{"id":138973,"date":"2026-02-19T18:01:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/138973\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T18:01:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:01:13","slug":"best-frozen-waterfalls-in-upstate-new-york-to-visit-this-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/138973\/","title":{"rendered":"Best frozen waterfalls in Upstate New York to visit this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

When winter hits with its subzero temperatures, waterfalls in Upstate New York turn into a frozen works of art. <\/p>\n

Some might say winter is the best time to visit these natural wonders, thanks to the absence of bugs and summer crowds. If you plan to venture out, be sure to gear up with proper winter hiking equipment<\/a> from clothing to spikes to stay safe and comfortable.<\/p>\n

Here are a few must-see waterfalls to visit before winter\u2019s icy grip begins to thaw:<\/p>\n

\"FrozenKaaterskill Falls in Haines Falls in the Catskill Mountains. Tom Hoos | @hoosoutdoors on InstagramTom Hoos | @hoosoutdoors on InstagramKaaterskill Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Haines Falls (Catskill Mountains)<\/p>\n

This giant, two-stage waterfall in the Catskill Mountains<\/a> is one of the tallest in the state. A popular spot for tourists, wearing spikes in winter will help you navigate this frozen trail.<\/p>\n

\"LetchworthUpper Falls at Letchworth State Park on Feb. 5, 2026. Laura Marks | @alaura1974 on InstagramLaura Marks | @alaura1974 on InstagramUpper Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Letchworth State Park (Western New York)<\/p>\n

Letchworth State Park<\/a>, nicknamed the \u201cGrand Canyon of the East,\u201d boasts three major waterfalls on the Genesee River. Catch each of them along the 7-mile Gorge Trail. <\/p>\n

\"FrozenMiddle Falls at Letchworth State Park, Feb. 5, 2026. Laura Marks | @alaura1974 on InstagramLaura Marks | @alaura1974 on InstagramMiddle Falls <\/p>\n

Location: Letchworth State Park (Western New York)<\/p>\n

Down the river from Upper Falls is the mighty Middle Falls. The observation platform brings you close enough to feel the spray from the cascade. The 14,427-acre park was recently named the best state park in the United States and is considered \u201cone of the most scenic areas in the Eastern United States.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"FrozenTaughannock Falls, Feb. 2026. Mu Razzaq | @razzaqphotos on InstagramMu Razzaq | @razzaqphotos on InstagramTaughannock Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Trumansburg (Finger Lakes)<\/p>\n

Taughannock Falls State Park<\/a> is home to 750 beautiful acres with its crown jewel being the highest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Taughannock Falls plunges 215-feet down the gorge, towering three stories taller than Niagara Falls.<\/p>\n

\"FrozenAusable Chasm in the Adirondacks. Feb. 4, 2026. Provided photo | @drhealth_adk46er on InstagramProvided photo | @drhealth_adk46er on InstagramAusable Chasm<\/p>\n

Location: Ausable Chasm (Adirondacks) <\/p>\n

Known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks<\/a>, this waterfall which can be seen from the roadside is a great photo opportunity while traveling through the area.<\/p>\n

\"FrozenFrozen Rainbow Falls in the Adirondacks, Feb. 10, 2026. David Keeling | @david_keeling__ in InstagramDavid Keeling | @david_keeling__ in InstagramRainbow Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Keene (Adirondacks)<\/p>\n

This 150-foot waterfall is found on your hike to the Indian Head overlook, one of the most photographed views in the Adirondack Mountains<\/a>. This hike is accessed through a conservation easement with the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). A parking reservation<\/a> is needed from May 1 – October 31 for crowd control, which makes winter a great time to have it all to yourself.<\/p>\n

\"FrozenLower Enfield Falls, Robert H. Treman State Park in the depths of winter in Ithaca. January 2025. Mike Servedio | Provided photoMike Servedio | Provided photoLower Enfield Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca (Central NY)<\/p>\n

In summer this popular watering hole is filled with swimmers and kids diving into the deep pool of Lower Enfield Falls.<\/p>\n

\"FrozenFrozen Niagara Falls Feb. 10, 2026. Provided photo | @robinrockscny on InstagramProvided photo | @robinrockscny on InstagramNiagara Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Niagara Falls, NY (Western NY)<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t have an Upstate New York waterfall list without Niagara Falls<\/a>. The Cave of the Winds<\/a> is open in winter at the iconic waterfalls and that means you can view its chilling beauty from nearby platforms.<\/p>\n

\"FrozenMine Lot Falls at Thacher State Park in the Capital Region, January 2025. Photo by Ranger Josh | Provided by Thacher State ParkPhoto by Ranger Josh | Provided by Thacher State ParkMine Lot Falls<\/p>\n

Location: Thacher State Park (Capital Region<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Mine Lot falls sparkles in winter at Thacher State Park in Vorheesville, just over a half hour away from downtown Albany<\/a>. In summer months, visitors can walk under the cascading waters. The trail closes for winter, but you can still view the icy fingers from afar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When winter hits with its subzero temperatures, waterfalls in Upstate New York turn into a frozen works of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":138974,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[9,11,10,49,51,50],"class_list":{"0":"post-138973","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-headlines","10":"tag-new-york-news","11":"tag-new-york-state","12":"tag-new-york-state-headlines","13":"tag-new-york-state-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138973"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138973\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}