The various regions of New York State feature breathtaking, natural sites. In addition to pristine lakes, meandering rivers, and snow-capped mountains, the state boasts multiple waterfalls. The Capital District is no exception. Read on to learn more about three beautiful waterfalls near Schenectady, New York. Plan a day trip and view them all.
Plotter Kill Nature Preserve
Plotter Kill Preserve is located in Rotterdam in Schenectady County. The 632-acre nature preserve features many miles of trails, but most importantly, three waterfalls: Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Rynex Creek Falls. We recently took a short hike to the Upper Falls. If you’re looking to do the same, plan accordingly and follow these directions.
From the parking area follow a single trail into the preserve. Shortly, you’ll reach a split in the trail where you should bear left. Not much further you’ll come to another split. Here, turn right onto the Blue Trail where you’ll soon visit an overlook of Upper Falls. We’re told that this overlook provides the best views of Upper Falls without getting your feet wet.
From this overlook, the Blue Trail makes a loop if you continue. Instead, we turned back and returned to the trail split to continue straight to follow the Red Trail. Just a ways up on the right, we saw a bridge and steps leading over a stream. We crossed the stream and turned right to continue on to see another view of the Upper Falls. The 60-foot waterfall crashes over the cliff and hits the rocks before finally falling into a shallow pool at its base.
One of our hikers had a bad knee, so we retraced our steps to complete a one-mile roundtrip hike. You can complete up to 2-miles or longer by conferring with your trail map. Tip: Take a photo of the trail map before starting out on the trail
Location: Mariaville Road, Rottedam, NY. GPS coordinates: 42.825302, -74.051736. Hours: No data Fees:None. Rating: Easy to Moderate
Bozenkill Falls
It’s been eight years since I visited the falls at the Christman Sanctuary, but recent visitors rate it highly. I remember hiking for about an hour or approximately 2-miles through a hardwood forest. The trail can be muddy, but you will be treated to views of small falls, and trees of locust, spruce, cedar, and red and white pine. In the right season, you’ll also spot wildflowers on the side of the brook. The main waterfall drops 30 feet before plunging into the pool below, so bring your camera!
Location: Blue and Orange Trail Loop, Christman Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, 3281 Schoharie Turnpike, Delanson, NY 12053 Hours: 8 am to 5 pm Fees: Information not Available Rating: Easy
Mine Lot Falls
The Indian Ladder Trail to the Falls (in John Boyd Thatcher Park) was recently renovated. Each year, it’s closed between Nov 16 and April 30. When open, the hike to the most popular waterfall in the park offers views of caves, ledges, and beautiful vistas during an easy-to-moderate 0.5-mile point-to-point trek. (Visitors must descend 60 ft to the base of the escarpment via a staircase.) Thacher State Park itself is located along the Helderberg Escarpment, which is said to be one of the best fossil-bearing formations in the world. Check the park site and linked map for openings and closures, since there are about 20 small waterfalls in the park.
Location: Thatcher State Park, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186 (Park your vehicle in section “V” of the map.) Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk. Fees: $6
Considerations
- Always check for updates on the waterfall location website before departing
- Stay on developed trails and observation decks
- Watch your footing on both dry and wet rocks
- Don’t climb waterfalls
- Never jump into plunge pools
- Use caution when taking pictures
- Follow instructions posted at all waterfalls and trails
Nearby Waterfalls
Willing to travel a little further? Just 75 miles north of Albany lies Shelving Rock Falls. It’s glorious, cascading waterfall reaching. 50 feet. Check out our video here:
Photo Credit
Ruschtotheoutdoors (Including Cover)
Waldacc (Bozenkill Falls)
References