Are there fees or permits required for Fall Brook Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Fall Brook Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Fall Brook Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Fall Brook Falls.

Live Conditions · 317 ft³/s · About average

Fall Brook Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Fall Brook Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Fall Brook Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Fallbrook OTHE · PVT

Photo Credits (3)

lukas schlagenhauf CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

PNG441 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Fall Brook Falls

Fall Brook Falls is a picturesque cascade tucked into New York’s Finger Lakes area, beloved for its quiet gorge setting and photogenic drop. The waterfall sits within the Fallbrook land unit on private property and is managed by a local nonprofit organization (designation: OTHE), so visitors should be respectful of the site and any posted access guidance. The combination of wooded slopes, mossy rock, and the steady curtain of water makes it a rewarding stop for nature lovers and photographers alike. The hike to the falls is an approachable outing for most active hikers: the route is a 2.4-mile out-and-back with about 350 feet of elevation gain and is typically rated moderate. Expect a fairly direct walk through mixed forest that opens into the gorge where the falls tumble — a compact, scenic experience that’s great as a half-day excursion or a longer stroll when paired with other Finger Lakes stops.

The Setting

Fall Brook Falls sits at 597 feet within Fallbrook, fed by the Genesee River, in the foothills of New York.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Triphammer Falls (55 ft) lies 6.8 miles to the northeast.

Triphammer Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Fall Brook Falls is a 2.4-mile out-and-back route with approximately 350 feet of total elevation gain and a moderate difficulty rating. The path leads through forested terrain into the gorge, ending at viewpoints near the cascade; the route is direct and commonly used for day hikes and photography stops. Note that the falls lie on private land in the Fallbrook land unit managed by an NGO (designation: OTHE), so follow any posted rules and stay on the established trail.

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 Fall Brook Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Fall Brook Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the waterfall 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

The area near the falls can be slippery, especially after rain. Visitors should exercise caution and stay on marked trails. Flash flooding may occur in the gorge during heavy rain.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

317 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

132 180 670 1.2k

Based on 74 years of record

2.53 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

GENESEE RIVER NEAR MOUNT MORRIS NY

USGS 04227500

0.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,424 sq mi

Altitude: 540 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge GENESEE RIVER NEAR MOUNT MORRIS NY (1 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

317 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

317 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

392 cfs

3/10

Mon

Low

502 cfs

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

490 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

492 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

489 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

502 cfs

3/10

Best window: Tue — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February 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 Cuylerville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

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.

1-meter lidar shows Fall Brook Falls dropping about 148 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 608 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 136 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 126 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Fall Brook Falls near Cuylerville, New York, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Fall Brook Falls near Cuylerville, New York, showing about 148 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 608 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 148 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

Fall Brook Falls is located near the town of Geneseo, New York, within the Fall Brook Gorge. Access is typically via a short walk from the parking area, but specific directions should be confirmed before visiting.

Get Directions on Google Maps