Holley Canal Falls – Holley, NY

We came to Holley Canal Falls for the waterfall; I was not prepared for this park to be as incredible as it was. In addition to a gorgeous 34-foot waterfall, there are miles of exquisite wooded hiking trails. This park also is perched right on the Erie Canal with a picnic area perfect for family get-togethers. Holley Canal Falls is actually a much bigger park than I had anticipated.

Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links, which means we could earn a small commission if you purchase products from our site at no additional cost to you.

Waterfalls

Fun fact: although this waterfall appears natural, it is actually man-made. The falls were created in 1918 as a way to redirect surplus water flow from the Erie Canal to Sandy Creek.

Holley Canal Falls are always full and gorgeous because they are continuously being fed by the Erie Canal. You can get pretty close to this waterfall, and there are lots of benches to sit and appreciate it. It is unusual to find this waterfall deserted, but it has never felt crowded to me since there is lots of room to spread out and enjoy the falls.

Holley Canal Falls is very accessible; strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs can navigate the path to this waterfall with very little effort. The main paths and trails are also wide and paved.

Hiking Trail

In addition to a gorgeous waterfall, there are tons of trails here, and they were just awesome. Most of the trails were paved or at least graveled. However, when you get away from the canal, there are trails that wander through the woods. The paths aren’t as well-manicured, but they are, for the most part, dry and flat. The forest is beautiful, particularly in the fall when we visited. The magic part was how isolated and far we felt from the modern world.

This park has a unique opportunity to view the falls and the park below from above. We took the trail that follows the flow of water leaving the Erie Canal. The trail had several branches off of it. If you follow the water, it will lead you to the top of the waterfall. This is a breathtaking view.

There is another scenic overlook that you can reach by taking the Holley Falls Trail behind the parking lot to the Canal Park Trail. This trail winds around to the part of the park that sits on the Erie Canal. There is a bench at the top of the hill where you can sit and enjoy the Falls away from a distance.

Erie Canal

Part of the park is located on the banks of the Erie Canal. Visitors can walk the Erie Canal for several miles. There is a docking area for boats sailing the canal to dock, as well as a picnic area with grills. A gazebo and gardens add a touch of class to the vicinity.

There are two easy trails that lead to the park’s canal area. One via the Old Erie Canal Trail (On the Waterfall side of the Park) and Taking the Holley Falls Trail (behind the parking lot) to the Canal Park Trail.

Other Park Features

There are a lot of picnic facilities throughout this park, including a large pavilion located next to the waterfall. The creek that runs through the park is an excellent place to fish, as we noticed first-hand people fishing quite near the waterfall and further down the creek.

The other bathrooms that are available are porta-potties. One is located in the parking lot; the other is located near the playground across the pond from the Canal.

Winter at Holley Canal Falls

If you are looking for a destination for some gorgeous winter hiking or snowshoeing, this is a great choice. The waterfall and pond are frozen and beautiful to see, while the hiking trails are covered with snow, making this the perfect destination to enjoy an afternoon on a mild winter day.

Address

35 Frisbee Ter, Holley, NY 14470

Google Map Link

Other Places to Visit

Have you visited Holley Canal Falls? Did we forget anything? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.