Are there fees or permits required for Middle Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Middle Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Middle Falls.

Nearby gauge (Genesee River) · 861 ft³/s · About average

Middle Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Middle Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Middle Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 8 other waterfalls also named Middle Falls, see below

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.9 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Middle Falls

Middle Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in New York, known for its scenic beauty and accessibility. It is part of the Genesee River and is one of three major waterfalls in the area, offering a stunning view year-round.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Lower Falls (110 ft) lies 0.2 miles to the north.

Lower Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Middle Falls is a short and relatively flat path, making it accessible for most visitors. It offers scenic views of the surrounding area and leads directly to the waterfall.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a serene and scenic experience with the sound of cascading water and opportunities for photography. The area may be busy during peak seasons, so plan accordingly.

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 Middle Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Middle Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting when water flow is at its peak, but the waterfall remains beautiful year-round.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 48°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Exercise caution near the waterfall as rocks may be slippery. Stay on marked trails to avoid accidents.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Genesee River, 2.5 miles away, not on Middle Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

861 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

669 851 3.2k 5.3k

Based on 75 years of record

12.41 ft

Water depth at gauge

48°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 48 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Expect slightly cloudy visibility and excellent dissolved oxygen levels. PH is normal at 7.8 and mineral content is moderate.

Water Quality

9.8 mg/L

Dissolved Oxygen

Excellent

Supports aquatic life

7.8

Normal

Within healthy range (6.5-8.5)

6.1 FNU

Water Clarity

Slightly cloudy

Minor sediment present

667 µS/cm

Conductance

Dissolved minerals in the water

About This Gauge

GENESEE RIVER AT FORD STREET BRIDGE, ROCHESTER NY

USGS 04231600

2.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 2,474 sq mi

Altitude: 498 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge GENESEE RIVER AT FORD STREET BRIDGE, ROCHESTER NY (4 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

861 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

930 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

885 cfs

8/10

Tue

Moderate

892 cfs

9/10

Wed

Moderate

887 cfs

9/10

Thu

Moderate

954 cfs

9/10

Fri

Moderate

892 cfs

9/10

Sat

Moderate

840 cfs

9/10

Best window: Tue — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).

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 Rochester hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Middle Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Middle Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 38°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: 837 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.

The bare-earth surface loses about 86 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 354 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 124 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 114 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Middle Falls near Rochester, New York, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Middle Falls near Rochester, New York, showing about 86 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 354 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 86 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

Getting There

Middle Falls is located near Rochester, New York, with coordinates 43.1764, -77.628. It is easily accessible by car and is situated within a short distance from nearby towns such as North Gates and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Get Directions on Google Maps