Explore a large waterfall on the Passaic River.
1 mile or less, paved surface. Mostly accessible (stairs to the lawn below the overlook).
| 1.0 miles | This hike guide: Detailed instructions, photos, and video follow below. |
| Shorter | Stick to the overlook area… but you’re missing getting closer to the falls. |
| Longer | Walk around more of the area and historic buildings, or check out a few short trails in the Upper Raceway Park adjacent to Spruce Street (we have not done this). |
| Nearby | High Mountain. |
Our two cents:
While certainly not a hiking trail, this is a worthwhile stop for anyone in Jersey.
Check out the falls (especially after heavy rains) and then drive 15 min. for a hike at High Mountain with views of the NYC skyline. (Nearby Garret Mtn. also a possibility).
In winter, the Great Falls can partially freeze it gets cold enough and is very impressive, but check the park web site to make sure the park isn’t closed due to slippery conditions on the paved walkways.
NOTE! We haven’t hiked this recently. The route remains the same but some details could have changed.
Updated: 2/2026 – Minor updates: reopened footbridge, visitor center/restrooms; not re-hiked. 4/2020 – Page refreshed, not re-hiked.
Hike Info:
Map:
Map and app available on the park site, and possibly in the parking lot.
Parking: N40.91533° W74.17992°
Paterson Great Falls NHP Parking Lot, 72 McBride Ave Ext, Paterson, NJ 07501. If approaching from Garden State Parkway N take exit 155. Rt 19 towards Paterson. L on Grande, R on Spruce, R on McBride. Parking lot on left. Full directions on the park site.
Opening times vary by season, check park site for current status.
Related: Waterfalls in NJ / Best Waterfall Hikes in NJ
Restrooms:
There may be portable toilets in the parking lot. There used to be a visitor center across the road from the parking lot but that now appears to be a maintenance building.
Directions:
The falls can be seen from the overlook parking, as well as the lawn area in front and below the parking (via stairs).
The pedestrian bridge spanning the falls was closed due to structural damage. A new one was installed in November 2025 and the bridge at Great Falls was reopened in February 2026.
Fun Fact: The Great Falls are 77 feet high and 260 feet wide. It’s the 2nd largest waterfall, by volume, east of the Mississippi River (Niagara Falls is #1) [Source: The Paterson Great Falls – A National Historic Park].
To get closer to the falls, walk back out to the street. Turn right and walk down the sidewalk. There are views of the falls from here too.
Turn right into an open lot and walk towards the fence where there is an opening that leads to a footbridge. Continue towards the falls to another footbridge.
Fun Fact: In 1792, Alexander Hamilton chose Paterson (named after New Jersey Governor William Paterson) to become the nation’s first planned industrial city, helping launch the American Industrial Revolution. [Source: NPS web site].
You might get a little misted if the falls are going good.
After crossing the footbridge, the path continues along the edge for close-up views of the falls.
Fun Fact: Paterson Great Falls was designated a “National Historical Park” in 2011. [Source: NPS web site].
Retrace the route when done.
Option: The paved path continues in Mary Ellen Kramer Park past the falls, down a little hill, along the Passaic River towards some high rock cliffs (Valley of the Rocks).
It’s not that scenic and tons of trash so we turned around before the end of the path.
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Hiked: 4/2/17. With High Mountain. Note to our future selves: Starbucks on Rt 504.