Leatherstocking Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Leatherstocking 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.
Leatherstocking Falls is on private property with no public trail. Reports conflict on whether it can be seen from the road (County Route 28); do not enter the property.
Photo Credits (4)
About Leatherstocking Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Leatherstocking Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Leatherstocking Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically stronger due to seasonal rainfall.
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 Fulmer Creek, 17.8 miles away, not on Leatherstocking Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
5 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 11 years of record
2.33 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge FULMER CREEK NEAR MOHAWK NY (29 km away).
Today
Moderate
5 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Moderate
5 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
4 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
4 cfs
6/10Mon
Moderate
5 cfs
9/10Tue
Moderate
5 cfs
8/10Wed
Moderate
4 cfs
8/10Best window: Mon — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to mid 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 Cooperstown hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Leatherstocking Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Leatherstocking Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 36°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 4 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 110 feet of descent through Leatherstocking Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,336 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 36 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 30 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,336 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 110 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
1,335 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.732922° N, -74.922266° W
Land Management
Managed by NGO No Public Access
Where to Stay
The Tunnicliff Inn
Lake Front Hotel
Mohican Motel
Hampton Inn Cooperstown
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
Nearby Attractions
The nearby town of Cooperstown offers attractions such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Farmers' Museum.
Cities near Leatherstocking Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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