Best Waterfall Hikes in NJ

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Some of the best New Jersey hikes with waterfalls are listed below (in no particular order).

For best results, do these hikes in the spring or after a recent heavy rain for maximum water flow. Or hike them in winter for a chance to see them frozen.

View more waterfall hikes on this site.

Buttermilk Falls after a lot of rain.

Buttermilk Falls

Visit NJ’s highest waterfall plus Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond. The falls require no hiking to see it, but elaborate stairs can be climbed to get other views.

To make a longer hike, head steeply uphill and on to Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond or visit nearby Tillman Ravine for a short waterfall hike. Layton, Sussex County, NJ.


Chikahoki Falls with heavy rushing water down a slanted rock face.

Chikahoki Falls

Chikahoki Falls can be found in Norvin Green State Forest. This route takes in Chikahoki Falls, Otter Hole, and an awesome viewpoint at Wyanokie High Point with 360° views of the area, including NYC on a clear day. Ringwood, Passaic County, NJ.


Stony Brook Falls cascading over rocks with fallen branches over it.

Stony Brook Falls

Two pretty waterfalls – one stepped and the other angled – in an easy mile hike. Extend the route to 3.8 miles with the Silver Mine trail or longer with other trails in Stokes State Forest. Sandyston, Sussex County, NJ.


Apshawa Preserve Waterfall tumbling into a pool of water.

Apshawa Preserve Falls

Nice, large cascades can be found on Apshawa Brook. Enjoyable hike that includes scenic views over the Jersey Highlands and Butler reservoir, plus waterfalls, a dam, and ruins. Hike just to the falls or do a longer route around Apshawa Preserve. West Milford, Passaic County, NJ.


Water in Laurel Falls rippling over rocks.

Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls can be accessed by a short walk from Old Mine Road in Worthington State Forest or done as part of a loop up to Sunfish Pond. Columbia, Warren County, NJ.


Delicate lines of water cascading down Ramapo Valley Falls.

Ramapo Valley Falls

Short, easy hike to get to this pretty waterfall or visit it as part of a longer loop hike in this popular park. Mahwah, Bergen County, NJ.


Hacklebarney State Park cascades tumbling between large rocks.

Hacklebarney State Park

Multiple cascades along the Black River. This gorgeous park in Chester is terrific for outdoor photographers and stunning during fall foliage season. Chester Township, Morris County, NJ.


Van Campens Glen waterfall tumbling over moss covered rocks.

Van Campens Glen

Plenty of cascades and waterfalls along a cool, shady trail. Effort-to-reward ratio is totally in your favor on this short hike. Gorgeous area year-round and stunning in fall. Hardwick Township, Warren County, NJ.


Schooley's Mountain Falls cascading down an angled rock face.

Schooley’s Mountain Falls

Hike to a pair of waterfalls in a beautiful, shady gorge. Short but very rocky hike plus an overlook into the valley below. Long Valley, Morris County, NJ.


Hemlock Falls tumbling over basalt rocks in South Mountain Reservation.

Hemlock Falls

Tallest waterfall in South Mountain Reservation. Can be reached via this short easy hike or take in the view from historic Washington Rock on a longer hike to Hemlock Falls. Millburn, Essex County, NJ.


Water gliding over a flat rock in Tillman Ravine.

Tillman Ravine

Short hike in pretty hemlock forest featuring multiple cascades. Extend the hike to a cemetery dating to the 1800s or combine it with a stop at Buttermilk Falls nearby. Branchville, Sussex County, NJ.


Peanut Leap Cascade flowing into a pool of water surrounded by rocks.

Peanut Leap Cascade

Short but steep hike to a cascade tumbling over a rocky cliff. Enjoy expansive views over the Hudson River to New York City, a pretty waterfall, ruins, and a rope swing. This waterfall is also on the challenging Giant Stairs hike. Branchville, Sussex County, NJ.


A rainbow above water crashing over Paterson Great Falls.

Paterson Great Falls

Explore a large waterfall on the Passaic River. While not exactly a hike (it’s short and paved) this is a worthwhile stop for anyone in Jersey.

Check out the falls (especially after heavy rains) and then head over to High Mountain for a nearby hike. Paterson, Passaic County, NJ.


Close to New Jersey…

Dingmans Falls after a heavy rain.

Dingmans Falls

Just across the NJ-PA border are two beautiful waterfalls accessible to everyone via a short boardwalk trail through a hemlock ravine filled with rhododendron. Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania.


Three-tiered Raymondskill Falls.

Raymondskill Falls

Short hike to a pretty three-tiered waterfall that is the highest in Pennsylvania. Milford, Pennsylvania.


Large waterfall on the Tumbling Waters trail at PEEC.

Pocono Environmental Center

The large waterfalls on the Tumbling Waters trail are the highlight. Just over the New Jersey border into Pennsylvania, this park offers shady hiking through a hemlock forest with several loops to choose from. Pine Ridge, Pennsylvania.


Need even more hike ideas?!
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