High Falls

St. Lawrence County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: St. Lawrence County, New York
Access status: Remote wilderness hike; often an overnight trip
The walk: About 9 miles to the spur junction, then 0.4 miles to the falls
Ground & access: Long but mostly gentle trail with beaver dams and water crossings. Remote wilderness.

High Falls is a 15-foot drop, the largest on the main Oswegatchie River, deep in the Five Ponds Wilderness. Park at the Dead Creek Flow trailhead on South Shore Road in Wanakena and walk the road about half a mile to the High Falls trailhead. The trail follows an old railroad bed beside Skate Creek, with some beaver flooding. Pass the short spur to High Rock, continue straight at the Sand Lake junction at about 8 miles, and at about 9 miles turn right on the 0.4-mile spur to High Falls. Two lean-tos sit near the falls, one on each side of the river. Return the same way, or continue on the Cranberry Lake 50 trail to complete the loop back to Wanakena.

Plan your visit

Dead Creek Flow trailhead on South Shore Road in Wanakena, road walk to the High Falls trailhead, High Falls Loop Trail along Skate Creek to the junction at about 9 miles, then right on the 0.4-mile spur to High Falls

The Tupper Lake tourism office gives the spur junction at 9 miles in and the spur as 0.4 miles; its full loop with the side trip is 16.2 miles round trip.

Long but mostly gentle trail with beaver dams and water crossings. Remote wilderness.

Where to start

Dead Creek Flow trailhead parking on the right on South Shore Road, about 0.25 miles in from Wanakena Road (County Route 61).

Timing & water

Usually done as an overnight trip. Beaver flooding and Skate Creek crossings can be hard after rain.

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 York

Waterfall location

St. Lawrence County, New York.

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