New Jersey is home to some incredible natural beauty. You can hike up our mountains and see for miles! But sometimes, we want to enjoy nature without a hike. One of the Garden State’s most striking wonders is also one of the best waterfalls in New Jersey, and just a short walk from a parking lot…in the middle of a city, so next time you are searching for a “waterfall near me” you will know where to look!
The Great Falls of the Passaic River is located about 15 miles from Newark.
Flickr/PatersonGreatFalls The Great Falls and surrounding area are protected as part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. While the falls have been instrumental in New Jersey development and industrialization for years, National Park status was established in 2009.
Flickr/PatersonGreatFalls An impressive 77-feet tall, this is actually one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi by width and volume. The falls were formed about 13,000 years ago, when the ice from Glacial Lake Passaic receded.
In 1778, Alexander Hamilton visited the falls and recognized their potential for industry.
Flickr/PatersonGreatFalls The town of Paterson was established around the falls, chosen by Secretary of Treasury Hamilton to be the nation’s first planned industrial city. The falls powered cotton, paper and silk mills and were vital in the development of the Colt Revolver. They were used as a hydraulic power source for the manufacturing plant.
Flickr/PatersonGreatFalls The water powered system at Great Falls was one of the first in the nation and was designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, engineer-planner ofWashington D.C.Construction began in 1792 and was completed in 1864.
Great Falls National Historic Park is a 118-acre site, with the falls at the center.
Flickr/Paterson Great Falls You can also find several restored mills, water flow raceways, a welcome center and gift shop. The Paterson Museum is within walking distance. Admission to the park is free and tours are offered.
Flickr/Paterson Great Falls He performed many miraculous jumps, even becoming the first man to survive a trip over the Niagara Falls. His career spanned two years, until he ruptured a blood vessel making a 125-foot jump in Rochester, NY.
New Jersey’s own Niagara, the Great Falls are scenic, historic, and all-around spectacular. While you used to be free to stroll the paths and cross the footbridges for a variety of perspectives, the walking bridge over the falls is temporarily closed for renovation. However, this is still an incredible place to choose if you are just trying to sit and relax. You’ll often see painters and photographers honing their craft at this scenic waterfall!
Flickr/PatersonGreatFalls
The Great Falls and surrounding area are protected as part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. While the falls have been instrumental in New Jersey development and industrialization for years, National Park status was established in 2009.
An impressive 77-feet tall, this is actually one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi by width and volume. The falls were formed about 13,000 years ago, when the ice from Glacial Lake Passaic receded.
The town of Paterson was established around the falls, chosen by Secretary of Treasury Hamilton to be the nation’s first planned industrial city. The falls powered cotton, paper and silk mills and were vital in the development of the Colt Revolver. They were used as a hydraulic power source for the manufacturing plant.
The water powered system at Great Falls was one of the first in the nation and was designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, engineer-planner ofWashington D.C.Construction began in 1792 and was completed in 1864.
Flickr/Paterson Great Falls
You can also find several restored mills, water flow raceways, a welcome center and gift shop. The Paterson Museum is within walking distance. Admission to the park is free and tours are offered.
He performed many miraculous jumps, even becoming the first man to survive a trip over the Niagara Falls. His career spanned two years, until he ruptured a blood vessel making a 125-foot jump in Rochester, NY.
The Overlook Parking Lot has been renovated, and there is also parking available along Maple Street, and there is additional parking available at the Franklin Mill parking lot over the weekend.
Have you ever been to the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park? If so, what did you think about this spectacular New Jersey waterfall? Would you agree that it is one of the best falls in New Jersey? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
To learn more about it, check out the official National Park website.
To discover another no-hike waterfall in New Jersey (with an optional short staircase hike for aerial views), check out Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey’s tallest waterfall.
Looking for more fun things to do in New Jersey? Watch this video for some great ideas:
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Address: Passaic River Falls, River Dr, Garfield, NJ 07026, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me March 15, 2022 SKS What are the best waterfall hikes in New Jersey? New Jersey has plenty of great waterfall hikes, so many in fact, that it can be hard to choose which to do. One of our favorites is the hike at Apshawa Preserve in West Milford, New Jersey. Apshawa Preserve is a preservation of almost 60 acres filled with hiking trails, a deer enclosure, biking paths, and even horseback riding trails. Open year-round, the hike to the Apshawa Waterfall will not be one you regret taking. Another crowd favorite is the Hacklebarney Loop Trail found in Hacklebarney State Park. Located near Long Valley, New Jersey, this loop is just over 2 miles long and will bring your past streams filled with wild trout, and of course, a waterfall. The trails you will follow vary from narrow and rocky, all the way to wide, gravel-paved paths. Your dog is also welcome to join you on this quick hike, and there are even some areas where you can let them off the leash! Just be sure to follow the rules on the signs to make sure you are in the correct area. What is the tallest waterfall in New Jersey? Buttermilk Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of New Jersey. Buttermilk falls can be found near Swartswood State Park near the Pennsylvania border, and is very easy to see! This giant waterfall can be found just a few steps away from the parking lot, which means that no hiking is necessary to see these incredible falls! For those hiking the Appalachian Trail, Buttermilk Falls is only a slight detour for those who wish to see it.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
March 15, 2022
SKS
What are the best waterfall hikes in New Jersey? New Jersey has plenty of great waterfall hikes, so many in fact, that it can be hard to choose which to do. One of our favorites is the hike at Apshawa Preserve in West Milford, New Jersey. Apshawa Preserve is a preservation of almost 60 acres filled with hiking trails, a deer enclosure, biking paths, and even horseback riding trails. Open year-round, the hike to the Apshawa Waterfall will not be one you regret taking. Another crowd favorite is the Hacklebarney Loop Trail found in Hacklebarney State Park. Located near Long Valley, New Jersey, this loop is just over 2 miles long and will bring your past streams filled with wild trout, and of course, a waterfall. The trails you will follow vary from narrow and rocky, all the way to wide, gravel-paved paths. Your dog is also welcome to join you on this quick hike, and there are even some areas where you can let them off the leash! Just be sure to follow the rules on the signs to make sure you are in the correct area. What is the tallest waterfall in New Jersey? Buttermilk Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of New Jersey. Buttermilk falls can be found near Swartswood State Park near the Pennsylvania border, and is very easy to see! This giant waterfall can be found just a few steps away from the parking lot, which means that no hiking is necessary to see these incredible falls! For those hiking the Appalachian Trail, Buttermilk Falls is only a slight detour for those who wish to see it.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Jersey has plenty of great waterfall hikes, so many in fact, that it can be hard to choose which to do. One of our favorites is the hike at Apshawa Preserve in West Milford, New Jersey. Apshawa Preserve is a preservation of almost 60 acres filled with hiking trails, a deer enclosure, biking paths, and even horseback riding trails. Open year-round, the hike to the Apshawa Waterfall will not be one you regret taking.
Another crowd favorite is the Hacklebarney Loop Trail found in Hacklebarney State Park. Located near Long Valley, New Jersey, this loop is just over 2 miles long and will bring your past streams filled with wild trout, and of course, a waterfall. The trails you will follow vary from narrow and rocky, all the way to wide, gravel-paved paths. Your dog is also welcome to join you on this quick hike, and there are even some areas where you can let them off the leash! Just be sure to follow the rules on the signs to make sure you are in the correct area.
What is the tallest waterfall in New Jersey?
Buttermilk Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of New Jersey. Buttermilk falls can be found near Swartswood State Park near the Pennsylvania border, and is very easy to see! This giant waterfall can be found just a few steps away from the parking lot, which means that no hiking is necessary to see these incredible falls! For those hiking the Appalachian Trail, Buttermilk Falls is only a slight detour for those who wish to see it.
