Waterfalls are great to visit all year round, but there is just something about winter waterfalls. The way the ice forms on the rocks, while water still finds its way to flow through. There is magic to be witnessed in the winter. There are lots of New York State waterfalls that are unbelievable and worth a trek out into the cold to visit.
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If you plan to explore these falls, please make sure you wear microspikes or yaktraks to traverse the ice.
Ice Cleats Traction Snow Grips for Hiking and Walking
Don’t let the ice and snow stop you from enjoying the breathtaking beauty of winter. These traction grips help outdoor adventurers explore icy terrain safely.
Taughannock Falls
Taughannock Falls State Park is a gorgeous state park located on the west side of Cayuga Lake. This park has the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains at a height of 215 ft.
Aunt Sarah’s Falls
This 90-foot waterfall is located directly on the side of the road; you can’t miss it when you are driving past. The water plummets down the rock face in such a way as to cause a stunning bridal veil effect.
Akron Falls
If you find yourself in the Buffalo region, this waterfall is a must-see. Akron Falls is probably one of the easiest waterfall hikes in western New York and the falls are some of the most majestic.
Carpenter Falls
Bear Swamp Creek flows out over the steep drop off, creating Carpenter Falls, a 90-foot tall, single-drop waterfall. Carpenter Falls is stunning, with moss-covered walls in the summer and ice-covered walls in the winter.
Wolcott Falls
This waterfall is equally impressive in the wintertime and well worth the visit. Word of warning: If the parking lot has not been plowed, park somewhere nearby but not in the parking lot. It is not easy to get out of when it is full of snow. In fact, without 4-wheel drive, it’s almost impossible.
Barnes Creek Falls
This is one of the prettiest creek walks we have explored in New York. We first visited Barnes Creek Falls in the wintertime, and it was absolutely gorgeous.
Barcelona Falls
Barcelona Falls is not just beautiful; it’s completely stunning. It is unusual to have a waterfall right on a beach, but that is exactly where this waterfall is located.
Eternal Flame Falls
The Eternal Flame Falls is an amazing natural wonder and a bucket list item you will want to make sure you cross off your list. The flame is under that waterfall, in a small grotto with a natural gas pocket.
Letchworth State Park
Visit the Grand Canyon of the East in wintertime; you will find not only gorgeous winter waterfalls but a really neat winter feature: an ice volcano.
Holley Canal Falls
This is a great choice if you are looking for a destination for some gorgeous winter hiking or snowshoeing. 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.
Currently, the Lower Falls of Delphi Falls can only be viewed from above, but with the new updates to the park, visitors can finally hike to the Uppers Falls. These falls are beautiful, covered in ice and snow.
Mill Pond Falls
This roadside waterfall couldn’t be any easier to get to, and seeing it frozen is a real treat. While you are there, enjoy a view of the old mill right around the corner.
This is another easy-to-reach waterfall with a gorgeous park attached. The park even gets dressed up for Christmas. There is an old mill in the park that actually adds to the ambiance.
Salmon River Falls is an easy-view waterfall that can be seen from several observation areas along a flat trail. It is gorgeous all year round, but in the winter, it is just spectacular.
This is an incredible waterfall with a cavern behind it that visitors can climb up behind the waterfall. You might also have the opportunity to see people ice climbing here. This waterfall is one of the few places that allows ice climbing.
This waterfall is beautiful at any time of year but truly spectacular in the winter. You can get fairly close to Ithaca Falls as well. The only problem with this winter waterfall is the path here is pretty slippery (you will definitely need to wear microspikes or yaktrax.)
Bucktail Falls is a roadside waterfall. It can be easily viewed from the comfort of your car or by a very short walk. This waterfall was particularly alluring in the winter because the water runs off the tall rock walls surrounding the falls and creates a curtain of ice that runs along the face of the rock. It is breathtaking. This is a really nice place to enjoy the beauty of winter.
The winter hiking to Warsaw Falls is for Advanced Hikers Only. You are hiking over a frozen creek, where there can be deep pools. Use extreme caution when hiking over the ice. I highly recommend wearing microspikes or Yaktrax. This is a truly beautiful area, where the deep ravines create a quiet and peaceful snow-covered wonderland.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
The giant falls at Buttermilk Falls is absolutely breathtaking in the winter. Unfortunately, this is the only area of the park that is open during the wintertime. Even though there isn’t much to see other than the waterfall, it is still worth visiting because it is really spectacular and the area in front of the falls isn’t very crowded.
Guppy Falls
There are two ways to see the falls, via the creek or from above, on the Guppy Falls Trail. We did both routes. These aren’t large falls, but they are still impressive in the winter.
Grimes Glen
Grimes Glen seemed like the ideal place for a winter hike. The park is open in the winter, and you can hike partially down the trail. However, the trail ends before the first waterfall. After that, the hiking gets quite treacherous. The creek is very flooded and you need to be very careful not to fall in. Proceed at your own risk.
Hector Falls
Hector Falls is a stunning roadside waterfall on Seneca Lake. The multiple small drops of this waterfall make it look truly exquisite when frozen over with ice. There is a lot of traffic on 414; please use extreme caution when visiting this waterfall.
Shequaga Falls
Experiencing this waterfall in winter is a breathtaking sight. In front of the Falls, there’s a small park where you can safely get up close to this frozen beauty. For an even more impressive view of Shequana Falls, stroll (or drive) down W. Main St. toward the Falls. Shequana Falls majestically overlooks the Town.
Excelsior Glen
There are two waterfalls at Excelsior Glen, but in the winter, it is difficult to reach the upper falls. The lower falls are not far from the small roadside parking area.
Seneca Mill Falls
Seneca Mill Falls is the largest of the two waterfalls on the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. You don’t have to walk the entire 7 miles of the trail to see this waterfall. There is a parking area a short walk from the waterfall. This waterfall is spectacular covered in ice and snow.
Cascade Mill Falls
Cascade Mill Falls is the second waterfall on the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail. There is also a parking area that allows you to walk a shorter distance to the Falls (Although it is a slightly longer walk than Seneca Mills Falls)
Chittenango Falls
If you have the chance to see Chittenango Falls in the winter, it is an experience not to be missed. The falls are always visible from above, but you need to hike to the bottom to see them in their entirety. However, the trail to the bottom isn’t always open in winter. We were fortunate enough to visit on a day it was accessible.
Have you visited any of these winter waterfalls? Do you have a favorite winter waterfall? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.