Right now
Status note (Nov 11, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell. On Oct 22, 2026, the South Mountain Conservancy said "the South Orange parking lot near Hemlock Falls is open." The Locust Grove lot and Fairy Trail were closed for construction through mid-November. What the status labels mean
Hemlock Falls is a 25-foot waterfall on Hemlock Brook in South Mountain Reservation, an Essex County park in New Jersey. The South Mountain Conservancy says it is about a ten-minute walk from the Tulip Springs lot. The Locust Grove lot, which the conservancy calls the southern entrance, has been closed for construction since July 6, 2026, per Essex County.
About Hemlock Falls
Hemlock Falls is in South Mountain Reservation, a 2,110-acre Essex County park, per its park page. "Deep in the woods a 25-foot waterfall at Hemlock Falls is a dramatic feature," Essex County Parks says.
The South Mountain Conservancy says the falls form where Hemlock Brook spills over a 25-foot rock wall. The brook then joins the West Branch of the Rahway River.
Essex County says the reservation has an Olmsted-designed landscape. It also holds a segment of the 36-mile Lenape Trail.
About our map pin
Our map pin is the OpenStreetMap point for Hemlock Falls (node 5311776923), in Essex County. We have no trailhead pin; use the parking notes below.
For other New Jersey falls, see Paterson Great Falls, Buttermilk Falls and Boonton Falls, or browse all New Jersey waterfalls.
Getting there and parking
South Mountain Reservation's listed address is South Orange Avenue and Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ 07052, per Essex County.
The South Mountain Conservancy gives two close lots. From the Tulip Springs lot, it is about a ten-minute walk to the falls. From the small lot near the Pine Grove Bridge on South Orange Avenue, it is about five minutes.
To reach Tulip Springs, the conservancy says to go south on Cherry Lane from Northfield Avenue toward Millburn. The entrance is 0.8 miles down, on the left.
Locust Grove closure
Essex County lists the Locust Grove parking lot and Fairy Trail as closed for construction, starting July 6, 2026.
On Oct 22, 2026, the conservancy said both were closed through the middle of November. It added that "the South Orange parking lot near Hemlock Falls is open."
By train
The conservancy says the Millburn train station is 100 yards from the Locust Grove trailhead, the reservation's southern entrance. While that lot is closed, it says a marked Lenape Trail detour "connects Glen Ave. to the picnic area."
Locust Grove is about 1.8 miles from the falls in a straight line, by our math from OpenStreetMap points. The walking route is longer.
Contact
Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: 973-268-3500.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Hemlock Falls trail in South Mountain Reservation
The short way in is from Tulip Springs or the Pine Grove Bridge lot, per the South Mountain Conservancy. It puts the walks at about ten and five minutes.
Coming along the Lenape Trail, you pass Hobble Falls just before Hemlock Falls, the conservancy says.
Hemlock Falls Loop
The conservancy says the red-dot blazed, 0.6-mile Hemlock Falls Loop climbs up to the spillway above the falls.
Dogs
We found no official dog rule for the trails. Essex County lists a dog park in the reservation, with its own rules.
When to visit
The South Mountain Conservancy says the falls "make quite a show after a heavy rain."
Winter
In winter, the conservancy says, the falls often freeze into a large ice sculpture.
Status checks
On Nov 11, 2026, Essex County still listed the Locust Grove lot and Fairy Trail as closed. The conservancy's Oct 22 update expected work to run through mid-November.
Call Essex County Parks at 973-268-3500 to confirm before you go.
| Height | 25 ftNote: 25 feet, per Essex County Parks and the South Mountain Conservancy |
|---|---|
| Trail | The South Mountain Conservancy says the falls are about a ten-minute walk from the Tulip Springs lot. From the small lot near the Pine Grove Bridge on South Orange Avenue, it is about five minutes. |
| Difficulty | No official difficulty rating found. The South Mountain Conservancy describes five- and ten-minute walks from nearby lots. |
| Entry fee | The Essex County Parks pages we read list no entry or parking fee for South Mountain Reservation. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed for hiking. Essex County says permits are available for use of county parks and facilities. |
| Parking | Tulip Springs or Pine Grove Bridge lot (South Mountain Conservancy) |
| Dogs | We found no official dog rule for the trails. Essex County lists a dog park in the reservation. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No official accessibility information found. |
| Best time to visit | After heavy rain, per the South Mountain Conservancy. It says the falls often freeze in winter. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. |
| Managed by | Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs |
Safety and swimming
We found no official safety notice specific to Hemlock Falls.
The conservancy says the falls often freeze in winter. Our waterfall safety guide covers ice and wet rock.
The South Mountain Conservancy links to tick safety tips for visitors to the reservation.
In an emergency, call 911.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Hemlock Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around West Orange.
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Photos
Hemlock Falls FAQ
Is Hemlock Falls open now?
As far as we can tell, yes (Nov 11, 2026). The South Orange lot near the falls was open on Oct 22, 2026, but the Locust Grove lot was closed for construction.
How tall is Hemlock Falls?
Essex County Parks and the South Mountain Conservancy both say Hemlock Falls is 25 feet high.
Where do you park for Hemlock Falls?
The South Mountain Conservancy names the Tulip Springs lot, about a ten-minute walk away. A small lot near the Pine Grove Bridge on South Orange Avenue is about five minutes away.
Is the Locust Grove parking lot open?
No, as of our Nov 11, 2026 check. Essex County lists it as closed for construction starting July 6, 2026, and the conservancy expected work through mid-November.
Is there a fee at Hemlock Falls?
The Essex County Parks pages we read list no entry or parking fee for South Mountain Reservation.
Nearby waterfalls
Paterson Great Falls13 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen77FT
Boonton Falls13 mi straight-line, by our mathOpenABOUT 20FT
Buttermilk Falls41 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen75FT
Bushkill Falls45 mi straight-line, by our mathSeasonal100FT
Dingmans Falls46 mi straight-line, by our mathClosed130FT
Raymondskill Falls47 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen150FT
City guides: Waterfalls near New York City, NY
Sources
- Essex County Parks: South Mountain Reservation (alerts, address, contact; read Nov 11, 2026)
- Essex County Parks: South Mountain Reservation, About (Hemlock Falls, Lenape Trail; read Nov 11, 2026)
- Essex County Parks: Permits (read Nov 11, 2026)
- South Mountain Conservancy: Hemlock Falls (published March 3, 2025; read Nov 11, 2026)
- South Mountain Conservancy: 2026 Fairy Trail and River Trail improvements project update (Oct 22, 2026)
- South Mountain Conservancy: Directions to South Mountain Reservation (read Nov 11, 2026)
- OpenStreetMap: Hemlock Falls, node 5311776923 (coordinates)
- OpenStreetMap: Locust Grove Parking Area, way 281928552 (coordinates)
Last verified Nov 11, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.