High Falls (Rainbow)
Essex County, New York
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Essex County, New York
- Access status
- Private attraction; admission fee
- The walk
- About 0.5 miles return
- Ground & access
- Easy to moderate. Maintained trails, stairs, bridges and glass-floor walkways. Parts of the paths are wheelchair accessible.
High Falls is the official name for the series of drops on the West Branch of the Ausable River inside High Falls Gorge, a private attraction between Wilmington and Lake Placid. The attraction names four falls: Main Falls (about 35 feet), Mini Falls, Rainbow Falls (about 20 feet) and Climax Falls. Enter through the gift shop and pay the entrance fee. A half-mile round trip on maintained walkways, stairs and bridges passes all four falls. The falls cannot be seen when the attraction is closed.
Plan your visit
High Falls Gorge attraction on NY 86 in Wilmington, paid entry through the gift shop, walkways, stairs and bridges past Main, Mini, Rainbow and Climax falls
Northern New York Waterfalls describes a half-mile round trip on the attraction's trails, stairs and bridges.
Easy to moderate. Maintained trails, stairs, bridges and glass-floor walkways. Parts of the paths are wheelchair accessible.
Where to start
Paved lot at High Falls Gorge, 4761 NY Route 86, Wilmington.
Timing & water
Access only during the attraction's opening hours. The listed summer season runs May 2 to October 25; the attraction also opens in winter.
Before you go
Paid admission. High Falls Gorge lists summer tickets at $20 for ages 13 and up and $15 for ages 4 to 12. Tickets can be bought online or on arrival. Only service animals are allowed.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- High Falls (Climax)Private paid attraction with walkway loop documentedEssex County, NY0.0 miNE
- High Falls (Mini)Paid attraction walkway through the gorgeEssex County, NY0.0 miSW
- High Falls (Main)Private attraction; paid half-mile loopEssex County, NY0.1 miSW
- Upper Stag Brook FallsPartial guide: which upper cascade this listing marks is not established; closed during ski seasonEssex County, NY0.6 miNE
- Lower Stag Brook FallsEssex County, NY0.7 miNE
- The Flume FallShort Wild Forest path from the Flume trailhead lotEssex County, NY2.1 miNE
- Flume FallsShort path and parking documented; busy highway crossingEssex County, NY2.1 miNE
Monument FallsRoadside parking lot and short paths to the riverEssex County, NY3.3 miSW- Cascade FallsShort informal path from the Cascade Lakes day-use spit; roadside view also possibleEssex County, NY8.7 miS