Elmer Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Elmer Falls
Elmer Falls is a small but picturesque waterfall located in the town of Lyons Falls, New York. It is part of the Black River and is known for its scenic beauty and historical significance, as it is near the remnants of an old paper mill.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Elmer Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
The trail to Elmer Falls is extremely short and more of a path leading from the parking area to a viewing spot. It is flat and easy to navigate, making it accessible for most visitors.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Elmer Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Elmer Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Elmer Falls due to higher water levels from snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Exercise caution near the water's edge, as rocks can be slippery. The river may have strong currents, especially after heavy rains.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Beaver River, 6.1 miles away, not on Elmer Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
559 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 96 years of record
2.82 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge BEAVER RIVER AT CROGHAN NY (10 km away).
Today
Roaring
604 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
583 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
565 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
609 cfs
6/10Mon
Strong
572 cfs
10/10Tue
Strong
558 cfs
10/10Wed
Strong
552 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 early 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 Castorland hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Elmer Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing
Elmer Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 575 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 75 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,093 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 6 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 21 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northeast, 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
- 1,093 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 75 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- 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 northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Elmer Falls is located in Lyons Falls, New York, near the Black River. It can be accessed via Lyons Falls Road. The waterfall is visible from the road, and there is a small parking area nearby.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is limited parking available near the falls, typically along the roadside or in small pull-off areas.
Elevation
1,102 feet above sea level
Coordinates
43.927012° N, -75.288243° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit during spring or after heavy rains for the best water flow. Be cautious of slippery rocks near the water's edge.
Where to Stay
Days Inn by Wyndham Watertown Fort Drum
Quality Inn & Suites Watertown Fort Drum
Tug Hill Paradise, Copenhagen, NY
Adirondack Lodge Old Forge
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Lyons Falls Trail and the remnants of the old paper mill, as well as other scenic spots along the Black River.
Wildlife
The area around Elmer Falls may feature birds, small mammals, and aquatic life in the river.
Cities near Elmer Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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