Johnson Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Johnson Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
Johnson Falls is on posted private land and the owners have closed it to all access. Trespassers can be fined.
Photo Credits (3)
About Johnson Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Johnson Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No public access, so dogs are not permitted.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Johnson Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Tonawanda Creek, 5.2 miles away, not on Johnson Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
14 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 49 years of record
3.31 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
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 TONAWANDA CREEK AT ATTICA NY (8 km away).
Today
Low
14 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Moderate
15 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
15 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
15 cfs
5/10Sun
Low
17 cfs
5/10Mon
Low
17 cfs
5/10Tue
Low
18 cfs
6/10Best window: Tue — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, 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 Strykersville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Johnson Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Johnson Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 57°F to 40°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 14 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.
1-meter lidar measures about 129 feet of descent through Johnson Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,254 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 50 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 102 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,254 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 129 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
1,227 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.796449° N, -78.328350° W
Where to Stay
Letchworth Farm Guesthouses
Garden Place Hotel
Hampton Inn East Aurora
Luxury Villa
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
Cities near Johnson Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Johnson Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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