Are there fees or permits required for Rushton Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Rushton Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Rushton Falls.

Nearby gauge (Oswegatchie River) · 927 ft³/s · About average

Rushton Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Rushton Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Rushton Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (5)

RandSnyder CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Rushton Falls

Rushton Falls is a small but picturesque waterfall located in the village of Morristown, New York. It is part of the Rushton Falls Park, a serene area that offers a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the falls and the surrounding landscape.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Rushton Falls is very short and easy, making it accessible for most visitors. It is a flat path that leads directly to the falls, with minimal elevation gain. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for families and casual hikers.

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 Rushton Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Rushton Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit Rushton Falls, as the water flow is typically stronger 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 water, as rocks around the falls may be slippery. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or icy conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Oswegatchie River, 10.1 miles away, not on Rushton Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

927 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

593 881 2.2k 3.2k

Based on 110 years of record

1.84 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average 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 HEUVELTON NY

USGS 04263000

10.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 986 sq mi

Altitude: 288 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge OSWEGATCHIE RIVER NEAR HEUVELTON NY (16 km away).

Moderate confidence

Roaring right now

927 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

1001 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

916 cfs

8/10

Sat

Roaring

987 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

1068 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

1019 cfs

9/10

Tue

Roaring

986 cfs

9/10

Wed

Roaring

1052 cfs

9/10

Best window: Mon — roaring flow, partly 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 Rensselaer Falls hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Rushton Falls Frozen?

Updated about 6 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Rushton Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 45°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: 891 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 20 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 330 feet above sea level.

Both above and below, the ground is gentle; the falls are the one abrupt step in an otherwise easy-going creek. Facing northwest, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Rushton Falls near Rensselaer Falls, New York, showing about 20 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 330 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 20 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northwest; 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 northwest).

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Rushton Falls is located within Rushton Falls Park in Morristown, New York. The park is easily accessible by car, and the falls are a short walk from the parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area available at Rushton Falls Park, which provides convenient access to the falls.

Elevation

322 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.596727° N, -75.174650° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the spring or after rainfall for the best water flow. Wear comfortable shoes, as the path may be slightly muddy after rain. Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty of the falls.