Beaver Meadows Falls
New York • 60 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
This hike crosses the private Adirondack Mountain Reserve. A free reservation from hikeamr.org is required from May 1 to October 31, and dogs are not allowed.
Photo Credits (1)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
6.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
750 ft
About Beaver Meadows Falls
Beaver Meadow Falls is a 60-foot horsetail cascade on Beaver Brook, a tributary of the East Branch of the Ausable River, in St. Huberts in the Adirondack High Peaks. It is on the private Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR), where the public may hike under an easement but must hold a free reservation from May 1 to October 31. Most of the approach is a walk up the AMR's gravel Lake Road.
The Setting
Beaver Meadows Falls sits at 1,896 feet within Adirondack Mountain Reserve Easement, in the hills of New York. The falls drop 60 feet.
Height: 60 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Fairy Ladder Falls (90 ft) lies 2.0 miles to the south. Also nearby: Artists Falls (20 ft, 0.4 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate 6.5-mile out-and-back trail gains 750 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
From the AMR lot on Route 73, walk the dirt road to the paved road, turn left just before the Ausable Club clubhouse and go down between the tennis courts to the AMR gate. Walk Lake Road for nearly 2 miles to the trail sign on the right for Gothics and Beaver Meadow Falls, then follow the trail through the woods and across a bridge over the Ausable River; the falls are just past the bridge. The round trip is about 6.5 miles.
What to Expect
The falls drop 60 feet.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Beaver Meadows Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Dogs are not allowed on Adirondack Mountain Reserve land or trails.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
Permit required
A reservation is required to access the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) trail system. Reservations can be made online through the AMR website.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Beaver Meadows Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Beaver Meadows Falls is in the spring when the water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt, or in the fall when the surrounding foliage is vibrant with autumn colors.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the falls, especially after rain. Stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost. Carry a map or GPS device, as cell service may be limited in the area.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Vanderwhacker Brook Tributary 1, 15.1 miles away, not on Beaver Meadows Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
0 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 10 years of record
1.21 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge VANDERWHACKER BROOK TRIB 1 NEAR BOREAS RIVER NY (24 km away).
Today
Strong
0 cfs
7/10Tomorrow
Strong
0 cfs
7/10Sat
Strong
0 cfs
8/10Sun
Strong
0 cfs
8/10Mon
Strong
0 cfs
10/10Tue
Strong
0 cfs
10/10Wed
Strong
0 cfs
10/10Best window: Mon — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid May, peaking in April.
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 Mineville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Beaver Meadows Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded 1 more freezing day forecast
Beaver Meadows Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 42°F to 34°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 of the next 7
- Flow
- 0 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.
Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 65 feet of drop through Beaver Meadows Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That agrees with the listed height of 60 feet. The brink sits at about 1,898 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 26 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 168 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,898 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 65 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Take Route 73 through Keene Valley to St. Huberts. The AMR trailhead lot is on the right, directly across from the Roaring Brook Falls trail to Giant Mountain, about 3 miles past Keene Valley.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park only in the AMR lot on Route 73 in St. Huberts. From May 1 to October 31 a free reservation from hikeamr.org is required to park, and anyone walking, biking or being dropped off also needs one.
Elevation
1,896 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.129219° N, -73.815694° W
Land Management
Managed by SDC Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Reserve at hikeamr.org before you go and follow the posted AMR rules. The hike can be combined with Rainbow Falls for a longer day.
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With 6.5 miles and 750 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.
Where to Stay
Lake Placid Inn Boutique Hotel
Lake Placid Inn: Main Street
Grandview Lake Placid
Lake Placid Inn: Residences
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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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Rainbow Falls, Lower Ausable Lake, and the many hiking trails in the Adirondack High Peaks region.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Keep an eye out for birds such as woodpeckers and warblers.
Cities near Beaver Meadows Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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