Silver Thread Falls
New York • 80 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (2)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.6 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
100 ft
About Silver Thread Falls
Silver Thread Falls is a slender, ribbon-like cascade tucked into the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New York. The stream plunges approximately 80 feet down a narrow rock face, producing a delicate, shimmering curtain of water that catches the light and makes for striking photos in every season. The falls are reached by a short, easy out-and-back trail (about 0.6 miles round trip) that climbs roughly 100 feet through a quiet, forested setting. Much of the approach follows a well-maintained boardwalk that leads visitors to the base of the falls; the gentle grade and solid surface make the route accessible to many visitors, and the tranquil setting is ideal for a brief, family-friendly outing.
The Setting
Silver Thread Falls sits at 600 feet in the foothills of New York. The falls drop 80 feet.
Height: 80 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy 0.6-mile out-and-back trail gains 100 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
0.6 miles out-and-back, ~100 feet elevation gain, difficulty: easy. The trail is largely short and gentle, with a well-maintained boardwalk and compacted footpath through forested terrain that leads directly to the base of the 80-foot Silver Thread Falls. Surface conditions are generally firm and suitable for casual hikers and many wheelchairs on the boardwalk portion, though areas immediately adjacent to the plunge pool can be damp and uneven—use caution near the water.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 80 feet. 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 Silver Thread Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Silver Thread Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall flow is strongest due to snowmelt and rainfall. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may provide a chance to see the falls partially frozen.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Stay on the designated boardwalk to avoid damaging the environment and for your safety. The boardwalk may be slippery when wet, so use caution.
Current Water Conditions
21 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 61 years of record
2.11 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 KEUKA LAKE OUTLET AT DRESDEN NY (11 km away).
Today
Roaring
23 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
25 cfs
8/10Wed
Roaring
27 cfs
9/10Thu
Roaring
23 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
23 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
22 cfs
9/10Sun
Roaring
26 cfs
6/10Best window: Wed — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to late 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 Interlaken 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 laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 214 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 80 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 596 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 158 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 87 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 596 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 214 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Silver Thread Falls is located near Dingmans Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It is accessible via Dingmans Falls Visitor Center, which is located off Dingmans Falls Road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is available at the Dingmans Falls Visitor Center. The parking lot is free but can fill up during peak seasons.
Elevation
600 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.612849° N, -76.856069° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking. Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Dingmans Falls, which is located along the same trail. Bring a camera to capture the unique beauty of the falls.
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For this easy 0.6 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit
Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.
Osprey Daylite Daypack
Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.
Where to Stay
Luxury Lake House Dock Firepit Lake Access
Plum Point Lodge
Rustic Elegance
Showboat Hotel
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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Nearby Campground
Finger Lakes - Hector District
8.8 miles away · 0 sites
The Finger Lakes National Forest, positioned along the ridges between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, offers scenic beauty and unlimited recreational opportunities any season of the year. Whether you are a hiker, cross country skier, camper, fishing or hunting enthusiast, snowmobiler, horseback rider, mountain biker, or wildlife watcher, the Forest can provide the recreational experience you are seeking!The most popular season is autumn when the trees and pastures are ablaze with color. Hunter ejoy
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Dingmans Falls, Raymondskill Falls, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offer additional hiking and sightseeing opportunities.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also see wildflowers and ferns along the trail.
Cities near Silver Thread Falls
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