Explore waterfalls of the Adirondacks

From majestic to tranquil, you don't have to search far for waterfalls in the Adirondacks

ADIRONDACK PARK, NY - The sight of water cascading down a mountainside, carving out its existence in exposed rock, can be both breathtaking and peaceful. Within the six million acre Adirondack Park are hundreds of waterfalls.

From majestic to tranquil, you don't have to search far for waterfalls in the Adirondacks.

• T-Lake Falls in Piseco is the highest waterfall in the Adirondacks and one of the highest in all of New York State. A 10-mile hike through (often times rough) undergrowth, is rewarded by spectacular views of the 600- foot tall falls. The falls can be treacherous, so caution is urged.

• The spectacular High Falls waterfall in Chateaugay was formed over 25,000 years ago, as the continental glacier melted and retreated north. Located on the Chateaugay River west of the village, the falls is situated in a narrow chasm.

• Or, if you're looking for easy access to beautiful falls, High Falls Gorge in Wilmington provides walkways and bridges over the Au Sable River as it cascades down more than 500 feet of waterfalls. This year-round attraction allows visitors to get up close and personal as the falls thunder by.

• For the thrill-seeker, The Flume is located just down the road from High Falls Gorge in Wilmington where the mighty Ausable courses through a natural funnel in the surrounding boulders.

• Buttermilk Falls near Deerland is one of the most visited waterfalls in the Adirondacks. It is a short, but beautiful falls that can be accessed by a quick, flat walk. It is a perfect location for an afternoon picnic.

• Death Falls (a.k.a Secret Falls) in Raquette Lake is a 50-foot tall waterfall with a sinister name and a pleasant reality. Accessed by a flat trail that circles around a flooded area, the falls are best visited in times of higher water (in low water, the falls can be reduced to little more than a trickle).

• In Indian Lake, Dug Mountain Brook Falls can be access by boat or on foot. By boat, it's about a 14 mile round-trip, follow by a short hike. The first small falls are visible from Indian Lake, but the main waterfall is further upstream and consists of a 40-foot cascade. On feet, the falls are about 0.4 miles east of the trailhead located on the north bank of Dug Mountain Brook.

• Rainbow Falls is a spectacular 150 feet of cascades that fills its gorge with mist along the east branch of the Ausable River at Lower Ausable Lake.

• Northwest Brook Falls is a 25-foot and 8-foot high falls on Northwest Brook, which is just north of Lake George.

• West Stony Creek Falls, located near Northville in Hamilton County, are easily accessed by a 1.5 mile hike along an old dirt road. Although the falls are only four feet high, the falls are prettily situated just downstream from a rustic, log footbridge that spans the creek.

• Visitors to Square Falls, located between Wells and Bakers Mills, should only attempt to access these falls in mid-summer when water levels are low. The waterfall is seven-feet high with a fairly flat plateau of bedrock at its top and a deep pool that is great for swimming at its base. Visitors will cross the East Branch of the Sacandaga River, through deep gorge which provides many scenic overlooks of the stream and its giant boulders.

The Adirondacks are full of waterfalls just waiting to be visited. What are you waiting for?

The Adirondack Park, named for the Adirondack Mountains that lie within its boundaries, offers some of the best opportunities in the United States for outdoor recreation in a superb natural setting. The wilderness lands of the Adirondack Park are an outdoor-lover's paradise and vacation packages offer a wonderful opportunity for visitors to sample all that there is to see and do in the region.

The official Web site of the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council is VisitAdirondacks.com. Log on for an interactive experience to plan your trip. From a high definition scenic video clip to thousands of visitor images, VisitAdirondacks.com features a comprehensive trip planner with maps and itineraries, package listings, events, activities, restaurants, lodging and more. Or, call 800- 487-6867 for free travel information.