Are there fees or permits required for Greenwood Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Greenwood Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Greenwood Falls.

Nearby gauge (Oswegatchie River) · 299 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Greenwood Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Greenwood Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Greenwood Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Greenwood Creek State Forest SCA · SDC

Photo Credits (2)

ianhun2009 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

antefixus21 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Greenwood Falls

Greenwood Falls is a picturesque cascade tucked into the Adirondack foothills within Greenwood Creek State Forest. The falls, fed by Greenwood Creek, drop through a wooded gorge and are surrounded by mature forest—an inviting spot for photographers and anyone seeking a quiet nature escape. The parcel is managed by SDC and carries the designation SCA, so visitors are asked to follow posted rules and practice Leave No Trace while on the property. Reaching the falls is a manageable outing for most day hikers.

The Setting

Greenwood Falls sits at 915 feet within Greenwood Creek State Forest, in the foothills of New York.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The path travels through mixed Adirondack forest within Greenwood Creek State Forest (managed by SDC, designation SCA) and approaches the cascade alongside Greenwood Creek, offering wooded and creekside scenery. Official USFS trail surface, grade, and class are not specified for this route. Hikers should be prepared for natural, unpaved tread and the variable footing typical of forest hikes, and plan accordingly with sturdy footwear, water, and awareness of trail conditions.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Greenwood Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Greenwood Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Greenwood 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

The trail may be slippery near the falls, especially after rain. Visitors should stay on marked paths and avoid getting too close to the edge of the waterfall.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Strong

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Oswegatchie River, 6.1 miles away, not on Greenwood Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

299 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

249 342 701 966

Based on 83 years of record

2.56 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

OSWEGATCHIE RIVER NEAR OSWEGATCHIE NY

USGS 04262000

6.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 259 sq mi

Altitude: 1,016 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge OSWEGATCHIE RIVER NEAR OSWEGATCHIE NY (10 km away).

High confidence

Strong right now

299 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Roaring

323 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

307 cfs

8/10

Sat

Roaring

292 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

326 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

337 cfs

9/10

Tue

Strong

323 cfs

10/10

Wed

Strong

325 cfs

10/10

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

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

Is Greenwood Falls Frozen?

Updated about 6 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Greenwood Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°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: 265 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.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 118 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 925 feet.

The ground changes about 81 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 45 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Greenwood Falls near Star Lake, New York, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Greenwood Falls near Star Lake, New York, showing about 118 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 925 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 118 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Greenwood Falls is located near the town of Indian Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. Access is typically via local roads, and visitors should follow signage or GPS directions to Greenwood Creek.

Get Directions on Google Maps