Are there fees or permits required for Split Rock Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Split Rock Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Split Rock Falls?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Split Rock Falls.

Nearby gauge (Boquet River) · 103 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Split Rock Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Split Rock Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Split Rock Falls.

New York

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 3 other waterfalls also named Split Rock Falls, see below

Photo Credits (5)

Adam Franco CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Mobilus In Mobili CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

James St. John CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Split Rock Falls

Split Rock Falls is a picturesque multi-tiered waterfall located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. It is a popular destination for its scenic beauty and natural swimming holes.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Fairy Ladder Falls (90 ft) lies 8.5 miles to the west. Also nearby: Beaver Meadows Falls (60 ft, 8.0 mi) and Artists Falls (20 ft, 7.7 mi).

Fairy Ladder Falls Beaver Meadows Falls Artists Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Split Rock Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

The trail to Split Rock Falls is extremely short and leads directly from the parking area to the viewing spots. Visitors can enjoy views of the cascading falls and the surrounding forest.

What to Expect

Swimming is permitted. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Split Rock Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Split Rock Falls?

✅ Swimming is allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is during late spring or early summer when water flow is strong, or in the fall for beautiful foliage views.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Rocks near the falls can be slippery, and currents in the pools may be strong. Swimming is at your own risk. Always supervise children and avoid visiting during heavy rain or high water levels.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Boquet River, 20.6 miles away, not on Split Rock Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

103 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

78 118 305 535

Based on 81 years of record

2.37 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

BOQUET RIVER AT WILLSBORO NY

USGS 04276500

20.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 270 sq mi

Altitude: 150 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge BOQUET RIVER AT WILLSBORO NY (33 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

103 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

103 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

109 cfs

9/10

Tue

Moderate

111 cfs

9/10

Wed

Moderate

103 cfs

9/10

Thu

Moderate

102 cfs

9/10

Fri

Moderate

106 cfs

9/10

Sat

Moderate

100 cfs

9/10

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

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to early June, 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 Mineville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Split Rock Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Split Rock Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 39°F to 32°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 109 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.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 160 feet of drop through Split Rock Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 682 feet above sea level.

Most of the action is upstream: the ground drops about 127 feet in the 500 feet above the pin and flattens beneath the falls. Facing northeast, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Split Rock Falls near Mineville, New York, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Split Rock Falls near Mineville, New York, showing about 160 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 682 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 160 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Split Rock Falls is located off Route 9 in Elizabethtown, New York. It is easily accessible by car, with a small parking area near the falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the falls, but it can fill up quickly during peak seasons.

Elevation

682 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.125885° N, -73.653744° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early to secure parking, especially during weekends and summer. Be cautious near the water as rocks can be slippery. Swimming is popular but can be dangerous due to strong currents.