LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Saint Marys Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Easy
About Saint Marys Falls
Saint Marys Falls is a series of small cascades on Morris Brook in Dimock Hollow, within General Jacob Morris State Forest in Otsego County, north of Gilbertsville. Part of the stream corridor is Otsego Land Trust conservation land. The cascades can be seen from near the road, with a short scramble down to the creek for a closer look.
The Setting
Saint Marys Falls sits at 1,165 feet within General Jacob Morris State Forest, in the foothills of New York.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no long trail. From the parking area on Dimock Hollow Road, a short, informal path and scramble leads down to Morris Brook, with small cascades above and below.
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 Saint Marys Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on New York State Forest land.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Saint Marys Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit is during spring or early summer when water flow is typically at its peak. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may provide a unique view of the falls if they are partially frozen.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Visitors should exercise caution near the falls as rocks may be slippery. Be aware of changing weather conditions and dress appropriately for the season.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Unadilla River, 10.9 miles away, not on Saint Marys Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
704 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 87 years of record
5.11 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge UNADILLA RIVER AT ROCKDALE NY (18 km away).
Today
Strong
760 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Strong
796 cfs
9/10Tue
Strong
818 cfs
10/10Wed
Strong
855 cfs
10/10Thu
Strong
866 cfs
10/10Fri
Strong
864 cfs
10/10Sat
Strong
900 cfs
10/10Best window: Tue — strong flow, sunny (trip score 10/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March 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 Gilbertsville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Saint Marys Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Saint Marys Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 33°F to 30°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 797 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 91 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,146 feet.
The ground changes about 140 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 47 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southeast, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,146 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 91 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From NY 51, turn onto Dimock Hollow Road and go about a third of a mile north. Look for the Otsego Land Trust conservation land sign.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the south end of Dimock Hollow Road, about a third of a mile north of NY 51, near the Otsego Land Trust sign.
Elevation
1,165 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.512409° N, -75.292442° W
Land Management
Managed by SDC
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
Quality Inn Oneonta Cooperstown Area
Holiday Inn Express Oneonta by IHG
Hidden LakeFront Retreat
Apple Inn and Suites Cooperstown Area
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
East Sidney Dam Recreation Area
13.2 miles away · 0 sites
This recreation area is part of East Sidney Lake
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
The historic village of Gilbertsville is a few miles south.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks during warmer months.
Cities near Saint Marys Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Saint Marys Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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