Harper Falls

St. Lawrence County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: St. Lawrence County, New York
Access status: State forest trail and parking documented
The walk: About 0.6 miles one way
Ground & access: Well-kept old road; easy. Rocks at the river are uneven; take care around the chasm.

From the small parking area on Downerville Road, pass the yellow stop gate and follow the Harper Falls Trail, an old road, downhill toward the Grass River. The trail rises briefly at 0.25 miles, levels at 0.4 and 0.5 miles, then makes a last descent. At 0.6 miles reach a designated campsite (yellow DEC disc) beside the river; walk carefully onto the rocks for a view of the 60-foot falls in a rock chasm. Return the same way, about 122 feet of climbing.

Plan your visit

Downerville (Donnerville) Road off County Road 27, Harper Falls Trail past the yellow gate to the North Branch of the Grass River

CNY Hiking and Northern New York Waterfalls both give 0.6 miles from the parking area to the falls.

Well-kept old road; easy. Rocks at the river are uneven; take care around the chasm.

Where to start

Small parking area on seasonal gravel Downerville Road, about 1/2 to 0.6 miles from County Road 27. From the CR 17 and CR 27 junction in Degrasse, go 7.4 miles northeast on CR 27 and turn left on Downerville Road, 1/2 mile past the Clare town barn.

Timing & water

Downerville Road is seasonally maintained; water can cover the road in swampy areas at times, mainly from the north end.

Before you go

Grass River Wild Forest (NYS DEC). No fee is stated by the sources.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore New York

Waterfall location

St. Lawrence County, New York.

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