New York has plenty of famous waterfall moments.
There’s the thunder of Niagara, the postcard cliffs of Watkins Glen, and the crowd-pleasing falls within the main reaches of Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Then there is Stony Kill Falls, tucked away on the preserve’s western edge, where a short woods walk ends at an 87-foot cascade pouring over the Shawangunk Ridge.
This is not the kind of destination that announces itself with a giant visitor center or a packed boardwalk.
The route begins beside a New York City water-system facility and crosses a former quarry landscape that feels almost lunar before trading gravel and fencing for wooden footbridges, stone steps, mossy boulders, and a tall ribbon of water slipping down a rock wall.
In autumn, the surrounding hardwood forest turns the approach into a gold-and-copper tunnel, while the ridge’s cliff faces and exposed stone add the kind of rugged backdrop that makes a simple waterfall photo look much more cinematic than it has any right to be.
One of Minnewaska’s tallest waterfalls
Stony Kill Falls is approximately 87 feet high, making it one of the highest waterfalls in Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
It tumbles over the Shawangunk Ridge’s layered rock cliffs before continuing upstream toward a second cascade of about 30 feet.
The waterfall is most dramatic after rainfall, when the stream fills out and the drop becomes a rushing, white curtain against the cliffs. During drier stretches, it can be much lighter, so it is worth checking recent weather before committing to the drive.
That seasonality is part of the appeal, but it also means this is not a guaranteed Niagara-style torrent on every fall weekend.
It’s a more intimate experience than Minnewaska’s better-known Awosting Falls. There’s no long line of people trying to frame the same exact shot, and the waterfall’s tucked-away setting makes the arrival feel less like checking off a hike and more like walking into a secret corner of the Shawangunks.
The hike is short, but come prepared
The official Stony Kill Falls trail is generally described as a 1.5-mile round-trip outing, though route trackers can show slightly different distances depending on whether visitors continue to the upper cascade or explore nearby connections.
The first part is relatively level, but the final approach includes uneven stone steps, rocks, wooden bridges, and potentially slick ground near the water. It’s doable for hikers with a basic fitness level, but not a stroll in white sneakers after brunch.
Wear shoes with grip, keep children close around the rocks, and do not attempt to climb the waterfall or cross closed-off sections.
The formal trail is a relatively recent improvement.
For years, locals and experienced hikers knew Stony Kill Falls as an unofficial find, but the Stony Kill Area Trail Project created a sustainable route with marked access, bridges, stonework, and viewing areas.
Make it a fall day in Kerhonkson
Stony Kill Falls sits near Kerhonkson and Wawarsing in Ulster County, a section of the Hudson Valley where the road starts climbing, the farm stands get better, and the Gunks become impossible to ignore.
For a full fall escape, build an itinerary around the waterfall:
- Start with the falls: Aim for an earlier arrival, particularly on weekends, when limited roadside parking near Shaft 2A Road can fill quickly.
- Drive the Shawangunk ridge: Route 44/55 near Minnewaska delivers wide views, rugged cliffs, and leaf-filled roadside scenery, especially during the autumn-color window.
- Add a Minnewaska hike: The preserve has lake views, carriage roads, pine forests, and cliffside trails beyond Stony Kill Falls. Awosting Falls, Lake Minnewaska, and the Gertrude’s Nose route are popular choices, although they require more time and planning.
- Stop in Kerhonkson or Accord: Both make good food-and-coffee reset points, while Accord’s small-town stretch has restaurants, farm-driven shops, and the nearby Arrowood Farms brewery.
- Turn it into an overnight: The Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska areas have cabins, inns, and spa-style stays if one waterfall is not enough reason to avoid the Sunday-night return to the city.
The Town of Wawarsing includes hamlets such as Kerhonkson, Napanoch, and Ellenville, all positioned near the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskills’ southeastern edge.
How to get there from NYC
Trailhead: Stony Kill Falls Trail, at the end of Shaft 2A Road in Wawarsing, New York. Because cell service and mapping directions can be inconsistent in the area, use the intersection of Rock Haven Road and Shaft 2A Road as a navigation reference, then follow Shaft 2A Road to the gate and trailhead. Hike the Hudson Valley’s directions provides the most detailed driving route and GPS reference.hikethehudsonvalley
Driving time: Plan for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from Midtown, depending on traffic and your NYC departure point. The trail is most easily reached by car.
Parking: Parking is limited at or near the Shaft 2A Road entrance. Do not block the gate, road, or water-infrastructure access. Arrive early on a weekend, have a backup hike ready, and obey all posted parking instructions.
Best timing: After a recent rainfall for a fuller waterfall, and during peak Hudson Valley foliage season for maximum leaf color. Mid- to late October is often a strong bet in this part of Ulster County, but foliage shifts year to year. Check a current state foliage report before heading out.
Cost: The Shaft 2A trail access has historically been free, unlike the paid main entrance to Minnewaska. However, parking and access arrangements can change, so check New York State Parks’ current Minnewaska information before leaving.
Know before you go
- Stay on the marked route and use designated viewing areas.
- The rocks, steps, and creek edges can become slick after rain.
- Water levels change dramatically through the year, so do not expect the same flow seen in every online photo.
- Pack water, download directions beforehand, and bring a layer. The gorge and shaded woods can feel notably cooler than the parking area.
- Leave no trace. This is a fragile waterfall landscape, not an invitation to make a new shortcut for your Instagram angle.