Kaaterskill Falls: Two Hours From the City

Two-tiered waterfall near Palenville in the Catskills. Take I-87 north, slip onto NY-23A. Small parking lot off Route 23A fills fast on weekends — arrive early or late afternoon. The trail is short and family-friendly but the falls are genuine.

The lower tier tumbles over a broad face with spray that catches rainbow light on spring mornings. Beyond it, stone steps climb into the gorge for the second, quieter tier — more intimate, better for sitting with the sound. Birches and maples line the approach, and in autumn the gorge goes copper and crunchy.

Late spring for volume and green ferns. October for color. Winter freezes the falls into an ice cathedral worth careful footing. The trail is short but steep in sections — sturdy shoes. Bring water. The parking situation is the worst thing about this hike, which is saying something about how good the falls are.