Some of New York’s most stunning waterfalls barely flow during the dry summer months, but after a heavy rain, they transform into powerful, rushing cascades. These hidden gems come alive when the skies open up, offering a rare and spectacular sight for those who know when to go.
Tinker Falls
Tucked away in Labrador Hollow Unique Area, Tinker Falls is a seasonal beauty that truly shines after heavy rain. Most summer days, it’s little more than a gentle trickle over a rocky ledge — but after a good storm, it becomes a dramatic 50-foot ribbon of water cascading over a sandstone amphitheater. The short, scenic hike makes it easy to reach, and you can even walk behind the falls for a unique view when the flow is strong.
Address: 7499 State Route 91, Tully, NY
Death Brook Falls
Hidden just off the road near Raquette Lake, Death Brook Falls (also known as Secret Falls) is one of the Adirondacks’ best-kept secrets. In summer, the flow is often a modest trickle — but after a heavy rain, this 70-foot cascade comes to life, tumbling dramatically through a rocky gorge. It’s an easy, family-friendly walk through the woods to reach it, making it a rewarding stop when the timing is right.
Address: 629 NY-28, Raquette Lake, NY
Aunt Sarah’s Falls
Located just south of Montour Falls, Aunt Sarah’s Falls is one of those roadside surprises that truly impresses after a heavy rain. Most of the summer, it’s a delicate trickle down the cliffside — but when the water’s flowing, it transforms into a powerful, curtain-like cascade plunging nearly 90 feet. You can view it right from the parking area, making it an easy and dramatic photo stop on a rainy-day road trip.
Address: Route 14, Montour Falls
Barcelona Falls
Barcelona Falls is one of Western New York’s hidden gems, and it’s best seen right after a storm. Typically just a trickle near the Lake Erie shoreline in Westfield, this secluded waterfall transforms into a stunning spectacle following heavy rainfall. The water cascades down a wooded ravine, creating a sense of serene beauty just a little way from the Barcelona Harbor Lighthouse.
Address: 8269 East Lake Rd, Barcelona, NY
Clarendon Falls
Clarendon Falls is a charming roadside waterfall in Orleans County that often flies under the radar, especially in summer when the flow slows to a trickle. But after a good rain, it puts on a lovely show as water tumbles over a historic stone dam nestled in a quiet park setting. Easy to access and perfect for a quick photo stop, it’s one of those hidden gems that’s best enjoyed when nature turns up the volume.
Address: 4562 Holley Byron Rd, Holley, NY
Bridal Falls – Allegany State Park
Bridal Falls is a delicate cascade tucked within Allegany State Park’s Red House area — and it’s a true hidden gem after a heavy rain. Most of the time, it flows gently down mossy rock ledges, almost disappearing in dry weather. But after a storm, it lives up to its name with a graceful, veil-like appearance that makes for a peaceful, picturesque stop along the trail. It’s a quick walk from the road and especially beautiful in spring or after summer rains.
Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area
Just off Rock Cabin Road in the Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area, seasonal waterfalls emerge dramatically after heavy rain. Normally, this rocky hillside road is beautiful on its own; however, it transforms after a storm as water cascades over the rocky ledges into shaded gullies, creating serene waterfalls surrounded by lush forests. This gravel road offers convenient roadside viewing of these falls, making it an excellent, low-effort option for waterfall enthusiasts who want a rewarding experience without the need for a strenuous hike.
Three Falls Woods
Three Falls Woods in Manlius is a local favorite for waterfall lovers, especially right after a good rain. The trail system winds through peaceful forest to reveal a trio of seasonal waterfalls, which are often just a trickle in summer. But after a storm, the falls burst to life, cascading over rocky ledges and creating the perfect post-rain adventure close to Syracuse. The hike is short and relatively easy, making it a great spot for families or spontaneous nature walks.
Address: 4618 Sweet Rd, Manlius, NY
Akron Falls
Located in the heart of Akron Falls Park, this picturesque 40-foot waterfall flows year-round, but it can slow down to a series of thin streams flwoing over the rock in the heat of summer. However, it’s especially powerful and dramatic after a heavy rain. Set against a backdrop of lush greenery and rugged rock, Akron Falls surges over a basalt cliff into a wooded gorge, making it one of Western New York’s most scenic post-storm spots. With easy access, picnic areas, and nearby trails, it’s perfect for a quick escape into nature after the skies clear.
Address: 44 Parkview Drive, Akron, NY
County Line Falls
County Line Falls, nestled near the southern end of Hemlock Lake, is a quiet, seasonal cascade that comes alive after a good rain. Located just off County Line Road where Livingston and Ontario counties meet, this waterfall is often overlooked, especially in dry months when it’s barely a trickle. But after a storm, it flows beautifully down a shaded ravine surrounded by ferns and hardwoods, offering a peaceful reward for those who venture off the beaten path.
Address: Johnson Hill Rd, in Springwater, NY (Just off of Route 15A).
Shequaga Falls
Shequaga Falls is a stunning 165-foot waterfall right in the heart of Montour Falls — and after heavy rain, it becomes absolutely thunderous. Flowing dramatically down a cliff just steps from the sidewalk, it’s one of the easiest waterfalls to access and one of the most impressive when the water is high. In the drier months, it’s a beauty, although it slows to a trickle. However, post-storm? It steals the show, cascading right into the village like something out of a storybook.
Address: Shequaga Falls Park – 109 S Genesee St, Montour Falls, NY
Allen Lake Falls
Tucked in the remote hills of Allegany County, Allen Lake Falls is a quiet, seasonal cascade that’s easy to miss — unless you catch it after a good rain. This small waterfall flows through a wooded ravine, often reduced to a trickle in dry weather. But after storms, it transforms into a charming little waterfall surrounded by peaceful forest, perfect for those seeking solitude and off-the-map beauty in Western New York.
JP Nicely Park
JP Nicely Park in Canisteo is a quiet, family-friendly green space, but after heavy rain, it reveals a charming little waterfall tucked into the landscape. Most days, the flow is minimal or dry, but following a storm, water spills over the shale and sandstone layers, creating a picturesque backdrop just a short walk from the main park area. It’s a great hidden gem for locals and a peaceful post-rain stop if you’re exploring Steuben County.
Address: 401 W Falls Rd, West Falls, NY
Buttermilk Falls (Tioga)
Buttermilk Falls in Tioga County is a hidden gem that truly comes to life after a heavy rain. Nestled near the village of Owego, this scenic waterfall usually trickles quietly over terraced rock — but after a storm, it transforms into a graceful, multi-tiered cascade. Surrounded by woodland and tucked just off the roadside, it’s a peaceful spot for nature lovers looking to catch a waterfall at its best when the water’s flowing strong.
Canadice Falls
Canadice Falls is a remote and rarely visited waterfall near the southern end of Canadice Lake — one of the most secluded spots in the Finger Lakes region. Typically just a modest trickle flowing through a steep, forested gorge, this hidden cascade becomes a powerful, tumbling beauty after a heavy rain. There’s no official trail to the falls, so reaching it requires some off-trail exploration and care, but for adventurous waterfall chasers, it’s a rewarding find when the timing is right.
GPS location: 42.728374, -77.564292
Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs
The Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs offers breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake. After a good rain, several of the preserve’s waterfalls—typically just trickles in the summer—come to life, revealing a hidden cascade that flows down the steep gorge walls. While the preserve is often visited for its stunning bluffs and tranquil forest trails, the waterfalls create a fleeting display of natural beauty when conditions are right. This makes it an ideal spot for hikers and photographers seeking a quiet, lesser-known location with impressive scenic rewards.
Pratts Falls
Pratts Falls in Onondaga County is a striking 137-foot ribbon of water that drops down a rugged limestone cliff — and after a heavy rain, it becomes even more spectacular. While it flows year-round, the falls are at their most dramatic in spring or following storms, when the water thunders into the gorge below. Easily accessible from a short trail in Pratts Falls Park, this is a must-see for waterfall lovers near Syracuse looking for a quick and scenic nature escape.
Address: 7671 Pratts Falls Rd, Manlius, NY
Do you know of a waterfall that we missed? Let me know in the comments.