Minelot Falls
Albany County, New York
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 98 ft (30 m)
- Location
- Albany County, New York
- Access status
- State park cliff-base trail; seasonal winter closure; vehicle fee
- The walk
- Short; the whole Indian Ladder Trail is about half a mile
- Ground & access
- Stone stairs at each end and a narrow ledge path under low overhangs at the cliff base. The falls can be dry in summer.
Minelot Falls pours over the Helderberg Escarpment cliff onto the Indian Ladder Trail in Thacher State Park. Park in one of the lots near the visitor center and take the stairs down to the Indian Ladder Trail, which runs along the base of the cliffs. At Minelot Falls a placard names the falls, and you can walk under the large overhang behind the water. Continue along the trail and climb the stairs at the far end, or return the same way.
Plan your visit
Thacher State Park visitor center area lots (Minelot, La Grange Bush or Paint Mine), stairs down to the Indian Ladder Trail and along the cliff base to Minelot Falls
A hiker account gives the Indian Ladder Trail as about half a mile long. Minelot Falls is on this trail. No separate distance to the falls is given.
Stone stairs at each end and a narrow ledge path under low overhangs at the cliff base. The falls can be dry in summer.
Where to start
The park manager named La Grange Bush as the most popular lot for the Indian Ladder Trail, with access also from the Minelot and Paint Mine lots. The Overlook lot is limited to 30 minutes.
Timing & water
State Parks says the park is open year round, sunrise until sunset. The Indian Ladder Trail closes for winter; Hike the Hudson Valley gives the closure as November 16 to April 30, and the park manager said there are no set dates. Flow is best in spring.
Before you go
State Parks lists a $6.00 vehicle entrance fee, collected 9am to 5pm daily from May 1 to October 31. Lots have self-serve pay stations.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
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- Rensselaerville Lower FallsFree nature preserve; short walk to the lower footbridgeAlbany County, NY12 miSW
- Rensselaerville Middle FallsPreserve trail to the middle falls viewing areaAlbany County, NY12 miSW