Hemlock Falls

Essex County, New Jersey

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Essex County, New Jersey
Access status: County park trail to a 25-foot falls
The walk: About 0.6 miles one way
Ground & access: Easy. Wide dirt path with some roots and rocks. The loop over the top has stone steps and no guardrails near the falls.

Hemlock Falls is a 25-foot waterfall, the tallest in South Mountain Reservation, an Essex County park in West Orange. From the Tulip Springs lot, start on the yellow-blazed Lenape Trail opposite the trail kiosk. At 0.2 miles the trail turns right and crosses a footbridge over South Orange Avenue. At 0.4 miles turn left at a kiosk with a map and pass small Hobble Falls. At 0.6 miles cross a stone bridge at the base of Hemlock Falls. Return the same way, or climb the stone steps on the red-dot-on-white Hemlock Falls Loop for views from the top and loop back. The route description dates from 2021.

Plan your visit

Tulip Springs parking lot, yellow Lenape Trail over the South Orange Avenue footbridge and past Hobble Falls to the stone bridge at the base of Hemlock Falls

njHiking.com reaches the base of Hemlock Falls at 0.6 miles and gives 1.2 miles for the walk to the falls and back. A loop over the top is 1.8 miles.

Easy. Wide dirt path with some roots and rocks. The loop over the top has stone steps and no guardrails near the falls.

Where to start

Tulip Springs lot, 64 Cherry Lane, West Orange; medium paved lot with portable toilets. Published coordinates: 40.75567, -74.29172. A smaller lot off South Orange Avenue (40.75296, -74.28995) is closer but often full.

Timing & water

Flow varies with rainfall and can be minimal in dry weather. The park is very popular.

Before you go

No fee is listed.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore New Jersey

Waterfall location

Essex County, New Jersey.

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