Right now
Status note (Nov 11, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell. The Mountain Lakes and Morris County pages we read on Nov 11, 2026, list no closure. Morris County says the restored stone arch bridge reopened in July 2024. What the status labels mean
Boonton Falls is a waterfall on the Rockaway River in Grace Lord Park, in Boonton, New Jersey. The Borough of Mountain Lakes says it drops the river some 20 feet. A restored 1866 stone arch bridge now serves as an overlook, per Morris County. Do not swim: Mountain Lakes says several people have drowned in the basin.
About Boonton Falls
Boonton Falls is on the Rockaway River in Grace Lord Park, in the Town of Boonton, Morris County. The Borough of Mountain Lakes says the falls drop the river "some 20 feet in a thunderous roar."
Mountain Lakes calls it Boonton's "Little Niagara" and "a surprisingly well kept secret."
Iron town history
Mountain Lakes says the New Jersey Iron Company built its mills on a steep gorge of the Rockaway River, on the Morris Canal. A new town called Booneton Falls grew on the rugged hillside overlooking the river.
The iron company closed in 1876, per Mountain Lakes. Arches in an old stone wall along the path were once part of its iron furnaces.
The stone arch bridge
Morris County says local mason John Carson Sr. built the stone arch bridge in 1866, as a viaduct for fire protection at the ironworks. It calls the bridge the only intact part of the ironworks left.
The county says the restored bridge reopened in July 2024 and "now serves as a pedestrian bridge and overlook for the Boonton waterfalls."
Morris County also gave a $32,000 trail grant in 2021 for the Grace Lord Park trail.
About our map pin
Our map pin is the OpenStreetMap point for Boonton Falls (node 8652185721), in Morris County. We have no separate parking pin.
For other New Jersey falls, see Hemlock Falls and Paterson Great Falls, or browse all New Jersey waterfalls.
Getting there and parking
The Borough of Mountain Lakes says to park near the Makey Funeral Home, just before the Rockaway River bridge on West Main Street in Boonton. Then enter Grace Lord Park.
Fees
We found no fee listed for Grace Lord Park on the pages we read.
Contact
Town of Boonton Recreation: (973) 402-9410 ext. 642. The Mountain Lakes trail page is published by the Borough of Mountain Lakes, 973-334-3131.
Map and nearby falls
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Boonton Falls trail through Grace Lord Park
From Grace Lord Park, Mountain Lakes says to pass the gazebo and take the path into the woods. You soon reach a dam with water rushing over it, which it says is not the falls.
Farther down, a grassy area edged by small boulders opens on the left. From its edge you get the first view of the falls, per Mountain Lakes.
Stone bridge and Washington Rock
The path continues to an old stone bridge over the river. Across the river is a large boulder called Washington Rock, which Mountain Lakes says was once a tourist spot and, before that, a shelter for Native Americans.
Mountain Lakes says to turn around where the path meets a parking lot of industrial buildings. Retrace your steps past Washington Rock and the arch bridge to the end of the path, for a full view of the falls and the swirling basin below.
Back to Main Street
Mountain Lakes describes a path uphill to a small playground, then a steep stone stairway to Main Street.
Optional downriver walk
A longer walk follows the river behind houses on Rockaway Street. Mountain Lakes warns the trail becomes "ever narrower and more primitive." It passes a stone railroad bridge from an 1866 branch line and an 1867 turntable foundation.
When to visit
Mountain Lakes says "the best time to view the falls is in the early spring when the water flow is at its peak."
Status checks
On Nov 11, 2026, the Mountain Lakes and Morris County pages we read listed no closure. Call Town of Boonton Recreation at (973) 402-9410 ext. 642 to confirm.
| Height | about 20 ftNote: The Borough of Mountain Lakes says the falls drop the river "some 20 feet" |
|---|---|
| Trail | The Borough of Mountain Lakes describes a walk from Grace Lord Park, past the gazebo and a dam. A wooded path leads to views of the falls and an old stone bridge. |
| Difficulty | No official rating or distance found. Mountain Lakes says the optional downriver trail becomes narrower and more primitive. |
| Entry fee | No fee listed on the pages we read. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed. |
| Parking | Near West Main Street, by the Rockaway River bridge (Mountain Lakes) |
| Dogs | We found no official dog rule for Grace Lord Park. |
| Swimming | Not safe. Mountain Lakes says that every few years young people try to swim in the basin below the falls, and several have drowned. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No official accessibility information found. Mountain Lakes describes a wooded path and a steep stone stairway up to Main Street. |
| Best time to visit | Early spring, when the Borough of Mountain Lakes says the water flow is at its peak. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. Mountain Lakes calls the falls "a surprisingly well kept secret." |
| Who runs it | Not stated on the pages we read (Grace Lord Park, Town of Boonton) |
Safety and swimming
Do not swim. Mountain Lakes says that every few years young people try to swim in the swirling basin below the falls, and several have drowned.
"Do not climb on the rocks," Mountain Lakes warns. It adds that the rocks near the falls are often slippery.
Mountain Lakes says the optional downriver trail gets narrower and more primitive, so watch your step there.
In an emergency, call 911. Our waterfall safety guide has more on staying safe near falls.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Boonton Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Boonton.
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Photos
Boonton Falls FAQ
Is Boonton Falls open now?
As far as we can tell, yes. The Mountain Lakes and Morris County pages we read on Nov 11, 2026, list no closure.
How tall is Boonton Falls?
The Borough of Mountain Lakes says the falls drop the Rockaway River some 20 feet.
Where do you park for Boonton Falls?
Mountain Lakes says to park near the Makey Funeral Home, just before the Rockaway River bridge on West Main Street, and enter Grace Lord Park.
Can you swim at Boonton Falls?
No, it is not safe. Mountain Lakes says several people have drowned trying to swim in the basin below the falls.
When is the best time to see Boonton Falls?
Mountain Lakes says early spring, when the water flow is at its peak.
Nearby waterfalls
Paterson Great Falls12 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen77FT
Hemlock Falls13 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen25FT
Buttermilk Falls29 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen75FT
Dingmans Falls33 mi straight-line, by our mathClosed130FT
Bushkill Falls34 mi straight-line, by our mathSeasonal100FT
Raymondskill Falls34 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen150FT
City guides: Waterfalls near New York City, NY
Sources
- Borough of Mountain Lakes: Boonton Falls Trail (directions, height, safety, history; read Nov 11, 2026)
- Morris County: Historic Stone Arch Bridge in Boonton Reopens (July 2, 2024)
- Town of Boonton: Recreation and Athletic Facilities (contact; read Nov 11, 2026)
- OpenStreetMap: Boonton Falls, node 8652185721 (coordinates)
Last verified Nov 11, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.