Rensselaerville Middle Falls

Albany County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Albany County, New York
Access status: Preserve trail to the middle falls viewing area
The walk: About a tenth of a mile to the footbridge at the base of the falls, then a short climb on the Middle Falls Trail
Ground & access: Flat dirt trail, wet in places, with roots and rocks; narrow one-at-a-time footbridge; the Middle Falls Trail is narrow and ends at an unfenced rock edge.

Uncovering New York: Rensselaerville Falls at Huyck Preserve

Rensselaerville Falls drops about 120 feet in three tiers on Tenmile Creek in the E.N. Huyck Preserve. Park in the small lot behind the white building at the Visitors' Center, 5052 Delaware Turnpike; the entrance is next to the bridge over Tenmile Creek and looks like a gravel driveway. Walk past the kiosk on the only trail from the lot, about a tenth of a mile to a narrow wooden footbridge with a view of the lower falls. Cross the bridge, pass the ruins of the Huyck felt mill, and turn right onto the Middle Falls Trail. It climbs a short way to a rock viewing area that shows the upper two-thirds of the falls, with the lower falls behind you. A slip here could send you over the edge. Return the same way, or continue on the Upper Falls Trail to the bridge at the top of the falls.

Plan your visit

Huyck Preserve Visitors' Center lot on Delaware Turnpike (NY 85) in Rensselaerville, trail along Tenmile Creek to the footbridge, then the Middle Falls Trail to the middle viewing area

Uncovering New York gives about a tenth of a mile from the parking area to the footbridge at the base of the falls. No separate distance is given for the Middle Falls Trail spur.

Flat dirt trail, wet in places, with roots and rocks; narrow one-at-a-time footbridge; the Middle Falls Trail is narrow and ends at an unfenced rock edge.

Where to start

Visitors' Center lot behind the white building at 5052 Delaware Turnpike, room for about a dozen vehicles; fills on busy days. The preserve also has visitor parking at the Eldridge Research Center and the Lake Myosotis beach area.

Timing & water

Open year-round, dawn to dusk. Swimming and climbing at the falls are prohibited.

Before you go

Free admission to hike. Trails open dawn to dusk year-round.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Albany County, New York.

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