Great Falls
Passaic County, New Jersey
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 75 ft (23 m)
- Location
- Passaic County, New Jersey
- Access status
- National historical park; overlook at the visitor parking lot
- The walk
- Short walk from the parking lot to the overlook; no distance given
- Ground & access
- Urban park paths and overlooks. There is no indoor visitor center; portable toilets are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., staff permitting.
Photo credit
Photo: The original uploader was Decumanus at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe Great Falls of the Passaic River is the centerpiece of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. The National Park Service says you can view the falls at a distance from Overlook Park or feel their spray in Mary Ellen Kramer Park. Overlook Park is at 72 McBride Avenue Extension. Mary Ellen Kramer Park, beside the falls and Hinchliffe Stadium, is reached by Wayne Avenue (Spruce Street Bridge) and a right onto Maple Street, and has an observation deck. Rangers lead walking tours as staffing permits; call the park the day of your visit.
Plan your visit
Overlook Park lot at 72 McBride Avenue Extension to the Great Falls overlook
The National Park Service gives no walking distance. The visitor parking lot is at Overlook Park itself.
Urban park paths and overlooks. There is no indoor visitor center; portable toilets are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., staff permitting.
Where to start
Free two-hour parking at Overlook Park, 72 McBride Avenue Extension (GPS N40.91533 W74.17992). It is very limited, especially on weekends and holidays, and the lot is closed some time after dark. Limited free street parking on Maple Street beside the Mary Ellen Kramer Park entrance. More parking in Paterson Parking Authority locations downtown, including the Hinchliffe Stadium garage.
Timing & water
Grounds open sunrise to sunset every day. Some park facilities and paths close during the winter.
Before you go
No entrance fee and no pass required.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls, Things To Do
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls current conditions
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls fees and passes
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls operating hours
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls basic information
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls nearby attractions
- National Park Service: Paterson Great Falls directions
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Bridal Veil FallsPartial: falls location on campus documented; visitor parking and walking distance not statedPassaic County, NJ2.4 miN
- Buttermilk FallsPassaic County, NJ5.0 miNW
- MacMillan Brook FallsPartial: county park trail to a waterfall on this stream documented; exact named drop not confirmedBergen County, NJ11 miN
- Chikahoki FallsMarked state forest loop; side view from the trailPassaic County, NJ12 miNW
Boonton FallsTown park trail into a gorgeMorris County, NJ12 miW- Otter HoleCascades beside a state forest parking lotPassaic County, NJ13 miNW
- Apshawa FallsMarked preserve trails to the falls from a county park lotMorris County, NJ13 miNW
- Hobble FallsCounty reservation trail; short walk on the Lenape TrailEssex County, NJ13 miSW
- Hemlock FallsCounty park trail to a 25-foot fallsEssex County, NJ13 miSW