Sheldon Falls

Ulster County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Ulster County, New York
Access status: Partial guide: no designated trail; informal streamside route and a stream crossing
The walk: Distance not given for the off-trail section
Ground & access: Marked footpath, then an unmarked streamside route over slanted, slippery rock slabs with a stream crossing. Steep slopes around the falls.

Scenes From The Trail: Chasing waterfalls along the Peter's Kill

Sheldon Falls is a large cascade on the Peters Kill in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, beside the ruins of an old hydroelectric power house and the smaller Peters Kill Falls. There is no designated trail to these falls; park planning notes a web of social trails here. Visitor accounts start at the Peter's Kill Area parking on Route 44/55: take the red-blazed Red Loop Footpath from the western end of the lower lot down to the Peters Kill. Where the Red Loop reaches the stream and turns right, leave the marked trail and go upstream along faint paths and rock slabs, past smaller falls, to the power house. Peters Kill Falls is on the left and the larger Sheldon Falls on the right; one account crossed the stream for a close view, which is harder in high water. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Peter's Kill Area parking on Route 44/55, Red Loop Footpath down to the Peters Kill, then off-trail upstream along the stream to the power house ruins and Sheldon Falls

A Scenes From The Trail circuit was about 3.5 miles and a Harriman Hiker loop about 4 miles; both combine several falls. No separate distance to Sheldon Falls is given.

Marked footpath, then an unmarked streamside route over slanted, slippery rock slabs with a stream crossing. Steep slopes around the falls.

Where to start

Peter's Kill Area parking lot on Route 44/55 (5080 Route 44-55, Gardiner), about 120 spaces.

Timing & water

Park hours change by season; check Minnewaska State Park Preserve before you go. Swimming is not allowed at the waterfalls. Stream crossings are harder in high water.

Before you go

Minnewaska State Park Preserve vehicle entry fee: $10 per vehicle. Empire Pass accepted.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Ulster County, New York.

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