Winter Waterfalls

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 exceptionally pretty, 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 close by 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 beauty 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, where there is a natural gas pocket.

Letchworth State Park

Visit the Grand Canyon of the East in wintertime, you will not only find gorgeous winter waterfalls, but a really neat winter feature, an ice volcano.

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.

Delphi Falls

Delphi Falls Park is a little out of the way, but in terms of accessibility, this park is made for everyone. The straight, flat, graveled path makes it easy for those pushing strollers or using wheelchairs or walkers. Which makes it a great winter destination to view a winter waterfall.

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.

Glen Falls Park

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

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.

Tinker Falls

This is an incredible waterfall with a cavern behind it that visitors can climb up behind the waterfall. At this time of year, when the cascades are frozen ice towers, it is a splendid sight that everyone should see.

Ithaca Falls

This waterfall is beautiful at any time of year but it is truly spectacular in the winter. You can get fairly close to Ithaca Falls as well. Only one problem with this winter waterfall is the path here is pretty slippery (you will definitely need to wear microspikes or yaktrax.)

Bucktail Falls

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 just enjoy the beauty of winter.

Three Falls Woods

Three Woods Falls is definitely one of the most unique destinations we have visited and one of the most stunning. The preserve, owned by the Central New York Land Trust has something that no other destination we have found does, three large waterfalls that can be viewed all in a line across the top part of the Onondaga Escarpment. It is not something you see every day and it makes this hidden gem an absolute treasure.

Warsaw Falls

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 one waterfall, it is still worth visiting because it is really spectacular and the area in front of the falls doesn’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 huge 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 high partially down the trail. However, the trail ends before the first waterfall. After that and the hiking gets quite treacherous. The creek is very flooded and you need to be very careful not to fall in.