It’s been a dream of mine to travel to Rochester as part of my bucket list.
Rochester, home of captivating and beautiful waterfalls that span across the Genesee River, Finger Lakes Region, and Lake Ontario, is a must-see for families and couples having quick vacations.
Here are my favorite 7 Instagram-worthy waterfalls in Rochester NY.
Stunning Waterfalls Around the City of Rochester
High Falls
You can never miss this awesome high waterfall located in downtown Rochester.
With its staggering heights (96-foot waterfall!) as the main attraction, the best views of this stunning high falls are through the Pont De Rennes Bridge.
It’s a pedestrian bridge that you can access on the Genesee Riverway Trail.
If you’re an outdoor-loving person, definitely, you would love the Genesee Riverway Trail.
An off-road trail where you can walk, run, and bike around the area, exploring the beautiful historic district of Rochester.
Aside from that, it’s also dog-friendly!
If you don’t like the trail, you can take your dog to nearby parks such as High Falls Terrace Park.
There’s a small parking area where you can park your car, in case you’re bringing your family with you.
It’s just a short distance to an overlook where you can see the striking views of high falls.
Great for taking beautiful photos with your fams and loved ones too.
Lower Falls
Just a short drive from High Falls is Lower Falls, which drops 85 feet over a shale cliff on the Genesee River.
Around six lower falls are connected to the Genesee River and at least three of them are located in Rochester, Upstate New York.
The magnificent 85-foot lower falls, in particular, and the picturesque driving park bridge, are popular tourist spots you can view on Lower Falls Park.
Since it’s high-fence, you can walk down as close to the brink to take a photo BUT be careful not to overlook.
Or just hike along the river gorge trail from Maplewood Park.
To get to Maplewood Park, just head down Driving Park Avenue and you’ll see the Maplewood Park parking lot on your right.
Follow the sidewalk from the lot and it’ll take you right to the bridge.
Speaking of Maplewood Park, there are many picnic areas in Maplewood, but I think you would love to spend a couple of hours in the rose garden.
It’s a peaceful and scenic garden with gorgeous flowers everywhere—a great place to unwind.
So when is the best time to visit the Lower Falls, Abby?
Winter! Because of the extreme cold temperature, the spray from Lower Falls can create spectacular view of ice formations.
Corbett’s Glen
Nestled in the town of Brighton, Corbett’s Glen Nature Park is much more family-friendly, since you can access them easily.
They are open to the public currently (though it was once a private property) and have much smaller heights in comparison to high falls.
This hidden gem in Brighton features a two-mile nature trail past wetlands, woodlands, and not one but three scenic waterfalls!
The most famous is Postcard Falls, an intimate 6-foot cascade framed by greenery that perfectly fits its name, which makes for a great photo op.
There are boardwalks, wooden decks, and a viewing area as your vantage points of the breathtaking waterfalls.
There’s a small parking lot (can accommodate 8 cars max) in Glen Road if you need to bring your car.
Plus, the Postcard Falls is pet friendly (as long as they are on a leash)
Many travelers love to visit in early spring when the water flow is high and the forest erupts with its natural beauty and wildflowers.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can scramble down the gorge, explore historic tunnels, and get right up on the perimeter trail.
Buttermilk Falls
Located just south of Rochester, in the Finger Lakes region, Buttermilk Falls State Park contains one of the most picturesque waterfalls around.
The foaming cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek flows down a steep, rugged cliff into a pool below that’s perfect for wading in the summer.
Taughannock Falls
At 215 feet tall, Taughannock Falls is one of the outstanding natural attractions of the Northeast. The falls plunge over towering 400-foot cliffs down to the gorge below.
Taughannock Falls State Park also offers camping, cabins, and kayak rentals.
Hike the gorge trail to experience the power of the falls up close.
Or enjoy views from the overlooks.
The hike along the rim trail to the fall’s lookout is a bit strenuous but well worth the payoff.
Definitely worth visiting!
Lucifer Falls
Of the 12 waterfalls in Enfield Glen, inside Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca, the 115-foot-tall Lucifer Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls I’ve seen.
But don’t miss the Lower Falls and Old Mill Dam either.
The rugged two-mile rim trail features panoramic views of the gorge.
You can also hike along the creek to see the waterfalls up close.
Swimming is allowed above the falls in warmer months.
Grimes Glen
One of my favorite off-the-beaten-path finds is Grimes Glen in Naples, New York State.
It has two scenic 60-foot waterfalls cascading over shale cliffs into a narrow gorge.
Getting there requires some effort, like wading upstream in water shoes.
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park in Schuyler County contains 19 waterfalls along its gorge trail.
Walk through, under, and behind waterfalls like Rainbow Falls and Glen Cathedral as you ascend this magical landscape.
It’s considered one of the most picturesque state parks in the U.S.
Letchworth State Park
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, Letchworth State Park contains three big waterfalls – Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls – on the Genesee River, as well as over 20 smaller cascades.
The best views come from overlooks on the rim trails high above the gorge or down below from the base of the Lower Falls.
Travelers love exploring the many falls throughout the park each season from spring’s roaring rapids to winter’s frozen falls.
Mendon Ponds Park
The largest of the Monroe County parks, Mendon Ponds Park offers visitors over 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, and streams to explore.
Tucked away through the forests, you’ll find 30-foot-tall Devil’s Bathtub Falls carved into the landscape.
Niagara Falls
No list of New York waterfalls is complete without including world-famous Niagara Falls located just 90 minutes from Rochester.
There are actually three separate waterfalls – American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
I’m really hoping to make it to Niagara Falls this year! I can’t wait to finally see those thundering waters and sheer power of Niagara.
Awesome natural wonders of the world!
So there you have it – 7 of the best and most popular waterfalls plus the state parks to check out around Rochester.
The variety of settings across rivers, gorges, and state parks here provide waterfall lovers with an abundance of options to explore cascades of all shapes and sizes.
Just be sure to pack your camera, hiking shoes, and sense of adventure.
Let me know in the comments which fall are your favorites. 🙂
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