Cascade Falls

Essex County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Essex County, New York
Access status: Short informal path from the Cascade Lakes day-use spit; roadside view also possible
The walk: Short walk on an informal path; no distance given
Ground & access: Informal path and a rocky slide of logs and boulders. Loose rocks and slippery surfaces.

Lake Placid tourism: Roadside falls and Rainbow loop

Cascade Falls drops about 100 feet down the side of Cascade Mountain toward the Cascade Lakes. It can be seen from Route 73 in Cascade Pass. For a closer view, take the driveway to the spit of land between Upper and Lower Cascade lakes. Park where you do not block the driveway, head toward Lower Cascade Lake, cross the bridge, and follow the path straight toward the waterfall to the base of an old slide of logs, rocks and boulders. Climb up and away from the lakes to a large rock knob with a view of the falls; the base is a short scramble farther. There is no designated trail. The route description dates from 2019.

Plan your visit

Driveway to the spit between Upper and Lower Cascade lakes, across the bridge and up the old slide path to a rock knob below the falls

The Lake Placid tourism guide calls it a short walk with no designated path. No distance is given.

Informal path and a rocky slide of logs and boulders. Loose rocks and slippery surfaces.

Where to start

Driveway on Route 73 immediately after Upper Cascade Lake, past the Cascade Mountain trailhead, about 8.5 miles from Lake Placid. Park without blocking the main driveway.

Timing & water

The stream does not flow year-round; the falls are weak in dry spells.

Before you go

No fee or reservation is mentioned.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Essex County, New York.

Open location map