Are there fees or permits required for Manorkill Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Manorkill Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Manorkill Falls.

Live Conditions · 202 ft³/s · Much higher than usual

Manorkill Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Manorkill Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Manorkill Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (5)

wallyg CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Manorkill Falls

Manorkill Falls is a quietly scenic cascade on Manor Kill creek in Schoharie County, New York, tucked where the stream passes beneath Prattsville Road (County Route 39). The falls sit on Manor Kill, a river that begins northeast of the hamlet of Manorkill and flows westward into the Schoharie Reservoir southeast of Gilboa. Because Manor Kill drains to the reservoir, the falls and creek are part of the New York City water supply watershed, lending an added sense of landscape importance to a visit. The setting is inviting for photographers and hikers who enjoy intimate, wooded creekside scenery rather than dramatic cliffline drops. Access is straightforward from the roadside: many visitors pair the short walk with a longer out-and-back hike along the creek corridor. Bring sensible footwear and expect a relaxed half-day outing to enjoy the falls and nearby stream views.

The Setting

Manorkill Falls sits at 1,234 feet along the Manor Kill, in the foothills of New York.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Mine Kill Falls (80 ft) lies 4.0 miles to the northwest.

Mine Kill Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Trail type: out-and-back. Length: 2.4 miles round trip with approximately 350 feet of elevation gain; rated moderate. The most common access is from the roadside parking near Prattsville Road (County Route 39), with the route following the Manor Kill corridor to the waterfall. There is no USFS trail number or formal surface/grade/class listed in available federal trail data for this route, so conditions can be informal—expect a natural footpath rather than developed trail infrastructure.

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 Manorkill Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Manorkill Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, 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

Exercise caution near the falls, as rocks can be slippery. Be mindful of traffic when parking or walking along the roadside.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

202 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

2 3 27 146

Based on 40 years of record

1.98 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

The water is flowing much higher than usual, expect an impressive display.

About This Gauge

MANOR KILL AT WEST CONESVILLE NEAR GILBOA NY

USGS 01350080

0.9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 32 sq mi

Altitude: 1,255 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge MANOR KILL AT WEST CONESVILLE NEAR GILBOA NY (1 km away).

High confidence

Roaring right now

202 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

202 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

209 cfs

8/10

Wed

Roaring

279 cfs

9/10

Thu

Roaring

293 cfs

6/10

Fri

Roaring

285 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

269 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

273 cfs

6/10

Best window: Wed — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).

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 North Blenheim 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.

The ground through the falls loses about 129 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,233 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 42 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 74 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Manorkill Falls near North Blenheim, New York, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Manorkill Falls near North Blenheim, New York, showing about 129 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 1,233 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 129 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Manorkill Falls is located near the small hamlet of Manorkill in Schoharie County, New York. It can be accessed via Route 990V, with the falls situated near the roadside.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is limited roadside parking available near the falls. Visitors should ensure they park safely and avoid blocking traffic.

Elevation

1,234 feet above sea level

Coordinates

42.380637° N, -74.430703° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit after a period of rainfall for the best water flow. Wear sturdy shoes as the area near the falls may be slippery. Be cautious of traffic when parking along the roadside.