26 Roadside Waterfalls Near Rochester

Impressive waterfalls are not all buried in dark ravines accessible only by difficult trails. For many, you don’t need to leave your car.

The waterfalls listed are also pinned on our open-source Google Map.

Accessible Waterfalls near Rochester

These waterfalls are viewable from the road, parking area, or walking along a short pathway.

1. Taughannock Falls

Trumansburg

Taughannock Falls from the Overlook View Point

The overlook viewpoint is a short, paved walkway off the main parking lot. From this stone balcony, you have the most picturesque view of Taughannock. Bonus, this observation point is free to access. The New York State Parks website for Taughannock Falls has a helpful virtual tour where you can pan around the area and see the walkways for yourself.

Taughannock Falls from the Gorge

The gorge trail inside the park is a 3/4 mile hard-packed gravel path that leads to the base of the waterfall.

2. Papermill Falls

Avon

The fall is viewable from the parking lot, walking around Papermill Park, and a short trail along Conesus Creek.

3. Littleville Falls

Avon

View this Conesus Creek waterfall by parking on the shoulder of Cemetary Rd. and walking across the Littleville Rd. bridge.

4. Oatka Creek Dam & Old Buttermilk Falls

LeRoy

The view is excellent from the bridge or Farmer’s Creekside Inn. North of the bridge, there is a parking lot with a path alongside Oatka Creek to view Old Buttermilk Falls.

5. Enfield Falls

Ithaca

Lower Enfield Falls are a short, paved walk from the parking lot in Robert H. Treman State Park.

6. Buttermilk Falls

Ithaca

The falls are a short, paved walk from the parking lot and viewable from the car as you drive in.

7. She-Qua-Ga Falls

Montour Falls

This spectacular 155-foot fall is viewable from the street and a short, paved pathway. Enjoy a picturesque view as you stroll along W. Main St. near the village clerk and library. The waterfall and Mill St. bridge dramatically appear above the two-story 1845 Greek Revival home on S. Genesee St.

8. Aunt Sarah’s Falls

Montour Falls

Viewable from the street, there are also parking areas right next to the falls and across the street.

9. Niagara Falls

Niagara Fals, NY

Park on Goat Island where Horseshoe, Bridal Veil, and American Falls are accessible using paved pathways. Horseshoe Falls is the closest to the main parking lot.

10. Letchworth

Castile

Letchworth showcases three magnificent waterfalls for people of all abilities, with an abundance of overlooks and parking areas throughout the park. Letchworth’s most accessible waterfalls are Middle Falls and Upper Falls, whether walking or driving.

11. Hector Falls

Hector

Park on the shoulder of Rt 414 either before or after the falls. You can see them as you drive over the bridge, but there is nowhere to pull over, so this is a better view for the passengers.

12. Glen Park Falls

Williamsville

Glen Park has a handicap-only parking lot with a direct view of the falls. There is a more considerable parking lot down the street.

13. Holley Canal Falls

Holley

The falls are viewable from the parking lot and are just a short walk away.

14. Clarendon Falls

Clarendon

The falls are visible from the parking area and a short walk across a grass lawn.

15. Wiscoy Creek Falls

Portageville

Viewable from Wiscoy Rd, enjoy a drive across Wiscoy Rd. bridge or park in the lot and walk across to enjoy the rapids along Wiscoy Creek. 

16. Seneca Mills Falls

Penn Yan

Along the Keuka Outlet Trail, halfway between Penn Yan and Dresden, find a breathtaking waterfall at the site of an old mill. While the gravel rail trail is seven miles long end-to-end, there is a parking lot just 0.03 miles from the fall.

17. Corbett’s Glen

Brighton

The walk from the Penfield Rd. entrance to Tunnel Falls is challenging, so choose to park at the top of Glen Rd. There are two designated accessible parking spaces once you drive through the tunnel, though normally discouraged from driving through the tunnel if not a resident.

18. Mills Mills Falls

Fillmore

Viewable from the surrounding roads and bridge.

19. Honeoye Falls

Honeoye Falls

You can glimpse the top of the falls from the parking lot next to Honeoye Creek and enjoy an extraordinary view from the observation deck. Walk around the Mendon Town Clerk’s office and down the grassy lawn to stand beside the fall.

20. Honeoye Creek Falls

Rush

The small dam is viewable from the road and a short walk across the lawn in Veterans Memorial Park to a viewing platform.

21. Ludlowville Falls

Lansing

Find a 35-foot Salmon Creek waterfall in Ludlowville Park.

22. High Falls on the Genesee River

Rochester

Viewable from the parking area on St. Paul Blvd, from the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge, the roof top at Genesee Brew House, and points along Brown’s Race.

23. Ithaca Falls

Ithaca

This impressive 150-foot cascade can be seen from the road or take an easy trail to the falls’ base.

24. Triphammer Falls & Beebe Lake Dam

Ithaca

Enjoy this unique 55-foot cascade from several vantage points above Fall Creek Gorge. The East Ave bridge offers the most picturesque view of the fall and historic triphammer forge, while the pedestrian suspension bridge above Beebe Lake Dam presents a bird’s-eye view.

25. Churchville Dam

Churchville

There is a small parking area next to the waterfall, with a path that leads down to Black Creek.

26. Channing H. Philbrick

Penfield

The rapids along Irondequoit Creek are viewable from the parking lot next to the pedestrian bridge. There is an accessible viewing platform and an easy trail along the creek. 

Where are your favorite roadside waterfalls?

Please share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments. Your insight and experience are invaluable!