8 New York State Waterfalls You Won’t Believe Are Still Hidden

When you think of New York waterfalls, icons like Niagara or Watkins Glen might come to mind. But there are dozens of lesser-known falls scattered through the state, tucked behind winding roads, in quiet parks, and beneath thick forests. Over years of exploring, I’ve found that some of the most rewarding adventures come from seeking out those still overlooked by most travelers, places where you can set your own pace and soak in nature’s quieter side.

In this article, I’m sharing eight waterfalls you probably haven’t seen splashed across travel magazines. Each one offers a surprising twist, whether it’s a story rooted in local legend, a secret cave setting, or a location that’s off the typical GPS path. I hope these picks inspire your next day trip, weekend drive, or even a new hiking goal for the year ahead. Just remember to check local access rules, some require a little extra planning or permission. Let’s get into these hidden gems worth the hunt.

1. Groff Creek Falls (Adirondacks, near Hope)

The first time I stumbled on Groff Creek Falls, I felt like I’d wandered into a secret. Tucked along an old logging road just outside Hope, this spot kept its wild character even as the world sped up around it. The 1.8-mile trail is short, but every bend in the path hints at something hidden, a glint of water, the cool hush under hemlocks, the promise of three different waterfalls along the same stretch.

Each of the falls here has its own little drama. One splashes just ten feet, playful and lively; the next, more reserved, drops around thirty feet into a shadowed pool. The last fall sneaks through a narrow chute, audible before it’s seen. Most days, you’ll have the sound of water and songbirds to yourself, since even during peak foliage, Groff Creek lures fewer hikers than the flashier Adirondack destinations.

If you’re chasing peace rather than a crowd, this is your trail. A local biologist once shared with me that the creek supports rare salamanders, the kind that thrive precisely because people don’t trample the banks. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, being overlooked is exactly what keeps a place special.

2. Leatherstocking Falls (north of Cooperstown)

Stories linger at Leatherstocking Falls, just north of Cooperstown. More than a scenic drop along Leatherstocking Creek, this spot holds tales passed down through generations, including legends of heroic leaps and lost love.

On quiet mornings, you can hear the falls before you see them. The trail is usually empty, and the air feels thick with old stories and cool mist. I’ve sat by the water, reading passages from James Fenimore Cooper’s ‘Leatherstocking Tales,’ surprised by how vividly literature and landscape fit together here. The falls are not towering, but the setting feels timeless, almost as if the creek is rewinding the clock with every run over the rocks.

If you’re drawn to places with atmosphere, Leatherstocking Falls delivers. There’s a gentle beauty in the way sunlight filters through leaves, lighting up small rainbows in the spray. For me, it’s always been less about the size of the waterfall and more about the echoes it carries from the past.

3. Secret Caverns Waterfall (Howes Cave)

If waterfalls had secret identities, Secret Caverns in Howes Cave would win hands-down. I’ll never forget stepping into the shadowy entrance: the cool air, the sharp scent of limestone, and the low hum of water far beneath the earth. The showstopper here is a one-hundred-foot drop inside the cave itself, a hidden torrent only visible to those willing to duck, climb, and descend into the dark.

Tour guides keep the mood light, with a wink to the offbeat roadside Americana that flavors the whole place. A flashlight beam reveals the falls suddenly, a curtain of water splashing through the cave’s heart. You feel the spray, hear the echo bounce from every angle, and realize this isn’t your typical waterfall experience.

Unlike anything above ground, the Secret Caverns waterfall offers a blend of geology lesson, adventure, and oddball charm. Some visitors come for the cave’s quirky signs and neon, but I return for that moment when water meets rock, miles from sunlight. It’s proof that surprises can be lurking where you least expect them, even deep underground.

4. Triphammer Falls (Ithaca)

Some places manage to sneak up on you, even in a city as walkable as Ithaca. Triphammer Falls sits right on the edge of Cornell’s campus, but I’ve met lifelong locals who never realized a waterfall this dynamic was hiding in plain sight. It’s one of those spots that blends urban life with wild water, where students cross the pedestrian bridge without glancing down, while travelers like me always stop, caught by the sound.

With a drop of about 55 feet total, Triphammer’s split-level cascades look especially striking after spring rains. The roar gets louder, and mist rises above the stone walls. I find it’s a perfect pause between errands or coffee dates, a brief escape to watch water carve its way through the city’s heart.

The falls have a practical past, too, early mills once lined the creek, and you can still spot remnants of their foundations. Nowadays, the blend of history, campus energy, and natural spectacle gives Triphammer an easygoing, lived-in charm. It proves you don’t need to leave town to find a hidden waterfall worth seeking out.

5. Perryville Falls (near Chittenango, permission required)

Perryville Falls is the kind of place you hear about through word of mouth, a whispered recommendation from a local or a hint buried in an old hiking forum. With a dramatic vertical plunge hidden by thick woods, it rivals better-known falls in scale yet stays off most maps for one reason: access. The area is tied to private property, and viewing varies year to year.

When I finally arranged a visit, I found a dramatic vertical plunge hidden by thick woods. The sound draws you in before the view does, and the mist lingers above the gorge long after the water settles below. Unlike public parks, there’s no signage or safety rail, just raw scenery and the sense that you’re somewhere few others have stood recently.

Respect for property lines is essential. Some years, owners allow limited viewing from specific spots; other times, you’ll need explicit permission or must skip it altogether. If you do get the chance to see Perryville up close, it feels like a reward for persistence, a rare glimpse of wild water that still holds onto its mystery.

6. Papermill Falls (Livingston County, near Avon)

There’s something soothing about Papermill Falls that makes me slow down every time I pass through Livingston County. It isn’t the tallest or most powerful, but its charm lies in its accessibility and understated beauty. Just below a pedestrian bridge, the falls tumble over layered stone, framed by tall grasses and wildflowers during spring and summer.

Locals often stop here on their way through town, a quick photo, a few moments of calm, or a picnic with a view. The air feels fresher by the water, and I’ve seen everything from trout fishermen to school kids exploring the banks. It’s a reminder that not every hidden waterfall demands a rugged trek; some just ask you to notice what’s right at your feet.

Historians note that an old paper mill once stood here, giving the falls their name. While the building is long gone, its foundation stones still peek out near the water’s edge. For those looking for a break from busier trails, Papermill Falls offers a gentle, grounding escape.

7. Ludlowville Falls (Eastern Finger Lakes, near Cayuga Lake)

Whenever I visit the Eastern Finger Lakes, I make a detour for Ludlowville Falls. This 35-foot cascade has more than one trick: during high flow, a shallow cave forms behind the water, letting adventurous visitors steal a behind-the-scenes peek. The falls sit quietly in a local park, no entrance fees, just a short walk from the parking lot to the banks of Salmon Creek.

It’s a spot that rewards curiosity. I’ve picnicked above the falls and watched families explore the cave when conditions are right. Spring melt brings the biggest show, with water pouring over the ledge and the cave filling with mist. In summer, the scene softens, giving space for birds to dart in and out from the overhang.

Few tourists make the turn off Route 34B to find Ludlowville, but those who do get a rare chance to see a waterfall from every angle. For me, it’s a reminder that in the Finger Lakes, even small parks can hide unexpected treasures, sometimes just beyond the next bend in the creek.

8. Waverly Glen Falls (Southern Tier, Finger Lakes region)

Waverly Glen Falls feels like the community’s best-kept secret, tucked inside its namesake park near the Pennsylvania border. I stumbled on it during a road trip detour, and the sight stopped me in my tracks, a broad, 40-foot drop, framed by tall trees and the cheerful sounds of a local playground. There’s a welcoming, lived-in feel here, as if the park belongs to anyone who visits.

The falls flow downstream from a reservoir, so water levels shift with the seasons. Autumn brings brilliant leaf color, but I’m partial to late spring, when the water runs full and kids race along the trails. Picnic tables nearby make it easy to linger, and the park’s trails loop through shady groves ideal for a morning walk or an after-dinner stroll.

This isn’t a remote wilderness experience, but rather a gentle reminder that good things can hide in plain sight. If you ever find yourself driving through the Finger Lakes’ southern tier, pull over in Waverly. Sometimes, the best discoveries are the ones that fit into everyday life, and Waverly Glen Falls proves it every season.