Are there fees or permits required for Crandall Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Crandall Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Crandall Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Crandall Falls.

Nearby gauge (Cincinnati Creek) · 83 ft³/s · About average

Crandall Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Crandall Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Crandall Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (5)

Bill Badzo CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

MattBritt00 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

dianecordell CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Crandall Falls

Crandall Falls is a small, picturesque waterfall located in New York, known for its serene surroundings and accessibility. It is a lesser-known destination, making it a peaceful spot for nature enthusiasts.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Lower High Falls (75 ft) lies 8.1 miles to the south. Also nearby: Sherman Falls (33 ft, 8.3 mi) and Upper High Falls (25 ft, 8.0 mi).

Lower High Falls Sherman Falls Upper High Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Crandall Falls is short and relatively flat, making it suitable for most visitors. It passes through a wooded area and leads directly to the waterfall. The path may be uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Crandall Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Crandall Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Crandall Falls, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Exercise caution on wet or slippery rocks near the falls. Be mindful of ticks and other insects in the area. Cell phone service may be limited, so plan accordingly.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cincinnati Creek, 9.1 miles away, not on Crandall Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

83 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

Based on 3 years of record

1.44 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 nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

CINCINNATI CREEK AT BARNEVELD NY

USGS 01344795

9.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 45 sq mi

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge CINCINNATI CREEK AT BARNEVELD NY (15 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

83 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

83 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

75 cfs

6/10

Tue

Moderate

124 cfs

8/10

Wed

Moderate

215 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

151 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

114 cfs

8/10

Sat

Moderate

112 cfs

8/10

Best window: Tue — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to mid 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 Prospect hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Crandall Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Crandall Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 34°F to 32°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 120 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 53 feet of drop through Crandall Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 1,176 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 31 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 14 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Crandall Falls near Prospect, New York, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Crandall Falls near Prospect, New York, showing about 53 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,176 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 53 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

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

Crandall Falls is located near the town of Elizabethtown in Essex County, New York. Access is typically via local roads, and visitors should use GPS or local maps to navigate to the area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking availability is limited and may consist of roadside pull-offs or small parking areas nearby. Visitors should plan accordingly.

Elevation

1,181 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.397569° N, -75.137386° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the spring or after rainfall for the best water flow. Bring bug spray during the summer months, as insects can be prevalent. Arrive early to secure parking, especially on weekends.