Shelving Rock Falls
Warren County, New York
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 50 ft (15.2 m)
- Location
- Warren County, New York
- Access status
- Short state Forest Preserve trail from roadside lots
- The walk
- About 0.4 mile one way, plus about 0.1 mile back along the road from the parking area
- Ground & access
- Mostly dirt trail with a 50-foot stretch of cobble rocks that may be under water in high flow. Natural rock steps down to the base.
Shelving Rock Falls is a cascade of about 75 feet on Shelving Rock Brook in the Lake George Wild Forest, part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. It was once part of the George Knapp estate, and the remains of a small dam sit at the top. Northern New York Waterfalls says a sign on Shelving Rock Road marks the falls trail; walk 0.3 mile to the top, then descend natural rock steps to the base and the creek. Several more small drops continue below.
Plan your visit
Parking area on Shelving Rock Road just uphill from the Shelving Rock Brook crossing, back down the road to the signed trailhead, then the trail to the top and base of the falls
Northern New York Waterfalls gives 0.1 mile from the parking area back to the trailhead, 0.3 mile to the top of the falls and about another 0.1 mile to the base. A road sign reads Shelving Rock Falls 0.4 miles.
Mostly dirt trail with a 50-foot stretch of cobble rocks that may be under water in high flow. Natural rock steps down to the base.
Where to start
Unpaved parking area on the left side of Shelving Rock Road, uphill from the brook crossing, 2.4 miles past the Dacy Clearing parking lot. More lots are a short walk farther down the road if it is full. The last part of the drive is on dirt road.
Timing & water
No seasonal information is given. The cobble section may flood in high water.
Before you go
No fee or reservation is mentioned.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Buttermilk FallsPartial guide: roadside view only; the falls are on private property and there is no formal parkingWashington County, NY9.1 miS
- Uncas FallsPartial guide: preserve trail to falls on YMCA land; exact parking spot not described7 ft (2 m) · Warren County, NY9.9 miNE
- Dunkley FallsPartial guide: short informal path from a roadside pull-off; land ownership and official trail status not statedWarren County, NY16 miW
- Bear SlideWild forest trail; short uphill walkWarren County, NY17 miSW
- Rockwell FallsView from the Bridge Street bridge; street parkingWarren County, NY20 miSW
- Falls of CarrilonResearched visit notesEssex County, NY22 miNE
- Palmer FallsSeasonal hydro company overlook trail; flow controlled by the plantSaratoga County, NY24 miSW
- Schroon FallsPartial guide: shoulder parking and a bank beside posted private land; public status of the bank is not statedEssex County, NY25 miN
- Square FallsWarren County, NY26 miW