Aunt Sarahs Falls
New York • 90 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (3)
Difficulty
Drive Up
About Aunt Sarahs Falls
Aunt Sarah's Falls is a picturesque roadside cascade in Montour Falls, New York, where water plunges roughly 90 feet into a cool, shaded gorge. The falls are easily admired from a roadside viewpoint and adjacent parking area, making it a perfect quick stop on a Finger Lakes loop — especially dramatic after rain when flows swell and sheets of water fan over the cliff. The setting feels intimate and verdant, with the gorge framing the drop for excellent photo opportunities without a long hike. The route is rated moderate and travels through mixed terrain with several vantage points overlooking the ravine and falls. There is no USFS trail number or formal managing-trail designation for the path, so expect a more natural, informal experience rather than a heavily developed trail.
The Setting
Aunt Sarahs Falls sits at 748 feet in the foothills of New York. The falls drop 90 feet.
Height: 90 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Hector Falls (165 ft) lies 4.6 miles to the north. Also nearby: Shequaga Falls (156 ft, 0.6 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Aunt Sarahs Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
The access beyond the roadside viewpoint follows an informal natural tread — predominantly dirt and leaf litter with occasional roots, rocks, and moderate grades on the approach and descent. There is no USFS trail name/number or official surface/grade class provided for this access, so plan for mixed, uneven footing and take care on wet or slippery sections near the gorge; sturdy shoes and caution on descent are recommended.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 90 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Aunt Sarahs Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Aunt Sarahs Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall is typically more active due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Exercise caution when parking and walking near the road. The area can be slippery, especially after rain. Avoid climbing on rocks near the waterfall.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Catharine Creek, 1.7 miles away, not on Aunt Sarahs Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
9 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 9 years of record
2.72 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CATHARINE CR AT MONTOUR FALLS NY (3 km away).
Today
Roaring
10 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
11 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
10 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
9 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
9 cfs
8/10Tue
Roaring
8 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
8 cfs
9/10Best window: Tue — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to early April, peaking in March.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Montour Falls hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Aunt Sarahs Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Aunt Sarahs Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 37°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 8 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in New York.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The bare-earth surface loses about 80 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The listed height of 90 feet matches what the lidar sees. The ground at the falls is roughly 750 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 28 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 61 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 750 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 80 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Aunt Sarah's Falls is located along Route 14 in Montour Falls, New York. It is visible from the road, making it very easy to access.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is limited roadside parking available near the waterfall. Visitors should exercise caution when parking and exiting their vehicles due to traffic.
Elevation
748 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.350907° N, -76.858569° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit after recent rainfall for the best water flow. Be cautious when parking and walking near the road, as traffic can be busy.
Where to Stay
The Anchor Inn
Lakeside Resort
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
The Hotel Laurel at Seneca
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Finger Lakes - Hector District
9.4 miles away · 0 sites
The Finger Lakes National Forest, positioned along the ridges between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, offers scenic beauty and unlimited recreational opportunities any season of the year. Whether you are a hiker, cross country skier, camper, fishing or hunting enthusiast, snowmobiler, horseback rider, mountain biker, or wildlife watcher, the Forest can provide the recreational experience you are seeking!The most popular season is autumn when the trees and pastures are ablaze with color. Hunter ejoy
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Shequaga Falls, Watkins Glen State Park, and Seneca Lake.
Wildlife
Wildlife sightings are minimal due to the roadside location, but you may see birds or small mammals in the surrounding area.
Cities near Aunt Sarahs Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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