Waterfall Hikes in New Jersey

I love waterfalls of all sizes, from the power of the Great Fall in paterson to small tumbling waters on streams. As a kid in Essex County, Hemlock Falls in South Mountain Reservation was a frequent place to visit by bike.

Paterson's Great Falls of the Passaic River is the top waterfall site in NJ, but for a real hike - as opposed to a nice walk - head over to nearby High Mountain.

Hikes that include a waterfall are a great hike break in the heat of summer or when they are partially or totally frozen in winter. In spring, especially after a rainfall, they will have their greatest drama.

Hemlock Falls was one of our stops while hiking through South Mountain Reservation along with historic Washington Rock, fishing at Diamond Mill and back in my childhood, a visit to the the "Deer Paddock."

On the njhiking.com website, you will find waterfall hikes. A few are excerpted below.

at Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls is reachable and via some elaborate stairs you can get some great views. If you go up a steep uphill to the Appalachian Trail you can hike to to Crater Lake and on to Hemlock Pond.

Chikahoki Falls is located in the Norvin Green State Forest, up north in the Jersey Highlands. The recommended hike route includes the Chikahoki Falls, Otter Hole, and the viewpoint at Wyanokie High Point.

Cascades are small waterfalls, typically in sets that fall in stages down a steep rocky slope. You'll find some along hiking trails in Apshawa Preserve on the Apshawa Brook in the Jersey Highlands and Butler reservoir. You will also find cascades in Hacklebarney State Park
along the Black River in Chester

For more NJ waterfall info:
The Waterfall Record 
The Waterfalls of NJ 

And in nearby NY and PA