do not attempt to hike farther than the marked trail.
- Bring your own water. The water in the stream is not safe to drink without purification.
- Dogs are not recommended on this trail.
- Save this hike for the warmer months. From November to April, Kaaterskill Clove can fill with snow and ice, making a simple hike too dangerous to attempt without the proper gear. Crampons, ice axes, and other winter climbing equipment—plus the knowledge required to use them safely—are all essential during winter months.
Warning
Choosing to go beyond the end of the marked trail is an incredibly dangerous idea, exposing visitors to steep slopes, loose rock, and large drops. Do not attempt to go beyond the end of the trail or around the fencing. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred when visitors have chosen to ignore this warning.
A short, steep hike takes you to the base of one of New York State's tallest waterfalls.
Though Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the Catskills, it's also one of the most dangerous, due to visitors ignoring posted warnings to hike only on marked trails.
Tucked away in one of the many cloves that cut through the eastern escarpment of the Catskill Mountains, Kaaterskill Falls is one of New York State's tallest waterfalls, and one of the most spectacular sites in the Catskills. Kaaterskill Falls is protected as a "forever wild" Forest Preserve area under the New York State constitution.
Kaaterskill Falls is an extremely popular...
Know Before You Go
- A short but steep hike to the base of a beautiful waterfall.
- Wear athletic shoes or hiking boots. No sandals.
- Be careful of slippery rocks.
- Do not attempt to hike farther than the marked trail.
- Bring your own water. The water in the stream is not safe to drink without purification.
- Dogs are not recommended on...
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDIRECTIONS :
Heading northbound, take the New York State Thruway to Exit 20 (Saugerties). After paying the toll, turn left onto Routes 212/32 and cross over the Thruway. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Route 32 North (if you are heading southbound on the Thruway and take exit 20, you will exit directly on to Route 32 and take a right to follow Route 32 North). . .
- In 6.0 miles, continue straight ahead onto Route 32A, as Route 32 turns right.
- In 1.9 miles, turn left onto Route 23A, which climbs through Kaaterskill Clove.
- Just past a bridge over a stream at Bastion Falls, you'll notice the start of the Kaaterskill Falls Trail on the right. Continue ahead to the parking area for the falls, on the left side of the road.
- Please note that the parking area is rather small and that parking is not allowed on Route 23A. Walk back along the road to the start of the Kaaterskill Falls Trail.
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April 20, 2024
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