Waterfalls near Albany, New York

How the list breaks down

This page lists the falls within 75 straight-line miles of Albany's Census point, and it counts only falls we have published. Distances are straight-line from that point, by our math, not driving miles. Only one of the six is in New York. Two are in the Massachusetts Berkshires, two are in southern Vermont, and one is in Connecticut.

Wahconah Falls is 36.9 miles away and Bash Bish Falls is 41.2, both in Massachusetts state parks. Lye Brook Falls is 50.1 miles away and Hamilton Falls is 61.7. Kent Falls in Connecticut is 64.4.

As of mid-November 2026, check road and park seasons first. The Forest Service lists Glen Road access to Lye Brook as summer only. Jamaica State Park, where the Hamilton Falls hike starts, ended its listed season on the second Monday in October.

For more falls in the region, see our New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut guides.

Kaaterskill Falls: the closest, with strict parking rules

Kaaterskill Falls drops about 260 feet in two tiers on Spruce Creek, and the upper drop is about 180 feet, per Wikipedia. DEC describes a 0.3 mile accessible crushed-stone trail to a viewing platform, and a steeper trail below it to the base.

DEC recommends the Laurel House Road, Schutt Road or South Lake parking areas. Parking anywhere along Route 23A, including pull-offs, is banned from May to October. The South Lake lot inside North-South Lake Campground may charge a day-use fee. By state rule, the Kaaterskill Clove area is closed from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.

This is not a swimming site. DEC bans entering the water within 150 feet upstream of the top of the falls, and warns that flash floods may occur.

Wahconah Falls and Bash Bish Falls in the Berkshires

Wahconah Falls, in Dalton, has a 40-foot main falls below several smaller ones, per DCR. A half-mile loop runs along the upper falls. DCR says free parking is available on-site, and dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 10 feet. DCR lists "No swimming" and says the falls are "especially impressive" in spring runoff. As far as we can tell (Oct 29, 2026), DCR's park page showed no alert.

Bash Bish Falls ends in a final drop of about 60 feet into a plunge pool, per DCR. From the Massachusetts lot on Falls Road, the trail is about 0.6 mile round trip, rated difficult. That lot is free but limited to 24 cars. From the New York lot in Taconic State Park, the route is about 1.5 miles round trip, rated moderate.

DCR bans entering the water, swimming and diving at Bash Bish. On-road parking along Falls Road or Route 344 is not permitted at any time. As far as we can tell (Oct 28, 2026), the park is open sunrise to sunset, per DCR. The Town of Mount Washington, in an undated notice, says DCR and State Police restrict access on summer weekends, 9am to 7pm.

Lye Brook and Hamilton Falls in southern Vermont

The Forest Service calls Lye Brook "the 125-foot high Lye Brook Falls, one of the highest in Vermont." A blue-blazed trail follows old railroad grades and woods roads. A spur on the right at 1.8 miles leads to the falls. The trailhead is at the end of the Lye Brook Access Road, off Glen Road in Manchester.

As far as we can tell (Nov 8, 2026), the trail is open, but the Forest Service lists Glen Road access as "Summer only" with no dates. Call (802) 747-6700 before you go. No fee is listed, and the agency warns that slippery rocks make the falls extremely dangerous.

Hamilton Falls is on Cobb Brook, which cascades 125 feet, per Vermont FPR. Vermont State Parks says it "can be reached by a 3-mile hike (one way) from the campground" at Jamaica State Park. That is about 6 miles round trip, by our math. Day-use and camping fees apply there. The park's listed season runs from the third weekend in May through the second Monday in October.

As far as we can tell (Nov 10, 2026), the park's listed season has ended. The park says the West River Trail is open, though its alerts report an active landslide and a slope that is still adjusting. Vermont State Parks says swimming at Hamilton Falls is very dangerous and not recommended. It asks visitors not to try to reach the middle pool.

Kent Falls in Connecticut: free parking until April

Kent Falls totals about 250 feet over a series of cascades, and the main fall is about 70 feet, per CT State Parks. The Kent Falls Steps Trail is a 0.84 mile out-and-back with about a quarter mile of stone stairs. A paved, accessible path reaches the base.

As far as we can tell (Oct 28, 2026), the park is open year-round, 8am to sunset. Out-of-state vehicles pay a parking fee from April 1 to October 31: $15 on weekends and holidays and $10 on weekdays. Parking is free for all vehicles until April 1, 2027. CT State Parks prohibits entering the water and swimming.

Waterfalls near Albany: FAQ