One of the most popular hikes in the Catskills is the hike to Kaaterskill Falls. And it’s no wonder! This 260-foot waterfall is outstanding in its beauty.
The best part about Kaaterskill Falls is that people of all abilities can enjoy the beauty of one of New York’s tallest waterfalls. There is an accessible trail to the overlook platform from the Laurel House Road parking lot.
For more adventurous hikers, the trail to the lower falls is worth the effort to climb down (and back up) the 403 steps. Thankfully, they are not all in a row.
When we hiked to Kaaterskill Falls, we opted to take the trail to the bottom, and I’m so glad we did! It was worth the effort to see the falls in all its glory.
The below guide shares everything you need to know about the Kaaterskill Falls hike, including where to park, and what to expect on both trails.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Where is Kaaterskill Falls
At 260 feet tall over two drops, Kaaterskill Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in New York. Located in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest in the Catskill Mountains, Kaaterskill Falls is about 3 hours from major cities like Philadelphia and Boston and about two hours from New York City.
The Kaaterskill Falls hike is one of the best things to do in the Catskills!
Kaaterskill Falls Parking
There are a few parking options to get to the Kaaterskill Falls trailhead.
The closest parking lot to Kaaterskill Falls is Laurel House, off Laurel House Road. However, this lot is small and fills up very quickly. It is often closed by first thing in the morning.
The Laurel House Road lot also provides the most accessible trail to the overlook, so they usually save this lot for handicap-accessible parking.
The second-best parking area for the Kaaterskill Falls trailhead is the Scutt Road lot. This parking area is larger. However, it will fill up quickly, especially on weekends, holidays, and summer. Get there early (or arrive much later in the afternoon). There is a porta-potty at this lot.
At one point, a parking lot was at the bottom of the Kaaterskill Falls trail on NY-23. It’s about 2/10 miles to the trailhead, and you’d have to walk along a busy road to get there. At the time of publication, the Town of Hunter has closed this lot due to safety concerns. There is no reopening date at this time.
Visitor Tip: Do NOT park in any undesignated parking area. Parking along the road will get you ticketed and possibly towed. We saw many illegally parked cars along Scutt Road, including one about to get towed. It’s not worth it!
Remember to Leave No Trace
Places like Kaaterskill Falls are popular with visitors, which can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all. Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels) and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we all can enjoy these parks for years to come.
Kaaterskill Falls Hike to the Observation Platform
| Trail Location: | Laurel-House Road parking area or Scutt Road parking area |
| Trail Length: | From Laurel-House Road: the platform is a .3-mile (.6 miles out and back), firmly packed gravel trail. From Scutt Road: it is about .75 miles (1.5 miles out and back), and the trail has rocks and roots to navigate for the first 1/2 mile. |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy from Laurel-House Road. Moderate from Scutt Road due to the rocks and roots. |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 100 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Even if you plan to hike to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls, stopping at the viewing platform first is still fun.
The easiest and most accessible trail to the Kaaterskill Falls viewing platform is from the Laurel House Road lot. From there, the 3/10 mile trail is firmly packed gravel and maintains about 7-8% grade. It’s a great way to see Kaaterskill Falls without actually hiking.
You can also access the trail to the observation platform from the Scutt Road lot. Take the Blue Trail about a 1/2 mile to the footbridge (don’t forget to sign in at the visitor’s log!) and then make a hard right, continuing along the Blue Trail.
You’ll come across another bridge on your right. Cross that and continue along the trail until you reach the platform. The total trail length to the observation platform from Scutt Road is about .75 miles.
Kaaterskill Falls Hike to the Lower Falls Trail
| Trail Location: | Laurel-House Road parking area or Scutt Road parking area |
| Trail Length: | From Laurel-House Road: it is about .7 miles to the base of the falls (.9 miles if you include the observation platform), about 1.4-1.8 miles out and back. From Scutt Road: it is about 1.2 miles to the base of the waterfalls (1.4 miles if you include the observation platform), so about 2.4-2.8 miles out and back. |
| Trail Difficulty: | Moderate: The trail includes 403 steps to the bottom of the falls (which means 403 steps back up!). They can be slippery after rainfall. |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 300 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
As beautiful as it is to see Kaaterskill Falls from above, there is nothing like seeing from below! It’s impressive to take in this magnificent waterfall’s 260 feet (over two drops).
From Laurel House, instead of turning right towards the platform, you’ll turn left and cross a footbridge. From there, head towards your right onto the Blue Trail.
From Scutt Road, take the Blue Trail towards the observation platform. You’ll cross the first footbridge (sign the visitor’s log!) and then make a right. You’ll come to a “T” in the trail, where a second footbridge is on your right (this leads to the platform), and the Blue Trail continues on your left.
From that point, follow the Blue Trail for about 1/10 miles until you reach the Yellow Trail on your right. This is the trail to the lower falls.
The trail to the lower falls includes A LOT of steps (we counted 403!). Going down isn’t too bad, though you’ll want to take it slow in some spots. Climbing back up will be the most challenging part of the trail. Remember, you can always take rest breaks!
There are two sections of the lower falls. The first is about halfway down. This is the area you can see from the observation platform. Be careful when visiting this area, especially with smaller kids, as it is open to the falls below.
After stopping at the first half of the falls, continue down the remaining stairs to the bottom. These stairs can be very slippery after rain or snow, so take your time and be careful! Hiking poles could be helpful at this point.
The area has several rocks, so it is a great place to sit down, have a snack, and enjoy the beauty of the falls. You’ll also want to rest and recharge before you trek back up those stairs!
Visitor Tip: If you are visiting in winter, proper winter footwear is a must! The rocks and steps to the lower falls can be icy. Crampons or spikes will be necessary.
Other Things to Do Near Kaaterskill Falls
Hike to Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is an excellent addition to your hike at Kaaterskill Falls! Depending on where you park, it can add an additional 2-2.5 miles to your hike length, but it’s worth it.
From the top of the Yellow Trail (after you climb back up from the lower falls), make a right onto the Blue Trail. Inspiration Point is about 1 mile from there, though it is rocky and steep and sections, making it a moderate hike.
There are several scenic outlooks along the way, so there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the gorgeous views.
From Inspiration Point, you can always backtrack on the Blue Trail.
However, it’s a little easier taking the Yellow Trail to the Red Trail (both horse trails, so they are relatively flat) back to the Blue Trail. You’ll pass the sign for the Yellow on the way to Inspiration Point, so you’ll have to backtrack about 2/10 miles to reach it.
Once you reach the Blue Trail, head straight to the Scutt Road lot or turn left for the Laurel House lot.
Check Out Other Fun Hikes Near Kaaterskill Falls
There are some other enjoyable hikes within a 30-minute drive of Kaaterskill Falls. We covered those in detail on our things to do in the Catskills.
They include the Artists Rocks/Sunset Rock/Newman’s Ledge hike, which is right next door at the North/South Lake Campground. And also Pratt Rock (the Mount Rushmore of the Catskills!) and Diamond Notch Falls.
All of these hikes are 3 miles or less and are fun to do with kids of all ages.
Common Questions About Hiking to Kaaterskill Falls
How long is the hike to Kaaterskill Falls?
The hike to the base of Kaaterskill Falls is less than 2 miles roundtrip. You will encounter many stairs along the trail, making it the harder side of moderate.
Can you see Kaaterskill Falls without hiking?
You can see Kaaterskill Falls without hiking by walking to the observation platform from the Laurel House Road parking area. It’s about 3/10 miles on firmly packed gravel.
Can you swim at Kaaterskill Falls?
There is no swimming at Kaaterskill Falls, though you can walk behind the waterfall.
More Waterfall Hikes in New York
Although the Catskills is a fun place to visit, we love other areas of New York, too!
There are some fantastic waterfall hikes in the Finger Lakes region, like the Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trail.
And also, not too far from the Catskills, you can hike to Verkeerder Kill Falls at the Sam’s Point Area of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Pin It For Later
